If you’re looking for a fresh start, consider a bedroom makeover. As designer Orlando Soria will tell you, all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to set the stage for positive change. In his 1929 Los Angeles Spanish bungalow, where he rents and lives with his pup Saturday, Orlando revamped his green bedroom design in the name of a clean slate.  

“The past few years have been a challenge for me and I’m determined to make this year better. I wanted a lighter, brighter color to reflect that change,” Orlando said. “Plus, I swapped out all my mid-century-inspired furniture for beachier pieces that really felt like they wanted a light, happy color.” The color Orlando is referring to is All The Sage, a soft, relaxing earthy green.  

Behind the Original Green Bedroom Design  

Orlando describes his design style as Californian eclecticism. “California is such a diverse place where we have influences from all over the world. That’s reflected in the kinds of interiors we see here,” he said. This allows Orlando to mix both old and new pieces, combining the freshness of brand-new decor with the character of furnishings that tell a story.  

Before

After

You can see that Californian eclecticism is at the forefront of both the “before” and “after” of Orlando’s bedroom makeover. However, the “before” has a different vibe that the designer describes as “moody and sexy,” especially thanks to the forest green that is Field Trip.  

“The rich green felt very luxurious and sophisticated,” Orlando explained. “The furniture was a bit more hard-edged and modern.” Now, with a fresh coat of paint and new decor, the room has a completely different feeling to accompany Orlando’s desire for a calmer year to come.  

Nailing the Perfect Green Bedroom Paint Color  

When Orlando set out on his bedroom makeover journey, he wanted to stick with a green bedroom design, but make it lighter and fresher. He started by looking at paint colors in the seafoam family. “I’ve used Grayish a number of times and though it’s a no-fail faint green, I wanted to try something new,” Orlando said. “I also loved Rain Check, but I just used that in my kitchen so I wanted to try something else. Extra Virgin, Chill, and Money Moves were also in the running. I chose my color by using the large Clare swatches. I laid them all on the dresser to see which went best with the wood tone and one by one nixed them until I ended up at All The Sage.”  

The lighting in Orlando’s bedroom was also a significant factor in choosing the perfect green paint color. While this room gets a good amount of light, there can be shadows because of trees and a narrow passageway that runs alongside Orlando’s L.A. home. “Basically, it’s not dark, but it’s never hot and bright in there,” said Orlando, “so it really seemed like it wanted a more soothing, chill color.”  

With All The Sage, Orlando’s bedroom now has a softer vibe. “I swapped out the art for a seascape,” he added. “I changed the bedding to lighter, fluffier bedding, and of course, the wall color is just bright and soothing.” If you’re looking to bring the soothing qualities of the outdoors inside your home, consider a color that takes inspiration right from nature itself.  

How a New Coat of Paint Can Change a Room  

If giving a room in your home a full makeover feels overwhelming, start with a fresh coat of paint in a new color that better fits your current aesthetic. “Paint is the easiest way to make a room feel new,” Orlando advised. “Firstly, you’re filling in any cracks or holes left over from old art. Second, you’re changing the color and mood of the space, which just makes you see it in a fresh light. It’s kind of like changing out of an old outfit you’re not excited about anymore that’s maybe a little worse for the wear into a new outfit you love that makes you feel really good about yourself. Just a small thing that brings you joy.” 

To make painting even more enjoyable, Orlando recommends setting aside enough time for you to take your time. “Ultimately, it can feel like a lot of work to change up a space,” he said. “But just like exercising your body, taking care of your house is a way to show self-care.”  

It is sometimes the smallest acts of self-care that bring the greatest joy. Plus, even though the paint will remain in your home, that happiness will follow you everywhere — and make you excited to return to your abode.  

The Fresh Green Bedroom Design  

In addition to a new paint color on his bedroom walls, Orlando also got a new bed, headboard with integrated nightstands and a dresser in light wood shades to complement the tranquil nature of All The Sage. This easygoing vibe was accentuated with a neutral flat-woven rug and wave art print, which Orlando customized from his own shop to fit into an affordable frame that was the perfect size for his space.  

For contrast, Orlando added a leaning mirror in a darker walnut and pops of black—with hanging lamps and additional art prints—throughout the bedroom’s color scheme. “I wanted to make sure there was some edge left,” he said. To prevent the bedroom makeover from seeming too “theme-y,” Orlando also let his wave print be the only beachy element in the room.  

How to Have Fun While Painting  

“To be honest, I got kinda burnt out on DIY last year renovating the large kitchen at my cabin, so I was worried I wasn’t going to have that much fun painting,” Orlando explained. “But what was great about it is I really enjoyed the process. It reminded me how much I love DIY, and the color really did help me lighten up.” 

Even though there was hand-painted relief detailing around the ceiling that required extra effort, Orlando still made the time to take it slow and enjoy the process. “I chose to take my time on this because I didn’t want to burn out, so I slept on my big cozy sofa and sort of made it a novelty,” he said. “A new coat of paint is a small way of saying, ‘I’m worth it!’ and you take that with you every day, so it’s definitely not a waste of time!”  

Next time you’re in need of change, remember that paint is one of the easiest ways to completely change a space—and as a result, how you feel when you’re in your space. “Doing this project was an unexpected pick-me-up, so I’d just say if you’re feeling a bit ‘blah,’ choosing a space and giving it an upgrade might just be a good way to get your mind and body to a happier place,” Orlando concluded.