Tips and Ideas for Updating Your Bedroom for Under $100
1. Paint the trim. Paint is inexpensive, easily well under $100, and one of the quickest means of updating outdated features in your bedroom. Outdated brown or dark colored trim is a dead give away that a home is stuck in the 1960’s or 1970’s. Lightly sand the trim, put on a coat of primer, and then a nice light colored white glossy paint and you will be amazed. If you have existing primer or white paint use it for this project to save a little money.
2. Save a little of that primer for the ceiling. This step is a precursor to the following step for updating your bedroom for under $100. Provide a clean fresh slate for a little modern eye candy; best of all you have already bought the primer.
3. Change outdated ceiling fixtures. This is one the quickest means of adding modern updated features to your bedroom. You will be happily surprised at what $50 – $60 can do for your light fixtures. I have seen outstanding ceiling lights and even ceiling fans that are in this price range at both Home Depot and Lowe’s. Even my local Wal-Mart has great affordable light fixture. If you are lucky enough to live near and Ikea then you could replace a light fixture for as little as $15. If the design or shape of your existing light fixture is not the problem lending an outdated air to your bedroom then try modernizing the color. Nothing outdates a bedroom more quickly than shiny brass ceiling fixtures. Take them down, clean them, and spray them a stainless steal color, white, or even a hammered metal bronze. Now, that is a great way to get a lot of updating for very little money.
4. Finally, I don’t know if you are coming in at already having spent about $50 total for paint and an affordable light fixture or closer to $70, but regardless you should devote the remainder of your $100 to updating your bedroom linens. This could be either curtains or bedding. Take down outdated blinds and heavy curtains and replace them with lightweight inexpensive sheers and curtains. There are some great sources out there for affordable updated bedding that does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Specifically on the web I have seen super cheap bedding at www.overstock.com and www.domesticatiosn.com. Locally at stores like Wal-Mart and Ikea cheap bedding is the rule. I have also found super cheap quilts at unexpected sources like Dollar General in the Southern States. Think clean lines whether you are replacing the curtains or the bedding. You could easily and cheaply repurpose existing white sheets into a simple duvet cover for an updated looking bedspread. Use a product like No Sew or even your sewing machine to sew some straight lines. Insert your outdate bedspread and no one will ever be the wiser.
If you have colorful bedding that seems garish and outdated because of bright colors you could also repurpose them by tea staining them. Soak brightly colored pillow covers or sheets in tea and it will mellow and age the colors. This is a great way to get a natural updated earth tone look in your bedroom out of something you already own. I had a terrible orange duvet cover that I though was just absolutely wonderful when I bought it in college. After I graduated, realized I was on a strict budget and was sick of looking at it. I had to do something to completely change its look. I soaked in a mixture of coffee and tea over night and then washed it. I ended up with a mellow earthy orange color that looked great with some inexpensive white sheets.
Work with what you already have and spend your $100 wisely, and you will easily update your bedroom on a majorly small budget that almost anyone can afford.
