The Unexpected Bedroom Remodel
Embracing the Quirks and Challenges
I’ll admit it – I never saw this coming. My partner Bryson and I had resigned ourselves to the fact that our little 2-bedroom, 1-bath house was going to stay exactly as it was for the foreseeable future. We were content with its quirky charm and didn’t have any grand plans to take on a major renovation anytime soon.
That is, until a recent storm came through and threw a literal wrench in our plans. The bomb cyclone that hit our area caused some serious roof damage, resulting in water pouring down our walls every time it rained. Suddenly, we were faced with the reality that we needed to open up the walls to address the water issues. And if we were going to do that, we might as well tackle the other changes we’d been wanting to make to the space.
You see, our current “primary bedroom” is actually a converted den that was added on to the original footprint of the house at some point in the 60s or 70s. It’s a quirky little space with sloped ceilings, an unconventional layout, and a whole host of other design challenges. But it’s what we’ve been working with for the past 8 years, and it’s been serving us just fine.
Until now.
Embracing the Quirks
When we first moved in, this room was being used as a den by the previous owners. Before that, it had actually been an outdoor patio that was later enclosed and converted into living space. So it’s safe to say this room has quite the history – and a lot of hidden surprises.
As we started peeling back the layers to address the water damage, we quickly realized that this was going to be a much bigger undertaking than we originally anticipated. The ceiling was low, the layout was awkward, and we had no idea what sort of structural issues we might uncover once we really dug in.
But instead of getting discouraged, Bryson and I decided to embrace the quirks of this space. Rather than trying to make it perfectly match the rest of the house, we agreed to let it have its own unique identity and design aesthetic. After all, every room in our home has its own distinct vibe – why should this one be any different?
We knew going in that a full-scale demolition and rebuild was technically the “right” way to approach this project. It would give us the opportunity to start from scratch, fix any underlying structural issues, and create a space that was perfectly tailored to our needs. But the cost and time commitment involved just didn’t seem worth it to us.
So instead, we decided to get creative and see how we could transform this space using a more surgical approach. With a little imagination and some strategic planning, we were confident we could turn this oddball den into a dreamy primary bedroom retreat.
Rethinking the Layout
One of the first things we tackled was the layout of the room. As I mentioned, the existing setup was a bit… unconventional. The bed was positioned against the wall opposite the French doors leading out to the backyard, and a set of IKEA PAX wardrobes lined the back wall to create a makeshift closet space.
While this layout worked okay for us, there were definitely some aspects of it that I wasn’t thrilled about. The bed placement felt a bit cramped, and I longed for more storage and closet space.
So as we started to reimagine the room, one of the first things we considered was swapping the placement of the bed and the wardrobes. By putting the bed against the wall near the entry door and moving the wardrobes to the back wall, we could create a more defined “dressing room” area in the recessed space.
Not only would this give us some much-needed extra storage, but it would also open up the main sleeping area and create a better flow through the room. Plus, with the bed now positioned next to the French doors, we’d get to enjoy a beautiful view of the backyard every time we woke up.
After sketching out a few different layout options, Bryson and I were both really excited about this new configuration. It just made so much more sense for how we actually use the space day-to-day.
Maximizing the Ceiling Height
Once we had the layout figured out, the next big challenge we tackled was the low, sloping ceiling. As I mentioned, this room was an addition to the original footprint of the house, and it definitely showed in the ceiling height.
When we first bought the place, the ceiling seemed to start right at eye level, giving the space a very cramped and claustrophobic feel. But after our contractor took a closer look, he said he could actually re-frame the ceiling and gain us anywhere from 2 to 5 inches of additional height.
Needless to say, I was ecstatic when I heard that news! Even just a couple extra inches can make a huge difference in a space like this. And when you’re working with low ceilings, every inch truly counts.
So we gave the green light to move forward with that ceiling work, and I have to say, the difference is remarkable. The room already feels so much more open and airy, and that sloped ceiling now has a really lovely, modern farmhouse vibe to it.
Designing the Space
With the structural work underway, Bryson and I started to really dive into the design side of things. And let me tell you, I had a serious case of indecision when it came to the overall aesthetic.
On one hand, I was really drawn to a more pared-back, minimalist look – think lots of natural textures, muted tones, and a general sense of wabi-sabi. I loved the idea of creating a moody, serene oasis that felt a bit Balinese or Japanese-inspired. It would be a real departure from my usual maximalist tendencies, but I was intrigued by the idea.
On the other hand, there was a big part of me that wanted to go all-out with my signature eclectic, layered style. I envisioned rich textures, bold colors, and lots of visual interest – basically the complete opposite of that minimalist vibe.
In the end, I decided to meet somewhere in the middle. I wanted to create a space that felt cozy and inviting, with plenty of moody, textural elements. But I also knew I couldn’t resist injecting a bit of my own personality into the mix.
So the design plan that’s starting to take shape incorporates a lot of natural materials like rattan, linen, and rustic wood. But I’m also bringing in some deeper, moodier tones like chocolate brown, as well as a few statement pieces to keep things feeling eclectic and layered.
And of course, I just couldn’t resist the urge to include a killer wallpaper moment. It’s a must-have in every room of our house, and this space deserves something truly special.
Bringing it all Together
As I write this, the construction work is still underway, but I can already see the vision for this space starting to come to life. Even with all the challenges we’ve faced – from the structural issues to the design dilemmas – I’m so glad we decided to tackle this project head-on.
Sure, it would have been easier (and potentially cheaper) to just knock the whole thing down and start fresh. But there’s something really special about breathing new life into an existing space and preserving a little bit of its history and character.
Plus, as I’ve learned time and time again, the most rewarding home projects are the ones that force you to get a little creative and think outside the box. And that’s certainly been the case with this unexpected bedroom remodel.
At the end of the day, I know that this quirky little den-turned-primary-suite is going to be a true oasis for us. It may not be perfect, but it’s ours. And with a little love, imagination, and a whole lot of elbow grease, I have no doubt it’s going to turn out beautifully.
So if you find yourself in a similar situation – faced with an older home that needs some serious TLC, or a space that just doesn’t seem to fit your current needs – I encourage you to embrace the challenges. Who knows, you might just end up with the perfect custom-tailored solution for your family. It may take some work, but the payoff is always worth it.
