Monday, March 12, 2012

Bedroom Makeover Part 1

I am feeling like a blog failure.  I haven't blogged in almost a month and haven't actually done much that deems blog worthy.  However, I do want to try and post monthly on the blog.  Here is one of the things I have been doing, but don't worry, there will be new adventures coming soon.  
One of the things I said I wanted to do this year was DIY projects around the house.  I have been wanting to remodel my bedroom for a while.  My colors were burgundy and gold, which made the room dark.  The windows in my master bedroom are under the covered patio of my back porch, which also make it dark in the room....lovely for sleeping in, not so much for nature light to brighten the room.  So, I wanted to make some changes and do it cheaply.  Pinterest gave me some great ideas.  Since I don't have a huge budget for remodeling or a brick wall in my room, I had to do the best with what I had to work with.  


Inspiration: 
I'm going to need someone to build me a brick wall in my room please :)
Love the way this looks, too bad I don't have a brick wall.

I wanted the look for the room to be light and airy.  So I decided to go with a white bedspread (Target) and then do a neutral headboard.  Though I love the pictures I've found with patterned headboards, I thought it would be more money conscience to go with something neutral I could use even if I change decor or move it to another bedroom.  This is where the DIY part comes in.  I found a few websites on how to make headboards.  I love the tufted headboard look, but I decided to make it as easy on myself as possible.  I measured dimensions on the wall using painters tape.  I took the dimensions to home depot, got the cheapest, most durable wood, and they did all the hard work.  They cut it for me to the exact dimensions and gave me the scraps! Maybe those will come in handy for another project one day.  I hunted around for the kind of fabric I wanted and after the guys at home depot got me set up with the wood, I made my way to Joann's Fabric store.  LOVE Joann's.  Luckily it was President's Weekend, so my red dot clearance fabric was 50% off of that.  Basically a steal for fabric.  I got the batting and foam for half off as well, love a sale!  

I brought in the big piece of wood and got to work.  It was actually really easy.  Like I said, I wanted it to be as easy as possible.  Seeing as how I don't have an electric saw, I just went with a basic square headboard.  The only tool I needed was a nail gun.  Now isn't that lovely.

Don't you love the 1990's tv..yes, the kind that has a vcr player.
One of these days I will get a new one, ha.
  My room...after I took off the old comforter and took down the bed frame, which was a black and gold brass bed with a headboard and footboard.  I've had it since the 7th grade.  Definitely time to get rid of that thing (sorry Mom).  You can see the colors of my old comforter, dark, dark, dark.  Needed to get some lightness in there.  And by the way, you can't see it, but the fan in that room is black and silver. It came with the house and kind of looks like a spaceship, but I'm leaving it up...for now.
My cat Lola (above) wasn't sure about this blue tape on the wall.
She kept trying to attack it.

Measuring the headboard.  This is definitely key to making the headboard.  You want to make sure the dimensions go  with the room. 
 I put the wood on a sheet to make it easier to move around and so I wouldn't scratch my floor.  I cut the foam and sprayed adhesive (also from Joann's).  Then sprayed batting on top of the foam and allowed it to come over the edges to cover the wood and nailed it to the back.  I laid down the fabric (after ironing it) and pulled it to cover every side and corner of the wood.  Then got going with my nail gun.  I really couldn't believe how easy it all was.  Below are the after pictures.  
Bedspread from Target
Yes, I made that headboard, thank you very much.
One of the things about DIY projects is the pride you get from it.  I feel very accomplished knowing I made something for less than $50 that sells for way over $200.  I am still not done with the whole room remodel.  I wanted new lamps, but luckily I just switched all the lamps in my house around and pulled these from the guest room.  I say they worked out pretty good.  I am pleased with the look of the room so far but still have more to do.  The next few items to add to the room are new sheets, a bed skirt, some accent pillows with a few pops of color and curtains.  I want to get sheer curtains with some kind of colored pattern to add color to the room.  I also want a light fabric of curtain so I can leave the blinds open and bring in some natural light.  I will make sure to post pictures whenever I get to that point.  Let me know what you think or any ideas you can share!