Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

  • Shop Our Houses
    • Our Current House
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Painting Projects
  • Plants Guides
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Our Second House » Guest Bedroom Progress…

| By Sherry Petersik | February 23, 2011 | 612 Comments

Guest Bedroom Progress…

Update: We brought in a few of the items on our to-do list below and it changed everything! Well, not everything, but a few things came out (the brown blanket is history, at least in this room) and a few other things moved around. Gotta love those last minute tweaks. Check out the whole shebang here.

Here’s what things are looking like right now (well, as of an hour ago when we snapped these pics and uploaded them):

GBed Horizontal From Bath

Which is definitely an improvement on Monday’s more spartan look…

Painting Room From Bathroom

… but we still have lots to do (an quite a few things aren’t in their “final resting place”) but here’s what we’ve checked off so far:

  • Get all of the junk out of there (thanks to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore pickup & moving stuff into the playroom)
  • Buy a mattress & boxsping along with a cheap-o bed frame
  • Dress said bed with already-owned bedding
  • Add shower curtain & other bathroom essentials (towels, new toilet seat cover, etc)
  • Paint the room
  • Hang curtains

And here’s our outstanding to do list:

  • Hang something above the bed to balance out the big window to the left (probably a large round mirror to soften the harsh angles)
  • Add a nightstand & table lamp (here’s hoping we actually get around to this one)
  • Put something on the empty bookcase between the bathroom door and the bedroom door (which will eventually be switched out for a proper dresser that we can use to store a ton of stuff)
  • Wash and hem the curtains

As for the room’s layout, we tried about a million different things (bed placed diagonally in the corner, bed on the other window wall, bed centered on the back wall, etc) and this is the configuration that we loved most. Especially once we added in things that we knew we’d be including, like our green headboard (see how we DIYed that here) and our old yellow Pottery Barn rug from the living room (since we’re due to get a rug much bigger than 5 x 8 in there for Karl).

The off-centered, foot-of-the-bed rug placement wasn’t exactly intuitive, but we loved the rug so much with the walls and the bedding that we vowed to make it work. Bringing in those two slipper chairs that used to live in the living room (and squishing them together like a loveseat) helped to make sense of the rug placement and add balance to that side of the room. And once we introduce a night table to the left of the bed we think it’ll look even more balanced and make more sense in the space. Speaking of balance, we can’t wait to hang something above the headboard as we mentioned up in our little bulleted list. It’ll help balance out the window to the left of the bed, and a large round mirror is at the top of our list (for the nice curves it’ll add to a room with so many rectangles and squares).

GBed Vertical From Door

GBed Two Chairs On Wall

GBed Bookcase On Wall

We also added a $10 white bedskirt from Target to complement all of the existing bedding that we already had from our old guest room (the brown and white blanket is from Bed Bath & Beyond back in the day, the white comforter is from Ikea, the printed pillow cases are from Pottery Barn, the yellow pinwheel pillow is from Target, and the long blue pillow is from TJ Maxx a while back). The bedding isn’t 100% finalized, we just threw everything that we already had on and though it looked kinda fun. Who knows where we’ll end up tomorrow after we finish those last few to-do list items though…

Psst- There’s already been an update and a few of the bedding items have been switched out – check out this post for the room as it looked when our guests arrived.

GBed Vertical From Bath

Oh and the curtains are from Ikea.

GBed Curtain Close Up

They were $39 for two, which makes them $19 a pop. Not bad for extra long 95″ curtains (86″ ones never quite do it for me since I like them hung extra high to make standard ceilings like ours feel taller). Of course I still have to wash and hem them. Ack. And add crown molding above them – but that’ll have to wait a while.

When it comes to the little things, we even switched out the hardware on the closet door from this basic brass pull…

GBed Closet Knob Before

…to this cute lime greeny-yellow one (with oil-rubbed bronze hardware to match our curtain rods) for $1.25 at Hobby Lobby. Oh and speaking of those curtain rods, they’re from Target for just $9.99 a pop.

GBed Closet Knob After

I’m off to finish those last few items on our to do list (and move things around for the 100th time), but I’ll leave you with this pic of what the room looked like just eight short days ago:

Egads Angle 2

How crazy is that? You’ve come a long way baby.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Our Second House

Now Our Guests Can Shower
An Inexpensive Guest Room Makeover

Comments

  1. Mandy Ford says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    Very unexpected and I love it – so cheerful! I’m super impressed that you pulled this off in 8 days. It only took us about four months to hang our IKEA Lack shelf over our desk! LOL :)

    Reply
  2. suki says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    That looks great! :) It looks very welcoming.

    Reply
  3. Sarah @ The Strength of Faith says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Um, you two are amazing. You realize that right?

    Reply
  4. Giulia says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    I love it. The bold colour works well with your other choices. My mudroom and powder room are teal blue as well and I find it amazing how other colours and patterns play of so nicely.
    Your guest room has a nice eclectic vibe to it now – good job! and kudos on the fast implementation – sometimes a little fire under the butt can deliver great results.

    Reply
  5. pam says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Love it, love it! It’s so crisp and clean but doesn’t look brand new – it looks so comfortable.
    I like to leave a basket with a little flashlight, few snacks, a bottle of water or two and a local magazine (usually the freebies that feature local points of interest).

    Reply
  6. beccaboo says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    I think it’s fabulous—everything mixing well except the only thing I would subtract would be the floral pillows; they seem to mix up your theme a bit. Perhaps something a little less busy with only one or two of your other colors in it…

    Reply
    • JenniG says

      February 23, 2011 at 3:57 pm

      I agree – I like it all but those pillows are distracting my eye. I can see why they would be included as they incorporate all the colors in the space; they are just not my style. (But this is not my house!:) ) I think I lack the girl gene that likes flowers. Well, except for fresh flowers – I am not dead inside.
      Anyway, I love how open they are to share ideas with all of us! It can’t be easy to open yourself up to criticism from everyone on the internet.

    • Gabrielle says

      February 23, 2011 at 4:21 pm

      I love the wall color and curtains! It looks so great with the pops of yellow. Although, I am also not sure of the floral pillows? They look too busy for the rest of the room.

  7. Adria says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Is it wrong to be totally jealous of your home and your style and want to just move on in to your space? I love it as much as I love all of your other rooms. It’s so inspiring to see all of your projects just come together!

    I’m not desperate to move into a bigger space that I can treat as a blank slate…

    Reply
  8. Andrea says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    I’m with the others who think it’s too busy or mismatched. I love color but something about this feels like too much. But yes, it’s YOU who mas to like it, so it doesn’t matter what I think! LOL
    I do love those PB shams though so I’m glad to see them live on!

    Reply
  9. Mariela says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Oh My… I LOVE it!!!!!

    Reply
  10. nicole says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Wow, it looks AMAZING!

    Reply
  11. mike @ the lil house that could says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    That headboard looks AWESOME with that wall color.

    Reply
  12. Kristi says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Wow, 8 days! Impressive.

    The curtains seem a little too translucent/soft to play with all the other bold choices, but otherwise, LOVE.

    Reply
  13. steph says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    So many fun and happy colors, I love it! What do Burger and Clara think? Have they been trying to play in the new space, thinking its for them? :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 23, 2011 at 3:17 pm

      We have the funniest pictures ever of Clara “helping” us. We’ll have to share those as soon as we can! And Burger seems to love it as much as anything else (just sniffing around and sleeping wherever he can).

      xo,
      s

  14. Wendy says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    Looking good guys! I love that you guys are playing more with color and pattern in this house! This room is going to be adorable!

    Reply
  15. kelly says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    I almost, *almost* love this. The colors are great, but I agree that it’s a little pattern overload right now. The curtains and the brown comforter are having a knock down/drag out fight for your eye. I think switching up/removing either one of those elements will make this a guest room for the ages. Nice work! :)

    Reply
  16. Robin says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    I have to say that I love everything! Even the curtains, and yes even the brown and yes even all the patterns together. I personally love your style. Although loved the white/airey look of the old house too – where do these mix I wonder?

    Reply
  17. Brandi says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    it looks fabulous!

    Reply
  18. Sarah says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    I’ve always liked what you all did, but I’m such a color fan that your last place, while lovely, wasn’t something I’d do. But this room (and your entire direction for the new house) is something I LOVE and would do in my own home. You all did a fantastic job on this one!

    Reply
  19. gemma@thesweetestdigs says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Amazing progress!! I love how colourful it is. Super cheerful for guests!

    Reply
  20. KT says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    You’ve just completely outdone yourselves and taken your design prowess to a whole ‘nother level. It’s beautiful! I’m surprised at the comments about the curtains – they’re my favorite piece, but I love eclectic mixes like this.

    Reply
  21. Morgan Mayes says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    I think it’s funny you see squares and angles, because I see so much roundness in that room! Circles on the curtains, round teardrops on the bed, roundy designs on the rug, round flowers on the pillow on the ‘loveseat’. Roundroundround

    Reply
  22. Larissa says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    LOVE it!

    Reply
  23. Melissa @ HOUSEography says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    Wow – I love how you used a lot of things that you already had from your old house. Great to see things come back together. I am also kicking myself for not buying some knobs for my built-ins during my maiden voyage to Hobby Lobby last weekend. I hope Hobby Lobby opens in Northern VA soon! DARN! I think their knobs look so much like Anthropologie at about 1/10 of the price! Check out how similar yours are to mine –
    http://houseography.blogspot.com/2010/08/fast-and-easy-closet-door-spruce-up.html

    Reply
  24. Robin says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Question (if you have time): did you secure the headboard to the frame or the wall? I’d like to find one that secures to the bed frame – the cheap old regular kind since we’re in a rental and can’t attach something that big to our wall. If it’s even possible to – I’m not sure. Anyone know?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 23, 2011 at 3:29 pm

      Ours attaches to the wall because we DIYed it. You can read about how we made it by following the link in the post all about that adventure. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  25. Barb says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    YOU DID IT!!!!!
    And I must say….you did it well!!!
    Have a great time with your parents and enjoy every minute of it…did you get the wine?
    I would say that is a MUST!!!!!
    Have fun.

    Reply
  26. Carolyn @ Lovin' Losing says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    I love the wall color, but something with all the patterns just seems off. My gut tells me it’s the brown comforter. It just doesn’t mesh well the other patterns and colors, especially the drapes. Good luck, though! I’m sure you’ll figure it out.

    Reply
  27. Kim says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    You’ve made a lot of progress! I love the yellow rug in there, and I think the PB pillows really help tie the colors together. Maybe it’s just my “more color!” nature, but the brown looks a little out of place to me. I’d do either just the white comforter with colored pillows or switch out the brown and white blanket for another pop of color, like maybe citron or a bit more aqua. Obviously it’s your room though, and I’m really impressed with how different it looks already!

    Reply
  28. Vanessa says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    I usally love your style, but I have to comment here. I don’t think this works. I am all for mixing things up, but the room just looks thrown together. Removing the brown and white blanket might help a little. I do love the wall color though. You can do better! Love the rest of the house too!

    Reply
  29. Natalie says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Amazing transformation! Great colors.

    Reply
  30. Megan says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    I really like it, but the headboard and bed seem off-center (relative to each other, not the wall obviously). Maybe it’s just the angle of the shot (though it’s noticeable in more than one shot). It looks like the headboard was mounted too far to the right.

    I LOVE the rug with the wall color. Very nice job, especially with such a short time line.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 23, 2011 at 3:27 pm

      Oh yeah nothing’s in its final place down to the inch or anything- we’re still scrambling around. But we’ll shift things over an inch or two (hopefully) before my mom pulls into the driveway tomorrow and we take our official after pics! We’ve actually already made a bunch of changes. Gotta love those last minute tweaks. Pics soon!

      xo,
      s

    • Megan says

      February 23, 2011 at 4:54 pm

      Gotcha. As a production designer “down to the inch” is pretty much my middle name. Rather, “down to the .0625 inch.” Sometimes my anal-retentiveness annoys the hell out of me… and others.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 23, 2011 at 4:56 pm

      Haha, no worries! I totally understand. I’m type-A too! Hah.

      xo,
      s

  31. Beverley says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    I’m so inspired looking at this room! You two did a fantastic job – I’m sure your guests will love it! Excuse me while I go inject some bold colors into my own space :)

    Reply
  32. Sue says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    I’m on the side of not really digging it, though I’m impressed at how much you’ve gotten done in a short period of time. Kudos to you! The colors and patterns are just too busy for my taste (but, again, that’s only my taste).

    Reply
  33. Krista says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Great job getting the room together for your guest. I’m sure there will be some changes before the room is “finished”, I bet solid white shams instead of the patterned ones would go better and not compete with the other patterns and colors in the room.

    Reply
  34. Joy says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I really love the concept, but I have to agree with other comments on the need for some pattern/color editing. For me, the brown blanket is killing the “spring-y” feel I think you guys are going for. Decorate a room like Coco Chanel dressed: take the last thing you put on off.

    Reply
    • Aaroohii says

      February 23, 2011 at 3:34 pm

      Love the Coco Chanel reference!

  35. Maggie @ Cheneyhome says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    What a fun explosion of color! I think guest rooms are great for trying out more “daring” color combinations.

    The anticipation of out of town guests is exhausting, but so fun. Enjoy your weekend!

    Reply
  36. Samantha says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    Wow, I love it guys! Soooo fun!

    Reply
  37. Rebecca @ the lil house that could says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    Wow I’ve always loved your bold guest room bedding but I love it even more paired with the bold walls and rug! Great job! :)

    Reply
  38. Bobbie Brown says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    Oh my goodness! This looks incredible! I think it is safe to say that your guests will be happy :)

    Reply
  39. Mary [email protected] says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    Love. it.

    Reply
  40. Sammy says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    LOVE IT!
    It’s almost perfect. I just don’t really like the curtains. They’re nice, but the pattern just doesn’t work for me in this room. I’d prefer simple white or creme ones, preferably with a bright border. These’d be great for another room… (the playroom?)
    but as long as you and your guests enjoy them, I’ll shut up and be happy about the rest of your guest room – and the guest bath is great, too :)

    Reply
  41. KiTX says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    This isn’t my usual aesthetic, but I love it so flippin much I’m wondering if it should be. I love love love love it. The wall color is perfect, I LOVE the bedding combo. Love it on impact- awesome job, guys, guests are going to feel so welcomed and comfortable in that space!

    Reply
  42. Leigh says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    I would have never thought to put all those colors and patterns together in one room, but I love how it’s looking! I wish I had that type of eye for things.

    Reply
  43. Jessica says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    I love the paint color! I think everything looks great, except the throw blanket. I think it just doesn’t “go” with the rest of the room.

    Reply
  44. Aaroohii says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    This is the perfect blog to do a vote on which item to edit from this room since so many ppl r giving tips.
    It can go like: Which item should be edited out of this room
    A. Brown Duvet
    B. Green Headboard
    C. Drapes

    Oh and you could also add that if removed your choice of item please insert links of new item to switch it with (from nearby stores of course!) Since you still have 24 hrs..well more like up till 10 pm tonite you can do it! Go John and Sherry!

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      February 23, 2011 at 4:43 pm

      I like the idea, actually, of voting for our favorite thing since there are so many of us who LOVE it as is! My favorite is the green headboard against that gorgeous wall color!

  45. Janell says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    LOVE IT!!!!!!! I love everything about it, from the colors to the patterns.

    Reply
  46. Allie K says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    I never offer opinions on here because I’d rather just see what you two come up with, but since it’s crunch time, you could try to use the luggage rack with a tray as a side table. I think you have a white tray with lime on the inside? Not sure if that size tray would work. Probably not the best Clara-proof suggestion but it’s free and doable within 24 hours!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 23, 2011 at 3:34 pm

      That is absolutely one of our projects on the agenda! We’re going shopping as soon as Clara’s up from her nap and we hope to find some sort of tray that works!

      xo,
      s

  47. Gina says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    Like all of the colors. It will be a nice get away for guests, especially ones that are scared to apply that much color to their own homes.

    Q: Is the headboard secured to the wall or the bed frame and how?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      February 23, 2011 at 3:34 pm

      It’s secured to the wall. We DIYed that sucker so it’s a really simple hanging method (link to that project in the post). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  48. Michelle says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    Wonderful updates. The room is becoming so inviting. Great job guys!

    http://www.innovativeinterior.blogspot.com

    Reply
  49. Sanja says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    It took me by surprise to see it all done like that! It’s cheery, fresh and so YHL :) Congrats for the hard work in short time!

    Reply
  50. tinajo says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    It´s absolutely awesome – love it all! :-)

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Outdoor Solar LED Path Lights
Solar Path Lights
Criss Cross Office Chair
Our Desk Chair
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Eufy 11S Max Robot Vacuum
Our Robot Vacuum
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Livable Luxe Book
Fav Design Book
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2025 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web