Budget Bedroom Makeovers (before-after inspiration)
IKEA
Your home is your sanctuary, and giving it a beauty makeover does not have to cost a fortune. By room, it’s possible to do this on £50 to £100 if you have few resources, using a bit of innovation, second-hand finds and rearranging furniture.
For babies, read about tips for a safe natural nursery (contains info on safe sleeping clothing, cots and bedding etc).
Start With a Clean Slate
Thistlefood Farms before….
Before any decoration or choosing items, remove/recycle clutter and give a good deep-eco clean, opening the windows if safe to do so (not enough for cats to jump out – it’s a myth they ‘right themselves’ if landing from high windows) to set the stage for how you wish to makeover your bedroom.
and after!..
Bedrooms should be where your mind turns off, so get rid of things that bring you down – paperwork, photos of old relationships that make you upset, clothes you will never wear etc.
- Vacuum ever corner (including under furniture and under the bed, wash the windows inside and out for more light (avoid facing indoor plants to face gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
- Wipe (with a dry cloth) all light switches and door handles, and dust headboards and other forgotten spaces.
- If dusting away old cobwebs, leave spiders you find where they are (they do no harm and will move of their accord – or humanely move spiders and their babies to somewhere else in your home – most indoor spiders have never been outdoors, and could die).
Paint Walls for Quick Change
Painting your walls with natural house paint can turn a bright white harsh wall to something more relaxing. Pick calming colours (pale blues, earthy greens, muted greys or soft peach) to encourage rest and help with sleep. Some people like to paint an accent walk in a bolder shade behind the bed.
Update Flooring on a Budget
Read our post on sustainable flooring.
If you can’t afford a new carpet, a nice big rug (tacked for safety) is another option.
Arrange Furniture for Space and Comfort
Sometimes you don’t even need new furniture. Consider repositioning the bed to get natural light in the morning, or free up space. Try to position it, so bedlinen does not face in the afternoon sun. And avoid placing near noisy windows or radiators.
You could remove bigger furniture if it disrupts airflow, or rearrange to create better pathways, especially for older people or those in wheelchairs. Consider a reading chair in a corner, and store away extra chairs, laundry baskets or old bedside tables, to give more space.
Add Comfort and Personality
Fifi McGee before…
Adding comfort and personality brings a bedroom to life. Soft furnishings, meaningful accessories, and thoughtful details make the difference between a cold space and a sanctuary that suits you. You do not need a big budget to fill your room with warmth and style.
and after!..
The best bedroom makeovers often use clever choices, personal touches, and affordable swaps that transform the feel of your space without emptying your wallet.
Affordable Bedding and Sustainable Choices
The bed is the heart of any bedroom. Sustainable bedding does not cost that much, you can often find bargain linen or cotton bed sets, which last well over time, and give better sleep.
Sustainable Bedding and Fire Regulations
If avoiding fire retardants for bedding and pyjamas (fire regulations are still complied with), just take extra care:
- Avoid overloaded plugs & convector heaters
- Don’t leave warm laptops and phones on beds
- Test smoke alarms weekly, and know escape routes.
- Avoid ‘floaty sleeves or nightgowns’ (especially for children)
- Don’t smoke indoors. Use a personal ashtray outside.
- Avoid fabric conditioners (these increase flammability).
Avoid perfumes, essential oils and scented candles near babies or pets (air rooms before allowing them back in). Learn toxic plants to avoid near pets (including sago palm and lilies).
Style With Accessories and Lighting
Photos and prints: Add framed photographs or affordable prints. Paper High sells lovely photo frames made from a blend of recycled paper and elephant dung (the flecks depend on what your elephant friend ate that day!)
These albums have a serious side. As the villagers are paid to collect the dung, to see the local creatures as income, rather than harming them for eating crops, as their habitats disappear. As the average elephant eats around the same as us chomping down 300 cans of baked beans each day, that’s a lot of dung!
Plants: Even one small plant on a bedside table can make a room feel fresh. Choose low-care options if you are not green-thumbed. Read our post on pet-safe plants to know ones to avoid near pets (including lilies and sago palm, both toxic, even if a tail brushed past).
Add a few favourite books (not horror novels!). Join the local library and go through your favourite genre for bedtime reading (romance, Agatha Christie novels etc). Don’t read ‘to-do’ novels at bedtime, or of course you could read a bedtime devotional, always nice.
A quality lamp on your bedside table is nice for bedtime reading, make sure it’s a good one, so it gives enough light for reading, without having to turn on the main light. Use with energy-efficient light bulbs.
Turn lights off when not in use (or use blinds/curtains and task-lights, to help stop birds flying into windows).
Light cotton curtains are easy to hang and wash, or choose wooden blinds that are cheap to cut and fit. They (or net curtains) give privacy during the day, if you wish to relax before the evening in privacy).
