Warm Gray Apartment Bedroom Makeover With Minimalist Modern Style

The upgraded bedroom features the simple, minimalist style that Maya craved. The back wall is painted with two tones of warm gray, the lighter color on top. A picture rail across the wall divides the two tones and provides a place for displaying art without commitment. Patti also added a new modern bed, ceiling fan, nightstands, wall sconces and rug.

Before, the bedroom was dark and dingy, and Maya had just a box spring and mattress for a bed. As Maya said, it looked “like a nice jail,” but they were dreaming of a room that felt like home.

The makeover took advantage of ample natural light coming from the large window. Rather than hanging curtains, Patti stuck with the simple window shades to keep the look un-fussy, as Maya requested. That same minimalist style drove the decision for the new upholstered bed, which is completely clean-lined.

While organized, Maya’s storage systems lacked style before the makeover.

Maya needed space to store their books, including a comic book collection, and gear for pursuits like juggling and Yo-Yo. Patti added metal legs to dress up Maya’s existing bookshelf for less than $25.

Behind the bed, the picture rail holds some of Maya’s art, including their own photos. Maya’s landlord permitted the painting of the walls in this two-tone scheme that adds subtle architectural interest.

In order to “picture” placement for the gallery wall, Patti started with butcher paper cut out into the shapes and sizes of the artwork. She played with a few arrangements until one just felt right, then she hung the real artwork in place of the paper.

The storage shelves with gallery wall above became a real focal point in the space. The artwork is mounted using removable adhesive strips — a great tip for any renter trying to avoid an abundance of nail holes.

Before Patti came to the rescue, this apartment bedroom truly felt impermanent — not homey.

After the makeover, the bedroom truly reflected Maya’s modern style. The contemporary black-finish ceiling fan keeps the room cool both literally and stylistically. Patti boxed up the original fan for storage, since it’s owned by the landlord and may be replaced when Maya moves out. Underfoot, the textural rug is a cozy touch. Patti advises that even rooms with carpet can benefit from the look of a rug.