Bedroom Makeover Ideas: 16 Budget Glow Ups That Feel Like a New Room

Bedroom makeover ideas are blowing up online right now, and one room proved it this month. A well known DIY duo painted a bold zebra style accent wall, added deep bedding and a red curtain, and their reel passed 3.4 million views and 146,000 likes in under two weeks. People loved it because it looked like a whole new room, yet most of the work was paint, fabric and smart styling. With winter coming, this is the perfect time to make the room you wake up in feel cozy and fresh. You do not need a renovation or a big budget. Here are 16 easy glow ups you can do one weekend at a time..

Bedroom Makeover Ideas That Work Together

The secret to a room that feels brand new is doing a few small things that all work together. Pick one bold moment, like a painted accent wall, then add warm bedding, soft lighting, a rug or two and one piece of painted furniture. This bright room shows how it all comes together without a single new wall or window. Make a short list, set a budget and tackle one project each weekend. Ready to see your room in a new way..

You will need: A notebook, a tape measure, paint chips, your phone camera for before photos, a small budget.

How to make it: 1. Take before photos from the doorway and each corner. 2. Pick one bold idea and three small ones from this list. 3. Do one project per weekend so it never feels like too much.

A Bold Painted Accent Wall Behind the Bed

This is the idea that went viral. The DIY duo The Sorry Girls painted a bold zebra style print on the wall behind their bed, and the reel passed 3.4 million views in under two weeks. You can do your own version with a pencil sketch, a small brush and two paint colors. Start with soft black on cream for drama, or try a gentler tone on tone look. It is one of the boldest bedroom makeover ideas, and it costs only the price of paint. Would you dare to try it?

You will need: Wall paint in two colors, a small roller, an angled brush, painter’s tape, a pencil, a drop cloth.

How to make it: 1. Paint the wall your base color and let it dry. 2. Lightly sketch wavy stripes with a pencil, looking at a photo for reference. 3. Fill in the stripes with the second color using a small brush, then remove any tape.

A Painted Headboard Shape on the Wall

No headboard? Paint one. A big arch or rectangle painted on the wall behind the bed gives the look of a headboard for the cost of a sample pot of paint. Terracotta, sage and deep blue all look lovely. Use a string and pencil like a compass to draw a perfect arch. It is one of the cheapest bedroom makeover ideas and a great one for renters, since you can paint over it later. What color would you choose?

You will need: A sample pot of wall paint, a small roller and angled brush, painter’s tape, a pencil, a string and a nail.

How to make it: 1. Mark the width of your arch a few inches wider than the bed. 2. Tie a pencil to a string pinned at the center to draw the curve. 3. Tape the straight sides, paint inside the lines and remove the tape while it is still wet.

Bedroom Makeover Ideas for Winter: Deep Tone Bedding

Swapping your bedding is the fastest way to change the mood of a room. For winter, go deep and cozy with chocolate brown, rust, burgundy and mustard, and layer a chunky knit throw at the foot of the bed. Linen and flannel feel warm and relaxed. You do not have to buy it all new: mix what you have with one or two new pillow covers. The whole room will feel warmer the minute you walk in. Which color would you start with?

You will need: A duvet cover or quilt in a deep tone, two or three pillow covers in rust, burgundy or mustard, a knit throw.

How to make it: 1. Start with the largest piece, the duvet or quilt. 2. Add pillow covers in two or three colors from the same warm family. 3. Fold a knit throw across the foot of the bed.

Curtains Hung High and Wide

Hanging curtains just above the window frame makes a room feel small. Move the rod up close to the ceiling and let it stretch well past both sides of the window, and the window suddenly looks twice as big. Choose curtains long enough to just touch or kiss the floor. It is a designer trick that costs almost nothing if you already have curtains. Light linen keeps it bright. Where is your curtain rod right now?

You will need: A curtain rod long enough to extend 8 to 12 inches past each side, brackets, a drill (adult help), floor length curtains.

How to make it: 1. Mark the bracket spots a few inches below the ceiling and well past the window frame. 2. Install the brackets with adult help. 3. Hang floor length curtains and let them fall straight.

Thrifted Lamps With New Pleated Shades

Old lamps are easy to find at thrift stores for a few dollars. Give them new life with a pleated fabric shade in a floral or gingham print, and suddenly they look like boutique lamps. Mismatched bases look charming when the shades match. Always check that the cord and plug are in good shape, and use LED bulbs so the shades stay cool. Bedroom makeover ideas like this add warm light for very little money. Have you seen a lamp you liked at a thrift store?

You will need: Thrifted lamp bases, new pleated fabric shades that fit, LED bulbs.

How to make it: 1. Clean the lamp bases and check the cords and plugs. 2. Fit the new shades and add LED bulbs. 3. Place them on nightstands or a dresser at the same height.

A Picture Ledge Above the Bed

A picture ledge lets you change your art as often as you like without new nail holes. Mount one long, narrow shelf above the bed and lean a mix of framed prints, botanical drawings and small objects along it. Overlap the frames a little for a relaxed look. Choose light frames so they never feel heavy over your head, and keep glass frames off the ledge if you like. What would you put on yours?

You will need: A narrow picture ledge, wall anchors and screws, a drill and level (adult help), lightweight frames and prints.

How to make it: 1. Mount the ledge about 10 inches above the headboard, using a level. 2. Lean the largest frames first, then layer smaller ones in front. 3. Step back and adjust until it feels balanced.

Bedroom Makeover Ideas With Paint: The Dresser

An old dresser can become the star of the room with a coat of paint and new knobs. Sage green, navy and creamy white are all popular right now, and brass knobs make it feel expensive. Lightly sand, wipe it clean, prime, then paint two thin coats. It is one of the most satisfying bedroom makeover ideas because you see the change so fast. A thrifted dresser works just as well. What color would your dresser be?

You will need: An old wooden dresser, fine sandpaper, primer, furniture paint, a small roller and brush, new knobs, a screwdriver.

How to make it: 1. Remove the old knobs, sand lightly and wipe off the dust. 2. Prime, then paint two thin coats, letting each dry. 3. Add the new knobs once the paint is fully dry.

Plug In Wall Sconces With a Cord Cover

Wall sconces free up your nightstands and make a bedroom feel like a hotel. You do not need an electrician: plug in sconces simply hang on the wall and plug into an outlet. Hide the cord with a slim cord cover painted to match the wall, and nobody will know. Use warm LED bulbs for cozy reading light at night. Would you hang them on both sides of your bed?

You will need: Two plug in wall sconces, LED bulbs, slim paintable cord covers, wall anchors, a drill (adult help), wall paint.

How to make it: 1. Mount the sconces at reading height on each side of the bed. 2. Run the cords straight down and cover them with cord covers. 3. Paint the covers to match the wall.

Layered Rugs for Warmth

Cold floors are no fun on winter mornings. Layer a large, flat jute or neutral rug under the bed and a smaller patterned rug on top at the side of the bed. The big rug grounds the room, and the small one adds color and softness under your feet. A faux sheepskin adds even more comfort. It is a cozy trick that looks styled and feels wonderful. Which side of the bed gets the softest rug?

You will need: A large flat woven rug, a smaller patterned rug, a rug pad, a faux sheepskin (optional).

How to make it: 1. Lay the big rug so it sticks out at least 18 inches on each side of the bed. 2. Add a rug pad under the small rug. 3. Place the small rug on top at an angle beside the bed.

Bedroom Makeover Ideas for Storage: A Bench at the Foot of the Bed

A bench at the foot of the bed gives you a place to sit, a spot for throws and hidden storage for extra blankets. You can make one from a simple wooden storage box with a padded lid wrapped in velvet or linen. Mustard, green and rust look lovely with winter bedding. It finishes the bed like a hotel room and hides clutter at the same time. What would you store inside yours?

You will need: A wooden storage box or bench with a lid, foam padding, batting, fabric, a staple gun (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Cut foam to fit the lid and cover it with batting. 2. Wrap the fabric over the top and staple it underneath, pulling it smooth. 3. Screw the lid back on and fill the box with blankets.

A Mirror Leaned in a Corner

A big floor mirror is one of the easiest ways to make a small room feel bigger and brighter. Lean it in a corner across from the window so it bounces the light around the room. An arched mirror with a thin frame looks soft and modern. Use a wall strap or anti tip kit so it stays safe, especially with kids or pets around. Bedroom makeover ideas do not get much easier than this. Where would yours go?

You will need: A tall floor mirror, an anti tip wall strap or kit, a screwdriver (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Choose a corner across from or beside a window. 2. Lean the mirror at a gentle angle. 3. Attach the anti tip strap to the wall and the back of the mirror.

A Fabric Covered Bulletin Board for Photos

A fabric covered bulletin board turns your favorite photos, postcards and notes into wall art. Wrap a cork board in a pretty linen print, then crisscross ribbon over the front and pin it at each crossing with brass tacks. Now you can tuck in photos without any pins at all. It is perfect over a desk or a dresser. For more cozy room ideas, see our Christmas bedroom decor. What would you tuck in first?

You will need: A cork board, batting, fabric, ribbon, brass upholstery tacks, a staple gun (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Lay batting and fabric over the board and staple them to the back. 2. Crisscross ribbon diagonally and staple the ends to the back. 3. Push a brass tack at each place where the ribbons cross.

Under Bed Storage Boxes Covered in Fabric

The space under the bed is perfect for sweaters, extra bedding and gift wrap, but plain plastic bins look messy when they peek out. Cover sturdy cardboard or plastic storage boxes with fabric like toile or gingham, and they look pretty enough to show. Add a ribbon or fabric pull so they slide out easily. It is a smart winter swap for summer clothes. What would you keep under your bed?

You will need: Low storage boxes, fabric, spray adhesive or fabric glue, ribbon, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Measure the box sides and cut fabric with a little extra to fold over the top. 2. Glue the fabric smoothly to the sides and fold it inside the rim. 3. Glue a ribbon loop to the front as a pull.

An Upholstered DIY Headboard

A soft, upholstered headboard makes a bed feel finished and cozy, and it is easier to make than you think. Cut a shape from plywood, like a scallop or a simple rectangle, cover it with foam and batting, then wrap it in velvet or linen. Dusty rose velvet looks romantic, while grey linen looks calm. Mount it to the wall with adult help. It is one of those bedroom makeover ideas people will ask you about. Which shape would you pick?

You will need: A sheet of plywood cut to shape (adult help), foam, batting, fabric, a staple gun, wall cleats and screws.

How to make it: 1. Draw your shape on plywood and have it cut with adult help. 2. Glue on foam, cover with batting and wrap the fabric tightly, stapling it on the back. 3. Mount the headboard to the wall with cleats behind the bed.

Bedroom Makeover Ideas Finish With Plants

To end our list, bring in a little green. A small shelf at the bottom of a sunny window gives houseplants the light they love and adds life to the room. Cactus, snake plants and pothos are easy and forgiving, even for beginners. Group pots in different heights and textures, and keep a small watering can nearby. Plants make any room feel fresh and finished, and they are one of the simplest bedroom makeover ideas of all. Which plant would you start with?

You will need: A narrow shelf or plant stand, small pots with saucers, easy houseplants, a small watering can.

How to make it: 1. Place a shelf or plant stand under the sunniest window. 2. Set plants in pots with saucers so water does not drip. 3. Group them by height and turn them every week for even growth.