This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Schlage. The opinions and text are all mine.

Our Organic Modern Master Bedroom Makeover — Progress Report

We moved into our new place two and a half weeks ago and have already made a lot of progress. The master bedroom is the most finished room so far, so I’m excited to share a quick makeover recap. I’m partnering with Schlage on several projects this year, and this post is the first installment. Below are before-and-after photos and details on what we changed.

Before photos:

Paint Changes

The first task after getting the keys was painting. The walls were a typical builder’s beige that felt lifeless. I chose the brightest white I could find—Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White—to brighten the room without leaning too blue or too yellow. It isn’t a dramatic shift in tone, but the clean white walls make a huge difference compared with beige. The space already feels fresher, lighter, and more modern.

New Door Handles

I believe details matter, so I replaced the door hardware right away. I chose pieces from Schlage’s Custom™ Collection—specifically the Custom Eller Lever with Collins Trim in matte black. The lever’s 2-in-1 functionality works for both bed-bath and hall-closet doors, which helps keep a consistent look throughout the house.

The matte black lever became a design touchstone; I started adding black accents to ground the room. If you’re nervous about swapping door hardware, don’t be: the Schlage pieces fit standard pre-drilled doors and the entire installation took me 12 minutes, including removing the old levers. The set is affordable and makes a visible upgrade to the space.

Furniture

Most of the furniture came with us. Over the years we’ve invested in large pieces we plan to keep long term: the bed frame, a vintage dresser, and a large standing mirror. They fit the new bedroom nicely. We’re still using inexpensive Ikea side tables for now while searching for the ideal replacements.

I added a black Menu bench at the last minute. It holds books, artwork, and a plant, and visually breaks up a previously empty wall. Its black finish ties in with the matte-black hardware and other accents in the room.

Art, Lighting, and Accessories

I chose swing-arm sconces to hang above each nightstand but didn’t measure carefully and they arrived bigger than I expected. Initially we questioned them, but after arranging the rest of the room—artwork, books, and accessories—they started to feel right and now we love them.

We layered vintage and newer accessories, added books and artwork, and introduced a plant in the corner to bring life and height. A few hats hung on the opposite wall provide balance and prevent the room from feeling like every wall needs art. The dresser area is the least finished spot; I’m hunting for the perfect large-scale piece to hang above it and I’ll keep the dresser surface minimal so it remains functional for everyday clothing stacks.

Window Coverings

The bedroom gets beautiful morning light, but the larger window needed privacy and light control. For now, we’ve installed temporary paper blinds that look clean but are a bit of a pain to raise and lower daily. We plan to upgrade to something more substantial once we decide on the final window treatment. I’m leaning toward soft, sheer curtains flanking the window, but I’m still deciding.

Sources & Notes

Key items used in the room include the Custom Eller Lever with Collins Trim from Schlage, a Nelson bed frame and headboard, a mix of percale and linen bedding, swing-arm sconces over the nightstands, a Dash & Albert rug, a black Menu bench, a Blu Dot standing mirror, and paper blinds for the window. Several pieces are vintage or sourced from local artists. If you’re curious about a specific item in any photo, I can share the source list for that piece.

That’s the progress so far. There’s still more to do, but the room is a big improvement from when we moved in and I’m happy with how it’s coming together. I’ll update with more photos as we continue to refine the space. I’d love your feedback—what do you think so far?

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This post is in partnership with Schlage. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.