Hey guys! I am back again with more MoodBoards! Many of you loved the moodboards I made based off our flat design. So it got me thinking, that it may be cool to do little challenges. I asked you my Insta family, if this would be of interest and the majority voted yes! I am going to try and do moodboard challenges once a month and for February it is…. Drum roll please…
style a room on a budget!
You all voted for this challenge, so here it is. After going through all your replies about which room to design, what style and what the budget should be. I chose two rooms that came up a lot. A children’s bedroom and livingroom. Have a look at the brief and then lets see how I did.
Neutral Livingroom
Teen Boys Bedroom
Budget: £2500
Style a livingroom with dining area that is modern and has a neutral colour palette.
Budget: £800
Style a bedroom suitable for a boy in their late teens. No specific style was mentioned.
On Budget or Over Budget?
Now for the boys bedroom, I chose do create this room to challenge myself a little. I do not have any boys, so I thought would I be able to design a room for young man? At first I was not sure where to start, but whilst browsing the web for ideas, I came across a wallpaper that really stood out to me. I saw this Concrete effect wallpaper by Photo Wall, whilst watching a YouTube video and thought this would be a nice vibe for a boy’s bedroom. So that is what ignited the idea to create an industrial style boys bedroom.
Now the budget seemed decent when I first averaged all the different prices you gave. But I soon realised that things start to add up when you think of everything a room will need. Now I know you are all wondering did I manage to stay on budget (hopefully you haven’t cheated and already looked lol) scroll down and lets see…
Industrial Teen Boys Bedroom
Ceiling Light // Wall Light // Desk Lamp // Wallpaper // Laminate Flooring // Bed // Bedside Table // Desk // Desk Chair // Mirror // Rug // Shelf // Navy Cushion // Black & White Cushion // Navy & Brown Cushion // Knot Cushion
total: £751.95
Who had faith in me?
Yes luckily, I was able to stay in budget. I had to sacrifice a few things, for instance there was a bedside table I preferred more for in here. But it would have been double the cost. This habitat one is also nice and they sell good quality products. If you ever have to make decisions about furniture due to budget, I would definitely recommend to spend the most on items you want to last a long time e.g. a bed. For a boys room in particular, I would not by expensive decorative things. I doubt most young men would be fussed about it.
For an Industrial style room, I definitely think a warmer tone wood like Walnut would be perfect. I linked a laminate flooring I saw on B&Q that was a good price.
All the little accessories are to give you an wholesome view of how it would be once finished. But throws, alarm clocks and prints can always be added later. But I had to add this Martin Luther King Print for Inspo. I found it on Esty, such a great portrait. I like shopping on Etsy for prints, you can find some unique designs and some are downloads that you can print for reasonable cost at your local print shop.
Also I have shown a couple other cushion options. I think navy and brown are a nice combination for this style of room too.
on to the next one...
When I saw that most of you wanted to see a moodboard for a neutral livingroom, I was so happy. I have always wanted to have a cream neutral lounge. But I compromised and added grey to our livingroom. I knew it would be more durable and drink spill friendly with having two young girls. So, with this room I was able to have a go at creating a room that I could one day have, when the kids have moved out lol.
When I saw the word neutral. The first idea that came to my head, were these chunky block sofas, that I have been seeing on Pinterest a lot. Now this style of sofa, is quite expensive and usually start from £1,500 plus. This would be more that half my budget. But I really wanted this look for in here. I went and hunted all over the web to find one that would fit the budget given. Luckily, I found one that was reasonably priced. The sofa inspired the scheme for this Living and Dining Room Combo.
So lets have a look at what I was able to create and then we can get into the actually process…
Modern Neutral Livingroom
Original Ceiling Light // Alternative Ceiling Light // Floor Lamp // Wall Paint // LVT Flooring // Sofa // Coffee Table // Alternative Coffee Table 1 // Alternative Coffee Table 2 // Original Rug //Alternative Rug // Original Artwork // Alternative Print // Taupe Cushion // Abstract Cushion // Alternative Geometric Cushion // Lumbar Cushion // Silver Bowl // Tall Vase // Small Vase // Dining Set // Mirror // Dining Table Vase // Planter // Cream Cushion // Linen Blanket
Total: £2871.92
Ya Girl Got Excited!
Hangs head in Shame…I know, I know. I am over budget! I just got so excited creating this scheme and all the nice accessories I was finding. I didn’t even realise that I had passed the £2500 limit. Looking at everything in this room, I definitely know what tipped me over. The marble coffee table by DFS. It costs a whopping £579.00! Not cheap I know. But I really think that a marble plinth coffee table, suits the scandi-neutral vibe I was going for. Also if you have ever searched for marble furniture, of any kind you will know that this natural resource is not cheap. £579.00 for one of this size is not bad (I’m not making excuses promise). But all is not lost. I have linked alternative coffee table options, what would put me back in budget (que crowd applause lol).
Ok so let talk about the scheme itself. As I mentioned before I was going for a Scandi-Neutral Style Livingroom. I chose to have a cream, white and taupe colour palette with chrome. For this style of room I feel keeping things minimal and clean works great. Especially when two rooms are combined into one. I chose a large abstract artwork to bring a focal point to the lounge area. Also I selected patterned cushions to add contrast and texture to the room. A rug always helps designate areas and this one from Wayfair with the tasselled ends suits the style perfectly.
For the dining area I initially wanted a marble top dining table. But that idea soon went out the window, when I remembered I also needed get chairs and add accessories to bring this area together. I remembered seeing a set on Very, that I was once considering. The table finish matched the lounge and the chairs that come with it are a nice design. I love these Beetle inspired chairs! Once the dining set was found I chose a vase for the centrepiece and a large mirror to give the feel of more space. There you have it, my rendition of a Neutral Livingroom. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind relaxing in a room like this.
I have linked a few alternative items, some cheaper alternatives and alternatives that are in stock. Things go out of stock so quick now a days with everyone online shopping more. But I did link the originals were possible, hopefully they come back.
Challenge Complete!
How did I do? I would love to know what you all think. Hit them stars below to let me know. So, this month’s moodboard challenge is complete! Look out for Marchs Challenge coming to soon. I will ask you all on Instagram, what it should be. Until then stay blessed and have fun designing rooms in your home!