Tips for Renovating your master bedroom

Renovating your master bedroom doesn’t have to be expensive, it could be as simple as a new coat of paint, installing skirting boards, updating window dressing or even changing the lighting. But, if you’re thinking of listing your property on the market, renting it out on Airbnb or just want a more tranquil master bedroom, then you may want to spend a bit more for that dream space. This week, we’re sharing a couple tips to help you renovate your master bedroom.

Budget

The cost of renovating your bedroom will vary depending on the size and type of bedroom you want. Not only that, but it’ll also depend on whether you’re planning on purchasing new furniture such as wardrobes, a new bed and side tables. Also, if you’re planning on adding an ensuite bathroom, particularly for that Airbnb project, be prepared to fork out anywhere between $40,000¹ to $80,000² for a high-end renovation.

According to Refresh Renovations², there are 3 types of bedroom renovations – low-cost, mid-range and high end. Below are what’s possible with each type:

Low-cost renovations around +$2000 – with low cost furniture, professional paint, and new window dressing.

Mid-range renovation +$10,000 – on top of the basic package above, you can also add a feature wall, a walk-in-wardrobe, new flooring, new furnishing and if you’re keen, new wallpaper.

High-end renovations +$40,000 – all of the above, plus a new ensuite bathroom which will take a large chuck of your budget, as well as luxurious furnishing and chic lighting.

So before starting your renovating, we suggest planning and considering what you want to achieve and ensuring sure that it’s an investment you can commit to.

Declutter

Now that you’ve decided what type of master bedroom you want, its time for some decluttering to make renovating a bit easier. You’ll be surprised by how much clutter we accumulate in our bedrooms. To help prepare your bedroom for your reno project, we suggest hiring a temporary self-storage solution like Smartbox. Smartbox is a convenient self-storage solution that comes to you – we deliver your storage box to your front yard, where you can pack and load your way. We’ll give you 24 hours to fill in your storage container, which you can use to store furniture, clothing, decorations and more. Once finished, we’ll store your Smartbox at our secure facility and of course, we’ll be happy to redeliver it when needed. You can read more about Smartbox here.

Layout, Natural light and flooring

Layout

The bedroom is an extremely personal and intimate room, so you want to ensure that your new space fits your lifestyle, personality and the latest in interior design. All of these factors are important when considering the layout of your new space. Key things to remember when planning your bedroom layout includes:

• The position of the bed, which will have the biggest impact on the entire room as it will set the mood
• Keep it simple and ensure that you have room on each side of the bed
• Where possible, keep a metre-wide walking space
• For smaller rooms, you may need to push the bed into the corner to ensure that it’s not obstructed by other furniture
• Keep bedside tables within easy reach, particularly if you’re avid reader

Natural light

Access to natural light in the bedroom has many advantages including:

• The ability to recover from oversleeping, overeating and energy loss³
• Fight against bed bugs and dust mites¹
• Reduce disruption of our circadian rhythms
• Production of serotonin: “light is essential for our health and wellbeing. Ensuring that we receive adequate levels at the appropriate times of the day benefits our alertness, mood, productivity, sleep pattern and many aspects of our physiology”⁴.

If access to natural light is an issue, you may need to consider widening your current windows or installing skylights. Before you make a call to your trusty tradie, make sure you check your local council if approval is needed.

Flooring

If you’re thinking of changing your bedroom flooring, below are the most commonly used flooring materials for bedrooms:

• Carpet
• Hardwood flooring
• Cork flooring
• Vinyl flooring
• Laminate flooring

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, this helpful article by Lewitin at The Spruce⁵ summarises them clearly to help you decide which flooring you should install.

Colour and more lighting

Colour

Now that the bigger stuff is over, its time to consider the colour scheme and more lighting!

According to realestate.com.au, the “colour palette you choose will directly impact the mood of your room”¹. Usually calming colours are used to help you unwind at the end of a long day, however, it all depends on you and your preference, just keep in mind that bold and wallpaper may not be a popular choice for buyers.

Below are popular bedroom colours:

• Light blue – for a calming and relaxing effect
• Green – for health and overall wellbeing
• Yellow – for warmth and an energising pick-me-up
• White – for cleanliness
• Red – for alertness and stimulation
• Purple – similar to light blue, for a calming environment

If you want to follow the latest trend, this article by Modsy sums up the Top 10 Bedroom Paint Colours for 2021⁶.

Bedroom lighting

If you’re a reader, you know how crucial it is to have adequate lighting, particularly during night time, but before you purchase new lighting, below are a few things you should consider:

• Limit ceiling lights – a combination of different lighting will create a soothing and warm ambiance
• Consider smart lights such as dimers and where possible, have multiple switches so you don’t have to walk too far
• Lamps and reading lights to light up reading areas and bedside tables
• LED and cabinet lights to illuminate that amazing wardrobe

Storage and Decorations

Storage

As mentioned earlier, the bedroom can accumulate items quickly and easily, just think, you use your bedroom to store your clothes, shoes, bedding and other personal items, so make sure you have plenty of storage to keep things neat and tidy. Below are storage ideas to help you create a more organised bedroom with as little clutter as possible:

• Purchase bedside tables for smaller items such as phone chargers, tablets and books
• Consider a storage ottoman, you can sit on it and use it to store your beddings
• Installing a built-in or walk-in wardrobe if your budget permits, this will house your garments, shoes and other larger items

Decorations

It’s time to add some finishing touches to turn your bedroom from an ‘eh’ into a ‘wow!’. Just remember to not add too many things at once, and try to keep limit the décor of your bedroom so you can still find the items you need and to make cleaning easier. We suggest adding soft rugs if you have hard wood flooring, so you have something comfortable to step onto when you get out bed, adding extra pillows and blankets during winter and adding artworks that you love. Also, adding a couple of indoor plants won’t hurt and can improve the air quality in you room.

If you’re thinking of renovating your master bedroom and need a temporary self-storage solution, try Smartbox. Smartbox is the convenient, on-demand and affordable self-storage solution for anyone who’s looking to renovate their home. Plus, you can choose the duration of your rent to fit your reno schedule. Also, you don’t have to worry about finding a “storage near-me” as we deliver your Smartbox to you, so there’s no need to leave the comfort of your room nor your bedroom. Call Smartbox on 1300 880 800 for info or fill in our form.

¹ Realestate.com.au, Bedroom renovation guide

² Refresh Renovations, 2021, How much does it cost to renovate a bedroom in Australia

³Artilux, 2021, Understanding the benefits of bringing natural light into your home

⁴ rtor.org, 2018, How letting more light into your life can improve mental health and wellbeing

⁵ Lewitin, J, 2021, The pros and cons of 5 popular bedroom flooring materials

⁶ Modsy, 2021, Top 10 bedroom paint colour for 2021