A Parisian-Inspired Bedroom With an Ingenious DIY Floor Transformation

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For those residing in arental, the desire to refresh a living space is ever-present. The familiar suggestions abound: replace cabinet hardware, experiment with removable wallpaper accents, or giveIKEA furniturea fresh coat of paint. These are all worthy approaches, yet the possibilities extend far beyond—and this compact 10-by-12-foot bedroom stands as compelling proof.

Designer and vintage shop ownerAutumn Hacheycrafted this intimate space for her client, Anastasia, a dancer whose constant travel left the bedroom functioning solely as utilitarian storage. “She loves Paris—she was actually there while we were doing her renovation,” says Hachey. “So we wanted it to feel really Parisian and sophisticated.” Drawing upon her refined eye for vintage sourcing, Hachey curated an assemblage of eclectic antique finds—the very essence of understated French elegance.

Consider the sleek white vanity, aFacebook Marketplacediscovery that arrived as a dingy yellow piece riddled with imperfections. Or the side table, rescued without a top from a thrift shop basement. Hachey salvaged the base, sourced a marble tabletop from the same shop, and combined them into analmost-bespokecomposition. The resulting space blends secondhand treasures with custom DIY touches—including a remarkable story behind those stunning hardwood floors—all achieved for under $1,500. A rental space, elevated tothislevel of sophistication.

We spoke with Hachey to discover how she transformed this uninspiring space into a refined personal retreat.

When sourcing vintage pieces, adopt a strategic mindset. Monitor listing duration to assess demand and gauge negotiating leverage. “For example, the vanity had already been up for two weeks, so I knew it wasn’t something I had to rush on because there wasn’t a lot of interest. I knew I could negotiate,” explains Hachey.

The inverse applies equally. “If you find something exceptional that’s just been listed, act without hesitation—[as we did for] the rattan chair beside the desk,” she adds.

Hachey sets reminders to revisit sale items under consideration. “For auctions, I’ve experienced scenarios where no one bids for the entire week, and within the final half hour, competitors will outbid you if you’re not vigilant,” she says.

While Hachey appreciates conventional temporary updates likepeel-and-stick wall decals, the defining feature of this bedroom transformation is undoubtedly the flooring. One might assume the hardwood is original to the space, yet these are vinyl floorboards installed by Hachey’s boyfriend using only an X-Acto knife. “I knew that changing the floors would transform the entire space,” she says of the project, completed in approximately three hours. “When we started, Anastasia’s room had parquet flooring. We found loose lay-plank vinyl flooring that we simply laid on top—no glue, no adhesive, it all just popped into place. She can take it up when she leaves.”

Discover the step-by-step guide for this flooring project onHachey’s blog.

“If budget is a constraint, focus on the elements you interact with most and consider how to elevate both their beauty and functionality simultaneously,” recommends Hachey. The gallery wall serves as a prime example—curated with $5 prints from Etsy in IKEA frames. “The entire wall cost under $250, which, for renters, is an exceptional way to add character to your space, particularly as an alternative to painting or wallpapering,” she notes.

When the ideal piece proves elusive, create it yourself. Hachey reimagined a $30 ottoman as a velvet statement seat enhanced with costume fringe. She draws crafting inspiration from admired designers (her references:Emily Henderson,Sarah Sherman Samuel, andLauren Maclean). The DIY blogging community also offers invaluable guidance—Hachey recommends vloggerAlexandra Gaterfor expertise specifically tailored to rental transformations.

Explore more inspired rental transformations:An NYC Rental That Looks Straight Out of L.A.Inside a Cool and Customized Charleston Bachelor Pad RentalA Colorful Rental Transformation That Will Make You Rethink Temporary Living

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latestcultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.

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