In a world where everything is at your fingertips, it’s easy to forget that creating and building your dream home takes time… and money. This is a little reminder I try to tell my clients, especially those who just renovated or moved into a new home. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in reels or Pinterest seeing those home makeovers taken from drab to fab in a mere 90 seconds.
Here is a before and after that was 9 years in the making… at B&B headquarters, we renovated our upstairs attic to be our primary bedroom which was a complete gut, raised ceilings, new drywall, electric, a few windows, baseboards, and all the furnishings for it! Needless to say, some decor decisions were made on a budget and what was the easiest at the time to check off the boxes. For example, for our curtains we used painter drop cloths and old pipes we found in the renovation as our curtain rods, this was super affordable and gave us curtains! Another was our dresser and a mirror we got was secondhand (aka FREE 🙌) so the quality and paint jobs to make them ours were done quickly and simply with what we had. We also kept our TV on our dresser, because we had the room, and mounting it seemed like more money and another thing.
BEFORE
Fast forward, and we were itching for an upgrade. Enter these dream curtains, finally on sale, which meant it was go time because we love saving some pennies! This caused a snowball effect with everything else. Luckily, the dresser and mirror were already in progress (both had been sitting on the to-do list for months). Next up, new curtain rods to match the more updated style and allow us to raise them higher for a modern, bold look.
WHAT WE DID:
– New Curtains & Curtain Rods | $337.30
– Mirror DIY; painted (had this) & added wooden beads | $32.38 + time
– DIY Frame TV | $48 + time
– New Dresser | Free
– Dresser Upcycle: Paint & New Handles | $82 + time
– Mounted TV + Wire Coverings | $40
– Coffee Bar (secondhand Nespresso, Tray from Target, Pod Holders & Waste Basket) | $130
– New Comforter | $63.72
– Switched Pillows Around & New Covers from H&M | $20
Estimated Project Total: $753
AFTER
This is a small example of how you can slowly transform a space over a few months—or even nine years—at your own pace, within your budget, for a big impact. Although similar, the dresser adds a new level of function for clothes and an elevated look, it’s much sturdier than the previous one, and the new handles give a high-end feel.
Even though the space was lovely, bright, and airy before, it wasn’t until these updates that we realized just how bland it had been. Now, this space is seen as a retreat to start and end the day.
Total disclaimer: the curtains from Anthro were definitely a splurge, but worth every penny. They are beautiful, double-layered, thick curtains of high quality—which is why, even with less expensive curtain rods from Target, they still give off a West Elm vibe! This is just one example of how B&B design services work to bring you the best solutions while balancing costs.
About B&B Design Services.
Looking for help finishing a space in your home or just getting started? We offer a variety of service levels, from consulting to full implementation. B&B will design your room and create a mood board. If you’re opting for consulting, we’ll finalize the plans and hand off the links for you to purchase and implement. We’ll even check in along the way to ensure everything is coming together or to source additional finishes. For full implementation, we handle the purchasing, furniture building, installation, and transform your space from drab to fab—without the headaches!
