Finally, it’s time to reveal our son’s completely redecorated room! Be sure to look at the Introduction, Day One, and Days 2,3, & More to see the before video and some of the process we went through.
For those of you who aren’t that into watching videos or whose computers don’t easily accommodate video (and we have one that I just can’t watch anything on, unless I have a lot of time), read on for before and after pictures along with some details (including final cost) of the transformation.
But first, the concluding video complete with a bus and the anticipated reaction:
Watch this video full size on YouTube.
Now, here’s the review in pictures with commentary and the cost breakdown:
The room viewed from the doorway before.
The room from the doorway after.
The new, larger bed is now against the wall as our son has wanted for awhile (I have no idea why…). We had to move the dresser to the foot of the bed as well.
The corner of the room before, complete with overloaded shelves and desk (and floor…).
The same corner after.
The bedside table before.
Bedside table after.
The corner of the room before, complete with overloaded shelves and desk (and floor…).
The same corner after.
This picture really shows how cool the bed is that Brian made. We had to purchase the pine for the side rails, special large bolts to hold it together (and enable it to be taken apart to get it in and out of the room), and the fancy post caps which totaled $51.96. All the other wood and the paint was from previous projects.
We found the double mattress and box spring on Craigslist for $20, so the total for the bed was $71.96.
Of course, then I needed linens to cover the mattress. Sheesh, I’ve never bought all the needed linens for a bed at one time before, it’s usually just the cover or the sheets, so it was more than I was thinking. I was hoping to find one of those “bed in a bag” type packages, but they were all funky patterns (what’s up with that?). So the total for mattress pad, sheets (including one to cover the box spring), and a comforter came to $72.23, bringing the grand total for the bed to $144.19.
The bedside table before.
Wow, the whole skirted-table look was just not working for him. We definitely needed something with at least one drawer. And that could be easily dusted.
Bedside table after.
The table with a drawer came from Target and put us back $79.99 (we already had the basket- isn’t it cool how it just fit?). Having never shopped for new furniture other than our couch and a mattress, we had no clue what a nightstand would cost. And this is fairly inexpensive in the world of new nightstands. Most were closer to $100.
And don’t even get me started on the ridiculous prices our local thrift stores (and I visited five!) were charging. Most were broken (drawers, handles, huge wood chips) and they still were asking $40 to $50 dollars. The nightstand is the area that really could’ve benefited from advanced planning.
I’ve already written about the lamp transformation, but in this picture you can also see that I used the bronze spray paint on a clay pot to hold pens and a formerly white plastic waste basket.
The closet wall before. I’m sure this is typical of teens…right? Please say yes…
Closet wall after moving the bookshelf (made by Brian) and bulletin board that I made a few years ago. See? We really don’t shop for furniture much!
Here’s a view of the inside of the closet.
The closet wall before. I’m sure this is typical of teens…right? Please say yes…
Closet wall after moving the bookshelf (made by Brian) and bulletin board that I made a few years ago. See? We really don’t shop for furniture much!
I love how the creamy white paint contrasts with the light khaki walls in this photo.
Here’s a view of the inside of the closet.
We continued the floor and paint, but just used what he already had (yes, those cool vintage gym baskets were in the before picture!). We donated a ton of stuff and organized his clothes.
Now we’ll see how long it lasts.
The bookshelf and dresser before.
The dresser after.
The bookshelf and dresser before.
The dresser after.
Again, we couldn’t find a dresser better than this one, although we looked for a wood one that would be big enough and be in our budget.
So we kept this and I touched up the paint job I had done years ago (eight?). This dresser was a find on the side of the road and was so beat-up even a paint job wouldn’t have covered up it’s flaws. This is a tissue-paper technique I did and then painted and glazed (my inspiration was old 50s suitcases). Over the years the tissue paper texture had torn off in a few places which made me think it was ready to be replaced, but in the end it cleaned up pretty well.
I know this is a long post, bear with me as I share just a few more things!
I know this is a long post, bear with me as I share just a few more things!
I LOVE the new curtain rod ($13.99 at Target!) and how it coordinates with the light fixture I spray painted. The same curtains look new on them.
And you know what? The floor isn’t that bad with the furniture and rug. Only a little of it shows anyway.
Target came through again on the rug. It’s a large 5×8, but only cost $39.99 because they called it a “remnant.” It’s just what I was looking for to cover my floor that didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped and all the other rugs this size started at $79.00. Whoo-hoo.
And you know what? The floor isn’t that bad with the furniture and rug. Only a little of it shows anyway.
And my son told me that one of his favorite things is the floor…he thinks it looks cool.
Ah…life is good.
And the total cost for the room makeover? $394.73
I was hoping to be closer to $300, but some things were just more than I anticipated (nightstand, $50 for polyurethane, and such). But I’m still happy with the outcome for less than $400, since just to recover the floor with normal carpet or wood would’ve cost about that!
I’d love to know what you think!
-Jami
This is linked to:
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
I believe a cottage can be anywhere or anything (condo, ranch, farmhouse) as long as you have a "cottage mentality" which puts people above things, celebrates imperfections, embraces simplicity, and finds joy in everyday life. Thanks for joining me!
It looks great! I really love the bed, it looks gorgeous!
And it’s funny you were talking about night stands, I just built MY OWN, with a drawer, for $30. If you’d want to, you can check it out on my website (not yet painted though)or find plans for one at knockoffwood.blogspot.com (be warned, you might become addicted).
Seriously great job though on the room!
Of course he would love it. It looks great. I really like the nice calm but still masculine colors. I have a son about that same age and I’m sure he would like this. What a nice thing to do for your son.
Pamela @ Becolorful
The room turned out great. Very nice touch on the extreme makeover video. That wall map is very cool too.
I really like it! all the natural textures you added make it look like you hand picked that dresser for the room! I never would have though of putting the painted white furniture in the room for a teenage boy, but it really works!
Wow, it turned out great! I love how you made it look like you were doing an episode of Extreme makeover. Wanna come do my home next?
I think you did a fabulous jog…and hats off to handyman in your house. Awesome.
Hi, I’m new to your blog and am so glad I found this inspiring week long make over! You all did an awesome job. His room looks fantastic. I think you get the mom award of the year for that one. It rocks! (Along with dad and sis too.) Thanks for sharing. Loved the videos too.
Thanks all for the kudos!
Welcome, Rhonda, and thanks for stopping by! I’m so glad you liked the makeover series and really appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment.