I’ve been envisioning hanging out in a fully-finished bonus room over the holidays, and it’s official–the bonus room is complete! Well, for now. I still want to do a big gallery wall coming up the stairs, but I think that’s something that will happen over time. For now, I have to say–this room is everything I hoped it would be and then some. Check out all of the before and afters below!
Before
After
Charly Sectional in Sisal Vintage Plush
Shortly after moving in, Chris and I made a list of 7 renovation projects we’re finishing this year. We put the bonus room on the list because we discovered we spend a lot of our free time as a family in there. It’s right upstairs from the kitchen, surrounded by windows and light and trees. It’s just the coziest space. And after a big, stressful move, we wanted to give our family a casual space to gather together that wasn’t too precious with a big focus on comfort. We also anticipated it being a pretty big project because of all of the paneling! Add in a pocket door, a transom, a hidden door, and a floating desk, and more! This room deserves a gold star, or maybe a blue star.
Before
After
Shop The Bonus Room
I’m obsessed with how stunning this window nook area is. I’m having some window-seat cushions custom made–something really classic in a tonal stripe. I really wanted the room situated around the darling dormers so when it came to hanging the tv, this was the wall that made sense for us. We spent some time running all the wires behind the walls so it could double as art when not in use.
With the exception of the vintage chairs at the desk and the lockers, all of the other furniture from this room (and almost ALL the decor, besides the war photographs from my Pap Pap and plaid lamp from marketplace) came with us from our Idaho home! And is it weird that I love it even more here? It feels like it belongs in this house…and we do, too.
Shop Coffee Table Books
Before
After
This little nook might just be my favorite. The girls do computer work and play games all the time at the desk, and it’s so nice to have the extra storage for backpacks and papers in the lockers we built in here.
Shop The Desk Nook
A big part of designing this room was selecting lighting. I talked about it more in this post here, but I wanted the lighting to feel like a mix of modern and timeless. This wall going down the stairs is the one that will house a gallery wall of art someday. I’m still growing a collection for that, and honestly a bit scared to put so many holes in our newly paneled walls! But I have a strong feeling I’ll get over it.
I’d even love to put some art over the hidden door into the adjoining playroom, which is very hidden now.
Friday night movie nights are our family tradition, and now we are perfectly equipped. This set of stairs actually leads right down to the kitchen which is convenient for grabbing snacks. Seeing this room come together was completely worth the wait. We’re excited to cozy up with a Christmas movie tonight as a family and enjoy this space for years to come.
See more about the bonus room!
How to add planking to any room
All the lighting I chose for the bonus room
Installing a pocket door and transom
How we made a hidden door in the bonus room
The desk nook before and after
Sources
F&B Stiffkey Blue in Modern Emulsion | Charly Sectional in Vintage Plush Sisal (use code IDxCLJ20 for 20% off!) | Sling Chairs | Rug | Floor Lamp | Frame TV | Side Table | Table Lamp | Woven Throw | Sofa Blanket | Virginia Pillow | Sam Pillow | Andi Pillow | Christmas Tree | Tree Base | Train | Basket | Console Table | Lockers | Magazine Holders | Vase | Brass Brackets | Computers | Hanging Lantern | Lantern Sconce | Double Library Sconce | Single Library Sconce
This room has lived in my dreams for years. We’re about to upgrade our attic/loft, and I remembered and had to come back to this space. Is it hard to watch TV with the backlighting from the windows? We’re putting in skylights on the side of the room we’re thinking for the TV, and we’re worried about it being backlit. Fingers crossed, and thanks for your consideration.
What’s the paint color?
It’s Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue.
Hi! your room is so beautiful and I want to do the same for my bonus room! Did you paint the trim with the same finish as the walls (Modern emulsion)? Thank you!
We did the same sheen.
I love the transformation you’ve achieved in the Bonus Room! It’s incredible to see how your vision and hard work have turned it into such a functional and beautiful space. The before-and-after photos are truly inspiring. Can’t wait to see how you style it further!
This is such a wonderful space! Can you share your paint color?
Paint color is Farrow and Ball Stiffkey Blue!
This is so gorgeous!!!! Did you paint the windows, or get new ones? They really look great!
We painted them!