Spring 2022 ORC: Main Bedroom

Think you can’t completely overhaul a room in your home in just eight short weeks and all on your own? Well, buckle up because I’m about to prove it can be done - welcome to week one of the Spring 2022 One Room Challenge!

I’m so excited to be participating in my second ORC and this time around the space I’ll be making over is our main bedroom. Similar to the last ORC project I did back in the fall, this will be a “no demo reno”, meaning my focus will be on projects that will give the space an entirely new look and feel but without the labour (and let’s be honest…financial) investment of a “down-to-the-studs” renovation.

In sharing my weekly progress with you (both here an on Instagram), my goal is to demonstrate just how much impact you can achieve in a space simply through intentional design and styling. Okay,,.and of course a bit of DIY.

Without further ado, here are some “before” photos along with an overview of what you can expect to see over the next eight weeks.

THE PLAN

Week 1: Design plan

To kick it all off, I’ve put together, and am now as I write this sharing, my plan for the design direction and tasks for this ORC project. There’s nothing inherently wrong with our bedroom space (per say) but it feels a bit flat and the furniture is a bit of a mashup of pieces we brought from our previous house that don’t work as well in the current space. The vibe I’m going for is an organic, modern with a hint of wabi sabi that I think will bring some much needed texture and dimension to the space.

This mood board below is my visual jumping off point. I’m going to be grounding everything in a neutral palette (shocker) and adding elements to create a focal point (that isn’t the giant TV hanging in the corner lol) and, of course, brining in some more storage options (because one can never have enough).

Week 2: Wall mural

Speaking of focal points that aren’t giant black boxes, in week two I’ll be tackling a wall mural project that I could not be more excited about! I don’t want to give away too many details now but I will say it’s going to reorient the entire layout of the space and really introduce the wabi sabi vibe I’m after.

Week 3: Nightstand upcycle

In the spirit of being both environmentally and budget conscious, in week three I’ll be giving our existing nightstands a glow up. I love the bones and style of them, I just want to reimagine the colour and maybe add a detail to the drawer fronts. Stay tuned!

Week 4: DIY pendant lights

This is the project I’m the second most excited for (after the wall mural). For week four I’m going to try to make a pair of hanging pendants for either side of the bed. I’m planning to use clay to bring in some organic texture and we’ll see how they turn out. You can see an example of my inspo in the mood board.

Week 5: Window treatments

Bay windows: we love ‘em but we hate trying to hang curtains in ‘em - amirite? In week five I’m going to attempt to solve the conundrum that is hanging adequate (read light blocking) window coverings at really obscure angles, all while still looking aesthetically pleasing. This might be the project I’m most nervous about. Wish me luck.

Week 6: DIY storage

“I have plenty of storage” - said no one ever. I’m dedicating week six to coming up with some clever clothing storage solutions to help take the pressure off the third bedroom that has been acting as my closet. Because, you know, it’s nice to have one’s clothes in one’s bedroom and not a hallway away. First world problems? Definitely. Achievable? Let’s wait and see (on second thought, maybe this is the project I’m most nervous about…)

Week 7: New bed frame

Crossing my fingers big time on this one. I’m really hoping to purchase a new bed frame to replace our existing one that I personally find too big and not quite right for the space. Store stock supply and shipping constraints are still challenging (hence the crossed fingers) but I have a few on my short list and by week seven I hope to have it delivered and to be able to work on assembling it. May the shipping odds be ever in my favour.

Week 8: Decor, styling & the big reveal!

And after all that, the final week of the challenge I’ll save for the finishing touches. Swapping out some lighting, hanging some new art, styling some decor - this is where the magic happens as they say in the design biz (…or is that show biz?). Anyway, by that point I’m sure I’ll be incredibly eager to share the final result and of course to have a really solid good night’s rest in my dreamy new space!

It’s an ambitious list, but I’m up for the challenge (pun intended). I’d love to hear in the comments what week’s project you’re most excited about. Follow along my ORC journey on Instagram and be sure to check out all the other amazing projects other One Room Challenge participants are planning!