Our journey to create the ultimate personal sanctuary culminated in the transformation of what was once a mere living room into our dream bedroom. This space, now one of our most cherished rooms, underwent a series of thoughtful improvements to become a comfortable, highly functional, and aesthetically pleasing sleeping haven. Today, we’re excited to walk you through the six most impactful changes that redefined our bedroom, showcasing its remarkable evolution with updated visuals.
Our Bedroom: The “Before” Transformation Stage
To truly appreciate the journey, it’s essential to understand where we started. You can explore all the initial photos of our home here, but the former living room, destined to become our bedroom, began as a largely blank canvas. However, this canvas came with its share of challenges: crumbling drywall, noticeably crooked blinds, and expansive doorways leading directly into the adjacent kitchen. Each of these structural and cosmetic issues demanded our immediate attention.
Despite these imperfections, we were captivated by two key architectural features: the charming fireplace and the stunning wall of French doors. These elements spoke volumes, and almost immediately, we envisioned this space transforming into an incredible bedroom, especially since the house was originally listed with only one bedroom upon purchase. The potential for a bright, character-filled sleeping space was undeniable.
After significant structural changes, including closing off one of the wide openings to the kitchen and strategically adding extensive storage solutions, directly matching the exact angles of our ‘before’ photos has become a challenge. Nevertheless, this shot of our fireplace provides a compelling testament to the remarkable progress this room has undergone over the past three and a half years.
The current serene ambiance is also a world away from the chaos of our first day moving in. Back then, amidst a sea of moving boxes, the fireplace was barely discernible, buried under the initial disarray. This stark contrast truly highlights the impact of every improvement we’ve made.
A Visual Journey: Our Finished Bedroom on Video
Before we delve into the intricate details of the six major transformations that shaped our bedroom, allow us to offer you a quick video tour of the completed space. While no room is ever truly “100% done” – spaces naturally evolve over time – with the strategic additions of custom closets, integrated cabinetry, a bespoke mantel, and elegant floating shelves, this room feels as definitively “finished” as we believe it ever will. Witness the journey and the beautiful outcome for yourself:
Note: You can also watch this video directly on YouTube.
1. Maximizing Storage with a Wall of Built-In Closets
Undoubtedly, the most significant functional enhancement to this room was the integration of a full wall of Ikea Pax wardrobes. This ingenious solution allowed us to create proper and exceptionally plentiful closet space, a critical need after transitioning from a spacious walk-in closet in our previous home to absolutely no dedicated storage in this new bedroom. The initial lack of a closet was quite a test of our patience and organizational skills. However, thanks to the modularity and smart design of these built-ins, we were thrilled to discover that we could achieve just as much storage capacity as we enjoyed in our former house, if not more.
This massive improvement wouldn’t have been achievable without a strategic alteration to the room’s layout. We made the significant decision to close off one of the large openings that originally connected the living room to the kitchen. Additionally, we converted one of the exterior French door openings, visible on the right side of the photo below, into a solid wall – precisely where our king-size bed now rests. While it might seem counter-intuitive to remove a French door, this room thankfully still boasts three other sets, providing an abundance of natural light and stunning views.
Even with one set of French doors converted, six beautiful doors remain, complemented by three additional windows. This ensures there is absolutely no shortage of light or picturesque views within the space, maintaining the bright and airy ambiance we adore.
For context, here’s a glimpse of how this particular wall of French doors appeared when we first purchased the house, emphasizing the scale of the transformation.
Returning to the closets, our admiration for Pax wardrobes stems from their exceptional customizability and their seamless integration into almost any room design. We even documented our full process in a comprehensive guide on how to make Ikea closets appear built-in. This detailed tutorial covers everything from planning and assembly to adding custom trim and finishes, ensuring a polished, bespoke look that elevates the entire room.
Beyond their exterior appeal, we’ve meticulously configured the interiors of these Pax wardrobes to maximize every inch of space. You can see exactly how we organized them here, complete with innovative solutions for everyday essentials and even seasonal items. Surprisingly, one of the units even houses our entire Christmas tree, demonstrating the incredible versatility and depth of these storage systems. Truly, these closets represent one of the single best decisions we made for this bedroom.
Neither of us anticipated having such an abundance of functional closet space in this house. The seamless integration and thoughtful organization have made daily routines smoother and our lives feel infinitely more streamlined. This successful combination of downsizing our possessions and investing in intelligent, built-in storage has been an undeniable win for a more organized and serene living environment.
2. Embracing Comfort: Making Room for a King-Size Bed
Speaking of elements we never expected in this room, the addition of the largest bed we’ve ever owned stands out! Through careful space planning and the creation of these incredibly easy DIY nightstands, we finally upgraded to a king-size bed after almost two decades of sharing a queen. This wasn’t merely a luxury; it was a deliberate choice that has significantly enhanced our sleeping experience, offering a more spacious and comfortable rest, especially with a dog who frequently prefers to sleep horizontally between us.
Intuitively, one might assume a large bed would overwhelm a smaller space. However, this upgrade has had a delightfully counter-intuitive effect: it actually makes the room feel larger. This phenomenon often holds true in design; small spaces frequently appear more expansive with a few larger, well-proportioned pieces rather than an accumulation of many smaller items, which can create a cluttered and visually busy impression. By strategically integrating a substantial piece like a king-size bed, the room itself gains a sense of grandeur and openness.
Beyond the visual impact, the practical benefits of a larger bed are immense. It genuinely “lives larger,” providing ample space for us to spread out and enjoy a truly restful sleep. Moreover, it has become a favorite spot for our children to lounge with us during leisurely weekend mornings, transforming our bedroom into a cozy family hub.
For a touch of nostalgia, here’s a snapshot of this wall when we first acquired the house. We initially experimented with various bed placements, unsure of the optimal spot. However, placing the bed here, against the now-solid wall, has proven to be an inspired decision. It feels perfectly aligned with the room’s flow and character – truly meant to be.
3. Revitalizing a Non-Working Fireplace into a Focal Point
One of the beautiful architectural remnants from this room’s former life as a living room is the fireplace. Though it was no longer functional for burning, we immediately saw its potential to become a stunning visual feature, much like the captivating wall of French doors. Our goal was to transform it into a beautiful, decorative element that we could admire and enjoy daily.
The revitalization of this fireplace unfolded in several distinct stages. The cornerstone of its transformation was a modern DIY mantel we meticulously built for the surround, which instantly updated its aesthetic. Complementing this, we added a unique, beachy twist on traditional fireplace logs, opting for decorative elements that align with our coastal home’s serene ambiance rather than functional burning materials. This thoughtful approach allowed us to preserve the fireplace’s charm while perfectly suiting our lifestyle.
A more recent, yet equally impactful, update has been the introduction of a large sculptural mirror that I had admired for years (though no longer sold, this one offers a similar aesthetic). I immediately recognized that its unique, irregular textured border would beautifully complement our plaster sconces, adding another layer of visual interest. More importantly, this mirror serves a practical purpose by reflecting and bouncing even more natural light around the room, enhancing its brightness and open feel. Together, these slow but steady aesthetic improvements to the fireplace over the past three years have culminated in a truly captivating focal point, providing a delightful view to enjoy from the comfort of our bed.
4. Enhancing Functionality with Even More Built-In Storage
Beyond the extensive closet space, we further amplified our bedroom’s functionality by integrating an entire wall of cabinet storage around the fireplace. This strategic addition not only provided a sensible solution for some previously awkward, empty nooks on either side of the fireplace but also created much-needed critical storage space in our house, which had historically been challenged in this regard. This transformation leveraged every available corner, turning dead space into highly productive storage.
The impact of this additional storage is truly remarkable when compared to the ‘before’ photo below. Observe the sheer volume of concealed storage we gained on this wall, transforming it from a simple, somewhat underutilized area into a powerhouse of organization.
We achieved this bonus storage by building in some Ikea Besta cabinets and then custom-topping them with elegant butcher block counters. The result is a seamless, built-in look that is both aesthetically pleasing and incredibly practical. These cabinets skillfully keep everything from family board games and cherished books to our laundry basket neatly out of sight, contributing significantly to the room’s calm and uncluttered atmosphere. The concealed nature of this storage ensures a tidy appearance while keeping essentials easily accessible.
For those interested in replicating this clever storage solution, you can find a comprehensive tutorial on building these cabinets, along with an insightful tour of how we organized their interiors, in this detailed post.
5. Implementing Smart and Stylish Window Coverings
When we refer to our new window coverings as “smart,” we mean it in both senses of the word: thoughtful in design and integration, and technologically advanced with voice control capabilities. Instead of merely rehanging outdated blinds on the expansive wall of French doors, we opted for a nearly wall-to-wall curtain rod adorned with luxurious blackout curtains (specifically, we chose the ivory color). These curtains not only drastically enhance the aesthetic appeal of the room compared to the old blinds but also perform an exceptional job at creating a completely dark and private environment at night, essential for a restful sleep.
For the room’s three individual windows, we installed low-profile modern roller shades. These were chosen specifically to maximize the expansive views during the day, virtually disappearing when retracted. However, we decided to splurge on smart blackout shades for these windows, allowing us to conveniently control them with voice commands via our Alexa system. This intelligent integration brings unparalleled ease and comfort to managing light and privacy. We even published a dedicated smart blinds FAQ post, detailing everything from cost and installation to daily operation, for anyone considering a similar upgrade. After nearly three years, we remain absolutely delighted with their performance and convenience.
Collectively, this sophisticated combination of blackout curtains and intelligent smart blinds has ingeniously transformed our otherwise brightly lit room – which we cherish during the day – into a wonderfully cozy, dark, and private sleeping sanctuary at night. It’s the perfect balance of light and darkness, allowing us to fully control the ambiance of our bedroom.
6. Designing a Dedicated Space for Cherished Decor
One of the initial challenges in this room was its limited wall space, largely consumed by windows, doors, and the newly installed closets. This is precisely why I was particularly enthusiastic about claiming a previously awkward corner by the door, dedicating it purely to decorative purposes. This seemingly small decision has resulted in what is now one of my absolute favorite vignettes in our entire house, a testament to the power of thoughtful design in often-overlooked areas.
Simultaneously with extending the built-in cabinets across this wall, we also added three long, elegant floating shelves. For a long time, many of my favorite decorative items felt as though they lacked a proper stage to truly shine. The moment these shelves were installed and I filled them with an eclectic mix of lush plants, captivating books, unique art pieces, various vases, and shimmering crystals, my heart genuinely skipped a beat. It was as if these beloved objects finally found their perfect home.
While a dedicated spot for displaying pretty things might sound somewhat superficial, I firmly believe that regularly seeing objects you love within your home is what truly imbues a space with a unique sense of “yours.” Especially when these items are arranged beautifully, creating a visual feast that can be appreciated from multiple vantage points. These strategically placed shelves not only enhanced the view from within our bedroom but also dramatically improved the sightline into our bedroom from our downstairs living area, elevating the overall aesthetic of both spaces.
We particularly appreciate that these shelves help our bedroom appear decidedly “un-bedroom-y” from the perspective of our sitting area. Instead of directly viewing a bed or other overtly private bedroom elements from that doorway, one is greeted by a charming, styled display. Having a designated area to showcase personal favorites, such as metallic birds I crafted in a workshop with friends, or a vibrant painting by one of our children, brings immense joy and adds a deeply personal touch to the space. Sidenote: If you’re inspired to enhance your own room with shelving, this post features 16 easy DIY shelf projects to get you started.
To fully grasp the scope of this transformation, let me leave you with one final before-and-after comparison. This similar view, captured from our kitchen when we first bought the house, truly encapsulates the journey this space has taken.
Indeed, we have come an incredibly long way. We are immensely grateful that we took a leap of faith on this charming old beach house, which, remarkably, had been on the market for almost an entire year. Its potential, though hidden beneath layers of neglect, was always palpable.
With these comprehensive details, we conclude our exploration of the six pivotal improvements that successfully converted a once-blank living room into a serene, highly functional, and beautiful bedroom. It truly stands as our favorite bedroom we’ve ever had, perfectly blending comfort with personalized style and intelligent storage solutions. Every adjustment, big or small, has contributed to creating a space that feels uniquely ours.
As a final thought, this May marks our fourth year of living in this home. This journey was by no means a rapid bedroom transformation; it was a process of deliberate, thoughtful changes unfolding over time. Yet, the cumulative effect of these functional and beautiful improvements has yielded a profound difference, illustrating that patience and careful planning can truly create an extraordinary living space.
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