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Young House Love » Crafting & Art » An Inexpensive Guest Room Makeover

| By Sherry Petersik | February 24, 2011 | 756 Comments

An Inexpensive Guest Room Makeover

Sometimes, you just gotta let things “shake out” – haha. John kept rolling his eyes while I ran back and forth from the guest room to try “one more thing” all day yesterday, but I just love playing around, tweaking things, adding this, subtracting that, and seeing where we end up. It’s probably my favorite part of the whole process, all that final-hour-switcheroo business. And we’re so glad that we shared yesterday’s in-progress pics to show how just a few tweaks in the last 24 hours can really change things up. Not über dramatically, but enough to make a difference for sure. Sometimes it’s those last minute changes that make you step back and go: There. Done. At least for now.

Who am I kidding? I’ll probably be back in there hanging art above the chairs and switching out the bookcase for a proper dresser when we hunt down the perfect one on craigslist in a week or two. And then there’s the crown molding we’d love to add down the line along with a million other changes that we’ll probably roll out over the next few years. But those are projects for another day, because my mom and stepdad will be arriving in T-minus-four-hours. So here’s what the guest room looks like now that we picked up three things from Tar-jay yesterday afternoon.

Guest Bedroom From Bathroom

Guest From Doorway

Guest Room Bookcase Wall

Those three things were:

  • a large $24 faux leather tray
  • a round $49 oil-rubbed bronze mirror
  • a cute green $19 table lamp

You’ll remember that yesterday’s to do list included hanging something above the bed to balance out the big window to the left (hence the purchase of the big round mirror) and adding a nightstand and table lamp (hence the purchase of the cheap-o table lamp and the tray that we attached to the top of the green luggage rack that we got last week while thrifting on our little V-day beach trip last week).

First I repaired the straps on the luggage rack with thick brown ribbon and a staple gun.

Bg Tray Stand

Then John came up with the genius plan to use Command removable adhesive strips…

Bg Command Strip

… to securely fasten the tray to the luggage rack in a way that’s 100% un-doable, thanks to those removable strips.

Bg 3m Strip Tray

After placing our new luggage-rack-turned-side-table next to the bed with that cute green lamp…

Guest Side Table Wide

Guest Side Table

… and hanging the oil-rubbed bronze mirror above the bed…

Guest Bed Mirror

…we both really loved the idea of bringing in the leather storage bench that was sitting unused in the playroom for the foot of the guest bed.

Guest Bedroom From Bathroom

That way we could remove the patterned brown blanket that we had folded at the foot of the bed (for a splash of dark color) in exchange for the more “classic” and less busy brown ottoman (which would also serve as a place to sit down, store linens, drop bags, set out magazines for mom, etc). All hail function. And ottomans. Seriously, we can’t get enough of them. So for those of you who hated the brown blanket with a passion that can only be described as intense, rest assured that it’s been beaten and burned. Just kidding, it’s sitting in playroom purgatory with all of our other “leftovers.”

And on the subject of stuff we already have, we knew that our guests would love a place to charge their cellphones, so I brought in a ceramic stool from the sunroom and placed it between the two chairs that I shifted apart so the outlet was easily visible right behind the stool. Bam: cellphone charging central. Note: I’ve since come to my senses and removed the cute blue vase to actually make room for cell phones.

Guest Chairs

And in separating those chairs I nixed the faux sheepskin and brought over the two happy yellow pinwheel pillows for some easy balance. Of course we still have to hang some art above those chairs, but we’ll get there someday.

So that’s the room as it looks today with mom and Jack on the road from NY. Just for fun, here’s another shot of our cute little $1.25 closet door pull and the empty closet with a bunch of wood hangers just waiting for our guests:

Guest Knob Curtains

Guest Closet

The funny thing is that I’m pretty sure my mom would sleep on the floor for a chance to hang out with Clara, so she probably won’t even notice the walls or the curtains or the bedding because she’ll be so busy staring at the bean.

Speaking of our little helper, here she is hanging out while we hung the mirror above the bed.

Gb Cute Clara 1

Gb Cute Clara2

Gotta love that girl. She already has an appreciation for rugs and other accessories.

Oh and since you know we love a good budget breakdown, here’s what we spent for the guest bedroom & adjoining guest bathroom makeover:

  • Olympic Premium No-VOC primer: $12
  • Olympic Premium No-VOC paint (color matched to Martha Stewart’s Plumage): $22
  • Target bedskirt: $10
  • Ikea curtains: $76 (around $19 a panel)
  • Target curtain rods: $18
  • Hobby Lobby closet knob: $1.25 (50% off thanks to a hardware sale)
  • Target oil-rubbed bronze mirror: $49
  • Target tray for luggage rack: $24
  • Target table lamp: $19
  • Target bathroom shower curtain: $20
  • Target bathmat: $20
  • Target Waterpik showerhead: $14
  • Home Depot toilet seat: $12
  • TOTAL: $297.25

Thanks to working with a ton of things that we already had (like our DIYed headboard, existing linens, the two slipper chairs, the ceramic drum stool, our yellow Pottery Barn rug, and our old bookcase) we came in well under a 1K Trading Spaces budget, even if you add our $488 bed purchase to the total above (which takes us to a grand total of $785.25). Now we just have to do a little last minute vacuuming and dusting before my mom swoops in and steals my child. That’s right, our family voted her as Most Likely To Steal Clara for a reason.

Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button: 

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More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Crafting & Art, Decorating, Our Second House, Saving Money

Guest Bedroom Progress…
The Guest Bath: Meh, But Functional.

Comments

  1. Vanessa says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Oh my gosh! I LOVE it! So vibrant, yet calm. I was looking for a tutorial on the headboard and didn’t realize it was one from your old house. Looks totally different in this room. Thanks for all the design inspiration!

    Reply
  2. kjheath says

    March 8, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Where did you get those cute pinwheel yellow pillows, I’ve been looking for something like that!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 8, 2011 at 9:02 am

      Target! I think they still have them.

      xo,
      s

  3. Jennifer says

    March 11, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    Adorable room! Where did you get your yellow pinwheel pillows?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 11, 2011 at 8:13 pm

      Those are from Target. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  4. Michelle says

    March 14, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    Love that nightstand do-it-yourselfer.. Way cool!
    Also love the chairs and pillows.
    the colors in this room are fabbb!!
    I took the pleasure in linking up!
    http://livinprettysimple.blogspot.com/2011/03/link-love-with-good-tune.html

    Reply
  5. JL says

    March 15, 2011 at 11:13 am

    I have those PB pillows on my bed! Love them :0 I have the EuroShams though and have been trying to find the duvet for years? Any idea on where I could find it? I know it from ’08.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 15, 2011 at 11:48 am

      Maybe try ebay? Or just google the name and see what comes up (I think it’s called Woodland Organic Duvet)? Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  6. Megan says

    March 22, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    I love these changes! I especially love that yellow pillow of yours! It was inspiration for the pillow I made (here: http://vintagehydrangeas.blogspot.com/2011/03/big-red-pants.html).. not to mention your post on the sew-free curtains!

    Thanks for all you guys do!

    Megan @ Vintage Hydrangeas

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 22, 2011 at 11:04 pm

      So charming!

      xo,
      s

  7. Kenna says

    May 6, 2011 at 12:28 am

    What is the name of your polka dot curtains? I love them and haven’t found them anywhere–even looking at Ikea (and ebay).

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 6, 2011 at 8:57 am

      They’re called Henny. Here’s the link for ya: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50173908

      xo,
      s

  8. Kenna says

    May 7, 2011 at 8:52 am

    Thanks so much, Sherry! Now I know why I didn’t see the curtains on Ikea.com–they’re only sold in the stores! Appreciate the help.

    Reply
  9. Becca says

    August 11, 2011 at 10:39 am

    I was inspired by your room. I have wanted to paint my bedroom a darker blue but have been intimidated. Also, I loved the curtains. I visited Ikea this week and saw bedding from the same material, but not curtains. Did you buy the curtains as is?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      August 11, 2011 at 10:54 am

      Yup, they were called “Henny” I think. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  10. Alyssa says

    September 16, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    I think this is my favorite room. Ever.

    Reply
  11. Emily @ LaForce Be With You says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    I love love the room! We have the same pillowcases and a white comforter in our guest room which currently has white builder walls. I really want to paint the walls a deep teal color… similar to your walls here but a little bit more blue in it. The only worry is with such dark walls, does it make the room ever look really dark at night or when it’s not light outside? Or does it still look great then?

    Thanks for your help!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 22, 2012 at 11:04 pm

      It gets a lot of light during the day which is nice, and at night the lights are on in the room, so they’re light enough to keep it illuminated. It probably has more depth in natural light (most colors do) and it still looks great at night! Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  12. Charlotte says

    April 20, 2012 at 8:23 am

    I can’t stop staring at this room! It’s so beautiful, I am working on being brave enough to ship me over some Pottery Barn linen to make my own blinds so I can re-decorate my home office in the same colours you have chosen here, just delicious, thank you for the inspiration x

    Reply
  13. Maria says

    May 8, 2012 at 11:46 pm

    I llove this room! Copied the paint and pillows so far :)
    Can we get an update? I’d love to see how it’s evolved!!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 9, 2012 at 12:29 am

      Aw thanks! It looks pretty much exactly the same! Haha. But of course we’ll blog if we ever add some much-needed art or make any other tweaks as we go!

      xo,
      s

  14. Gabriela Puscasu says

    May 11, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Hello. I want to paint my bedroom this color, I absolutely love it, but it’s not a big bedroom, smaller then your guest room and my question is. How do you feel in that room? Does it give the impression that it’s a bit too much or too dark? Considering the fact that we have the PC in there, we work there, so we spend some time in there, and most of this time is after the sun goes down, when there’s not much light.
    Do you have any advice?

    I really want to paint it turquoise, but maybe it’s a bit too dark.

    Thanks,
    Gabriela

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 11, 2012 at 3:33 pm

      That rooms gets some of the best light of any room in our house (a total accident when we picked that color, we had no idea- haha) so it’s awesome in there. We love it and definitely don’t think it feels dark or heavy. Even after dark it doesn’t seem too heavy since we have light trim, a bright white duvet, white curtains, etc- so my advice would be to bring in some other white things (lamp shades, trim, maybe a white desk or chair or some light art, etc). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  15. Emily @ LaForce Be With You says

    July 17, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    Thank you for the inspiration!

    http://www.laforcebewithyou.com/2012/07/go-bold-painting-guest-room.html

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      July 17, 2012 at 4:28 pm

      Wahooo! So fun!

      xo,
      s

  16. Tanja says

    August 6, 2012 at 9:42 am

    I really love your blog. I am particularly interested in your guest room and the way you fixed it. My brother’s room is exactly the same- the size is similar and the window at one end of the wall except that the door is by the foot of the bed. Need you advice. Would it be awkward to put a queen size bed in the middle of the room and 2 sidetables?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      August 6, 2012 at 10:05 am

      No, that’s nice! I would give it a try and see how it looks. Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  17. Comfort B. says

    August 24, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    Guys, Your home is beautiful! The Lime Green & Turquoise seems to be a staple in every room. I love those colors. Where did you get those beautiful carpets from?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      August 25, 2012 at 9:32 am

      The yellow rug in here is from Pottery Barn Outlet, the green rug in the living room is from jossandmain.com, and the blue rug in our bedroom is from a local outlet here in Richmond called The Decorating Outlet.

      xo,
      s

  18. Jessica O. says

    April 24, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    What is the name of these ikea curtains? I am having the worst time finding them.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 24, 2013 at 1:36 pm

      I don’t think they sell them anymore. So sorry! Anyone remember the name? Ours don’t say them on the tag.

      xo
      s

  19. Jessica O. says

    April 24, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    Thank you anyway! I forgot to say that even months later I come back to this room because I love it so much!

    Reply
  20. Jessica says

    June 15, 2013 at 10:55 am

    Do you guys happen to know the name of these curtains? I have been scouring the Internet trying to find them for our nursery! thanks!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      June 15, 2013 at 1:27 pm

      They’re from Ikea but they don’t sell them anymore. I forget the name, but maybe just try an “ikea curtains” search on ebay?

      xo
      s

  21. Franny says

    August 14, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    Hey guys, I’m getting ready to paint my bedroom a dark color like this one you used to have. I’m curious what finish you used on this color. I’m debating between eggshell and flat because I don’t want any reflection of the lights, but I heard most people use eggshell. Any advice?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      August 14, 2013 at 4:52 pm

      Eggshell is generally pretty matte looking but more easily wipeable, so that’s why folks use it (for the durability). These days flat paint is great quality usually though, so if you want the lease shiny finish I’d go with that.

      xo
      s

  22. manya says

    October 18, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    Love this room! Where are the two happy yellow pillows from?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2013 at 3:51 pm

      Target!

      xo
      s

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John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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