How to Give Your Room a Makeover

Co-authored by Julie Naylon and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: March 24, 2022 References

Redecorating your room doesn’t have to cost a lot of money—you can easily transform your space inexpensively. Start by decluttering your room so you’re left only with things you truly need or love. Then, change the look of your walls, rearrange your furniture, update your favorite items with new finishes, or even replace a few pieces. Finish by adding accessories like a rug, artwork, and potted plants. Your room will look brand new in no time!

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Decluttering Your Room

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Throw away trash and remove unnecessary items. While this may not be the most fun part of giving your room a makeover, it is the most important! Put on your favorite playlist and get busy. Get rid of trash, throw away broken items, and put away things that don’t belong in your room like dishes.^{[1]
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- Mail and other papers can often pile up so go through these types of items and recycle anything you don't need to keep.
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Donate any items you don’t want or need. Spend some time going through your stuff and ask yourself “When was the last time I used this?” If you haven’t touched it in 6 months, let it go! If your goal is to truly transform your space, you’ve got to be willing to get rid of things you don’t use. If you want to be really thorough, sort through everything in your room—all your books, shoes, clothes, pictures, jewelry, makeup, movies, CDs, knickknacks—everything!^{[2]
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- This is especially important for clothes and shoes -- if you don’t wear it, you don’t need it.
- For items that have sentimental value, consider storing them in another room or even under your bed or in your closet. That way, they aren’t on display but you can still take them out and look at them when you’re feeling nostalgic.
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Organize your belongings. Put your clothes and shoes away, tidy up your desk or office area, clear off your nightstand and dresser, and remove any items from the floor. Try to find a logical place for everything and take advantage of storage solutions.^{[3]
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- You can clear off your closet floor by utilizing an over-the-door shoe organizer, put away school and office supplies in desk drawers or bins, and use vertical space by displaying items on a bookcase.
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Clean your room. Now that you've gotten rid of items that don't belong in your room as well as things you don't want to keep, it's time to break out the cleaning supplies. Thoroughly cleaning your room can make a big difference in how it looks! Take the time to dust all your surfaces and sweep and mop or vacuum your floor. Be sure to work from the top of your room down to the floor for best results.^{[4]
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- Don’t forget to clean your blinds (if you have them), clear out the stuff under your bed, and pick up anything on the floor.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Changing the Look of Your Walls

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Paint your walls for a simple solution. Changing the color of your walls can make a dramatic impact on the way your room looks. Choose a color you love that complements items you know you're going to keep and display, such as a dresser or favorite piece of artwork. Start by moving everything away from the walls and masking the baseboards and ceiling. Apply a coat or 2 of primer and let it dry fully. Then, paint the walls with a roller using long, even strokes.
- To make your room look more airy and open, choose a light color such as white, gray, or yellow.
- For a more dramatic effect, you can paint one wall a bold color and the rest a subtle hue.
- There are tons of cool paints to try, like chalkboard paint or magnetic paint.
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Hang wallpaper to instantly transform your space. If you have the time and don’t mind putting in the effort, hanging wallpaper adds texture and drama to your walls. Pick a color or pattern you truly love since wallpaper is more difficult to remove or redo than simply painting the walls. Measure your room before purchasing wallpaper and be sure to get a little extra in case of any issues.
- If your wallpaper is patterned, take care to line up the pattern when you add a new strip!
- You can use removable wallpaper if you don't want to commit to the print or color permanently.
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Install shiplap to create a fun, nautical feel. If you want something a little less common, you could cover your walls in shiplap, which is a type of siding composed on horizontal boards. You can use interlocking shiplap boards or even simple 1 by 6 in (2.5 by 15.2 cm) boards cut to the length of your walls. Work your way from the bottom of the wall to the top.
- You can do all your walls for a cohesive look or even install shiplap on a single accent wall.
- Paint the shiplap white for a clean, nautical feel or simply stain the wood for a more natural look.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Updating and Arranging Your Furniture

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Swap out your old furniture for new pieces for a dramatic change. If you really want your room to look different and have some money to spend, you can buy new furniture. You don't have to replace everything—a new dresser, desk, or armchair can make a big impact. Choose statement pieces that match the vibe you want to create. A sleek white desk would be a great addition to a modern room while a brocade armchair is best for a more traditional space.
- If you're on a budget, check garage sales and thrift stores for second-hand furniture. You may also be able to find free pieces online through sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
2
Paint your furniture for a quick and easy makeover. Even if you can’t afford to buy new furniture, you can still make it look different. Stick with bright white for a chic, modern style or paint it your favorite hue to add a pop of color. Be sure to remove the hardware first, put the furniture on a drop cloth, and use paint formulated for whatever surface you’re working with.^{[5]
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- You can even add new hardware, like pretty drawer pulls, to further change the look of your furniture.
3
Rearrange your furniture to create a whole new look. One of the easiest ways to make over your room is to rearrange it! If your bed is in a corner, move it to the center of the room against a wall. If your desk is on the west wall, move it to the east wall. Just be sure to keep the flow of the space in mind and make sure you can easily access the door.^{[6]
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- You can create little alcoves or nooks dedicated to your favorite activity. For instance, place a comfy chair, a lamp, and a blanket in the corner for a cozy reading nook. Or, set up a gaming chair and mini fridge near your TV if you love to play video games.
4
Swap out your bedding for an instant upgrade. To easily give your room a new look, splurge on a new comforter and sheets. Pick a large-scale pattern for a bold look or a solid color for a more traditional feel. Add a few decorative pillows and set a folded blanket across the bottom fourth of your bed for an upscale vibe.^{[7]
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- Choose a pattern or color that you love and that works well with your furniture and accessories.
- If you can afford it, go for sheets with a high thread count and an eiderdown comforter. You’ll love lounging on your new bedding.
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Add a headboard to make your bed a focal point. Your bed is the staple piece of your room so adding a headboard or swapping out an existing one can make your room look totally different. Choose a style that reflects the rest of your space, such as one with curves for a feminine room or a studded headboard if you have an edgier vibe.^{[8]
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- You can create tons of cool headboards yourself, like an upholstered headboard, a faux leather headboard, or even a light-up headboard!
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Put a canopy over your bed for a romantic accent. A canopy can easily give your room a whole different feel. If you’re the romantic type, this might be just the thing for you. Opt for a traditional four-poster canopy or add some whimsy with a chandelier-style canopy.^{[9]
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- White, gauzy tulle creates a soft, feminine look, while rich brocade gives off a sophisticated vibe.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Accessorizing Your Space

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Install window treatments to create a finished look. Bare windows can make your room seem dull. Hanging curtains in a fun print or bright color can make a huge impact on the look of your room! Let them puddle on the floor for a luxurious look or choose a shorter style for a more modern take.^{[10]
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- Choose curtains in colors that complement your existing paint and decor. For instance, pick a color in your favorite photo or piece of artwork and choose curtains in that color.
- If you’re not a big fan of curtains, opt for blinds instead. They’re available in lots of different materials and colors, so you’re sure to find a style you like.
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Hang art on your walls to add interest. If your walls are mostly blank, an easy way to give them a makeover is to hang up artwork. Pick pieces that you love so you’ll enjoy looking at them for years to come.^{[11]
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- You can opt for a large statement piece or even create a gallery wall with smaller framed pieces.
- Head to thrift stores to find cool artwork and frames for cheap.
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Add a rug to create coziness. Monochromatic flooring can look drab. Whether you have carpet, vinyl, laminate, or wood flooring, you can easily break it up by adding a large rug in the center of your space or even a small rug under your desk or chair.^{[12]
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- If you don’t have a lot of prints in your room, go for a patterned rug. If you do have a lot of patterns, stick with a solid-colored rug.
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Place a bench at the end of your bed for an elevated look. A bench not only makes the room feel finished, it’s functional, too. It can be used for seating or you can display a nice throw pillow and a few decorative pillows.^{[13]
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- If you need more storage space, use a bench that opens so you can put clothes, blankets, or other items inside when you’re not using them.
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Create a display on your dresser to draw the eye to your favorite items. If you have artwork or knickknacks that you love, put them to good use by displaying them on your dresser. Aim to create visual balance by grouping items in threes and varying the height of the pieces.^{[14]
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- For instance, you could put a tall vase full of flowers in the center of your dresser and frame it with candles and photos. Add a few small collectibles, like statues or figurines, and voila!
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Install a chandelier for an elegant vibe. If you like a romantic, whimsy feel, install a chandelier in the middle of your ceiling. The soft glow and sparkle will make your room feel lush and elegant.^{[15]
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- If you’re not into the idea of adding a chandelier, install some pendant lights or add a few lamps. You can buy new lampshades cheaply to transform your old light fixtures.
7
Set some plants around the space to add a pop of green. Nothing breathes new life into a room like some greenery. Pick out a few potted plants or flowers and space them around your room. The possibilities are endless, so head to a garden store and find a few plants that you think are beautiful.^{[16]
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- Be sure to keep your room’s light conditions in mind when choosing plants to ensure they’ll thrive in your space. Don’t forget to water them, either!
- For a minimalist look, opt for succulents.
- If you like something a little different, choose cacti.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I improve my bedroom?

Julie Naylon
Professional Organizer
Julie Naylon is the Founder of No Wire Hangers, a professional organizing service based out of Los Angeles, California. No Wire Hangers provides residential and office organizing and consulting services. Julie's work has been featured in Daily Candy, Marie Claire, and Architectural Digest, and she has appeared on The Conan O’Brien Show. In 2009 at The Los Angeles Organizing Awards she was honored with “The Most Eco-Friendly Organizer”.

Julie Naylon

Professional Organizer

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Think about how you'll use items when you're deciding where to put them. For instance, if you have a hard time putting your laundry in the basket, you might need to move the laundry basket so it's easier to get to.
Question

How can I make my room look nicer?

Julie Naylon
Professional Organizer
Julie Naylon is the Founder of No Wire Hangers, a professional organizing service based out of Los Angeles, California. No Wire Hangers provides residential and office organizing and consulting services. Julie's work has been featured in Daily Candy, Marie Claire, and Architectural Digest, and she has appeared on The Conan O’Brien Show. In 2009 at The Los Angeles Organizing Awards she was honored with “The Most Eco-Friendly Organizer”.

Julie Naylon

Professional Organizer

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Moving furniture around can give your room an instant change and it can also help you get organized. Simply rearranging your room can make the layout more functional, uncover any hidden clutter, and spark your creativity when you're trying to decide how to store your belongings.
Question

How do I give my room a makeover if I don't have time?

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Spend 30-60 minutes on the project each day until it's done. You can clean your room one week, paint the walls the next, rearrange your furniture after that, and so on.