It’s that time of the year again when your social media feed is filled with room makeovers and DIY projects! Yes, it’s the first week of the One Room Challenge. If you haven’t heard of it, this is a challenge hosted by Linda from Calling It Home. She challenges home interiors bloggers to totally complete a room within six weeks. This time I will be working on our bland and boring master bedroom to create a relaxing and cohesive space.
I participated for the first time in the One Room Challenge as a guest in the Spring 2017 challenge. My goal at that time was to finish installing, caulking, filling nail holes, and painting all the trim and doors in our house. I documented my progress by way of our main floor hallway. I did not complete that massive goal, I don’t even know what I was thinking. That was a huge job, and was totally unattainable. I did finish the hallway though, and you can check out the final reveal here to see my freshly painted trim and colorful gallery wall.
The Goal
For this Fall 2017 One Room Challenge, I will be finishing off our master bedroom. My main goal with this challenge is to finish off the trim and add a check mark to the Master To-do List.

The master bedroom ends up being the place we pile stacks of laundry, dump our tools, and generally just store things there that we don’t know where else to put them. My goal is to make the master bedroom cozy and cohesive, and figure out systems to reduce clutter.

The Plan
On the to-do list for the master bedroom:
- Finish installing some remaining pieces of trim
- Caulk, fill nails holes, and do two coats of paint on the trim and doors
- Install one last pocket door hardware
- Create an inexpensive accent wall
- Makeover some yard sale bedside tables
- Upholster the bed
- Add some art to the walls
- Develop a better system to reduce clutter
The Design
Over the next 6 weeks I’ll be tackling those projects, in no particular order (though I keep telling myself I should finish the trim before I get to all the pretty and fun stuff). And I’ll be sharing my progress with you each week!
The design plan for the room will include the cherry dressers (which Tony made, so I don’t ever want to get rid of). The colors will be grey, white, probably blues and greens with pops of bright color.

I’m doing my master bedroom too for the ORC Jessica! Excited to follow along, your room has great bones to begin with already!
Thanks! I’m going to go check out your post
From a Feng Shui standpoint, I would switch the bed and dresser locations. It’s never a great idea to put a bed below or in front of a window, if it’s avoidable (too much yang energy). Aside from the energetic aspect, wouldn’t it be nice to wake up to that view? 🙂 It’s not a perfect solution since the bed will be in the path of the entry to the bedroom, but most people sleep with the door closed so it becomes a non-issue.
Hmm that’s probably the only furniture arrangement i hadn’t thought of. That’s something to think about…
Good luck with your project. Handmade cherry dressers sound like a dream.
Thank you!
You’ve got a great blank canvas to work with here Jessica. I can’t wait to see the transformation!
Definitely a blank canvas
I love that you are so open and showed us your laundry stack. Just so you know: We all have them. I just tidied my apartment and ended up putting all the things in one room, then I closed the door, voila! Done 😉
I can’t wait to see what you are doing with this room. As I know how you work, I am absolutely sure it’s going to be stunning <3
I can’t avoid that laundry stack, it’s just always there. I’m a big fan of hiding things behind closed doors too
Haha, girl, our master bedroom looks about the same…a bed…end of subject! Can’t wait to see how you’re project unfolds – we’re first timers in the ORC and doing our master as well but definitely looking to the pros for inspiration because we are NOT designers or DIYers!
Good luck with your first ORC! It is a challenge, but I’m sure you’ll do great
Good luck! I feel you on the lack of inspiration lately, but I’m sure it will be beautiful!
I’ll be redoing our master bedroom soon too. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Thanks Pam!
Hi Jessica – I’m a first time ORCer and wanted to do my master bedroom but chickened out – I opted for the foyer instead : ) Maybe think about adding a window treatment to the window – nothing to completely cover the view but a flat roman shade or simple valance in a pretty fabric could add some of the color pop you want. You could make some coordinating throw pillows for the bed too. Just a thought! I look forward to following along!
Thanks! yes i wasn’t quite sure what to do with the window, i still have to think about that. Thanks for the suggestion!
Those are great ideas, thanks!
Looks like you’ve got a great canvas to work with! We did our master for the Spring ORC and are so glad we did. It’s so nice having a sanctuary away from all the other on-going projects in the house. Good luck with the transformation! lol
It’s a very blank canvas with lots of potential! I’m just hoping to have a clutter free, and tool free area
Good luck to you! That is great that you are doing a challenge and you are livening up the room! It will be fun to see it all finished up!
Hi Jess! I’m also doing a master bedroom for the ORC.
I know it seems intimidating now, but I have no doubts that the inspiration will come to you as the weeks go on! Can’t wait to see how you transform the space.
Thanks! I’m going to go check out your room too
Find some pretty bedding or a pillow as a starting point. I can’t wait to see what you do!
That’s a great idea!
Very exciting! Can’t wait to see what you do in here 🙂
Thanks Casey!
Looks like a fun room to give a face-lift to! I’m excited to follow along.
Jess, I am so looking forward to your big reveal. I loved your room last season and I know this one is going to be great too!! Good luck my friend!!!
I love that the headboard fits under that window so beautifully! Sometimes that really throws the design out of whack, can’t wait to see what you do in this space.