In the world of designer makeup, one of the aspects that is not mentioned often is cost, which is of course an important part of any project. I’d like to start sharing a cost breakdown for each room I’ve redesigned in our home. I hope that this sheds more light on the true cost of design and helps inform any design decisions you may want to make in your own home. The first in this series is main bedroom.
In today’s post, I’ll break down our actual master bedroom design costs and share more information on what our design process looks like.
How did you complete your master bedroom redesign?
The redesign of this room has been carried out in phases over the past two years. We have moved to this house in May 2020 and didn’t touch space for the first six months we lived here. Here is a high-level breakdown of the design phases:
- In November 2020, we painted the walls (under the seat rails) and ceiling, installed wallpaper, and installed existing overhead lights.
- In April 2021 we added a luxury carpeta wardrobe, a new bedand new nightstands.
- In January 2022, we swapped out the nightstand for an antique briefcase that offers more surface space and storage.
- In March 2022, we replaced the headboard with sugar cane with one that is much more durable for our very active kids and dogs. (One note that the beds have been generously given to us by brands, which is part of why this decision makes sense for us.)
When designing a bedroom, where do you recommend spending more money and where do you recommend spending less?
Deciding on a budget for any redesign is very personal. First and foremost, I think it’s important to stay comfortable, especially in a space like the bedroom, where we all tend to spend a lot of our time.
As a general rule, I recommend spending a little more (depending on your personal budget) on mattresses and bedding, for maximum comfort as you sleep. I recommend spending less on nightstands, dressers and lighting. While you can certainly splurge in these areas, I think there are plenty of options for quality products at lower prices. I love buying used solid wood furniture, which is what we did for some of the pieces in this space.
If you are painting and/or adding wallpaper, you also need to choose between hiring a professional or doing it yourself. We chose the former in this case. It’s an expensive decision but it’s well worth it for us to do it really well (and not have to spend time doing it ourselves).
Were there any unexpected costs incurred during the design process?
For the most part, this is a pretty dry project! No major surprises on our part, except for some delays due to supply chain issues. Our painter also found an old honeycomb on our wall, which has expanded over time and cracked the plaster. He repaired this before painting and wallpapering.
My ultimate goal for this bedroom was to design a serene space that also feels really personal. The finished room feels familiar and unique to us, in the best way.
What are your favorite elements in the room?
After living in this space for a while, my favorite thing is our very comfortable mattress and our bed. I also love everything about our unique nightstand. I love the color of the wood, the hardware, the marble top, and the amount of storage they offer.
My ultimate goal for this bedroom was to design a serene space that also feels really personal. The finished room feels familiar and unique to us, in the best way.
Master bedroom design cost analysis
Below, I include the cost of current products and materials in this space, along with labor costs to install certain materials. These items have been added at various times throughout the past two years. Some costs are estimated (note with a ~), as I don’t have an exact cost record at hand anymore.
Given that design is part of my work for Wit & Delight, a number of works in this space have been gifted to me by brands as part of sponsored collaborations, noted in the catalog. book. I think it’s also helpful to note that the cost of any worker will vary depending on the scope of your project and who you hire.
Materials / Products
- Lulu & Georgia Clementine Platform Bed (gift): $1,798
- Lulu & Georgia Clementine Bedside (gift): $998
- Brooklinen Luxe core plate set: $219
- Brooklinen Luxe pillowcase, set of 2 (gift): $65
- Duvet Brooklinen Luxe cover (gift): $189
- Blue blanket, purchased from Goodwill: $15
- Butter mattress (gift): $3,199
- Casper Pillow Double Pillow: $159
- Lulu & Georgia velvet disc pillow x Sarah Sherman Samuel (gift): $78 x 3 = $234
- Nordic Knots Dusty white rug 9 x 12 ′ (gift): $1,895
- Safavieh Sisal Area Rug 11 x 15: $520
- Nightstand, purchased from Missouri Mouse Antiques: $200 for both
- Tall wooden vanity, buy from Art & Architecture: $45
- CB2 Paterson Lacquered Ivory Dresser – no longer on sale (gift): $1,499
- Safavieh table lamp, set of 2: $125
- Dunmore Frontgate Pendant: $597
- Samsung’s The Frame smart TV55”: $1,500
- Antique Gold & Black Smart TV Frame, 55”: $599
- IKEA floor mirror – no more: ~$100
- Sandberg Eugen wallpaper – available in oat, no longer green (bundle): $159/roll x 12 rolls = $1,908
- Paint – Paint color is a custom match but similar to this color.: The cost is included in the labor cost below.
Labor
Paint, wallpaper, etc: ~$3,500
Our painters have handled all of the jobs listed below. The number above is a bit of an approximation as it has been grouped into an invoice with several other projects.
- Custom paint to match existing furniture color
- Prepare and paint the ceiling
- Paint the bottom edge of the crown molding to match the woodwork
- Prepare and paint the wall under the chair bar
- Repair cracks, large gaps / humps where wasps are
- Repair the holes where the alarm keypad and the phone plug
- Seal the walls for a new wallpaper
- Hang new wallpaper
Ceiling Light Replacement: ~$75
Total: $19.439
Editor’s Note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a source of revenue to fund the operation of the business and is less dependent on branded content. Wit & Delight is behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Comfortable to email we.
Kate is currently learning to play the ukulele, leaving her husband, children and dogs desperate. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
