Bedroom Renovation

The cost of a bedroom renovation is down to how much you are willing to spend and how much renovating you are planning to do. You could give your bedroom a new look for just £1,000 by purchasing cheap furniture or upcycling existing items, giving it a lick of paint, and changing the soft furnishings. 

For a mid-range bedroom renovation, you might decide to tackle the flooring and maybe the storage, while a full-on transformation that could see walls knocked down, en-suite bathrooms or dressing rooms fitted, and innovative systems to dim lights and close blinds could be upwards of £10,000.

There is no real one-size-fits-all solution. With that in mind, you might want to pick and choose from some of the suggestions below to create the bedroom of your sweetest dreams.

Step 1: Define Your Goals and Budget

1. Identify Your Needs:
   • What’s the primary purpose of the bedroom? (e.g., relaxation, work, storage, etc.)
   • Are you updating for aesthetics, functionality, or both?
2. Set a Budget:
   • Determine how much you’re willing to spend.
   • Allocate funds for different aspects (e.g., furniture, flooring, lighting, decor).

Step 2: Plan the Layout

1. Measure the Room:
   • Take accurate measurements of the space, including windows, doors, and ceiling height.
2. Optimise the Layout:
   • Decide where to place the bed (usually the focal point), furniture, and storage.
   • Ensure there’s enough space for movement and functionality.
3. Consider Lighting:
   • Plan for natural light, overhead lighting, and task lighting (e.g., bedside lamps).

Step 3: Choose a Design Style

1. Pick a Theme:
   • Modern, minimalist, bohemian, rustic, Scandinavian, or traditional.
2. Select a Colour Palette:
   • Choose calming colours like neutrals, pastels, or earthy tones for a relaxing vibe.
   • Add pops of colour with accents like pillows, artwork, or rugs.
3. Incorporate Texture:
   • Use materials like wood, linen, velvet, or rattan to add depth and warmth.

Step 4: Update Key Elements

1. Walls:
   • Paint or wallpaper the walls to refresh the space.
   • Consider an accent wall for visual interest.
2. Flooring:
   • Replace or refinish flooring if needed (e.g., hardwood, carpet, or tiles).
   • Add a cosy area rug for comfort and style.
3. Ceiling:
   • Consider adding ceiling details like beams, paneling, or a fresh coat of paint.
4. Windows:
   • Update curtains or blinds for better light control and aesthetics.
   • Choose blackout curtains for better sleep.

Step 5: Upgrade Your Bedroom Furniture

1. Bed:
   • Invest in a comfortable mattress and a stylish bed frame.
   • Add a headboard for a focal point.
2. Storage:
   • Include nightstands, dressers, or a wardrobe for organisation.
   • Consider built-in storage or under-bed storage for small spaces.
3. Seating:
   • Add a cosy chair, bench, or ottoman for extra seating and comfort.

Step 6: Lighting and Accessories

1. Lighting:
   • Install dimmable lights for an adjustable ambience.
   • Add bedside lamps, wall sconces, or pendant lights.
2. Decor:
   • Hang artwork, mirrors, or shelves for personality.
   • Use plants (real or faux) to bring life to the room.
3. Textiles:
   • Layer bedding with throws, pillows, and cushions for comfort and style.
   • Update curtains, rugs, and upholstery to match the theme.

Step 7: Add Personal Touches

1. Display Memories:
   • Use photo frames, memory boards, or shelves to showcase personal items.
2. Incorporate Hobbies:
   • Dedicate a corner to your interests, like a reading nook or a vanity area.
3. Scent and Sound:
   • Use candles, diffusers, or room sprays for a pleasant aroma.
   • Add a small speaker or sound system for relaxing music.

Step 8: Organise and Declutter Your Bedroom

1. Maximise Storage:
   • Use organisers for drawers, closets, and shelves.
   • Keep surfaces clean and clutter-free.
2. Create Zones:
   • Define areas for sleeping, dressing, and relaxing.

The obvious choice for transforming your bedroom, and even how you sleep, is to change your bed.

Depending on the size and layout of your room, you should increase the size of your bed and upgrade a tired double bed to a brand-new king-size divan with a sprung mattress. You may decide that the mattress is fine, but you might want a new bed frame or headboard with the new look design.

A bed frame can be picked up for around £150 for the most basic of models, whereas an all-singing, all-dancing frame with an ottoman base and a TV built into the foot end could set you back in the region of £2,000. They come in a wide variety of materials, too, with fabric upholstered, wooden, and metal bed frames, all providing a different look and comfort level.

Headboards range from around £85 to a couple hundred pounds, depending on how much you want to spend.

Bedroom Renovation, Wardrobes and Storage

When giving your bedroom a new look, you don’t want to forget about wardrobes, bedside tables, dressing tables, chests of drawers, and other furniture, which helps to make it a practical space in which to sleep.

How much you put in, and their respective sizes, will again depend on how much space you have available and the overall effect you are trying to achieve. Fitted furniture will be more expensive than standalone items, as you will need to factor in labour costs, but it will likely look more innovative and streamlined. An average fitted bedroom will cost £3K.

If you prefer a mismatched look or something more period, scouring vintage shops and pre loved furniture shops can save you money and get you something unique, which you can spruce up yourself.

Be creative with your storage options for maximum effect, and use spaces over the bed or behind doors in smaller rooms to provide a real impact. Again, this doesn’t need to be expensive and can be achieved using existing shelves, desks, or pieces of wood to create what you require.

If you are a handy diyer then you may want to try building your own fitted wardrobe, below is a great video to give you some inspiration.

Bedroom Renovation, Adding rooms

When you come to dividing, adding rooms, or building an extension to your bedroom, the costs can start to add up. However, the long-term financial benefit of providing such a sanctuary could make up for the short-term dent in your pocket.

Releasing the equity in your home is a good option when doing any form of renovation project, as lenders look favourably at home improvements as a reason for taking out the additional funds. If you decide to do this, your budget could be extended to include en-suite bathrooms or walk-in wardrobes to give your bedroom an ultra-luxury feel and increase the space available. Around £15k would see a high-end en-suite bathroom installed.

Bedroom Renovation, Flooring options

If you will be adding a room – or even if you are not – think about the flooring for your bedroom. It may be that your existing carpet or laminate is fine for what you need, and adding a colourful rug may be all required to brighten up the space. This would only set you back a few pounds.

Alternatively, you may want to upgrade to a carpet that you can sink your feet into when you get out of bed on a cold winter’s day or luxury hardwood that can be extended through to the en-suite and give a feeling of open-plan living and a coherent look to the design. Hardwood flooring can cost upwards of £40 per square metre, and you will need to get it fitted on top of that, which can be around £35 per square metre, so it doesn’t come cheap.

Technical gadgets

Going all out and installing a smart system that controls lights, blinds, and even potentially a music system in the bedroom will add more to your renovation costs. But gadgetry is big business and a popular selling point for the tech-savvy homebuyer. It may even make you sleep better. So, it is worth the £600 cost for many people in the long run.

Setting up a smart bedroom is relatively simple, with much of it app-based, but the overall cost will depend on how far you go with it. Having smart plugs and smart light bulbs is a more cost-effective way of achieving the same conclusion, and these can easily be bought for £20.