13 Stunning Bedroom Before-and-Afters You Have to See to Believe

A tucked-away upstairs den is a great area to convert into a bedroom.

What had been an upstairs sitting area became a master bedroom, with an added closet for storage. The ceiling gained character courtesy of wood planks and updated skylights. Whitewashed floors and one bold wall (painted Benjamin Moore's Blue) offer dramatic contrast.

An antique pedestal table cozies up to the Crate & Barrel bed, covered with a Pendleton blanket. The rug is by Madeline Weinrib.

Busy wallpaper and a matching bedspread made the master bedroom of this California bungalow an eyesore.

To add authentic character, the walls were finished with widely spaced wood battens typical of California cottages built during this era. To make the bedroom feel brighter and airier, the ceiling was vaulted by opening up the attic space above.

Though used as a guest bedroom, the owner of this California bungalow had other ideas for utilizing this space—and taking advantage of the window space.

The former bedroom was converted into a casual den by swapping out an affixed desk for a cushion-topped window seat that has a drawer underneath. The owner upped the cottage quotient with charming built-ins that have clever storage.

Walls painted not one, not two, but three different shades, plus a cascading crystal chandelier and four-poster bed, overwhelmed the room of this New York farmhouse with clashing colors and styles.

The walls were covered over with reclaimed wood and the ceiling painted white. A built-in headboard made of the same material establishes a simple, rustic mood.

Bulky wooden furniture made this snug bedroom of thisNew York farmhouse feel cramped, not cozy.

Swapping out the chests and double bed for a pair of vintage iron twin beds and a painted spindle-leg table opens up the tight quarters and offers more flexibility for hosting guests.

To transform this plain bedroom, the homeowners decided to tear down the dropped ceiling and basic wallpaper.

After renovation, the master bedroom was clad in pine planks and coated with a primer that lets the grain show through. Beneath the carpeting? Hardwood floors. In place of a headboard, the couple covered the wall behind the bed in oak rescued from a Pittsburgh bank. An outlet-store dhurrie rug softens the floor, while an Ethiopian cotton throw drapes the Restoration Hardware quilt. The walls are painted Interior Primer by Kilz.

Plus: 25 headboards that make a bold statement »

A three-foot-deep second-story crawl space used to occupy part of this home was left empty.

Knocking through the upstairs crawl space uncovered enough square footage to tuck a guest nook below the eaves in the office. Delineating the work space and the guest bedroom: Ikea curtains and chalkboard paint (Chalkboard Black by Rust-Oleum).

Bright idea: These curtain rods are actually electrical piping.

This space, last remodeled in the '70s, bore all the telltale signs of the era.

In this Oregon guesthouse, a pared-down palette allowed the homeowner to mix bedding from different sources. Ikea's upholstered bed delivers a headboard, frame, and slipcover—with an attached dust ruffle—all for less than $350.

(Cotton duvet cover, $79.99; ballarddesigns.com. Cotton sheet set, $119; llbean.com. Matelassé coverlet, $248; cotton shams, $58 each; pineconehill.com. $349 for full; ikea.com)

This simple white bedroom, which was basically a blank slate, was transformed using super simple touches.

Beautify your bedframe fast with a removeable wallcovering. This adhesive vinyl wallcovering creates the illusion of a luxurious, tufted headboard. Complete the look with a mix of linens in graphic prints and cool tones.

(Headboard removable wallcovering, $128 for queen; casartcoverings.com. Calico shams, $55 each; ploverorganic.com. Sheet set, $79 for queen; westelm.com. Wool blanket, $348; 76"W x 104"L; coyuchi.com. Pillowcases; queen-size duvet and dust ruffle, $75-$248; garnethill.com)

Clutter, and an awkward bed placement, occupied this master bedroom.

No major construction necessary here. Fabric, wallpaper, and furniture placement made a world of difference.

The orange headboard was reupholstered in Brochier's gray cotton twill, then moved the bed to a different wall, where it now sits between two sunny windows.

An Ikea bureau—which is covered with wallpaper by Anya Larkin—serves as both a bedside table and a spot to store everything from socks to magazines. Sewn from Seema Krish linen, the roman shades add subtle pattern.

Bright Idea:

Transform a dresser with wallpaper instead of paint.