This NYC Bedroom Makeover Has a DIY Canopy Fit for Royalty
Renters (or just those not interested in possibly making a mess), can personalize their spaces without paint, just like Katy Ma (@katy__ma) did in her New York City apartment bedroom, which has white walls but certainly isn’t lacking in personal style.
Katy describes her style as “a mix of Parisian, mid-century modern, and cottage,” and she says she likes an edited-yet-not-minimalist look, thrift and antique finds, and “dark wooden pieces that feel sturdy and substantial but are embellished with whimsical brass hardware and delicately carved designs.” Her bedroom certainly fits the bill.
The bedroom is furnished with thrifted finds plus antiques.
When Katy moved in, she says her apartment “was a bare-bones canvas,” and for the bedroom, filling it in with thrifted and antique furniture made a world of difference. “It’s rare that I’ll go into a store and buy something new,” she told Apartment Therapy in her house tour. “I love the thrill of … finding something that’s had a whole life before me and is made with quality.”
Her nightstand and desk are antiques, her lamps are thrift finds, her chair is from Goodwill, and her console unit is originally from AllModern but she scored it on Facebook Marketplace. The vintage plates that serve as wall decor are from eBay.
The DIY canopy acts as a floating headboard.
Because her bed is just a basic frame plus a mattress, Katy decided to create a statement canopy overhead. “I screwed a few hooks into the ceiling, got two wooden dowels from the hardware store, and found sheer curtains online; I hung the dowels from the hooks and threaded the curtains through,” she explains. “The finished result added an element of playfulness and height to the room.”
She adds that it was an easy project with a big payoff, and her bedroom is now the room she spends the most time in. “It’s calm and is a lovely space to wake up in each morning,” she says. “I installed window film that makes the morning light stream through and make rainbows; it’s such a beautiful sight. After a long day, I’ll cuddle up with my dog, read a book, watch a show, and light some candles to unwind.”
Inspired? Submit your own project here.