Here it is — the final week of the One Room Challenge (many thanks to Linda of Calling it Home for organizing this motivating event). After six weeks of projects, the bedroom feels refreshed and more intentional. I’m part relieved and part excited, but mostly happy with the progress.
The main goal was to tackle a list of nagging tasks — things like finally hanging a floor mirror that had been waiting forever. I also wanted to introduce a stronger color presence; coral pillows, a poof, and a few accessories accomplished that nicely.
Here’s where we started six weeks ago:
Not bad, but definitely in need of a pick-me-up.
And here’s the bedroom now:
New pillows, refreshed wall treatments, and updated lamps and shades give the room a more finished, cohesive look.
This was the other side of the room at the start:
Again, functional but a little flat.
And the corner now:
I’m still loving the chair with the bright coral pillow and pouf, and the dresser top feels more streamlined and intentional.
You might notice I simplified the plate wall above the bed. Scaling it back helped it sit more comfortably next to the thrifted art wall on the right. The larger plate composition was fun, but this pared-down version works better in the space.
After I shared the lamp redo, readers suggested coral spray paint — a great tip that would have saved me a lot of running around town looking for the perfect shade. For now the cream bases blend nicely in the room; I might experiment with coral bases later to see how they change the feel.
Progress: the mirror is finally rehung on the door, and the cabinet vignette is calmer without the tired dried flowers.
The one area I didn’t finish was the duvet cover. I photographed the bed with a plain white down insert because I couldn’t find a ready-made cover that worked with the colors, and my plan to sew one from white and cream fabric remnants proved more time-consuming than expected. Cutting all the small rectangles needed for a queen-size cover took longer than anticipated, so sewing will have to wait.
Looking at the photos now, the white bedding reads a bit too stark for the room — so I’ll keep experimenting. I appreciate your patience and input as I decide between making or buying the final cover.
Final tally of accomplishments (and what’s still pending):
Add a fun plate wall over the bed in shades of white, green, and coral.Repaint lamp bases.Add texture to lamp shades or stencil them.Make a decorative pillow with a graphic coral fabric for the bed.Create an art wall with thrifted original artwork.- Make or buy a new duvet. I’ll try to figure this out in the next six weeks.
Find a basket to fit under the antique sewing machine/nightstand.Add a coral pillow to the chair.Edit the dresser to be less cluttered.- Address window coverings: purchase bamboo blinds or clean existing roman shades. I cleaned the shades since custom options were costly.
Paint or remove the unused corner lamp.Rehang the mirror on the door.Replace old dried flowers with a simple, fresh vignette.Consider replacing thrifted art with family photos; instead I edited the plate wall.
Thank you for all the comments, suggestions, and encouragement over the past six weeks — it made the process much more fun. I’d love to hear your honest thoughts: what do you really think?
Visit the One Room Challenge linkup to see the other reveals and inspiration from participants.