How 3 Bed Threads Team Members Are Making Over Their Small Homes

If you've ever looked through a high-end interior design publication or scrolled through social media and admired the perfectly put-together homes, you might be familiar with that 'Why doesn't my home look like that?' thought.

Not all of us live in our dream space (though we hope you do one day!), and it can be deflating to see the beautifully curated interiors that are flaunted online. But one of the wonderful things about giving your home a little makeover, is that you can begin to create a space you love and that feels like you. There are countless ways to go about it and you can elevate your space and make it lovely, even if it's not your end goal property.

To bring the point home (no pun intended), three amazing Bed Threads team members are sharing how they've brought their starter homes to life with a few simple decorative updates. We want to show you realistic 'before' and 'afters' to help inspire you to give your space a low-maintenance refresh.

Stephanie Squadritio, Growth Manager

Can you tell us a bit about your space?

My husband and I moved into our apartment about 9 months ago. It's a small one-bedroom, but we love the beautiful big balcony and golden afternoon light that streams in. We plan to renovate later on in the year, so we haven't given decorating a lot of thought. It's styled mostly with a mix of items we've collected over the years and have had in our previous apartments.

What was the thought process for your makeover?

I really wanted the space to look a bit more thoughtful and considered. There was a mix of tones throughout the apartment but I wanted to stick to warm colours to make it all come together.

For the bedroom, I liked our Lavender, Stripe and Oatmeal bundle, but it was looking a little bland and washed out. I kept a little bit of the existing Lavender in the bedroom and warmed it up with Hazelnut and Terracotta, and swapped out the artwork for something that really matches it perfectly.

For the living room, I also wanted a stronger colour palette. I swapped out the mismatched cushions for the Turmeric & Terracotta Sofa Upgrade bundle and added the Pink Lemon Print and Love Ally Wave candles to really lean into those warmer tones.

How does the space feel different now?

It feels really cosy! It's amazing how swapping out a few pieces can really change the look and feel of a space. I spend so much time at home (since I work from home most of the week) so it does really make an impact on how you feel when you love your space. It was totally worth the mini makeover to tide us over until we do a full revamp of the space later on.

Bella Westaway, Marketing Lead

Can you tell us a bit about your space?
We love our beautiful space but it's not our 'forever' home, whatever that means! My fiancé and I bought this two-bedroom apartment three years ago. It's a small 1960s classic brick apartment with a crap bathroom and a forgettable kitchen. But it gets loads of natural sunlight through the winter, has a cute balcony and is minutes from the beach. With zero charming architectural features, the challenge for us has been making it feel playful and refined. We don't have the budget for a reno at this stage, so decoration is key to building a gorgeous environment we love to be in. We've made so many happy memories in this place - plenty of dinner parties with 15 friends crowded around our 4-seater dining table and movie nights on the floor... But recently I've been a bit uninspired by it and looking for a change.

What was the thought process for your makeover?

For the bedroom, I really wanted that 'hotel' vibe. We've always taken a more minimal approach to our bed – Japanese-inspired and quite 'flat'. This year I'm all about luxurious plushness... I want to feel like I'm sleeping in a cloud. I built my own bundle with Lavender and Petrol, complete with matching European pillows. It goes so beautifully with our slate-coloured bedside tables and rich wooden bedhead. Honestly, I feel like Marie Antoinette or something, it's soooo pink and dramatic. I also added a Wavy Travertine Tray and I am extremely into it. It creates the perfect vignette and ensures I don't lose my rings when I take them off at night. My partner, surprisingly, loves the whole setup... we do love a man who can embrace a pink-toned bed!

For the dining room, it's all about easy entertaining. We have friends over a lot, for Book Club and dinner parties and casual Sunday brunch. I chose the Lavender & Petrol Scalloped Placemats (are you sensing a theme?) with Lavender Napkins, to match some existing furniture pieces – our gorgeous blush marble 1980s dining table and our royal blue plates. I also added a set of Bed Threads x Love Ally candles to complete the look. What I love about this transformation is how easy it is... literally just add the placemats, napkins and candles to your regular table set up and it adds so much drama! I was worried about how these would wash given the colour and their use, but they've come up so well time and time again! Not even a red wine stain has managed to take hold.

How does the space feel different now? 

I think the space feels so much more considered and cared for. You know the feeling when you walk into a home and feel like people really love living there? It has THAT. For me, that feeling isn't just about great design – it's about the little things; lit candles, a cup of tea, a cosy bed or a well-laid table. It's about seeing the effort someone has put in, the care and attention they've taken.
Since doing this makeover, it's helped me fall in love again with a space that had lost a bit of its sparkle. It has reminded me that with a little time and attention, even a home with a sad, old bathroom and a disappointing kitchen can feel like a warm hug. You won't find any decorative cornices or massive slabs of marble here... but you'll be welcomed in with open arms, offered a drink and allowed to put your feet up. And to me? That's home.

Shoshana Bodini, Social Media Manager

What was the thought process for your makeover?

My home is an older Sydney terrace house, which has a lot of charm and a few quirks. I moved in about five months ago after searching for the perfect place for my partner, dog and myself. But with the rental crisis in Sydney, we had to settle on a home we weren’t in love with and make the best of it! Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of natural light, so it can feel dark during most parts of the day. The layout is also a little odd, so we’ve had to be quite particular about the furniture we have used.

What was the thought process for your makeover?

For my makeover, I wanted to make the most of light colours, while also injecting some dimension, texture, and layering into the spaces. This isn’t our forever home, so we’ve gone quite sparse on furniture. I have chosen to make the space feel more homely with accessories and pieces I can take with me to my next home.

For my lounge room, I opted for statement Sage & Olive Scalloped European Pillowcases and an Olive Linen Throw. Against my white couch, the items have made such an impact to bring some warmth to the space. For my dining room, I went for the Oatmeal, Sage & Lavender Table Bundle. My dining room is the darkest room in the house so I wanted to bring a lot of light colours in to brighten the whole room. I absolutely love all these colours it has made dinners at home so much more meaningful by having a set table every night.

How does the space feel different now?

It’s amazing how elevated a space can feel once you invest in good quality soft furnishings and accessories. By picking colours I love and that also complement the spaces, the whole home feels warmer and more ‘me’. Although they were all quite subtle updates, it has put a smile on my face knowing there’s a bit of personality and love that's been injected into our rental home. The home is also quite cold so I can’t tell you how much of a difference my new linen throw has made to the living room - the throw is so warm!