Primary Bedroom Makeover: From Thorn in My Side to Sanctuary
Since the day we purchased our home back in 2020, the Primary Bedroom has been my absolute least favorite room of the house. I’m being vulnerable here because this is my bedroom. It’s the most intimate space in our home, the place I should have loved most, but for years I dreaded sharing it.
Why? Well, for starters: this room has six doors. SIX. And only one lonely window. On top of that, it’s long and narrow. Basically a designer’s riddle I couldn’t solve. Since buying our house, this room has been the thorn in my side.
Let’s pause for a minute and address the door situation…
French doors lead into the bedroom directly off the stairs. Ugh… I wish we could relocate these doors to have more privacy upon entering the bedroom!
There is a secondary entrance into the bedroom off of the hallway (we don’t use this door, it just stays closed all the time).
Her Closet door
His Closet door
Primary Bathroom door
Seriously, I have no idea what the builder for this home layout was thinking!!!
OK… rant over! Back to my design dilemma…
I would lie awake at night trying to figure out how the best way to make our existing furniture fit, how to make it feel cozy, how to make this room work for us.
I was stuck trying to figure out how to make this room functional and pleasant.
After a lot of second-guessing, I finally landed on a design that feels intentional and personal. And friends, I’m in love.
Step One: Goodbye Carpet, Hello LVP
First things first: out went the old carpet, in came luxury vinyl plank (LVP). The warmth of the wood tone instantly grounded the room and made it feel more polished.
Bedroom Before
Bonus… it’s durable enough to handle life, kids, and pets without constant worry.
Bedroom After
Step Two: Color Drenching with Felted Wool
The game-changer? Color drenching. I painted the walls, ceiling, trim, and yes, all six doors the same moody taupe shade: Felted Wool by Sherwin Williams.
Bedroom Before
Suddenly, all those doors that used to scream for attention just melted into the background. The room became a cocoon. Calm, cohesive, and so much more sophisticated.
Bedroom After
Creating a cozy space in a room with limited natural light involves careful paint sheen choices. Using Flat sheen for walls and ceiling minimizes light reflection, fostering a snug atmosphere and hiding imperfections.
For trim and doors, Satin sheen provides durability and ease of maintenance, while adding subtle texture variation. This combination enhances the room's intimate feel while ensuring practicality.
By balancing these sheens, an inviting and enduring environment suited to the room's lighting conditions can be achieved.
Step Three: A Floral Feature Wall
Our dark cocoon needed a touch of light and texture, so I installed a peel-and-stick floral motif wallpaper behind the headboard. The pattern softens the space and adds a layer of personality. It’s the perfect backdrop for the bed and feels like the right balance of moody and fresh.
Bedroom After
Step Four: Pops of Personality
To keep things from feeling too neutral, I sprinkled in accents of red and blue. These bold touches bring the whole design to life and keep it feeling vibrant instead of heavy.
Blue and Red Accents
But the real magic came when I layered in personal photos.
I curated a mix of family moments and travel memories, printing some in black-and-white to keep things cohesive while letting the colors in others tie into those red and blue accents.
The combination feels collected, not cluttered, and most importantly, it feels ours.
Electric Fireplace Detail
Now, when I walk into this room, I don’t just see a pretty design… I see our story.
The End Result
This wasn’t a weekend makeover. It was a slow, intentional project that took time, thought, and patience. And I’m so glad I didn’t rush it. Every choice I made from the flooring to the paint to the wallpaper makes this space feel like me.
Bedroom After
For a room that once made me cringe upon entering, I can finally say it: this is my sanctuary.
I love my bedroom now. At night, the bedroom is dark which helps me sleep better. I feel like I’m wrapped in a warm blanket and the doors seem to disappear and aren’t as noticeable now. Everything feels nice and cozy!
So what do you think?
Hot tip: If you’re struggling with a room that feels impossible, don’t be afraid to go bold. Sometimes the quirks (like six doors!) become the features you end up loving most.
Wallpaper Detail
If you’d like to get started on discussing your home renovation, share your plans or ask me for next steps. Drop a comment or DM us for inspo!
Paint Color Consultations can save you from making costly design mistakes. As a True Color Expert I can help you develop a color scheme that reflects your personality and homes architecture. Let’s chat about your project. Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call with me!
