Bedroom Renovation Scenario: 15 sq m Mid-Range Update

The Project

Sarah wants to transform her dated master bedroom into a comfortable, modern space. The room is approximately 15 sq m (around 160 sq ft)—a typical double bedroom size. She's planning a mid-range renovation that will include new flooring, redecorating, fitted wardrobes, and upgraded lighting.

Using the Calculator

Sarah starts by entering her details into the renovation calculator:

1. Room type: Bedroom
2. Size: 15 sq m
3. Finish level: Mid-range
4. Contingency: 10% (default—sensible for a straightforward project)

The calculator returns an estimated budget range of £9,000-15,000 for the complete project, which works out to approximately £600-1,000 per square meter. This gives Sarah a realistic planning figure to work with when getting quotes.

The Detailed Breakdown

Here's what Sarah's mid-range bedroom renovation actually includes and how the costs break down:

1. Flooring (£900-1,200)

Sarah chooses engineered wood flooring at £50-60 per sq m installed (total 15 sq m). This includes underlay, installation, and beading/trim. She considered carpet but prefers wood for longevity and easier cleaning. The flooring alone accounts for about 10% of her budget but transforms the room's feel.

2. Fitted Wardrobes (£2,500-3,500)

Sarah opts for semi-custom fitted wardrobes spanning 2.4m of wall space. These aren't fully bespoke (which would cost £5,000+) but aren't basic flat-pack either. They maximize storage, eliminate the need for freestanding furniture, and include soft-close doors and internal LED lighting. This is the single biggest expense but adds significant functionality and value.

3. Decoration (£800-1,200)

Professional painting of walls and ceiling, including preparation work (filling cracks, light sanding). Sarah chooses quality paint in neutral tones—two feature walls in a darker shade, remaining walls in complementary light grey. The painter also refreshes all woodwork (skirting, architraves, door) in fresh white satinwood.

4. Electrical Upgrades (£600-800)

An electrician installs:

• New ceiling pendant light with dimmer switch
• Two bedside wall-mounted reading lights
• Additional double socket near the desk area
• USB sockets integrated into existing bedside sockets

This electrical work improves functionality significantly—no more bedside lamps cluttering surfaces, easy phone charging, and better task lighting.

5. Window Treatments (£400-600)

Sarah installs blackout roller blinds (£150) for sleep quality and adds lined curtains (£250-450) for softness and insulation. The combination works better than either alone—blinds for light control, curtains for acoustics and aesthetics.

6. Minor Carpentry (£300-500)

A carpenter boxes in old pipework from a relocated radiator, adds a floating shelf near the window, and installs new skirting where the old fitted wardrobes were removed. These finishing touches make the room feel considered and complete.

7. Miscellaneous (£200-400)

New door handles, curtain poles, touch-up materials, and disposal of old wardrobe. Small costs that add up but are essential for a finished look.

8. Contingency (£900-1,500)

Sarah's 10% contingency covers a few unexpected issues: some plaster repairs behind the old wardrobes, an extra coat of paint needed because the old color was dark, and slightly higher waste on the flooring due to room shape. The contingency prevents budget stress when these small issues arise.

What Sarah Learned

Several insights from Sarah's experience:

• Fitted wardrobes add up fast: Sarah initially budgeted £1,500 but quality fitted storage cost more. She's glad she stretched—they transformed the room's functionality.
• Small electrical changes make a big difference: The wall-mounted reading lights and dimmer switch cost relatively little but dramatically improved the room's usability.
• Don't skimp on flooring quality: Sarah nearly chose cheaper laminate but invested in engineered wood. The quality difference is noticeable daily.
• Contingency isn't optional: Without it, the plaster repairs and extra paint would have forced compromises elsewhere.
• Three quotes varied by 25%: Sarah got quotes from three contractors. The prices ranged from £8,200 to £10,400 for identical specifications—shopping around saved over £2,000.

Timeline and Living Arrangements

The work took 10 working days spread over three weeks:

• Days 1-2: Strip out old carpet, remove old furniture, prep walls
• Days 3-4: Electrical work completed
• Days 5-6: Flooring installation
• Day 7: Wardrobe fitters measure (done a week earlier to order wardrobes)
• Days 8-9: Painting and decoration
• Days 10-11: Wardrobe installation
• Day 12: Carpentry, touch-ups, final clean

Sarah and her partner slept in the spare room during the work. The bedroom was usable most evenings, with dust sheets protecting belongings, but they preferred to minimize disruption.

The Result

Sarah's bedroom renovation came in at £11,200—right in the middle of the calculator's predicted range. The quality mid-range finishes delivered a noticeable upgrade without the premium pricing of high-end options. Most importantly, the room now functions far better with ample storage, improved lighting, and durable, easy-to-maintain finishes.