I’ve been eager to do a reader room makeover for a long time, and today it finally happened. I partnered with Vasagle to bring this transformation to life, showcasing affordable furniture options while giving Brooke—a woman whose bedroom had been waiting for attention—a fresh, functional space.
At first glance, her room looked decent: high ceilings, a charming fireplace, and original hardwood floors. But the layout and furnishings weren’t meeting her needs. My goal was a full bedroom refresh with renter-friendly solutions: new paint, practical furniture, and a better flow for daily life. Below is the reveal and a look at how the room evolved.
What the room looked like before
Before the makeover, some elements were already attractive: the tall ceilings, a pretty fireplace, and the hardwood floors. Still, there were clear problems to solve—most importantly, Brooke needed a proper office area with a comfortable chair because she works from home.
The previous desk in the room was more of a display space for books than a functional workstation. The chair was uncomfortable, so Brooke often worked at the dining table instead. That lack of a dedicated, usable workspace was one of several issues that made the bedroom an afterthought compared to the rest of her home.
She described this room as the one she never got around to finishing. That’s ideal in my book—I love creating solutions that blend form and function.
Pull up a Chair…to the Office
Given the need for a true office area, I carved out a workspace in the bedroom. In a one-bedroom apartment, the bedroom has to double as an office, so the desk needed to be slim and practical.
We replaced the bulky, clutter-prone desk with a simple, budget-friendly metal-frame computer desk from Vasagle. It has clean lines, ships flat-packed, and is quick to assemble—perfect for a renter-friendly refresh and all under $100.
Bright and White
The walls were a light gray, which was fine, but I wanted to brighten the room. I repainted the walls in Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White. Three coats later, the space felt refreshed and noticeably lighter—an easy change that made a big impact.
Fireplace Goals
The bedroom fireplace is one of the room’s best features, so I made it a focal point. I added bold artwork above the mantel, placed the books that had been crowding the old desk inside the non-functioning fireplace, and created a renter-friendly fix for the cracked, uneven tile hearth.
I’ll share the hearth solution in a separate post, but it’s an affordable, under-$20 approach that conceals uneven flooring and refreshes the look. Note: this method is suitable only for non-working fireplaces.
To finish the look, I added an array of plants in stylish planters. The room gets great natural light, so greenery thrives here—plus it warms the space visually.
A New Entryway of Sorts
A quirk of Brooke’s apartment is that the front door opens directly into the bedroom. It’s not the main entrance she uses, but I wanted the front door to feel useful and inviting.
I created a small entry area with artwork and a compact gray wood coat tree from Vasagle—an inexpensive piece that provides space for coats, bags, and hats. A rug defines a hallway-like path toward the living room, and a five-tier ladder bookcase by the door offers a spot for keys and mail.
These elements don’t change the architecture, but they solve the functional problem in a renter-friendly way: furniture and decor that are easy to move when it’s time to leave. It’s an affordable solution that makes the front door feel more intentional.
Climbing the Ladder (Bookshelf)
Another challenge was a narrow wall with two doors close together. Any furniture placed there would be highly visible from both entry points, and thick baseboards made it hard for typical furniture to sit flush against the wall.
A leaning 5-tier ladder bookcase solved that problem. Because it leans, there’s no awkward gap between the shelf and the wall. The shelf’s black metal accents also tie in with other dark elements in the room—like the desk, curtain rods, and the new ceiling fan—creating cohesion across the design.
I styled the shelves with items Brooke already owned plus a few new ceramics and a wooden bowl for keys and mail. It keeps the space functional and attractive.
Sweet Dreams in this Bed
The bed frame and headboard were in good shape, so I kept them to stay on budget and focused on updating textiles. New bedding and pillows can transform an existing bed quickly and affordably.
I considered a DIY upholstered headboard but ultimately achieved a similar layered look by styling striped pillows against the headboard—an easy, fast way to refresh the bed without added work.
Totally Benched
Instead of a traditional nightstand, I used a bench that doubles as seating and a bedside surface. It’s a smart solution for small spaces or for rooms that need both bedside function and entryway practicality.
Floor Softener
Original hardwood floors are beautiful but benefit from a large rug to add warmth and softness. I selected an 8×10 rug that brings in the room’s color palette and ties the space together.
Big Fan: The New Ceiling Fan
The old ceiling fan was dated, so I replaced it with a modern, affordable fan that reinforces the room’s black accent details and updates the overall look without being overpowering.
Picture This (Artwork)
Artwork was the finishing touch. Brooke already had several pieces that just needed framing, including a favorite blue swimmers print. I also added a few new finds and created a couple of DIY pieces: a circular painting above the desk and a framed wallpaper scrap above the fireplace from an earlier project.
The large print above the bed was a locally printed digital file framed in a ready-made frame—about $60 total for a 24×36 piece. Affordable artwork can make a big visual impact without breaking the budget.
That’s the makeover! I loved designing a space that’s both beautiful and practical for Brooke. It took effort, but seeing the room come together was incredibly satisfying. Who wants a room makeover next?
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This reader room makeover was created in partnership with Vasagle. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep this blog running.