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humblechip

Help me grow-up my small bedroom?

7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

I had been trying to relocate for a while, so had refrained from making any updates to this room, but my plans have changed and I will be staying here. As you can see by the photos, the room is on the small side and one wall is taken up by 2 closets. The room gets almost no natural light (the room next to it jets our farther and blocks to sun) so if there are things I can do to make up for that, I'd like to keep that in mind.

Taken from the door:


Taken from the corner with the chair:


Taken from the bed/windows:


The big thing I'd like to do is paint. But I have no idea what color to choose! My goal is a relaxed room like a hotel or spa. I want something darker than the current pale yellow. It needs to compliment the dark TV stand but I also want it to have a nice contrast against white (or light) curtains. I like cool tones and am leaning toward some type of light gray with a blue or purple tone. But I am very open to suggestions or persuasion toward warm tones. This is one example of a color I like (Sherwin Williams Ponder) of course I know I'll have to sample whatever I choose to see how it looks in the room. I've read on here that paint should be done last, but I'd kind of prefer to paint first and then pick things to compliment the paint.



I'm a little limited with positioning furniture and mostly like how it's laid out now, but I plan to remove the blue ottoman, bump the bed out from the wall a bit, and add a small nightstand with lamp on each side. Then center the TV stand with the bed, remove the chair, and replace the white piece under the mirror with a rectangular fabric ottoman. Like this:


(forgive my amateur not-to-scale draft paper app recreation :-) )


I was going to buy a new bed just so I can have the storage underneath but it wasn't going to be fancy. I've measured and I don't have enough space length-wise for a bed with headboard and footboard (or anything much longer than the mattress) while keeping the TV there. I'd like to keep the TV stand. New nightstands need to be about 15" wide or less. Here are the pieces I was looking at for bed and nightstands:





I just need to be mindful of the height of the nightstands vs the height of the bed. With a new bed frame I won't be using the box spring. What's appropriate? I prefer a lower bed in such a small space.

I'm also going to replace all the curtains (closets and windows). I was going to do white again but maybe something textured. Should I choose a different color? I want to avoid floor-length curtains on the windows because I tested it out once and it was just too much curtain combined in the room :-) I will replace the rug as well. Right now I like this:



I also need to decide on lamps and bedding, but alas am lost there as well. I think colors for everything will be determined by what wall paint I go with. I'm also going to take down all wall decor (except mirror and clock, although I might replace with darker versions) so I think I'll need something above the bed. I like my ukuleles though so I might keep them flanking the windows or move them, but find an alternative hanging solution (to avoid the dark clunky hangers they're on now).


I think that's it! I'm open to all thoughts and suggestions. Sorry if the post is too long and images too many. I'm just eager to give this room a facelift.

Comments (15)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I'm short of time right now, but I think you're going about it just right. Just a few comments for now. I like the bed you posted because it allows you to see under the bed, thus expanding the apparent size of the room. But if you intend storage for under the bed, I would look for the bed style that has drawers in the base instead.

    If you would really like a headboard for your bed, you could reduce the depth of the TV stand. I would probably do something DIY custom with a very narrow (~10-in deep) shelf or console under the TV. Or you could possibly hang the TV, if that wouldn't cause any damage.

    I see what you mean about the curtains - you have both window curtains and closet curtains. I'd probably use coordinating shades at the window instead of curtains.

    I had a heck of a time and sticker shock when I shopped for bedside tables for my low bed. I think you are probably better off using something nontraditional for bedside tables, such as the storage cube you have, etc.

    ex: for TV stand: CB2 console 10-in deep

    btw, is your bed a double or a queen?

    humblechip thanked mjlb
  • 7 years ago

    Just to show mixing pale lavender gray with warmer rustic tones, as opposed to gray:


    RELAX TRA GLI ULIVI · More Info

    Purdue Custom Home · More Info

    humblechip thanked mjlb
  • 7 years ago

    I really like the 2 images @mjib posted. golds and purples are lovely together. Your floor is wood and could be a nice warm to your other chosen colors.


    Great opportunities are shown in the 2 images in the above post.

    humblechip thanked enduring
  • 7 years ago

    @mjlb I really like those 2 photos! Gray is just something I always default to because it’s my favorite color. So would you consider beige to be a warmer rustic colorthat goes with lavender? Also, the bed is a double.


    @enduring good point about the floor. I hadn’t even taken that into consideration so you make a good point.


    @enduring how funny! I love a good contrast too. Some good ideas there for inspiration.

  • 7 years ago

    On your rough floor plan, you show virtually an entire wall of window - is that one large, or a pair, or grouping of several windows?

    I am 99.9% sure that your planned layout is best. But in the interest of exploring options, would your bed and two small night tables work on the wall with the entry door? I think not, but if did... then you would have the entire back wall to work with - it could be a deeper purple to somewhat hide the tv, and be a terrific foil for light colored artwork. You could have low media-type cabinetry the entire width of the back wall, providing additional storage, and perhaps with an integrated narrow desk on the wider side.

    humblechip thanked mjlb
  • 7 years ago

    @mjlb yes I didn’t do a great job of showing the windows in the photo. It’s just 2 standard sized windows next to each other. But because the room is not very large there is not much space left on either side.


    Theoretically I could put the bed on the entry wall. But the nightsands would have to be even smaller and it’d be a tight fit. Sorry I don’t know the measurement :( I like that idea because of the option for a desk, but cabinetry across the whole wall would be more storage than I need

  • 7 years ago

    Some random thoughts:

    I was thinking of a gallery wall for your tv... something along these lines, but perhaps with dark purple / eggplant wall paint color:

    If a gallery wall is not appealing to you, perhaps introduce pattern and color in window shade - like this, but with "your" colors:


    Add some organic shape in bedside table - especially on the more visible left side of room:

    Re: lighting -- Because your bedside tables will be small, you may want to look into pin-up lamps for your bed wall. If you replace your media stand with something longer, but more narrow, you will have room for a table lamp or two. And you could probably squeeze in a narrow floor lamp in a corner as well.

    Good luck with your planning!

    humblechip thanked mjlb
  • 7 years ago

    Would you consider a twin size bed? More room to arrange and work with.

    humblechip thanked erinsean
  • 7 years ago
    Not sure of your budget but Room & Board makes some nice storage beds - this Hudson bed could work nicely.

    I would be tempted to do floating shelves for nightstands with wall mounted sconces above them to maximize available space.
    humblechip thanked Emily
  • 7 years ago

    @erinsean I've thought about that but only briefly, I love my bed :-)


    @Emily I've actually been looking at beds like that, albeit at a lower price point. My only concern is finding one that matches the TV stand. I'm not a fan of mixed wood tones. I found this one at Home Depot that I think would work but it has horrible reviews lol



  • 7 years ago

    I was throwing ideas together and here is something I came up with. The TV stand is what I currently have. I am just wondering what wall color might work with this? I am clueless in that area.




  • 7 years ago

    Your mood board is fine, though the small table seems out of place in style to me.


    I recommend really keeping your colors coordinated before you buy bedding and accessories.


    I think the dark wood could look good with your chosen paint color but get several samples before you commit to the paint. You are starting with the wood TV stand color, as your organizing element, as mentioned in your earlier post. You will need to use that to determine your wall color imo. Keep the wood as the theme color to build other colors around. Only you will be able to tell, in real life, if your wood goes with your other elements.



  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    One of the photos of this bed even has some similar colors.



    I couldn't post the photo directly tho'.

    another bed option

  • 7 years ago
    You might want to take a look at this one on Wayfair - has better reviews than the HD one and still affordable:

    https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/red-barrel-studio-wrington-storage-platform-bed-rdba8895.html?piid=28331186,28331184