How To Design A Bedroom On A Budget In 10 Easy Steps

Sharing is caring!

Are you wondering how to design a bedroom that’s both stylish and affordable? Today I’m sharing 10 easy steps to create your very own cozy bedroom sanctuary.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, I might make a small commission at no extra charge to you. Please read my full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or giving your current bedroom a makeover, these tips will help you go through the design process with confidence. We’ll cover everything from finding your personal style to choosing the right color palette, creating a functional layout, and adding the finishing touches that make a space feel complete. I’ll also share a real-life example of a bedroom makeover to help you see how it all works.

Remember, good design isn’t just about the way a room looks. It’s about creating a space in your unique style, that meets your needs and is comfortable. The best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune to make your room look like you hired a designer. With a little creativity and smart shopping, you can get the look for less.

So, whether you’re new to design or just looking for ideas, get ready to transform your bedroom into a blissful retreat!

This post is all about how to design a bedroom on a budget.

READ MORE>>> Home Design Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk

Bedroom Before And After

Let’s start with a real-life before and after bedroom example. My daughter’s middle school bedroom was all about purple – white, black, and purple to be exact. It featured a loft bed with a sitting area below and a contrasting white faux fur futon as a focal point. The walls were in an ombre purple with white curtains for contrast. Fast forward just two years, and she was ready for a change.

The same process I went through with her is how to design a bedroom or any space.

1. Find Your Design Style

The first step was to figure out my daughter’s design style and the vibe she was after. To do this I had her create a Pinterest board and pull images of the rooms she liked.

This is always the first step or you’ll design in the latest trends and your home will look dated in 10-15 years. As you pull images you should be looking at the details you like and should be able to imagine yourself living in these spaces.

Narrow It Down

The images my daughter pulled for the look and feel she was after had a modern glam vibe. She especially liked the tufted upholstered bed and the silver accents. 

From there I had her narrow it down to her top three images to use as inspiration for her room. Since they all had a neutral color palette we had to be intentional to add interest with texture, materials, and decor.

2. Create The Color Palette

The next step was to find a jumping-off point to create the color palette. For my daughter’s room, we went to Homegoods to look for ideas and see if any one-off pieces would work in her design. Don’t buy furniture at this point or you’ll lock yourself in and have to work around that piece. If you buy something because you know it’ll be gone make sure it’s returnable.

Color Undertones

We knew the colors would be white and gray like the inspiration images but we needed an actual piece to pull colors from. Colors have different undertones. For example, you can have a blue-grey or yellow-grey. If you choose colors that don’t complement each other they can clash and your design will look off.

Find A Jumping Off Point

The jumping-off point of a room can be any of the following:

• artwork
• an area rug
• printed fabric

In bedroom designs a great place to start is with your comforter since it’s on the bed which is the largest piece of furniture in the room.

My daughter chose a boho-inspired comforter which was perfect. It had the right colors and would add pattern and interest to the neutral base. The silver metallic touches in the comforter also tie back to the touches of silver in the room. We used the comforter as the starting point to match and pull colors from for the rest of the design. 

Creating Your Bedroom Color Palette

You’ll need to do the same to create your color palette. The colors you choose will set the tone for your room. For example, if you want a calm peaceful retreat go for soft neutrals, cool blues, or soothing greens. For a touch of drama, deep, rich tones like navy or charcoal can add a touch of luxury.

3. Measure And Create A Floor Plan

The next step is to measure the room and create a floor plan. This is an important step and the road map of your design.

By creating a floor plan I was able to play with different layout ideas. Designers create 2-3 floor plan options for clients and you should do the same.

My daughter chose the layout with the bed in front of the window instead of at the side where it was before. She likes her room dark and always has the blackout curtains closed. This layout created balance and symmetry in the room and gave it a more elevated vibe.

Computerizing Your Floor Plan Layout

When creating the floor plan I first put the queen-sized bed and area rug (the two largest pieces). Next, I added the dresser and then the nightstands. Once the core pieces were in I could see there was room at the foot of the bed for a tufted bench.

This is the same process you’ll go through to create the floor plan for your room. The first go-round is to get a general idea of the furniture placement and pieces you want. As you source or find the actual pieces you’ll update the measurements and create a final layout. 

Helpful Floor Plan Tips

Download the free floor plan measure guide to save time, money, and avoid returns.

Your furniture placement is key to creating a functional and beautiful bedroom. Start by placing your bed first, ideally centered on the largest wall to create a focal point. Once that’s in place, begin adding your other pieces, experimenting with different arrangements to find the best layout. With a computerized floor plan, you can visualize and tweak your furniture layout before you commit.

4. Final Design Mood Board

Once you’ve finalized your room layout, the next step is to create a design mood board. Pull all the furniture pieces onto a Canva board to help you visualize the room as a whole, instead of individual items.

This includes everything—furniture, fabrics, lighting, and decor. As you go through this process, refer back to your inspiration images, color palette, and the vibe you want to create. These elements will help guide you to make sure your design fits together and creates the overall feeling you want in your room.

Shop The Look

White Nightstand // Table Lamp // Faux Fur Throw Blanket // Upholstered Bed // Fandolier // Closet Kit // Area Rug // Dresser // Rhinestone Knobs // White Duvet Bedding (comforter not available) // Frames // Shadow Box // Curtains // Floating Shelves // Tufted Bench

For my daughter’s room, I created a mood board with the furniture and decor so she could visualize everything together. I recommend you dream a little for this step and pull pieces you love. You’ll see why in the next step.

5. Setting Your Budget

Setting your budget is a very important step. You may have an idea of what you want to spend and think your design will cost. Most of the time it’ll cost way more than you think. This is another reason to plan your entire design before making a purchase. It’ll save you money in the long run because when you buy one piece at a time you spend way more. Before you know it you’re out of money.

Bedroom Budget Worksheet

That said, once you have all the pieces in your mood board add them to the budget calculator which you can download below. Chances are you are over budget and that’s ok because we haven’t spent any money yet and it doesn’t cost you anything to dream.

Where To Save And Splurge

You also don’t need to buy everything at once. By planning your design you can start with the essentials and buy the rest over time.

Once my daughter’s room design was ready we made another trip to Homegoods because we were on a tight budget. We got the headboard, area rug, mirrors, table lamps, and decor which was a huge saving. I got the dresser from Ikea with a glass top and found rhinestone knobs at HomeGoods to elevate the look. 

6. Choosing Paint Colors

Notice how I haven’t mentioned anything about the paint color until now. That’s because despite what you may think paint is not the first thing you choose when designing a room. The paint color should be chosen only after the entire design is planned out.

Again you need to look at everything as a whole before this important step. If not you’ll have to match your expensive bed to your $60 gallon of paint when it should be the other way around.

Designer Home 101

In my course Designer Home 101, I go in-depth on everything you need to know about choosing the perfect paint color, including a curated list of shades that never disappoint. If you want to learn more and be guided step by step through the process of creating a home that looks professionally designed, be sure to join the waitlist below.

Bedroom Makeover Paint Colors

The Benjamin Moore paint colors for my daughter’s room are:

• Metallic Silver 2132-60 in an eggshell finish for the walls
• Simply White OC 117 in semi-gloss for the trim
• OC 117 Simply White in a matte finish for the ceiling

7. Order Furniture

Now that your inspiration, color palette, floor plan, design mood board, and paint colors are all complete, you’re ready to move on to the next step—ordering your furniture! Anything you didn’t pick up from HomeGoods or Ikea can now be ordered online.

Also make sure to add this information to your budget calculator, along with the expected delivery dates, so you can keep track of everything and stay organized.

While you wait for your furniture:

1. Empty your room
2. Make any repairs
3. Paint the walls
4. Change any light fixtures
5. Install closet kit
6. Buy decor

While you’re waiting on your furniture you can pick up decor to accessorize but make sure it’s returnable. This way you can try different arrangements and return what you don’t need or use. Remember less is more when decorating.

8. Install Day

Install day is when everything comes together! Your floor plan will guide you during this step which is especially helpful if you’re not doing it alone. Start with the larger pieces like your rug and bed. Then go to the dresser and nightstands until you have everything in place. 

9. Decorate and Accesorize

The final step is to decorate and accessorize to make your room look complete. Add your lamps, throw blankets, and wall art for style and personality. You can also add greenery for a touch of the outdoors. 

For my daughter’s room, we created a gallery wall of artwork and added pieces that were special to her. She didn’t want color but let me add a few touches of blush pink for added interest. It’s in the fur blanket, candle, and small box. It brings in texture and carries your eye throughout the room. 

10. Celebrate Your Hard Work

Now that everything is in place, it’s time to relax and enjoy your beautiful bedroom, finally getting that great night’s sleep you’ve been dreaming of! Take pictures and share all your hard work with family and friends.

You should be so proud of yourself and they will be too. Don’t be surprised if they ask you to help them design their home. That’s always the side effect of doing a good job.

And that’s a wrap!

You now know how to design a bedroom that’s functional and beautiful. By following these steps and design tips you’ll be able to create and afford your dream bedroom.

Remember good design takes time so don’t rush the process and no matter your budget there’s always a way to get the look for less. Don’t be afraid to mix high and low because no one will know unless you tell them.

This post is all about how to design a bedroom on a budget.

Related Posts:

• 23 Interior Design Tips And Tricks For Beginners You Should Know
• Pottery Barn Bedroom Ideas (Shop The Look) 2024
• Zen Bedroom Design Inspiration (Shop The Look)

Last Updated on October 1, 2024 by Nicole DelaCruz