A Short Guide to “Adultifying” Your Bedroom

Matt Chan • May 6, 2016

We all arrive here at different times;

…the transition from young adulthood to adulthood; from “growing up” to “grown up”. Perhaps you’ve just moved from a university dorm into your first apartment; or perhaps you’ve just purchased your first home. Either way, it’s at this point that you should be embracing your newfound role someone who gets up before 10AM, drinks coffee or tea, goes to work, and sleeps in exclusively on Saturdays (and sometimes Sundays).

Part of this process includes transitioning the decor of your bedroom in order to reflect your newly established path. So, without further adieu, the following is a short guide to transforming your slightly juvenile bedroom into into one fit for a full grown adult! Because there really should be a difference between the look of your bedroom and that of your teenagers room!

Throw Pillows/The Duvet Effect

Nothing says “I’m an adult” like buying pillows for the express purpose of showcasing your bed; as opposed to buying them for one of their more “practical” uses, I.E- using them as padding while you sleep.

But seriously, throw pillows give any bedroom a touch of maturity. And at the end of the day, these showpieces are indeed useful for adding that extra bit of softness and comfort to any bed or couch. They’re also useful for pegging your spouse or children as they walk past your open bedroom door. Just don’t expect them to take it lying down; that is, unless the pillows that you’ve tossed are really comfortable!

Additionally, get rid of that old grimey bed cover, and replace it with a duvet; it’s ultra comfortable, and it says, “I may have lots to learn about being an adult, but at least I’m not sleeping with the blankets that I used in middle school”.

Matching Furniture

Never underestimate the power of a matching bed/night stand combination. This simple touch can pull together a living space like nobody’s business. Colors are obviously important here, but style is something to consider as well. If you can, work to make sure both of these factors are taken into consideration.

Neutral Colors

Bright, edgy colors exude boldness. They’re out there, and in small doses, they’re perfect. But too much bold is just that; too much. Sure, go ahead and accent your space with a splash of color (again, throw pillows work well, here); but be careful not to let your living space be taken over by a garbled rainbow of colors. Pick a scheme and stick with it.

Art in Moderation

There comes a time in every person’s life when he or she must take stock of that which is on display, on their bedroom walls. Certainly there was a time when more was better. When style or sequence didn’t matter; when, if you liked it (even a little) it went up there for everyone to see.

It’s time to rethink that strategy.

Again, accent your walls with a small selection of tasteful art; art that matches the newly established maturity of a person who has left childhood behind while embracing the joy of driving, voting, having a nice glass of wine, and having a family.

The Book Nook

As we age, it’s important for us to keep our minds sharp. Reading is obviously a great way to stay mentally nimble, and books are a great way to decorate any living space. Build or buy a small shelf, find a cozy chair, add a plush throw rug and away you go! By the way, no comics or picture books here, stay classy, novels only. Besides, if you collect comics, you probably already have an entire room dedicated to them, which is completely acceptable.

Honorable Mention: Keeping it all clean!

All of this is for not if you can’t keep your bedroom space clean. Take the time to do it right. For all you messy people out there, buy a hamper, use the hamper and (every now and again) empty the hamper into the washing machine. You’ll find that a clean living space is a much more desirable living space, both for you and for your guests.

Now, if you are looking to buy your first place, or you need to find a property more suited to your current situation (with a bedroom you can adultify), please contact us anytime , we can help you with a plan!

 

This article originally appeared in the DLC Newsletter for May 2016.

CONTACT

Share

RECENT POSTS

By Matthew Chan March 11, 2026
When you’re buying a home, two terms often cause confusion: deposit and down payment . While they’re related, they serve very different purposes in the homebuying process. Here’s what you need to know. What Is a Deposit? A deposit is the money you provide when you make an offer on a property. Think of it as a show of good faith that proves you’re serious about purchasing. How it works : Typically, you provide a certified cheque or bank draft that your real estate brokerage holds in trust. If your offer is accepted, the deposit remains in trust until the deal moves forward. If negotiations fall through, the deposit is refunded. Connection to your down payment : Once the sale is finalized, your deposit becomes part of your total down payment. Why it matters : The amount is negotiable, but a larger deposit can make your offer more attractive in a competitive market. Keep in mind, however, that if you back out after conditions are removed, you risk losing your deposit. What Is a Down Payment? Your down payment is the amount you contribute toward the purchase price of your home when securing a mortgage. Minimum requirement : In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the home’s purchase price. Anything less than 20% requires mortgage default insurance. Sources : Down payments can come from your savings, the sale of another property, RRSP withdrawals (through the Home Buyers’ Plan), a gift from family, or even borrowed funds. Example: How They Work Together Imagine you’re buying a $400,000 home with a 10% down payment ($40,000). When you make your offer, you provide a $10,000 deposit . Once conditions are met, that deposit is transferred to your lawyer’s trust account. At closing, you add the remaining $30,000 to complete your full down payment. The lender provides the rest—$360,000—through your mortgage. The Bottom Line Your deposit shows commitment and secures your offer, while your down payment is what makes the mortgage possible. Together, they work hand in hand to get you into your new home. 📞 If you’d like clarity on deposits, down payments, or any other part of the mortgage process, let’s connect. I’d be happy to walk you through it step by step.
By Matthew Chan March 4, 2026
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.
By Matthew Chan February 25, 2026
When it comes to selling your home, most people think the first call should be to a real estate agent. But the smartest first step often isn’t with your agent—it’s with an independent mortgage professional. Why? Because your mortgage plays a bigger role in your bottom line than most people realize. Planning to Buy After You Sell If selling means you’ll also be purchasing another property, you’ll want to know exactly where you stand financially before listing. Mortgage rules change regularly, and qualifying once doesn’t guarantee you’ll qualify again. Getting a pre-approval in place ensures you know what you can afford and eliminates surprises later. On top of that, reviewing the terms of your existing mortgage could uncover options you may not have considered. For example, porting your mortgage instead of arranging a brand-new one could save you thousands. Selling Without Buying Even if you aren’t planning to buy right away, there’s still an important step: understanding the cost of breaking your mortgage. Unless your mortgage is open, penalties apply—and they can be significant. By reviewing the numbers with a mortgage professional, you might find that simply adjusting your timeline could reduce or even avoid costly fees. Navigating Life Changes In situations like a marital breakdown, it can feel like selling the family home is the only path forward. But that’s not always the case. With the right guidance and a legal separation agreement, one spouse may be able to buy out the other, keeping the home and providing stability for everyone involved. The Bottom Line Selling your property is more than just putting a sign on the lawn—it’s about creating a financial plan that protects your equity and positions you for the best possible outcome. Before you take the leap, let’s sit down and review your options. 📞 If you’re ready to talk strategy and make sure you get top dollar for your property, I’d be happy to connect anytime.