Using Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2024 in my Guest Bedroom Makeover

My mom trusted me to make over her guest bedroom. I was so excited, as this room has beautiful bones, but a lacks character. 

It’s obvious that my parents decorated the space in the 1990s and never really updated it. It’s a beautiful room with an arched window and a vaulted ceiling. There is so much that we can do to elevate the space by simply highlighting the features of this room. 

I’m going to use Benjamin Moore’s Color Trends for 2024. Blue Nova pairs so beautifully with all these colors, but I am going to pair it with White Dove to make Blue Nova the star of the room.

The plan for this space:

• Create a beautiful wall treatment and take it around the perimeter of the room
• Highlight the arch window by swapping the curtains and moving the curtain rod higher
• Change the builder light fixture
• Reupholster the existing headboard
• Add wood elements with new nightstands
• Create coziness with a moody rug
• Style the room with lots of layers and bedding

Creating a wall treatment

To start off with I wanted to make a focal wall in this room. I decided to flip the wall that that the bed was on. The bed was on a wall with a door, which looked awkward. We have a beautiful long wall that could be a really great focal point this room. 

I added picture frame molding, which is a really easy way to elevate any space. My best tip is to use a pin nailer instead of a brad nailer. A pin nailer is perfect for this type of trim as the nails won’t split the decorative trim.

If you’re looking for a great tutorial, I have a detailed, step-by-step tutorial on panel molding. This is a project that even a beginner could do.

Painting the walls Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year 2024 

In this room, I used Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year 2024 Blue Nova CC-860. I was so excited to use this colour because it is an intriguing blend of blue and purple. It’s not a really bold color. It’s actually the perfect shade of blue. 

Blue Nova looks beautiful in the day and night. I was worried that it might look purple at night, but it doesn’t! I love how it pairs really nicely with taupes, creams and whites.

After install the panel molding, I painted the walls Benjamin Moore Blue Nova CC-860. I used the Regal line in an eggshell finish. When painting a darker wall, be sure to patch all the holes int he wall REALLY smooth. Darker colors show imperfections on the wall more than whites and creams.

While I could’ve left it here by simply painting this accent wall, I think that accent walls are a little bit dated. I decided to also bring the color around the perimeter of the room. 

I added a simple chair rail to highlight Blue Nova CC-860 around the bedroom. If you’re looking to cut chair rail, check out this tutorial. After that, I painted the top half of the room White Dove OC-17.

I personally wanted to engulf the whole room in this paint color trend for 2024, but my mom was a little bit reluctant. We compromised and painted the bottom half of the room Blue Nova and the top half White Dove OC-17. 

Bringing Beauty to the Arch Window 

There’s a few issues with the way that my parents had designed the arch window. The first was at the curtain was hung too low to the arch. I remove the existing curtains (which were giving Christmas plaid anyways). 

As soon as I removed the old curtain and rod, the wall looked so much bigger already!

When hanging a curtain rod above an arch window, ensure the rod is higher than the peak of the arch. I move the curtain rod up about 3 inches. I also added a Modern black rod, which looks a little bit nicer 

I hung a simple creamy taupe curtain. With the curtains open, I made sure the window is fully visible. These simple changes makes the the window look even bigger. 

Making a DIY headboard 

The original plan for this room involved purchasing a new bed. I really love the headboard shape because it has a Parisian style. However, I had a bunch of issues!

First, it missed the delivery date. There was no updated ETA on delivery.  Then, it only arrived at almost the end of the project. I was still excited to have it!  

But when it arrived, it was damaged! So I took it upon myself to make a wingback headboard.  The best part about this headboard is that I used my parents existing headboard upcycled it. I saved a lot of money because it was a good hunk of wood. 

To save more money, I used the same curtains as the window to upholster the headboard. Upholstery fabric is really expensive, but the curtains were a great affordable option. 

I think that the wingback headboard came out really nicely. It was a beginner level project. I added height to the old headboard, which makes the 8 foot ceiling look taller as well. 

I ended up using the bed frame that I ordered, which coincidently matched perfectly with the fabric of the curtains. Full tutorial for wingback headboard is coming soon!

Updating Builder Grade Lights

I’ve been on a mission to replace builder grade lights. In my own home, I just have 2 left! Swapping out builder grade lights is an easy way to update your room.

I made a mistake by purchasing a small chandelier that hung down 12″. It was too low in this room with 8 foot ceilings.

Instead, I got a neutral semi-flush light fixture. I like the softness that it adds and it ties together with the table lamps too!

If you’re not comfortable swapping out your own lights, be sure to call an electrician. Mine is my hubby!

Adding a Moody Rug to compliment the Blue Nova walls

Even though this room is carpeted, adding a rug create more visual interest. Tip: When using a rug on top of a carpet, use a low pile, thin rug. It wrinkles less than a heavier rug. 

I added a Moody rug with a lot of greys and taupes. I think it really offsets Benjamin Moore Blue Nova so nicely. 

Styling the Bed to Highlight the DIY Headboard

A simple way to make your bed look luxurious is to add layers in similar color tones. I added lots of layers on the bed. I added a taupe quilt and on top of that a bunch of printed throw pillows. 

Adding Natural Elements to ground Blue Nova

I was really lucky to score these nightstands from HomeSense. I wanted to bring some element of wood into the room because we didn’t have a lot of natural elements. 

I also added a faux olive tree into the room and I think it’s a nice way to frame the bed and the window area. I made it look taller by placing boxes underneath the pot stand, and covering the top of the planter with moss. 

Guest Bedroom Reveal with Blue Wall Paint!

Are you ready to see the reveal? As a reminder, here’s the guest bedroom we started with

I cannot believe how beautiful this guest bedroom came out. It’s a stunning calm oasis. This makeover is simple enough that even a beginner could tackle it. The most complicated part was the panel molding, but I know you can do it!

My thoughts on using Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2024 Blue Nova

I think Blue Nova is a really beautiful color. I really that it’s deep and rich color, but not too moody and not bright. It has a slight purple undertone. When I watched this color from day to night, it never looked purple. 

Benjamin Moore says that the color Blue Nova comes from adventure and romanticizing beyond the everyday. I agree. This room reminds of a bed and breakfast, a place to unwind and seek adventure.

If you’re looking for a popular blue paint color, I would pick Blue Nova. I can see Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nova would also look beautiful in an office, on a built-in. I also like using bold colors like this in smaller spaces like bathrooms and laundry rooms. 

If you use Benjamin Moore’s color of the year 2024, I’d love to see how you use it. Let me know on Instagram. 

And if you love this bedroom, pin it!