Bedroom Transformations: Unveiling Our Home Remodel — Before & After (Part 3)

Welcome back to our home remodeling series! If you’ve been following along, you’ve already seen the significant changes we made to our main living areas and hallways. For those just joining us, be sure to catch up on parts one and two of this series here, which detail our initial steps and the massive painting project that kicked everything off. Moving into our new house was a whirlwind; we immediately dove into transforming its dated interiors. Our possessions were still in storage after selling our previous city home, allowing us the perfect window to tackle extensive renovations.

In our previous installment (part two), we showcased the dramatic before-and-after photographs of our living room, dining room, and main hallway, highlighting how a fresh coat of paint could entirely revitalize a space. Today, we’re excited to pull back the curtain on the more private, yet equally impactful, transformations of our bedrooms. Get ready to see how we brought these personal retreats from their 1970s and 80s aesthetics into a brighter, more contemporary cottage style, tackling everything from brown paneling to stubborn wallpaper, all while keeping our budget in mind.

Bedroom #1: Our Son’s Room Transformation

The “Before” Look: A Brown-on-Brown Legacy

The first bedroom located down our main hallway was destined to become our son’s personal haven. True to the house’s original aesthetic, this room continued the pervasive brown-on-brown color scheme. However, it boasted a unique feature that transported us straight back to the 1970s: a charmingly retro paneled wall. It seems even a 1982 build couldn’t escape the enduring appeal—or perhaps, the lasting legacy—of this interior design choice. The dark, somewhat oppressive paneling contributed to a feeling of confinement, a stark contrast to the light and airy atmosphere we envisioned for our cottage home.

The overall impression was undeniably dated, with every surface screaming for a modern update. The existing light fixture and door knob were also remnants of a bygone era, contributing to the room’s tired appearance. Our goal was clear: to inject life, light, and personality into this space, making it a functional and inspiring room for our son without embarking on a full-scale demolition.

The “After” Transformation: Brightening Up with Paint

Fortunately, as with the rest of the house, the solution for this room’s dated look was remarkably straightforward: paint. We embraced the power of paint to completely overhaul the room’s aesthetic. The paneled wall, once a symbol of the past, was transformed with a fresh coat of light paint, instantly brightening the space and making it feel significantly larger. We extended this painting effort to all the trim and the door, ensuring a cohesive and clean look throughout the room.

Beyond the paint, our updates were minimal but impactful. We replaced the old, uninspired light fixture with a more modern option and updated the doorknob to complement the new, lighter palette. The most significant win here was the absence of wallpaper – a task we dreaded after our experiences in other rooms. Dealing with 70s paneling, in our opinion, was a far more pleasant endeavor than the arduous process of removing 80s wallpaper!

Decorating notes: To infuse character and a personal touch, we sourced a large, captivating vintage school map from eBay, which became an instant focal point above the bed. The curtains, chosen for their simple elegance and durability, were a smart find from Target. For a truly unique touch, I personally crafted the denim duvet cover, adding a custom, cozy element to the room. This personalized approach to decor allowed us to create a distinctive and comfortable space on a reasonable budget. (2010 update: For those curious to see how this room evolved even further, go here to see the Extreme Surprise Makeoverwe later gave our son’s room, a testament to how adaptable and charming this space truly is).

Bedroom #2: Our Daughter’s Colorful Retreat

The “Before” State and Wallpaper Woes

The subsequent bedroom down the hall was earmarked for our daughter, and it presented a unique set of challenges and quirks. Interestingly, this room featured a charming built-in cupboard, visible on the far left of the bottom photo in its ‘before’ state. This cupboard stood out as the only piece of woodwork in the entire house that was painted white, hinting at an earlier, perhaps salvaged, origin. All other woodwork in the room, mirroring the rest of the house, was stained in a dark walnut finish, adding to the room’s somewhat heavy and dated feel.

However, the real “star” of this room’s before picture was the incredibly stubborn and overwhelmingly patterned wallpaper. Unlike the first bedroom, this space featured a chair rail molding that, instead of separating different paint colors, served to divide two distinct patterns of wallpaper. This wasn’t just one layer; it was a testament to 1980s country-cute decor. While Brian diligently sprayed the rest of the house with our chosen white paint, I was tasked with the daunting challenge of wallpaper removal, a chore I approached with a growing sense of dread.

I’d had my fair share of experience removing wallpaper, both in our old house and helping friends, but this house, with its two bedrooms (this one and the master) covered floor-to-ceiling in cutesy 1980s printed paper, took the challenge to an entirely new level. My heart sank when I discovered that the paper had been applied directly over bare drywall, prior to any moldings being attached. Wallpaper, as I learned the hard way, adheres with incredible tenacity to unprimed drywall. The expectation of peeling off large, satisfying sheets after wetting the paper? That was a fantasy. Instead, it was an agonizing, piece-by-tiny-piece battle. Hour after hour, day after day, armed with various solutions, tools, and even the kind assistance of sweet friends, I chipped away at it.

This experience led me to a solemn, unshakeable conclusion: I will never, ever put wallpaper up in any house I live in for the rest of my life. That’s a promise I intend to keep!

The “After” Enchantment: A Room of Her Own

Despite the epic struggle, the paper eventually came down – or at least, the most stubborn pieces were painted over after we textured them to blend seamlessly. With the walls finally smooth and ready, we painted the room with bright white trim and doors, mirroring the fresh aesthetic of the rest of our home. The transformation was truly remarkable; the room instantly felt lighter, cleaner, and infinitely more inviting. The sheer relief and visual improvement were immense. Doesn’t it look so much better?

Our daughter, with her own blossoming sense of style, played a significant role in the room’s final design. She requested a vibrant color scheme, which we brought to life by painting the lower walls a cheerful light yellow, beautifully complemented by serene blue upper walls and ceiling. To add a whimsical touch, I even sponged clouds onto the blue ceiling, creating a dreamy sky effect within her room. Her personality truly shines through here.

She also personally selected a charming chandelier for her light fixture, a fantastic clearance find from a local store that added a touch of elegance. And just last year, she further personalized her space by painting delicate flowers along the bottom wall, truly making it her own unique sanctuary. These personal touches turned a formerly dated space into a vibrant and beloved retreat.

Decorating note: Many elements in our daughter’s room carry a story and a budget-friendly spirit. The vintage bedroom set, rich with character and even a few “horse bites,” was a remarkable find from Brian’s aunt and uncle’s barn – a true steal at just $50! We painstakingly glued it back together before giving it a fresh coat of paint. I repurposed sheets to create a custom duvet that perfectly matched her pillowcases, demonstrating how everyday items can be transformed. The curtains, originally from Target, were elevated with elegant ribbon borders that I added myself. For an even more unique and durable flooring solution, you can go here to see the amazing brown paper floor we installed in her room – it’s an awesome, cost-effective alternative to traditional wood floors!

The Master Bedroom: Our Personal Retreat

The “Before” Scenario: Another Wallpaper Challenge

Our master bedroom was the final frontier in our initial remodeling blitz, and unfortunately, it brought yet another encounter with the dreaded 1980s wallpaper. Before we could even begin to envision our tranquil retreat, I had to face the seemingly endless task of peeling away layers of antiquated paper. The memory of the previous bedroom’s wallpaper battle was fresh in my mind, and I vividly recall the tears of frustration that were likely shed during this phase. My promise to never hang wallpaper again was solidified even further here!

The room, like the others, was dark and enclosed, failing to offer the peaceful sanctuary we craved. The existing decor was far from inspiring, and the overall atmosphere was one of neglect. We knew this space had the potential to become a true haven, but it required a complete overhaul, starting with the most challenging aspect: liberating the walls from their patterned prison.

The “After” Sanctuary: A Serene Escape

Once the last remnants of wallpaper were finally vanquished, the transformation could truly begin. We immediately brightened the room by painting the wood ceiling and the lower portion of the walls (below the chair rail) in our consistent standard white, creating a clean and cohesive look. The upper walls were adorned with a soothing light sage green, introducing a sense of calm and natural elegance. This color palette immediately opened up the space, making it feel more spacious and inviting.

To add a touch of sophistication, we installed a beautiful chandelier, which we discovered on clearance at Lowe’s. Its affordability was likely due to its original amber-colored drops, which I easily replaced with clear plastic ones found at a local craft store, customizing it to perfectly match our desired aesthetic. This small DIY adjustment made a significant difference in the fixture’s overall appeal and integrated it seamlessly into the room’s new design.

Decorating notes: Personal touches and thoughtful repurposing were key in decorating our master bedroom. I skillfully adapted the sheers from our old house to fit these new windows, a testament to making the most of what you have. New curtain rods, sourced affordably from Kmart, completed the window treatments. To further enhance the room’s serene cottage feel, I crafted custom Roman shades from a beautiful green and cream ticking fabric, adding texture and a touch of bespoke charm.

One significant structural change involved installing a French door in place of one of the windows, a project undertaken with the builder who assisted us with our garage conversion. I’ve always been drawn to the elegance and light-inviting quality of French doors in master bedrooms, and since we were incorporating them into other areas of the house, I strongly advocated for this addition. While it undeniably adds a beautiful architectural detail, I must confess that we don’t utilize it as much as I initially anticipated. It was a rather expensive “nice-to-have” feature, and it remains the one element I sometimes wish I hadn’t invested in. However, Brian genuinely loves it, which certainly helps mitigate any lingering regrets!

DIY Faux Board-and-Batten Paneling: Adding Architectural Interest on a Budget

To the right of our bed, we implemented a clever and cost-effective DIY project to add architectural character: faux board-and-batten paneling. This technique allowed us to achieve the classic look without the expense or complexity of installing actual wood panels. It’s a fantastic way to introduce visual interest and texture to a room, especially after dealing with flat, bare walls from wallpaper removal.

• We purchased thin 1-inch lath pieces from our local home center. These slender strips of wood were then carefully attached at regular intervals between the existing chair rail and the baseboard. Because the wall underneath was completely free of texture after the wallpaper removal, the lath created a remarkably convincing illusion of genuine wood panels once painted.
• While the lath pieces weren’t always a perfect fit initially, a generous application of caulk effectively filled all the small gaps and imperfections. After painting, the entire system blended seamlessly, creating a polished and professional finish. This step is crucial for achieving that authentic, built-in look.

For an absolutely flawless finish, we could have opted to remove the existing chair rail and replace it with a wider 1×3 board, creating a more substantial top edge for the faux paneling. However, after the monumental effort of wallpaper removal, my desire to take down any more permanent fixtures was virtually non-existent! As I always say, caulk truly does cover a multitude of sins, and in this case, it was our trusty ally in achieving a beautiful result with minimal additional demolition. This DIY project added significant character and charm to our master bedroom without breaking the bank or requiring extensive construction.

As we conclude this third installment of our remodeling series, we hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the intimate transformations of our bedrooms. Each room presented its own set of challenges, from dated aesthetics to arduous wallpaper removal, but the results speak for themselves. With a lot of paint, some creative DIY, and a touch of personal flair, we’ve managed to turn these spaces into bright, inviting, and truly personalized havens for our family. Stay tuned for the next part of our journey, where we’ll delve into even more exciting projects around our Oregon Cottage. Happy remodeling!