A Room Makeover | Before & After

Ever since moving back home, I really haven't had a room that felt like mine. Once I fully moved out, my room quickly became my mom's art space filled with paints and canvases, while I lived comfortably and alone in my apartment in Tuscaloosa. Oh, how I loved living by myself and wish it could have been for longer than just a year. When I graduated college and moved to California, most of my belongings ended up in a storage unit at the end of town. I knew as my time in California came closer to an end that I was most likely moving back home, although I didn't know for how long. I still don't know how long it will last. What I do know is that it is important to have a space that feels like your own. Sadly, since moving back home, I really didn't have that. 

Until now. 

Take a peek at the new space that once again feels like my own. (Sort of.) 

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Whew. SO much better right? There aren't that many drastic changes and as you can see the color of the walls stayed the same. However, just by changing a few things and moving some stuff out, it opened up the room a ton and I feel like it is finally comfortable again! 

I wish you guys could have seen this left wall (where the TV is) "before." It contained a giant bookshelf, (with mom's art supplies) that was blocking my other window, the TV (that stayed) and a three tiered plastic container (that now holds my movies). My legit dresser is in storage, so for now my clothes are in those plastic bins that are beside the TV and in my closet. The brown little stand/desk that is in the center actually contains a sewing machine. It shows you how much we use that considering I now have knick-knacks on top of it. Ha! The biggest improvement is the bed! It sits up much higher thanks to a new bed frame we found (for $75!!) and I have a new comforter. Also, I got to personalize my wall beside my bed with some photos and prints. Always a plus. 

Let's look at some details closer up! 

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This just gives you a better look at the other side of the room. Notice I didn't really give you guys pictures of the closet area. It's isn't exciting, believe me. Also, where that chair is, in the bottom corner, begins the table that holds my mom's art things. 

On the (hidden) sewing machine table, I topped it with my collection of Little House books (which my mom found for me this past Christmas) and books pertaining to California or the West Coast in general. Also, throughout the room I have some of my favorite hymns framed. I found an old hymnal in a thrift store once and knew I could do something with it eventually. The one here is "'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus.'" And the picture in the frame there is Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe, one of my absolute favorite places. 

One of my most favorite things in the room is this framed map of the state of California! I found this old National Geographic map at an antique place my mom frequents and knew I had to have it. I LOVE maps. And globes. 
Well, the thing is huge, but I was able to find a frame for it and absolutely love how it turned out! 

Although my ceiling fan light is on in these pictures, I'm a big fan of just having my lamp on. It gives it a big cozy feel! 
We finally took down the aqua blue curtains that I had since high school. I like the look of no curtains and it seemed to open the room a whole lot! However, I think we are going to find some sheer curtains that will hang just to the window sill. I'm not really a fan of curtains that are so big and heavy and seem to just swallow a room. 
I was hoping for a solid color on the comforter, but we found this one. (Walmart, holla!) It's reversible, but I love the blue and white pattern on this side. It's enough, but not overwhelming. 

Mom found this headboard and bed frame ($75!) and that is what started this whole makeover. I love this bed frame for the fact that it does have all the cubbyholes (and another feature you will see in a minute!) and the wide mantle like top. I'm able to decorate it, but it not be overwhelming. The diploma IS going to get framed ONE day. I'm coming up on my two year anniversary of graduation, so that really needs to happen soon. Also, you can partly see another framed hymn. This one is 'The Old Rugged Cross.'

And the other reason I LOVE this bed frame. Not only does this make the bed sit up higher, but who doesn't love extra storage?? Now, naturally most people might use this as places for more clothes or whatnot. Well, I didn't feel like rearranging all my clothes and I needed space for my books. So, both drawers are full of books, but I still have plenty of room to add more in the future. It's like a secret library! I LOVE it! 
:) 

I was so excited for this part of the room. I've had these prints and photos for awhile and have been dying to frame them and make a small gallery art wall. And finally, the perfect time presented itself! 
The two photos up top are shots that I took while I was living in California. The one on the left is of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe and the one on the right is The Golden Gate Bridge (pretty much my favorite landmark ever). I got both of these photos printed from Shutterfly in a sweet deal they had of getting two 8x10s free! You can't get much better. 

These WONDERFUL prints were created by a very talented friend. After seeing her post so many awesome prints on instagram and facebook, many of us asked her when she would start selling prints. Well, it is finally happening! 
Not only does she have these lovely prints, she has a few others (like this one I want to add to my collection) and can do custom orders. Please go check out her shop on Etsy. Not only does she do wonderful and beautiful work, proceeds go towards her future trips to Haiti! 

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Do you have a room that you recently gave a makeover? Leave me a link in the comments. 
I would love to see your before & after pictures. 

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Shout-outs to Shutterfly and DesignsByHilliary were all my own. They didn't pay me anything to say something nice about them. I just really love those sites and the awesome products they put out! Check them out!