Update: We made a few last-minute changes that improved the room significantly. A couple of items were removed (the brown blanket is gone from this space) and a few things were rearranged. Those final tweaks made a noticeable difference—see the completed room post for the full reveal.

Here’s what the room looks like now, based on the most recent photos we took an hour ago. It’s a clear improvement over the sparse look from earlier in the week, but there are still a few finishing touches to handle and several items that haven’t reached their permanent spots yet. Below is a summary of what we’ve accomplished and what’s left to do.

Accomplished so far:

• Cleared out clutter and donated excess items (including a Habitat for Humanity ReStore pickup) and moved other belongings into the playroom.
• Purchased a mattress and box spring along with a budget-friendly bed frame.
• Used existing bedding to dress the bed and create a comfortable, layered look.
• Stocked the bathroom with essentials: added a shower curtain, towels, and a new toilet seat cover.
• Painted the room to refresh the walls and give the space a cleaner, brighter feel.
• Installed curtains to frame the windows and help control light and privacy.

Outstanding to-do list:

• Hang artwork or a mirror above the bed to balance the large window on the left wall—likely a large round mirror to soften the room’s many sharp angles.
• Add a nightstand and a table lamp for convenience and added balance on the bedside.
• Fill the empty bookcase between the bathroom and bedroom doors; that bookcase will eventually be replaced with a dresser to provide more storage.
• Wash and hem the curtains to achieve a polished, tailored finish.

We experimented with numerous layouts—diagonal placement, different walls, centered and off-centered arrangements—before settling on the current configuration. The chosen layout felt most balanced once we included key pieces we plan to keep, such as our green headboard and a beloved yellow rug that originally lived in the living room. The rug is smaller than ideal for the space, but its color and pattern worked so well with the walls and bedding that we made it a focal point.

The rug sits slightly off-center at the foot of the bed, which isn’t the most intuitive placement, but it looks intentional with the other elements in the room. We brought in two slipper chairs from the living room and pushed them together like a small loveseat, which helps ground the rug and adds visual balance on that side of the room. Once a nightstand is added to the left of the bed, the arrangement will feel even more cohesive.

Adding a piece above the headboard is an important next step. A large round mirror is our top choice because it will introduce softer lines into a space filled with rectangles and straight edges, and it will visually counterbalance the window to the left.

For bedding, we added a simple white bedskirt to complement the layers we already had. The ensemble currently includes a white comforter, printed pillowcases, and a mix of accent pillows. We deliberately used what we already owned to see how the pieces would interact; the bedding isn’t finalized and will likely evolve as we complete the remaining tasks.

The curtains are a practical, budget-friendly choice and were purchased at a national home goods store; they’re extra-long (95″) which helps make the room’s ceilings feel taller. We still need to wash and hem them for a clean look, and we eventually want to install crown molding above the windows to add architectural detail—though that is a longer-term update.

We even swapped out the basic brass closet pull for a small, colorful knob that coordinates with the room’s palette and added oil-rubbed bronze hardware to match the curtain rods. Small changes like this help the space feel more intentional without a large budget.

Below is a reminder image of how the room looked eight days earlier—an effective before-and-after that highlights the transformation. It’s amazing how quickly a few focused updates can make a space feel refreshed and welcoming. We’ll continue tweaking the layout and finishing the remaining items, and we’re excited to see how this guest room evolves as it becomes more complete.