Bedroom Update (It’s Feel SO Much Bigger!!)
The work on our new bedroom will be finished today, and then it’ll be up to me to finish it. I started out feeling like us moving our bedroom into this room was a huge compromise, like I was having to settle for a subpar situation. But I can genuinely say that as of today, I’m so incredibly excited about this room being our bedroom. Now that the closet walls have come down, and the room has a floor again (or a subfloor, to be accurate), this room feels HUGE compared to the room we’ve been in for the last four years. So let me show you the progress.
Here’s what the entry into the room looked like before, with the long wall to the left blocking most of the view of the room from the door.
I should have taken this from the exact same angle, but you can tell from the stripes that the wall is now about half the original length. If you locate the darkest pink stripe in the middle of the wall in the photo above, you can see below that that stripe is where the wall ends now.
UPDATE: Here’s a picture from the same angle.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison so that you can see the difference.
And looking the other direction towards the door to the room, here’s what it looked like before with the closet area still intact.
And here’s what it looks like now. For now, we have to keep the attic entrance in this room. Once I begin work on the other room, I’ll move it into there and close this one up. I don’t want the attic entrance in our bedroom. Also the two lights in that former closet area are being removed, and the holes will be patched.
And here’s another view of the closet area before…
And here it is now. Removing those walls added just under 40 square feet of space to the main area of the bedroom. That might not sound like much, but when you’re trying to maneuver a 6’2′ 215-pound man around in a wheelchair or Hoyer lift, that extra space makes a huge difference!
Of course, the difference will be more apparent when that area isn’t separated by such a stark difference in color. With it painted black, that visual separation doesn’t quite give the full impression of being part of the main area of the room.
The room really feels larger than I had expected. Obviously, I knew it would feel bigger once the closet walls were down. I just didn’t expect it to make that big of a difference.
But now, it feels like an appropriate size for a master bedroom. Don’t get me wrong. I would have loved to have it even bigger. But I’m very satisfied, and even incredibly excited, about this bedroom now. I can’t wait to get in here and start working on it!
I do plan to have the breaker box moved. As of now, my plan is to just have it flipped around so that instead of facing the bedroom, it will face the room behind it (i.e., our current bedroom).
I need to give that a little more thought, though. Actually, I need to solidify my plan for that room, and then decide how the breaker box can work into the plan. Until I have a definite plan, the breaker box has to stay right where it is, and I’ll have to work around it. That’s fine, though. I’m still a couple of weeks away from even being ready to start on this room. I’m still working away in my studio! And I won’t let myself start working on this room until the studio is finished. That gives me motivation to keep focused!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I’m excited for your new room but I feel sad that you spent so much effort on those beautiful stripes and now they’re going away. I know it’s part of the process, but… 🙁
I was sad at first, too. I’m over it now. 😀
I’m so excited for you and Matt!! I’m cheering you on from The Colony TX. Im not a DIY’er although another time I and different circumstances I could see myself as one. I do have an interest in interior design though & love your vision & talent. It’s amazing how one change can make a world of difference. Rock on Kristie, you’ve got this!!
Wow, those extra few feet really make a difference! What color will you be painting the walls? Will you leave the bamboo blinds? Is there some way that you can just cover the breaker box with artwork or a mirror and leave it where it is? It’s always exciting to be getting more livable room. You GEAUX, girl!
WOW!
“I’m still working away in my studio! And I won’t let myself start working on this room until the studio is finished. That gives me motivation to keep focused!”
I’m a bit OCD/ADHD and use this method to stay focused and on target, and call it “external source(s) of discipline!”
I love construction dust and havoc, somehow that means we are doing something or moving forward on a project. Mind you, I really love the clean-up of a project which signifies that we are finished with it. I love how big that room is for you guys, and I know you will turn it into a paradise with that gorgeous bathroom right next door.
Have fun!
That does look spacious, and the best part…you have a wonderful big closet area through a door, and already have a gorgeous bathroom through the other door. This will be Wonderful! I’m glad you are sticking to your plans of finishing the studio first.
Then, when you are ready, you can go full steam ahead with this area. Looking forward to watching all the changes. Very exciting, and we all look forward to your shop going in, and then the kitchen area next! You DO keep us on the edge of our seats!!!
I admire your discipline! I’d be installing the flooring this afternoon and have the walls prepped by Monday! It’s going to be so nice for you to have the extra space you crave.
Is it possible to install a pocket door between the two rooms so you can access your closet directly without going through the hall?
It is, but I’d have to give up the possibility of having a reading corner with a comfy chair. I don’t really want to give that up.
Just happy for you and Matt. I think your plan to finish the studio first is a very good one! Thank you for the updates.
Will you be going into the hall to access the new closet, or are you adding a door, maybe where Matt’s gaming was? Seems like I would not want to go through the hallway.
I could add a door, but then I’d have to give up the reading corner with a comfy chair. I’d rather have the comfy chair. I don’t mind the few extra steps to the new closet area. I already walk that distance every time I shower and them come in the bedroom to get dressed.
While this master bedroom is in this unfinished phase, may I make a suggestion? If you can (without going down a rabbit hole and becoming too distracted) do a preliminary furniture plot for the room, this would be a VERY good time to install a ceiling-mounted Hoyer lift for Matt! I spent 20 years caring for a disabled family member, and for a while the mobile solutions didn’t bother me; but as time marched on, it became more and more of a hassle to maneuver a lift around and stow it, move it, etc. If you installed a permanent lift (or at least the ceiling mechanism for one) while you’ve got this room empty now, you’ll have more options later on–such as keeping Matt’s current lift in a part of the house where it’ll get the most use apart from the bedroom. Later on, I think you’ll appreciate having that option!
Yes, get the Studio finished!! And the chair red. Can you do another
floor plan with your new changes with the laundry, pantry, new kitchen, and none of the old stuff. I love looking at them and studying them.
I’m sure others do to.
Looking good.
I have been faithfully following you for so long that I trust every decision you make as well as anything you decide to change. I am so very proud of you! You are extraordinary!!!