Third-Story Loft Turned Into Budget Master Bedroom

When Jeannette Sola-Below and her husband moved into a new home, they were hoping to give themselves a large master bedroom complete with a view of the surrounding mountains. But to do this, they had to completely change the function of the loft atop their three-story barn house.

BeforeSticking to their $1,000 budget Jeannette and her husband created the bedroom of their dreams complete with hand-painted birch trees, cow-hide rugs and newly installed French doors to give them access to the scenic view.

AfterJeannette’s budget strategy focused on rehabbing thrift-store finds, changing out inexpensive decor and even building from scratch. To change the look of the ceiling fans, lampshades from IKEA were used to replace the existing shades. Jeannette and her husband teamed up to build a platform bed frame for the room’s centerpiece, and they used a fireplace mantel from an old house as a headboard.

The complete renovation of the room took approximately two weeks. The total cost of the makeover was $990. Project-related expenses were: platform bed materials from Home Depot $150, French door $75, lampshades from IKEA $40, bedding (IKEA) $105, nightstands, desk,and dresser $80, table lamps (Home Goods) $80, curtains $10, cowhide rugs (2) for $375, deco pillows $10. Paint and supplies $35. Curtain hardware $30.

Check out more “Decorating on a Dime” entries all under $1,000: $300 back porch makeover, Romantic-Meets-Industrial Master Bedroom.