2014 Clever Bedroom Makeover from BHG : Before and After

This bedroom was a real snoozer bland, charmless, and dated. But a budget-smart decorating makeover with paint, fabric, and easy-decorating tricks transforms it into a stylish retreat.

BEFORE: Bland Bedroom 

Lacking personality and style, this bedroom was also uninviting and cold. But a budget-friendly makeover provided a fresh outlook.

After: Bright and Cozy 

A palette of cheery yellow, soothing slate blue, and creamy white takes the mood from dreary to dreamy and makes this small bedroom feel light, bright, fresh, and modern.

Customize for Less 

Stock kitchen cabinets from IKEA work great as bookshelves and create the look of a built-in for less. Leave off the backs so wall paint shows through -- it makes a small room feel bigger. Score a little extra storage: Use closed kitchen cabinets as nightstands. On the bed, one body pillow packs the same impact as throngs of throw pillows, and wall-mount swing arm lamps turn on function without taking up space.

Pleasant Surprise 

Line drawers with scrapbook paper for a sunny surprise every time you reach in.

Store in Style 

A vintage cabinet goes glam when old glass panels are replaced with mirrors. The cabinet stashes extra linens and provides plenty of display space for decorative extras.

Sunny and Stylish 

A fresh carpet pattern echoes the vintage window muntins. Mirrors and brass add glimmer to a room that gets little natural light. Creamy white paint on doors and moldings also keeps things bright. Layering curtains over shades gives a luxe look. (We turned the fabric 90 degrees to get a room-stretching horizontal stripe.)

Crowning Glory 

Curtain rods and rings make a modern connection to hand-forged iron hardware on doors throughout the 1930s home. Curtains are hung right under the crown molding to stretch the room vertically.

Vanity Flair 

The sleek but hardworking desk stows home office supplies in one drawer and makeup and jewelry in another. Pullout benches for the dressing table are better than a single chair -- each works as a seat or a table. An eclectic gallery of art arranged around the mirror furthers the vanity area's own unique style blend.

2012 Ideas for Beautiful Living Room Makeover

Boring, boxy rooms with zero personality: Raise your hand if you've got one. Better Homes and Gardens decorating editor Amy Panos did. Take a peek at how she and BHG remodeling coach Meredith Ladik turned a 1970s suburban room into something special.

Creating a Peaceful Space 

To dress up the space and create unity between the dining room and living room, Amy and Meredith chose to add instant character with classic-looking wainscot. Amy chose to wrap the room in urethane trim because, compared to wood, it comes in more styles, is lighter in weight, and is easier to install. 

Editor's Tip: It's perfectly OK to place furniture in the middle of a room. Just keep the visual footprint light (a pair of chairs works better than a sofa) and pick pieces that look good from all sides.

Window Wise

Vinyl replacement windows with Energy Star-rated glass are more efficient than the 1970s originals, and the trim never has to be painted. Plus they can be ordered to the size of the existing opening, which saves on installation costs.

On the Ledge 

Three styles of molding were stacked to create a chunky ledge atop the wainscot. The result: a built-in spot for displaying art at eye level.

Desk Space 

Amy took the corner of the room and created a little office that is perfect for paying bills. 
Editor's Tip: Picking paint colors is a challenge, but landing on the right blue proved extra tricky. If you want a gray-blue, like Amy did, you have to go much grayer than you ever imagined. We must have tried a dozen different shades. Thank goodness for $4 sample paint pots.

Pretty Dining

To connect the dining and living room, Amy continued the color scheme and wainscot around the room. Adding more storage in the dining room was a must. Replacing a pair of rickety bookcases with glass-front cabinets gives the dining room structure and storage capacity. The cabinets are semi-custom, meaning you can choose the door style, finish, size, and extra trim for the top and bottom to give them a built-in look.

Handy Hostess Station 

Pairing 12-inch-deep upper cabinets with deeper lower cabinets allowed the units to tuck neatly under the existing soffit while still offering plenty of storage. It also left space for a small countertop -- handy for setting dishes or food to serve.

Hidden Storage 

Tucked below the window seat, large drawers are the perfect place to hide extra china and crystal but keep them handy if needed.