A dated bedroom can age your home in an instant. Remodeling is a great way to upgrade the aesthetics of your bedroom, but that’s not the only reason to give your bedroom a facelift.

In fact, an updated master bedroom can also make it easier to sell your home and you’ll see a 40 to 80 percent return on investment when you do. While that’s less than the ROI on kitchen and bathroom remodels, bedroom remodels are also much less expensive.

On average, bedroom remodels cost about $10,000 to $30,000, with additional expenses for high-end upgrades. Completing the remodel yourself brings the cost down significantly. However, DIY remodeling comes with challenges of its own. Without pros to handle the planning, purchasing, and renovating for you, it’s up to you to manage and execute the project.

Use this guide to plan your DIY bedroom remodel so it’s a smooth process from start to finish.

Choose a Style

Before planning projects and shopping for materials, you need a vision of how you want your bedroom to look. If you intend to sell your home in the future, choose a style with resale value in mind. The style should be both soothing and cohesive with the rest of your home’s interior design. It should also include the features that buyers want in bedrooms, such as built-in storage and plenty of natural and ambient lighting. For inspiration, check out these bedroom before-and-after pictures from Architectural Digest.

Plan Projects

With a vision in mind, list the projects that will get you there. Remember that for a DIY remodel, you need to stick to projects you’re confident you can complete.

These projects are ideal for a DIY remodel:

● Repainting
● Installing trim and molding
● Updating lighting fixtures and ceiling fans
● Replacing carpeting or flooring
● Adding built-in storage
● Installing a new closet door
● Replacing furniture, linens, and window treatments

Things you shouldn’t do yourself include installing new electrical fixtures, moving walls, adding or moving windows, and installing gas fireplaces.

Set a Budget

Next, decide what you’re able to spend on a remodel. Your budget should reflect the value of your home and your personal financial situation. Zillow recommends basing your budget on the value of the room as a percentage of your overall house. It’s not necessary to pay cash for home renovations, but if you choose to finance, ensure the payments fit within your budget.

Price Out Projects

Now that you have a plan and a budget, it’s time to determine how much each project will cost. Research costs for construction materials as well as new furniture and décor, keeping your budget in mind as you select options. Don’t forget taxes and shipping costs in your calculations.

With a list of projects and prices in front of you, revisit your budget. Do your plans fit within the constraints of your budget, including a buffer for unexpected costs (Curbed suggests 5 percent, but if it’s your first DIY remodel you might want a bigger cushion)? If not, you’ll either need to cut low-priority projects or find ways to reduce costs, such as choosing less expensive materials. However, be mindful of cutting too much: It’s better to do a few projects to a high quality, saving the rest for later, then to end up with sub-par results.

Get to Work!

With your project planned down to the penny, you’re ready to get started. Stay flexible as you remodel — you never know what kind of unexpected surprises could pop up — but avoid deviating from the original plan too much. By planning carefully and following through on that plan, you can achieve a DIY bedroom remodel that fits your vision and your budget.

Article written by guest writer Erin Reynolds with www.diymama.net.

For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!