This Plain Bedroom’s Makeover Has the Coziest Vibes (and the Most Gorgeous Paint Color)
You might not always be allowed to paint the walls of a rental apartment, but if you are, it can make a huge difference in how the whole space looks. Plus, adding a just-for-you color to the walls can make your place truly feel like home.
Take it from renter Juliana, who has a 600-square-foot one-bedroom in San Francisco that was filled with white walls when she moved in. Even though the 1920s apartment had some charming features — like gorgeous French doors leading from the bedroom to the living room, as well as some old-school molding throughout — they were a bit dulled by the all-white walls. In her bedroom especially, Juliana wanted a space that felt a little more homey. “I wanted to experiment with deep colors and textures to make the room feel cozy and complement the traditional wall trims and doors of the ’20s apartment,” she says.
Here’s how Juliana turned her blank canvas bedroom into a comfy retreat that’s packed with style.
A limewash treatment gives the walls extra texture.
Juliana decided to go for both color and texture, choosing a limewash treatment in a deep mossy green that felt “grounding and natural.” It was love at first sight when Juliana saw the paint online (it’s James Alexander’s Verde Terroso Limewash). “I was so invested in the color I didn’t even swatch it before ordering the paint. It was all or nothing on that color for me,” she says.
As for the process, Juliana took extra steps to make the walls look perfect. “I’m not usually one to prep before going for a project, but I knew that prepping the walls was (an annoying) step I couldn’t skip,” she says. “Limewash is a natural paint, and it won’t stick well over surfaces previously painted with your regular wall paint. I’m glad I followed the correct process for once because I absolutely love the result,” she says.
Once she did her prep work — cleaning and priming — then it just came down to freehanded paint strokes on the wall for the organic end look.
The furniture makes the most of every square foot.
Juliana already had much of the furniture she used in the bedroom, which includes a bed from Thuma, an armchair, and a bench from IKEA, all in a light wood finish. A wall-mounted nightstand offers just enough room for a glass of water and a vase of flowers and takes up zero floor space.
“I love that I could keep most of the furniture from my previous room and some bits that were placed in many different corners of my old loft … and still get a completely different but amazing result for my new place,” Juliana says.
Lighting — a mix of pendants and sconces — keeps with the relaxing feel of the rest of the decor (ideal for a bedroom!). Juliana says she placed it so that it would “keep the room cozy at night.”
Now, the room has a welcoming, calming atmosphere that still highlights the best features of the apartment (namely, all that light!). “I love when the sun hits my windows at around 3 o’clock and reflects on the deep green limewash covering my bedroom walls,” Juliana says. “It’s such a warm contrast.”
To see more of this home, you can take the full tour of Juliana’s gorgeous apartment.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.