How can I upgrade this built-in?

That is a LOT of wood. I definitely would paint them.

Well, I think it looks great as is, but understand your wish to update. That storage alone has me drooling . . .

While it may be a bit different way of approaching, why not try to pick either a new comforter or curtains or art piece and work off of that color pallet? Paint the walls, change the flooring, add found or new accessories, then maybe you will not have to paint the built in, since hubby is not yet on board with that idea?

Or even after that phase is completed, he may then want to paint or re-stain the built in?

The built-ins are quite beautiful. And I'm sure if you're like me you appreciate the extra storage they afford you. I would start with new bedding. Something colorful and bright. Change out the curtains as well. They make the room dark and bland. The mirror in the back of the bed dates the piece. You may want to get rid of that and put great piece of art there. Also, the dark recliner could be replaced by something less heavy and massive, maybe something of a solid brighter color. Use pillows to add color and dimension to the space. I know that there are very pretty greys that are popular now for your wall colors. All of those little changes may make painting the wood something you don't need to do. I really love that wood. The room just needs some updating is all.

Several great ideas from people, here's a couple more. (Great storage!). One way to update the built in would be to make a few of the doors have glass panels. You could install lights inside glass door cabinets or paint the inside of those to help break up the wood. You could install textured wall paper on the doors, or fabric. There are great decorative metal sheets you could install on the doors, or contact paper. You could get stickers, the wall decor kind, and make a pattern. Good luck.

I know you said your husband isn't in favor of paint but that is the only thing that can be done (besides removing them). Show him pictures of painted built in bookcases so he can get a visual. White is timeless so it would not "ruin" the cabinets. It would completely transform the room. Possibly change out the hardware too. Once you have a fresh pallet, simple bedding with layers (possibly euro shams and 2 decorative pillows, and a throw or quilt at the end of the bed). Look at pictures of bedding ensembles to get ideas on the look you prefer and notice many layering options. The dark bulky chair needs to be addressed too. Does it need to stay? Possibly swap it with another chair in the house? At the very least add a throw and pillow to help camouflage. I can't tell what is stored on the ledge behind the bed but I would suggest removing everything. It doesn't require anything. You could possibly prop a canvass in colors to match your bedding. the canvass doesn't need to take up the entire opening but it needs to be fairly large

I "would not" do more mirrored panels thats for sure!!... I would be inclined to paint them, pull up the carpet put down hardwood, and take that bloody mirror from above the headboard to the dump. Its a big chunk of wood. You can whitewash them, paint the walls and buy a area rug. Its dated this room, even the comfy chair is out dated. So if she's wanting to update and modernise the room. Change has to happen!...:)

Wow! I am so jealous, that would make a great office or sewing room if you didn't need it for a bedroom or maybe that you could put in a Murphy bed. This site has a lot of links to painting the cabinets without sanding, they make special primers and paint. I saw one of the other day on this site, don't have the link tho, sorry. Love the built ins, wonderful for storage, nice size room too. Good luck with the project.

I agree, the wood needs to be painted. Also, I would remove the doors above the drawers. Make those areas wide shelves, then remove the mirrors above the bed as well. That area could be covered in a different color or texture could be added, like white planks? You should remove the door knobs , possibly replacing them. Go with wide plank type flooring in a weathered grey. It could be laminate, wood or tile.

The blue matlesse bedding is fine but you need to add some fluffy pillows with white as the primary color.

The chair doesnt go with "beachy look" but you might add a throw and some pillows to brighten the look until you can afford to replace it.

I know now it's a lot of work but It would definitely be worth the effort. If your hubby doesn't want to do the work, maybe you can get a girlfriend to help you!

great shades of 1980's. take the mirror out, replace with shelves. stain , white wash, paint are all good suggestions-if you like the natural cabinets some where on home talk there was a discussion on what shades of paint go with that golden oak. red, Benjamin more sweet spring,Benjamin more hazy skies,oyster bay, ancient marble sherwin Williams, pleasant valley, ya i bookmarked it. last house had the same oak cabinets. house 3 darker cabinets. its just the pulls are driving me crazy

What a gorgeous piece. As much as I love natural wood, I'd chalk paint this a light cream or palest gray color to keep the room bright and open. Can't wait to see what you do. Best of luck.

Oh those wonderful built-ins! This is the second bedroom with built-ins needing makeover ideas that I've come across this afternoon. The wood is quite lovely, but I can understand that you are tired of it and would like a change. I am actually getting ready to chalk paint a mahogany etegere for the same reason. A friend actually begged me not to paint it, but he isn't the one who has lived with it and looked at it everyday for over 30 years! So, not having a husband at this time that I must consider, I am chalk painting my etegere (with the beautiful patina) an equally beautiful light grey which should blend perfectly with my soon-to-be grey living room walls! But, back to your dilemma. I'm afraid, in order to be sensitive to your husband's feelings and wishes, you will have to be satisfied with painting your bedroom walls or just an accent wall, to pick up a color from the new linens you will buy. I also suggest you sew some covers for several throw pillows to place on the bed and/or in a chair. The reason I said to sew them is because the cost of a plain ordinary nothing special accent or throw pillow is outrageous! There are several simple instructions on this website for sewing or even glueing pillow covers. I like to make the ones that overlap in back. With these, you can just slip in a pillow form, which makes washing the cover very easy. You can do the same with the zippered covers, but it takes more time to insert the zipper, and the cost of the zipper is a factor also. If ur pillow form is a little too big for your cover, u can use a piece of Velcro to keep the cover's opening from gapping. Good luck with your bedroom makeover. I hope you choose some bright, beautiful and colorful fabrics for your re-do.

Remove some of the upper doors on either side of bed, add more shelves if needed. and paint back wall a color or use LED lighting strips. Then decorate with some cool objects and some books.

Remove mirror and the bit behind the bed. and paint wall or make a padded headboard to go in the space.

You could also make the space where the mirror and bed are into a murphy bed, so the room could be used as something else.....tv or craft room, man cave. But you still have option for spare bedroom.

I would paint a creamy white, remove mirror paint that area, then find a large painting you love for that spot. You might pad and cover headboard area with a silk or other fine fabric. You can find examples of painted wall units on line to show your husband how wonderful they can look. Good luck and be sure to take pics. during and after to share with all of us.

Can the bed go somewhere else in the room? If so, then I would take down the mirror and put bookshelves in the space to the floor.....since you probably can't get the same doors that match. I am pretty sure the bed is not attached to the built ins....my son had the same bed with storage on the sides and they were able to remove the the storage from the bed. IF the bed has to stay there, I would take down the mirror and put up a pretty piece of art after you get new bedding.

That thing is HUGE! I would seriously paint it and forgo hardware to not draw any attention to how big it is and disrupt the cohesiveness of the paint. I think it would be awesome to either go like a Chelsea Grey or even just white and coordinate your bedding! Hey, at least you're never at a loss on storage!

I do like the idea of painting the build-ins and I would consider removing the doors closes to the bed for some open shelving with maybe a contrasting paint or paper in the back, you could use it for decorations and books and still have plenty of storage behind the other doors. Remove the mirror and maybe have a cute stencil printed up there is a company called The Simple Stencil that have all kinds of ideas and you can even design your own. I just added one over my bed saying Loving you is the perfect way to spend a lifetime. But they have hundreds of ideas. And of course new colorful bedding and maybe a bench at the foot of the bed and trade that recliner in for a small stylish love seat.

I think the built in cabinets are beautiful as they are. I would cover the mirrors or take them out. I would remove the bed and make the room a library / office. The wall unit is to die for. Perhaps the space where the bed is could be fitted with a desk. If not, then bookshelves like Pat May suggested. I would update the floor, window covers, paint, whatever - but I would not paint the cabinets. I would dearly love to have this room in my house.