Attic Music and Library Room Makeover

I wanted to share the full details of our attic music and library room makeover: paint choices, materials, costs, and a few tips from the process. Below are the products we used, how we organized the space, and links to the how-to posts about the major projects so you can follow the same steps if you want to recreate this look on a budget.

Paint and Color Choices

Wall color: a custom mis-tint close to Benjamin Moore’s Acadia White. I used roughly one gallon from my paint stash, so there was no additional cost for the wall paint. This soft neutral creates a calm backdrop for a music and library space, allowing furniture and books to stand out without feeling overpowering.

Floor color: “Panther” by General Paint. I used paint I already had on hand for the floor, so again $0 out of pocket for the color. Choosing a darker floor tone helps ground the room and hides wear, which is ideal for a high-traffic attic area used for music practice and reading.

Primer: Kilz Oil Base Low Odour Primer from Home Depot — $28.97. Using a quality oil-base primer helped ensure good adhesion and a smooth finish on both ceiling and floor surfaces, especially where previous finishes were uneven or had stains.

Storage, Rugs, and Window Treatments

We added a 6 x 9 ft value rug from Home Depot for $39.00 to define the seating/playing area and add softness underfoot. For extra blanket and accessory storage, I used two pieces of melamine shelving (also from Home Depot) totaling $30.76. We added stained wood trim to the fronts of those shelves for a neater, built-in look.

Other hardware and soft furnishings included two brackets (for a closet shelf and a hanging rod) at $9.98, a curtain rod for $14.97, and DIY curtains sewn from painter’s drop cloth and fabric I already had on hand. Sewing your own curtains from drop cloth is a low-cost way to achieve a textured, neutral window treatment that complements the attic’s relaxed vibe.

Costs and Savings

Total purchases for the project came to $123.68. Since all items were purchased at Home Depot, I used a $50.00 gift card I had won earlier, which reduced the final out-of-pocket total to $73.68. Small savings like using paint from your stash and sewing curtains from existing materials make a noticeable difference for a budget-friendly room makeover.

Project Highlights and Tips

Primer matters: Using an oil-based low-odor primer improved coverage and durability, especially for floors and older surfaces.
Neutral walls + darker floor: A soft neutral wall color keeps the room bright and airy while a darker floor anchors the space and hides scuffs.
DIY curtains: Painter’s drop cloth is an inexpensive fabric that provides nice texture and is easy to sew into simple panel curtains.
Custom storage: Melamine shelving is affordable and, with added trim, can look polished and cohesive in a finished attic room.
Budget buys: Small, inexpensive items—like a value rug and basic hardware—can significantly elevate the room without breaking the bank.

How-To Posts (Step-by-Step Guides)

For detailed instructions and progress photos on the major parts of this makeover, refer to the how-to posts that documented each step:

Painting the Ceiling (aka The Messiest DIY Project Ever!)
Painting the Floor, Part 1 (The Day the Floor Was Purple)
Painting the Floor, Part 2 (Washing on the Floor Colour)
Dressing the Window

Final Thoughts

This attic music and library room makeover focused on thoughtful color choices, practical storage solutions, and cost-conscious materials. By using paint from the stash, adding simple shelving, and sewing window treatments from what I already had, the room gained function and style without a large budget. If you’re planning a similar attic transformation, prioritize good primer and durable floor paint, define zones with a rug, and use affordable shelving as a foundation for organized, attractive storage.