This Small NYC Bedroom Gets the Coziest Coastal Makeover

Sarah EverettHome Projects Editor
Sarah EverettHome Projects Editor
I organize the Before & After series and cover DIY and design. I joined AT in October 2020 as a production assistant. I have an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a BA in Journalism from Belmont University. Past editorial stops include HGTV Magazine, Nashville Arts Magazine, and local magazines in my hometown, Columbia, Missouri.
published Jun 30, 2025
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About this before & after
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Rental Friendly

When Sarah Crawford (@sarahgcrawford) and Aidan Burke moved into their West Village apartment, it had great bones: in-unit laundry, a dishwasher, and two closets in the bedroom. They often get asked if they painted the walls and added the molding, but both came as they are when Sarah and Aidan moved in.

They did, however, do a couple of renter-friendly projects to make the bedroom feel a little more custom and true to their “cozy and traditional with hints of coastal New England” style.

Credit: Kiritin

Grasscloth wallpaper behind the headboard adds color. 

Sarah and Aidan made several additions to make their walls feel a little more homey: There’s a navy grasscloth peel-and-stick wallpaper behind the headboard, and a gallery wall above the large Anthropologie dresser, which includes several personal mementos including a matchbox from Sarah’s parents’ wedding and a receipt from Sarah and Aidan’s first date.

Credit: Kiritin

A wrapped Wayfair headboard feels more custom. 

“After seeing the price of a custom headboard, I quickly figured we were capable of covering a cheap one from Wayfair ourselves,” Sarah says. “I sourced fabric from the garment district and a staple gun from The Home Depot. Starting in the middle, we pulled the fabric flat and stapled.” The entire project cost about $200, and they had a custom bolster pillow made using the leftover fabric.

Credit: Kiritin
Credit: Kiritin

The sconces are renter-friendly. 

“Most people ask about our sconces and if we hardwired them!” Sarah adds. “They are rechargeable bulbs and cordless sconces from Amazon — an easy renter-friendly hack.” The sconce shades are from GreenRow. 

Sarah and Aidan also covered their flush-mount boob light with a drum-shaped shade from Tulip, and added bamboo Roman shades. It all comes together to create a cozy, coastal-inspired sleep space — all in about 100 square feet.