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Color-Drenching Room Makeover (Cozy, Moody + Guest Favorite Design)

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Comfort is always my goal when designing a space.

blue color drenched bedroom makeover

I haven’t had the chance to fully try color drenching in my own home yet, but it’s been sitting at the top of my “can’t wait to try this” list… and after this project, I’m completely sold.

color drenched blue bedroom with four poster bed, cozy fireplace and layered blue and green bedding

Check out the full property here: Suite Retreat BnB – bookmark if planning a trip to western PA!

What “Color Drenching” Means

Color drenching is when an entire room is painted in one color tone.

Walls, trim, ceiling, doors. Everything stays within the same color family (or even the exact same shade).

Instead of contrast, the space becomes immersive, cohesive, and intentionally calm.

Why It Works

At first, it might seem like painting everything the same color would hide architectural details.

But interestingly, it often does the opposite.

Without sharp contrast, your eye relaxes… and that allows details to stand out in a softer, more subtle way.

The result:

  • A moody, cozy atmosphere
  • A clean, uncluttered look
  • A space that feels intentional instead of busy

It’s bold, but in a quiet, grounded way.

moody blue bedroom makeover with painted walls, wood floors, bench seating and soft natural light through curtains

How To Try It

If you’re curious but hesitant, here’s how to ease into it:

1. Start small
Try a powder room, bedroom, or office first.

2. Rethink light vs. dark

  • Bright room? Don’t be afraid of lighter tones
  • Low light? Go deeper and moodier (this often works better than fighting it)

3. Use tones if you’re unsure
Same color family, slightly different shades = softer version of the look.

4. Layer in texture
Wood, linens, rugs, metal accents. This keeps the room from feeling flat.

My First Color Drenching Experience

four poster bed styled with layered blue and green pillows and quilt with a wall canopy of green sheet curtains, curtain lights and floral garland

This project was for a short-term rental bedroom.

The space had all the charm of a traditional bed and breakfast.

Traditional before

This is going way back to previous owners and the traditional B&B called “A Step Back in Time”. It was very traditional.

traditional B&B bedroom before

Updated Before

  • Transitional style
  • Worn finishes
  • No headboard
  • Ready for a refresh

The Bantam Bungalow showed a huge improvement, but in person, it felt a little tired and outdated. It was time for an update. Shelby (the owner) was upgrading to a four-poster bed and wanted to create a canopy-style feel.

That decision naturally led to:

  • Fresh paint
  • Updated accessories
  • A more intentional design direction

We wanted something moody, cozy, and memorable.

That’s when we decided to try color drenching.

cream and gray bedroom

After: A Cozy, Immersive Guest Experience

And the result?

Completely transformed.

The room now feels:

  • Comfortable
  • Unique (not your average rental)
  • Immersive in the best way

It’s one of those spaces that feels good the second you walk in.

And based on guest response right away, it quickly became a favorite.

blue painted fireplace with brass surround, floral arrangement and cozy seating in a color drenched moody bedroom

The twinkling lights behind sheer curtains and topped with garland gives this moody space an enchanted forest energy.

carved wood headboard with blue and green pillows and soft string lights in a wall canopy cozy bedroom setting

Is Color Drenching Right for You?

moody cozy layered design ideas for blue color drenched bedroom

If you love a cozy, slightly bold look (but still want calm and simplicity), this is absolutely worth trying.

It works especially well if:

You want your home or rental to stand out

Your room has character you want to enhance

You’re tired of playing it safe with neutral contrast

crowned oval bird art

Paint Color Used

  • Color name: Sherwin Williams Regatta
  • Finish: Eggshell
  • Brand: I believe it was color-matched in Behr. Because in this space, it reads as a rich deep blue with subtle teal undertones depending on the light. So it’s “Regatta” but color match + lighting. Opinion: In this full room application, it reads more like a historic color than a water-inspired color to me.

Get the Look

green glass pendant light glowing against blue color drenched walls and framed forest artwork in moody bedroom

This cozy, color-drenched bedroom came together with layered texture, soft lighting, and a few simple elements that make a big impact.

moody color drenched blue bedroom collage

Bedding & Comfort

  • Oversized Luxury Quilt Set – (it’s not the one shown, it’s in laundry rotation), it’s a rich texture and cozy layering (we’ve even had guests ask to buy it!)
  • Sheet Set – soft, neutral base for contrast

Lighting

Canopy Look (Behind the Headboard)

Helpful Tools

The Confident Room Method

If you’re staring at a space and thinking “I know I want change, I just don’t know where to start…”

That’s exactly why I created this.

The Confident Room Method™ is a guided decorating workbook that walks you step-by-step through creating a space you love, without overthinking every decision.

Think of it like having a design friend sitting beside you.

Get it here: Confident Room Method – Decorating without Doubt

Confident Room Method cover with interior design flatlay

Want More Personalized Help?

I also offer remote design consults through Style Thyme.

If you want:

  • A second set of eyes
  • Clear direction
  • Help pulling everything together

…it’s exactly what I do. Learn more here: Style Thyme Design Consults

Before & After Reveal

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The Part No One Shows Before a Room Comes Together

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The moment everything feels harder than it should

I hit the point where I wanted to quit and honestly, I know I’m not the only one who’s ever wondered how to keep going when you want to quit a project.

Not because I couldn’t do it. But because nothing was making sense.

The instructions.
The pieces.
The constant second guessing…
“Did I mess this up already?”

It felt like too much.

woman reading instructions

This is where most people stop

And this is usually the part where people stop. Not at the beginning when everything feels exciting. And not at the end when it all comes together.

But right here. In the middle.

woman overwhelmed with DIY

Just do one step

So I paused… and told myself something I’ve learned to come back to again and again:

just do one step.

Not the whole project. Not perfectly. Just one step. One step at a time. Not because you’re avoiding the bigger project but because that’s how you actually finish it.

woman assembling furniture reading directions

Feeling stuck like this? Start here.

Projects like this always remind me that creating a home you love doesn’t happen all at once. It happens one small choice at a time, one project, one corner, one room. If you’ve ever second-guessed every decision in a room, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I created the Confident Room Method. It’s not about getting it perfect, it’s about finally having a simple plan so you CAN move forward with confidence. Get the Confident Room Method printable guide here.

Confident Room Method cover with interior design flatlay

Why this matters more than the design

That small shift? It’s what moved me forward.

This is exactly why I approach every space the way I do.
Not all at once. Not overwhelmed.
But with clarity and one doable step at a time.

Because creating a space you love isn’t just about design.
It’s about getting through this part without quitting.

I’m not finished yet

(And I’m not done yet… finishing it tomorrow.)

roeshel with pantry cabinet

If you’ve ever felt stuck halfway…

If you’ve ever started a space and felt stuck halfway… you’re not alone. Keep going. One step at a time. The next step.

This is the part I help people move through inside my Confident Room Method but it starts here.

woman wanting to give up

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Bathroom Makeover Before and After (From Dated to Fresh & Inviting)

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There’s nothing “wrong” with a dated bathroom…until you start to notice how much it affects the way a space feels.

Save this for later:

Bathroom makeover before and after showing a dated bathroom transformed into a fresh, inviting space

This one had good bones, but it felt tired. The finishes were outdated, the wallpaper peeling, the lighting was flat, and it didn’t reflect the kind of warm, welcoming environment I’m always trying to create, whether for everyday living or for guests.

Instead of a full renovation, we focused on simple, intentional updates that would make the biggest impact.

This bathroom is part of a project I worked on for Suite Retreat BnB & Micro Event Venue, where the goal was to refresh the space while keeping it warm and inviting for guests.

Before

The layout worked. The function was there. But visually, it felt disconnected and a little forgotten.

outdated bathroom with peeling wallpaper and worn fixtures
  • older finishes that didn’t feel cohesive
  • lighting that wasn’t being utilized as a complimentary feather
  • no real sense of style or personality

It wasn’t terrible. It just wasn’t inviting.

striped wallpapered bathroom with window

The Plan

The goal wasn’t to over-design the space.

timeless blush bathroom makeover design
Wall paint: Sherwin Williams White Dogwood

It was to:

  • warm it up
  • simplify the look
  • create a clean, cohesive feel
  • add subtle touches that make it feel finished

The kind of space that feels timeless… not overdone.

This post may contain affiliate links. I only share sources for items I’ve used or genuinely love.

What Changed

1. Updated Finishes

Small changes here made a big difference.

Swapping out dated elements for cleaner, more timeless finishes instantly modernized the space without a full overhaul.

2. Better Lighting

Lighting changed everything. We kept the original pendants but now they’re a lovely feature.

Warmer, softer lighting helped the room feel more relaxed and flattering instead of harsh and flat.

3. Simple Styling

This is where a space really comes to life.

  • fresh towels
  • a small tray for organization
  • a touch of greenery

Nothing complicated but it makes the room feel complete.

4. Intentional Details

Instead of filling the space, I focused on just enough. Every piece has a purpose, whether it’s functional or adding warmth.

After

The difference isn’t just how it looks, it’s how it feels.

It’s calmer. Warmer. More put together.

blush bathroom with green trim and gold fixtures

And most importantly, it now feels like a space someone actually wants to spend time in…not just pass through. Swapping out the gold pedestal/console sink/vanity and mirror instantly updated the space and gave it a more cohesive, finished look.

white dogwood bathroom makeover

It’s the kind of space that feels calm the moment you walk in, simple, but thoughtfully finished.

Short Takeaways

If you’re updating a bathroom without a full renovation:

  • Focus on lighting first, it changes everything
  • Keep finishes simple and cohesive
  • Add just a few intentional accessories, not clutter
  • Think about how the space feels, not just how it looks

A Note if You’re Refreshing Your Own Space

This is the exact kind of transformation I help with through my Style Thyme refreshes—looking at what you already have and making simple changes that create a big impact.

Sometimes you don’t need a full renovation.
You just need a fresh set of eyes and a clear plan.

What’s Next

Styling! Decorating! I’ll be sharing more details on the finishing touches and styling in an upcoming post!

More Bathroom Makeover Ideas You’ll Love

DIYShowOff Bathroom Makeover

Simple Bathroom Refresh with Big Impact

short term rental design

Check Out a Fully Renovated Bathroom Makeover

woman unsure how to renovated and decorate a room

Feeling stuck with your own space?

If you’ve ever started a room and then… stalled out, second-guessed everything, or didn’t know what to do next —, you’re not alone.

I created something to help with exactly that.

Decorate Without Doubt: Confident Room Method™ is a simple, step-by-step way to move forward when you feel stuck, whether you’re starting fresh or trying to finish what you already started.

It walks you through:

• actually finishing your space

• getting clear on your vision

• narrowing down choices

• making confident decisions

START HERE: CONFIDENT ROOM METHOD

A Beautiful Home: Printable DIY Project Planner

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Ready to design your dream space without the stress? I created a printable DIY planning kit that blends creativity + clarity using AI-generated prompts. It’s the exact system I have used for real life projects! And it’s now available!

What’s Inside the Printable Kit?

💡 Custom AI prompts to unlock your design ideas

📝 Project planner pages to organize your steps

🛒 Shopping + material lists

💸 Budget section to track costs easily

🎯 Works with your style and space, not a one-size-fits-all template

Woman reviewing AI room planning printable workbook open to design pages

Grab Your Copy!

✨ Click here to get the printable → AI for a Beautiful Home DIY Project Prompt & Planning Kit

I’d love to know what project you’re planning next? Tell me in the comments or tag me if you use the planner. I can’t wait to see what you create! If you try it, tag @DIYShowOff so I can cheer you on! It truly means the world to see it being used in real-life projects.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic (Humane DIY Solution That Worked)

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What worked, what didn’t, and how I peacefully evicted our uninvited guest.

A raccoon mama moved her family out after we made the attic a little less cozy. (No traps, no harm, just DIY persistence.)

Signs You Have Raccoons in the Attic

  • scratching or thumping noises at night
  • heavy footsteps in the attic
  • insulation disturbed
  • droppings near entry points
  • damage near roof edges

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic Without Traps

Volume up! Because this guest wasn’t on the reservation.

Last spring, A mama raccoon in the attic at the studio made herself right at home. Unfortunately, her new home was directly above the guest bedroom… and the nighttime noises were hard to miss.

Thankfully, our actual guest was incredibly understanding (shoutout to the real MVP). But the situation had to be handled quickly, humanely, and ideally without calling in an expensive wildlife service.

Mother raccoon carrying a baby raccoon while climbing down the side of a house.

The Clues: Scratches, Sounds, and a Rooftop Break-In

If you’ve ever had a raccoon in the attic, you know the sounds aren’t subtle. One night, a guest messaged me:

“There’s something in the ceiling. It’s chirping.”

Sure enough, it sounded like something was having a party in the attic crawl space.

I investigated and spotted muddy paw prints (not visible in photo) and scratch marks going up the white drainpipe and my freshly painted exterior straight to a gaping hole near the soffit and fascia at the roofline. Raccoon. Of course.

Scratches and paw prints on siding beside a white drainpipe from raccoon climbing
Roofline damage near white gutter where raccoon entered attic through soffit

What We Tried First

Professional Help? Pricey.

I called a few local wildlife services and got the scoop:

  • Trapping fees were high. They’d set, check in a few days and if she didn’t take the bait,
  • prices went way up if they had to go into the attic.
  • There was no guarantee they’d catch her, especially with babies involved.

So… I went into research mode.

What Didn’t Work: Classic Traps

We placed a humane trap near the entry point and tried a few bait combinations:

  • Tuna and eggs
  • Peanut butter and marshmallows
DIY marshmallow and banana sheep on a plate as a humorous raccoon bait idea

One of our light-hearted bait attempts. Marshmallow banana sheep. Spoiler: she was not impressed. Humor meets trial and error.

Just kidding on the presentation! haha! But I did try peanut butter and marshmallows.

Ps. I didn’t want to use tuna or cat food…I didn’t want to catch a feral stray or neighborhood cat.

She didn’t take the bait. Not once. I later read that raccoons who’ve been trapped before are trap-shy and this clever mama seemed to know the drill.

Humane raccoon trap near downspout with peanut butter and marshmallow bait

What Finally Worked

How I Got a Raccoon in the Attic to Move Out Naturally

My guest was leaving for the weekend. I had a small window to evict the unwanted raccoon-squatter. Raccoons love quiet, dark, undisturbed spaces. So I flipped the vibe completely.

Here’s what I used to encourage a peaceful exit:

Humane DIY Ways to Get Raccoons Out of an Attic

  1. Add bright light to the attic
  2. Play loud music or talk radio
  3. Use peppermint oil or strong scents
  4. Place vinegar-soaked rags around entry points
  5. Increase noise from rooms below

I opened the attic crawl space door and placed the following:

Young Living peppermint essential oil bottle held on a wooded path
Peppermint essential oil: part of my humane DIY raccoon eviction plan.

*I always have Young Living peppermint essential oil on hand … it’s one of my favorites for DIY, wellness, and even (apparently) raccoon evictions. Here’s my YL referral link if you want to try it too. Just a few drops in the diffuser and the attic smelled like a spa (to me but not a fan favorite for raccoons).

A full-on raccoon rave. Minus the fun.

And… it worked. That night, she packed up her babies and moved out.

Raccoon climbing siding next to spotlight at night, captured by security camera

🎥 Watch it happen: Mama raccoon moves out with her baby (caught on cam!)

How to Prevent Them From Coming Back

What We Did Next: Prevention Mode

Once she was out:

  • We sealed up the hole near the roofline (there was plans for a new roof in the works anyway so that also helped in the long run).
  • Did a full check of other outdoor structures (sheds, etc.). I read that they usually have a back up plan or two. (In fact, this is in a downtown neighborhood. The abandoned house next door was demolished. I have a feeling that was the original labor and delivery den and since it was no longer there this year, she made her way to her plan B…my attic.)
  • Gave the neighbors a heads-up. (Raccoons are sneaky and resourceful!)

Raccoon Prevention Tips (Humane + DIY-Friendly)

These are all helpful ways to prevent a raccoon in the attic from returning year after year.

  • Seal any small gaps around soffits, vents, or eaves—especially in spring.
  • Use peppermint essential oil or ammonia as deterrents (not poisons).
  • Place motion-activated lights near potential entry points.
  • Play a radio in the attic or unused spaces to discourage nesting.
  • Trim tree branches that could act as raccoon bridges to the roof.
  • Try a humane trap if you’d like to first.
Collage of DIY raccoon deterrent methods including a raccoon, roof damage, peppermint essential oil, and a text that reads "How I Got Rid of Raccoons in the Attic (No Traps) DIY Tips That Actually Worked"
Pin for later…Humane DIY Raccoon Removal Tips

Final Thoughts (and a Gentle Disclaimer)

We got lucky. The mama raccoon moved out peacefully, and no one (no guest, human, or critter) was harmed. This DIY method was a last resort before calling in pros, and it worked because we acted quickly and respectfully.

If you’re dealing with something similar:

  • Be patient.
  • Act early in the season if possible.
  • When in doubt, call a licensed wildlife removal expert.

In addition, for more info on humane wildlife removal, I also found this guide helpful during my research: Humane World: Raccoon Removal Tips

Disclaimer: I’m not a pest control pro. I’m just sharing our personal experience in hopes it helps someone else avoid a costly or stressful situation. We chose humane, non-harmful deterrents and were mindful not to separate a mother from her babies.

Have you had an unexpected attic guest? Share your experience or tips in the comments. I’d love to hear what worked for you!

Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to purchase something I’ve linked. I only share what I’ve personally used or researched thoroughly.

FAQ

What attracts raccoons to an attic? Raccoons look for warm, sheltered places to nest, especially in spring when mothers are raising babies.

How do raccoons get into an attic?
They often enter through roof vents, damaged soffits, or small openings near the roofline.

Will raccoons leave the attic on their own?
Sometimes, but if babies are present the mother usually returns until they are old enough to leave.

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