Function

• New bedrooms often have more square footage than bedrooms found in older homes. Contemporary bedrooms aren't just for sleeping. Add a small reading chair or loveseat to your bedroom. It gives you a place to watch TV comfortably or read a book at the end of a long day.
  
  

Color Palettes

• Paint can transform your existing furniture and walls into an updated space. Try modern color palettes like robin's egg blue with chocolate brown furniture. Black and white has a graphic punch that works in a modern or gender-neutral bedroom. Draw muted natural colors into the new bedroom such as pale greens, cream and wood tones. Try shades of terra cotta and gold for a warm bedroom.
  
  

Style

• A contemporary or modern style will make your bedroom feel fresh and new. Look for pieces that match to create cohesion in the room with clean lines. Accent a platform bed and cube side tables with floating shelves. Two matching chandeliers and over-sized mirrors on each side of the bed add an air of glamour.
  
  New bedrooms can be updated and still have a traditional feeling. A mahogany divider adds warm wood tones that are reminiscent of an old world library while separating a large master suite. Keep the bed linens in solid colors, so the focus is on the rich wood instead of dramatic patterns. Look for sumptuous fabrics that are soft to the touch like micro-suede bedding. Save money on your bedroom remodel by going with a minimalist approach. Mount sleek lamps above a headboard instead of using traditional side tables.
  
  

Headboard Updates

• An updated headboard can be the focal point of your bedroom while working with your existing furniture. If you have a platform bed, build a headboard across the entire wall for added drama. Include different panels of wood, upholstered squares or wood for a modern look. Bookshelves built around the bed give an Asian or modern flair to the bed while serving as a place to store decorative accessories, lamps or books. You can also use a decorative screen as a headboard. A room divider with foil accents gives your bedroom an art deco or luxurious flair.