I’ve gotten lots of emails over the years from readers who want to decorate a room in their home but say, “I just don’t know where to start!”. I hear you! I think starting a room is actually the hardest part about decorating a space and it’s the reason why I’ve done so many One Room Challenge (ORC) makeovers – they give me the motivation and deadlines I need to jump in and get the job done. Since an extra week was unexpectedly added to the ORC this go-round, I thought it was the perfect time to share some tips to help you do your own bedroom makeover, including where to start and the steps to take after that to create a space you’ll love. (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
So… Where Do I Start?!
With ONE thing, just one! It’s that simple! Instead of feeling like you have to make every single design decision at once (which will likely make you feel so overwhelmed that you give up before you even start), pick just one thing that you absolutely love and want to design your room around. In a bedroom, that might be a special piece of art or some gorgeous drapes but often it’s bedding. Vera Bradley’s Traveler’s Floral quilt was the springboard for the design of my entire space (update: unfortunately this quilt is no longer available)
Beautiful right?! I love how all it has a coordinating pattern on the other side so it can be reversed or you can fold back the quilt at the top so that you see a little peek of it.
Step 2: Decide on Large Furniture Pieces
Before you get much further with your bedroom plans, it’s a good idea to decide on your large furniture pieces since they’re typically your biggest investment in the space. For my ORC space, I chose a daybed in a warm gray finish. Personally, I always choose neutral furniture pieces because if I want to change up the look of my space in the future, I can do that with a simple, inexpensive change of bedding vs. having to replace a bed or dresser. We’ve also moved around a lot and I love that by keeping our furniture neutral, a piece that we used in our bedroom in one house can be right at home in the foyer of the next one! But while neutrals are what works for me, if you’re a true color lover and are certain that you’re going to love that purple tufted headboard as much in ten years as you do today, go for it!
Step 3: Choose Coordinating Pillows & Fabrics
Now that you have your dream bedding (or drapes, art. etc.) picked out as your jumping off point, it’s time to find some coordinating pillows and fabrics for your bedroom. There are no rules here but a mix of solid colors with a large scale pattern, a smaller scale pattern, and a bold stripe is a winning combination that I’ve used time and time again. If you’re starting off your bedroom design with bedding, find out if there are coordinating pillows available! While I don’t generally like using entire “bed in a bag” sets, I always check to see if coordinating pillows are available and if I like them, I’ll typically use a couple in my room design. The Traveler Floral bedding I chose has a couple of coordinating pillow options including matching shams that I’ll use when I want to make up our bed for overnight guests along with these adorable Cabana Stripe tassel pillows – adding them to the mix was a no-brainer!
This is also a good time to shop your house! The final mix of pillows I came up with includes a pair of the Cabana Stripe tassel pillows, a pair of pillows with a small blue and white pattern that I swiped from my daughter’s room (they are perfect with the quilt!), and three large quilted Euro shams that are a solid white with a navy stitch running through.
Step 4: Decide on Your Paint Color or Wallpaper
Now it’s time to figure out what you’re putting on your walls! Did you notice how paint was NOT the very first thing we did? So many people pick out a paint color before anything else in the room and then end up in misery trying to find fabrics and furnishings to go with it. There are a zillion paint colors and wallpapers out there and it’s much easier to find a paint color or wallpaper that coordinates with all of your bedding and fabrics than it is to find bedding and fabrics that coordinate with a randomly selected paint color. The two wallpapers that I chose (I’m going with {this blue herringbone wallpaper} for the main space and {this blue watercolor vine} for the small craft room off of it) coordinate so well with my bedding and pillows – I can wait to see them go up on the wall!
When choosing paint or wallpaper for your space, remember that everything doesn’t have to match perfectly (I probably have about ten different shades of blue going on!) – they just need to coordinate or work well together. And while I decided to stick with mostly blue and white in my space, you can absolutely throw multiple colors into the mix!
Step 5: Mix in Some Metals
I mix metals into every single room design! Having a combination of different finishes in a space (woods, metals, & painted pieces) helps give a room a more “collected over time” feel and makes it more interesting. In my ORC space, I’m using a mix of different finishes (including some metals) on the frames that will be hung above the daybed and I’ve added {this brass swing arm lamp} too:
Step 6: Accessorize!
This last step is my favorite! This is when you shop for all of the goodies to finish off your space, even if “shopping” just means shopping your house! Make a list of the “holes” in your room whether it be an ottoman, art, side table, etc. and get looking! You don’t have to find every single accessory at once – for example, if you need a large piece of art and just can’t find what you’re looking for, leave that wall space blank until you do. Most of my favorite rooms are ones that evolve over time because I wait to find the pieces that I love instead of feeling pressured to buy something so the room is 100% done.
Last week I shared a few of the accessories that are going to go into my ORC room, including this super soft throw that Hope has claimed as her own:
but you’ll have to stay tuned for the big reveal to see the rest (I’m still looking for a few last minute pieces)! I hope you guys found this post to be helpful – if you’re not currently planning a bedroom makeover, you can Pin the image below so you can find it when the time comes that you are!
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
XO,
Blue Vera Bradley Traveler’s Floral quilt (mine is twin size) | Matching Traveler’s Floral pillow sham | Vera Bradley Cabana Stripe tassel pillow | Blue & white block print pillow covers | White quilted Euro shams w/navy stitch | Daybed | Herringbone wallpaper | Watercolor leafy vine wallpaper | Brass floor lamp | White pom pom throw – no longer available but {this throw} is similar
Tamara says
Kris I am in LOVE with that gorgeous Vera Bradley quilt! And your seamless mix of pattern is just gorgeous! These tips are fabulous too! An entire room really can be so overwhelming, and you’ve made it simple and effortless! Thanks for sharing!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much Tam! I figured “the blue and white queen” might love it! 🙂
Bree says
Kris, I just love the bedding you’ve chosen for this space!!! Can’t wait to see the full reveal soon but you’re off to an amazing start with these beautiful pieces!! Xoxo
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Bree! It’s been an easy room where everything’s kinda fallen into place once I chose the bedding which as you know is not the usual!
Shauna says
I LOVE the reversible pattern on the quilt Kris! Great tips and can’t wait to see the final reveal!
xo
Kris Jarrett says
Shauna that’s one of my favorite features about all of their quilts – makes them look that much nicer when you fold the top of the quilt down!
Erin says
Kris! BEST post! I love this and I follow the same steps when I’m putting together a room! It really can be overwhelming and just starting with one thing you love is key! That bedding is beyond dreamy! Can’t wait to see how this space turns out! It’s already looking so good! ???
Kris Jarrett says
Why am I not surprised that you and I decorate the same way my blogging twin? 🙂 Thanks so much Erin!
Kathy says
You make it sound so simple – nice to have these guidelines. The bedding is
great (my blue and white friend has already commented on it). Nice to know
that Vera Bradley has moved into the bedding area.
Kris Jarrett says
So glad you found it helpful! And yes, their new bedding options are definitely worth checking out!
Haneen says
Kris! What great tips! That totally makes designing a space less overwhelming! Nice work! And what beautiful bedding from Vera Bradley! My girls have VB backpacks 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Haneen! My girls are all about the Vera Bradley gear too – backpacks and lunch boxes!!
Kelley Nan says
Kris, such great tips and your spaces always come together beautifully! I love all the new patterns but the one you chose is PERFECT! And, I love that you aren’t afraid to mix in more patterns. Bravo!! Can’t wait for your reveal.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Kelley! My girls and I are super excited to see this room come together!
Karbo says
Blue is not usually my go to color but I absolutely love this. You pulled it all together beautifully. I didn’t know that Vera Bradley had bedding… adding to my holiday wish list.
Kris Jarrett says
Ditto! I expected to chose one of the neutral options but something about this blue and white quilt pulled me right in!!
JENNIFER PROCK says
Perfect tips!!! You are so right about choosing the paint or wall color after a few other decisions have been made. I have always thought you should start with something that makes your heart happy! Your selections are so perfect, especially the Vera Bradley bedding. I can hardly wait to see the finished space!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Jen! We’re almost there…..
Monique Lawson says
Inspiring tutorial! Thank you for the tips!
Kris Jarrett says
Glad you found it helpful!
Jean C. says
Great tips – and yes, it makes so much sense. Otherwise, it’s so easy to be overwhelmed. I’ve always been so haphazard about it. You’ve inspired me to take another look.
Oh, and a Boston Terrier is ALWAYS a great way to accessorize a room! (Another BT lover.)
Kris Jarrett says
Jean, I still get overwhelmed sometimes too – it’s a lot of decisions! And yes, Hope is definitely my favorite “accessories” – Bostons are the BEST dogs – love her to pieces!
Karen B. says
Kris,
I love the bedding linens you’ve selected for the daybed. It looks amazing. I can’t wait to see the finished room. I may have to copycat your choice from Vera Bradley for our daybed!
Thanks for the great tips on where to begin when tackling a room redo.
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Karen – I always look forward to and appreciate your comments so much!
Kris Jarrett says
Jean, I still get overwhelmed sometimes too – it’s a lot of decisions! And yes, Hope is definitely my favorite “accessories” – Bostons are the BEST dogs – love her to pieces!
Angela says
I thought quilts were for older people but you made it look so pretty. I recently bought the “graphite” sheets and now I’m thinking of getting a quilt instead of doing a duvet with it.
Thanks for this cute idea!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m glad you got some inspiration from my post Angela! Hope you love whatever you end up choosing for your bedding!