When it comes to furniture layout, my bedroom has been a bit of a puzzle to figure out (so many doors and windows!). After years of sleeping in the corner next to a wall, I woke up one morning and decided it was NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. I liked feeling cozy in a corner nook, so claustrophobia was not the issue. My motivation for change was that without a nightstand or reading light beside me I had completely stopped reading. No good. I also didn’t love that I had to haul myself out of bed by launching my body over Jordan instead of just stepping out with ease.
Before: This was the old layout of the room. You can see how the bed didn’t block any windows, but we were only able to fit one nightstand and a single reading light with this configuration.
Before: Our dresser and tv were set up across the room on the only wall that didn’t have any windows or doors.
Jordan was game to mix things up (he didn’t want to sleep in the corner either), so we decided to embark on a little bedroom refresh for the new year. The big reveal and my easy makeover tips are straight ahead!
Step One: Clarify the Goals
My big goal for this bedroom refresh was simply to rearrange the room in a way that allowed both Jordan and I to have nightstands and reading lights without blocking any doors or windows. If you’re embarking on your own space makeover, make sure to clarify your specific goals before you dive in. Do you want to improve the functionality of your space or just refresh the furniture or decor? Jot down notes so you can stay on track.
Step Two: Work with What You’ve Got
After hauling furniture around in circles until both our backs almost went out, we called my friend, Mikhael, who happens to be a super talented stylist and design whiz. She helped us work with the furniture we already owned and reconfigure the room so that the bed was anchored against our only wall without doors or windows, and we moved the dresser to the adjacent wall, closer to the closet. For full transparency, Jordan had suggested the same arrangement years ago, when we first switched to give the kids their own rooms, and I had insisted it wouldn’t work. Fine, Jordan, you were right. Sometimes you just need a second opinion from a stylish friend, am I right?
Step Three: Let Go of What You Don’t Need
Once we had arrived at a new layout for the room, we realized we needed to part ways with our massive nightstand, as well as a large loveseat that we loved, but had never quite fit in our small room. I typically donate items that we don’t need to friends or neighbors, but since both items were in pristine condition, I was able to easily list and sell them online. Selling or donating furniture that you don’t need is a great way to clear space and transform your home without spending a dime.
Step Three: Fill in the Gaps
To complete the makeover, I decided to add some simple linen curtains, a set of small matching nightstands that Mikhael recommended, and two plug-in wall sconces for nighttime reading. We used the money we had made selling the nightstand and loveseat towards our new purchases, and we also hired a technician to move our television to the opposite wall (yes, we have a tv in our bedroom, don’t judge). We also repurposed an upholstered bench we already owned which matched our bed frame perfectly.
I’m thrilled with how the new room looks and feels, and most importantly, I’ve started reading and writing again before bed. This simple makeover didn’t require a lot of time, money, or energy, but has had a major impact on my day to day life.
Bonus: Now that I’m not sleeping pressed against a wall anymore, I’ve become fond of randomly yelling “NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER!” Dirty dancing reference, anyone?
The moral of the story is that your home should help facilitate the activities that you value most. For me that means a bedroom set up where I can easily read and write before bed. What activities do you crave or want to do more of this year? How can your home help support those goals?
Photography Credit: Vivian Johnson
Bedroom Sourcing:
Upholstered Bed / Nightstands / Wall Sconces / Linen Curtains / Flip Clock / Pom Pom Wool Blanket / Pendant Light / Art / Round Mirror
Oh, Shira — it’s so lovely! Well done. Very happy you’re reading again and able to get out of bed with ease!
Aww, thank you so much! Xx
Love it! Simple changes are the Best. I have never had a tv in the bedroom in 36 years of marriage, but I’m rethinking that… because why not? LOL.
Ha! People tend to be very firm in their TV preferences but we love watching movies in bed! Xx
Love this! Where is your bed from? I have been looking for a straight line upholstered headboard and frame like that for our mid century home since I don’t like the hard wood headboards. Would love if you could link!
Yay! The bed is the Ella bed from Room and Board in the stock fabric. Thanks for reading! Xx
Could you provide the source for the large rectangular pillow on your bed please.
Yes, the lumbar pillow is from one of my favorite local shops, The Vintage Rug Shop in Oakland. Xx
Thank you.
I love how it looks! Thank you for being honest about how your bedroom just didn’t work for you and how you had to ask for help. And that you had to say goodbye to some items in order to buy what works for you.
Absolutely. We can all benefit from an outside set of fresh eyes! Thanks for reading. Xx
Shira, I LOVE your new bedroom layout!! What I hope to do more of this year are hobbies. I want to cross-stitch more and learn to embroidery!!
Love that. Fun goals! Xx
Love this bedroom makeover! Can I ask where you purchased your clock on the bedside table? I’ve been looking for something similar
Yay! The clock is from Schoolhouse in Portland but you can order it online. Xx
Shira,
LOVE your new fresh bedroom design! The bench under the tv is fabulous. I have been reading Minimalista while on vacation in Santa Fe, NM and I love it. I am almost finished and will implement what I have been reading once I get back home to TX this Friday. Thank you for the work you do. Your work inspires me.
Deb
Love that and so thrilled you are enjoying the book! Xx
It looks great! Don’t know how you slept in a corner!! I love the grey will you share the colour as I want to do my bathroom grey and some are so dark. Thanks Sandra
PS is Minimalista for sale in the UK?
Thank you! The paint color is called Vapor Trails and it’s by Benjamin Moore. And Minimalista is available across the UK. I know you can order through Bookshop.org, Waterstones, Blackwells, and Amazon! Xx
OOOh I love it Shira !! I love reading too !! I love how you make Simple, Chic and Elegant look so easy.
Thank you! I always think simple is best 🙂
Hi Shira, Love the Room. Can you please tell me where the round wood framed mirror is from and also the fun cover with the tassels? Thanks.
Thank you so much! The mirror is from IKEA and the blanket with pom poms is from the Vintage Rug Shop 🙂
Thank you!
Beautiful!! A lovely spot to rest and recharge 🙂
Would you please your dresser?
Thank you!
Beautiful!! A lovely spot to rest and recharge 🙂
Would you please link your dresser?
Thank you!
Dresser was sadly discontinued from Room and Board! Xx
Oh my goodness! It’s beautiful! Would you mind sharing the size of your bed and also the source of the coverlet thing with the pom poms? Thank you so much!
Thank you! Our bed is a queen since our room is quite small and the pom pom blanket is from the Vintage Rug Shop!
Thanks for always being so honest and accessible while also encouraging! This looks great and like such a welcoming retreat 🙂
I’m really enjoying your book – I feel like your personality shines through in your candid yet sassy approach to organization! Keep doing what you do so well ❤️
So happy to hear that! Xx
Very nice and restful for sure. You need a “shop your
room” attached to answer all the questions, I got my
question answered from the other comments. Thanks for sharing with us all your talent.
(do you wake up when a pom pom hits you in the
face when moving the covers?)
Agreed! I just added a SHOP page to my website which includes most of these resources and also linked them at the bottom of the post since there were so many questions. We keep the pom pom blanket at the foot of the bed mainly so as to avoid pom poms in the face! Xx
The room is beautiful. I too have all the answers I need from the other comments. Thank you. I am also very fortunate my son chose your book “Minimalista” for my Christmas present. I love it. I have read & reread and have begun the journey of decluttering! Very cathartic! Still have a way to go but my goodness what a difference it has made to my life already. With tiny steps I am ridding our home of “stuff”. I can breathe again! And you are so right. It is a wonderful feeling.
Three cheers for your son! So glad you are enjoying the book and breathing easier. Xx
Hi Shira-
It looks beautiful and calm. And so happy you are no longer sleeping against a wall!
I have done a lot of work simplifying in the past couple of years- however when I heard about you and got your book- you inspired me even more. I realized I still have tweaking to do and am working on a closet refresh now. Thank you for always being so down to earth and transparent.
I love all the rugs you’ve shown throughout your home- are they all from the store you have mentioned before- Vintage Rug Shop?
Also- where is your upholstered bench from?
Thank you!
Love that! Most of our rugs are vintage – I buy them from various sellers on Etsy by searching “vintage Turkish rugs.” The bench is from Article. Xx
I love it! Another resource question, the linens on your bed (is it a coverlet, blanket sheet) are lovely. Do you have a source? I saw in comments and links where the pillows and pompom blanket were. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you! Most of our linens are from Parachute or Coyuchi, but the striped coverlet was from a friend and I haven’t been able to track down a link. Xx
It looks so lovely! And loved the Dirty Dancing reference. Got my best friend your book and we are going through it together. She loves it and so fun to share even when we leave far apart.
Oh! I love that you and your best friend are working your way through the book together. That made my day! Xx
Peaceful retreat and great blog. One of my all time fav line NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER. My goal is to brighten rooms (better lighting in office and main bdrm) and update decor with more of my current likes (already owned from
Previous home).
Love that! Thanks for reading, Dalys! Xx
Hi Shira,
Gifted your book for Christmas – ok it was a 1 for me, 1 for her lol. I also use it in my staging business. The pics and your styling are top notch. Off topic but wondering if you wouldn’t mind telling me where you get your white tops. I have a small, but growing collection and wear them non-stop. I just requested your tips on capsule wardrobe and white shirts and a good pair of jeans are essential! Thanks for the info in advance!
Love to hear it! I’m working on a wardrobe post but in the meantime I link some of my favorites on my capsule wardrobe section of the shop page on my site. Xx
Your bedroom is very calming and serene. I love the wall sconces you chose, and plan to incorporate them into our space. Thanks for sourcing all the new items you purchased.
My pleasure. Thanks for reading! Xx
I LOVE your work Shira! The book is so well done, I peruse and enjoy it often, thank you. Can you please share what brand the black sandals are in pic with TV above? I am convinced they are essential to who I am becoming! You have great sense of style. I am a coach as well and I know for sure that sustainable change only happens with awareness of what matters most. I appreciate that thread throughout your work, it feels genuine and denotes a sense of mastery.
I look forward to more.
Thank you,
Robin
Thank you so much, and thrilled you are enjoying the book!
The shoes are old from Loeffler Randall, one of my favorite brands. Xx
Thank you! They are from Loeffler Randall. Xx
It’s awesome and so inspiring!! I just received your book, that I have found in on of “coffee table books” YT video, but immediately it pushed me to – I wanna change some spaces in my home. So I saw few podcast and interview with you and I will do what I can with your book now. But this blog is so inspiring too. Greetings from Czech Republic to San Francisco (I was there once and is one of the best places I have ever visited).
So happy to hear. I hope to make it to the Czech Republic one day! Xx