Redo my bedroom or not?

[ScrimpAndSave]

As many of you know, I live at home with my father and my fiance is in law school until he graduated in May 2009. We are getting married and then we are staying with my dad until January 2011 and buying his house (this is the plan right now).

My bedroom basically looks like little Bo Peep lives there. The furniture, though it is solid wood, is around 30 years old, mismatched and an eyesore. My bedding is very feminine and worn out.

My dad mentioned that we should redo my bedroom. What I would like to do is set a budget of $1,000 and finish off the room. I feel as though it would be a good thing because it will be "our" bedroom (my fiance and I) rather than just mine. Also, I would like to find affordable furniture, but furniture that I can leave in that room as a guest bedroom...because we will be taking my father's much larger room after he moves out.

I'm still on my savings plan to put down a downpayment...I saved up for my wedding...and I think this is a much needed project. The furniture that I want is $659 for all the pieces.

This is sort of what the before and after will look like:

http://img.makeupalley.com/7/1/5/6/1059978.JPG

http://img.makeupalley.com/7/1/5/6/1059462.JPG

[jIM_Ohio]

Not enough info to offer specific advice.

Is that new bed frame solid wood? Is it Oak or flakeboard?

A trick I use when looking at furniture to test quality of wood is to open the drawers and look for flakeboard (the wood under the outside is probably not finished).

I paid $3k for a solid oak bedroom set when we moved into our current house. My parents still have the same oak BR set they bought when they married in 1969.

Buy it right- solid wood- and you should never have to buy another set for the rest of your life. If you cannot afford it now, wait another year or two- I had a used wood BR set I bought from a coworker until I had the money for the new set.

Not a huge fan of value city or ikea in regards to the quality of the furniture for solid wood- look for stores like oakcraft, oakexpress or unfinished wood type stores for good wood.

The unfinished stores can save you money if you can finish the wood yourself. Or you could pay for the store to apply the finish as well.

[minnie1928]

What would you do with the furniture already in the room? Would you sell it or use it in another bedroom? If you're going to sell it, then it might make your decision a little easier since the cash outlay would be less.

FWIW, I like both but I'm starting to become partial to the darker, more contemporary furniture. I paid much more for my solid oak set in 1996, and I'm tired of it already. I'll probably paint it (or stain it darker) and swap out the handles/knobs in a year or two just to change it up. Speaking of that, is that a possibility for your oak set? That would be even cheaper yet!

[ScrimpAndSave]

I was thinking of this...I was thinking of painting the headboard and attaching it to a bedframe I already have (I don't want a footboard on the bed...drives my fiance nuts). I could also paint the dresser and mirror...and sell the high dresser (or keep it for storage somewhere else).

Then, I want to pull up the carpet to expose the original hardwood floors, put a nice 8 by 10 rug down, new bedding and the big splurge would be a flat screen tv on the wall in front of the bed. I also need two matching black side tables...but I want small, narrow ones that I can get for under $50 each.

Definitely cheaper than buying all new furniture.

[disneysteve]

Is the first photo the actual room? If so, I don't see the problem. Nothing "Little Bo Peep" or overly "feminine" about it. You can easily (and cheaply) change the bedding and valance if you'd like. Get a nice lamp for the end table, maybe hang some new art or photos on the walls and you're all set. Give the room a fresh coat of paint perhaps to freshen it up or add some color. Pull up the carpet to expose the wood floor and it will look like a totally different room. And removing the footboard is easy enough. We don't have one either - never cared for them.

I would not go out and spend hundreds on new furniture that you only plan to use for a couple of years.

[maat55]

From what I can see, I agree with Steve.

[ScrimpAndSave]

If I do buy furniture, it would stay in the room for a looong time...being that it will be one of the guest bedrooms of the house.

What the being said, I think I am sort of changing my plans.

1. Pull up carpet to expose hardwood floors
2. Paint the dresser and mirror frame black (not pictured - it is to the right)
3. Paint walls a warm gray
4. Ditch the headboard and footboard...just use bedframe and large pillows. I hate the fact that my headboard is in front of the mirror.
5. New bedding
6. Replace window treatments with roman shades
7. Replace rocking chair in the corner with a more modern accent chair
8. Place a 32 inch tv on the wall across from the bed (pricing them under $500)
9. Find some inexpensive, simple accessories for the room.


Ps...the first pic was an actual pic of the room.

[moneybags]

If I do buy furniture, it would stay in the room for a looong time...being that it will be one of the guest bedrooms of the house.

I wouldn't spend money on new furniture. If what you have is solid quality furniture, I would keep it. If you want new stuff, wait until you can afford quality furniture (maybe when you move into the other room). Your current furniture is perfect for a guest bedroom.

[disneysteve]

I wouldn't spend money on new furniture. If what you have is solid quality furniture, I would keep it. If you want new stuff, wait until you can afford quality furniture (maybe when you move into the other room). Your current furniture is perfect for a guest bedroom.

I agree (though keep in mind we are basing our opinions solely on a photo. The furniture may not be in as good shape as it appears).

Save that $659 to put toward a real bedroom set for the master bedroom when the time comes.

BTW, I think "warm gray" is an oxymoron.

[ScrimpAndSave]

Haha there are warm grays! They have blue/brown/gray which is what I am looking for...

[PrincessPerky]

Ditto Steve's thoughts

Even if the stuff is nicked up, I would still want to wait for a much better quality dream set.

Oh and ditto the dislike of foot boards, not meant to be on beds of tall folk!

[ScrimpAndSave]

I think just painting the furniture will save a lot of $. Pulling up rugs and painting...


...the only splurge is the tv. Which I know we will use and love. And if I wait and watch - I will be able to get a good deal.

[disneysteve]

...the only splurge is the tv. Which I know we will use and love. And if I wait and watch - I will be able to get a good deal.

I don't have a problem with the TV purchase since once you switch rooms, you can move that, too. No reason to leave a great new TV in the guestroom.

[ScrimpAndSave]

Oh Disneysteve, you initially burst my little money spending bubble - but you are right. I also shouldn't ever spend good money on what is basically particle board.

I'm going to paint the dresser/mirror and I don't think I will need a headboard since my bed is in front of a window.

Thanks everyone!

I will post after pics if you are interested.

[disneysteve]

Oh Disneysteve, you initially burst my little money spending bubble - but you are right. I also shouldn't ever spend good money on what is basically particle board.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

I actually don't have a big problem with particle board. We own a reasonable number of pieces of particle board furniture. Of course, most were bought years ago when that is what the budget allowed for, but the reality is that we still have them, still use them and they still look and work just fine.

I just don't think it is really needed in this situation.