Everyone dreams of having a peaceful and luxurious master retreat. Yet when it comes time to decorate, we often focus on the public spaces in our home and let the private ones fall by the wayside.
Here are seven key elements to focus on as you design your ideal sanctuary.
A COMFORTABLE RUG – Nothing ruins a happy morning (or makes a crabby one worse) like stepping out of the bed onto a cold, hard floor. Do yourself a favor and make sure your first step into the day is cushy and comforting. Already have carpet in the bedroom but it’s not enough? Consider layering a smaller rug by the bed, a similar idea to what’s seen here in a room.
A THEME – It’s the first thing a child will consider when putting together their first bedroom, but adults tend to shy away from a decorative theme when envisioning their bedroom. But even when it’s not Spiderman or Princess powered, a theme can be not just a unifying device, but a calming one. In this Southhampton cottage bedroom designed by Timothy Whealon, stripes are used throughout (even in the motif of the 4 poster bed!) to create a streamlined yet funky touch. Notice how they’re not all the same width, color, or even direction: That’s what keeps it from looking like a bed in a bag.
A PLACE TO SIT (THAT’S NOT THE BED) – This room, designed by Robert Passal, has more than a couple. A good spot to sit down will serve you well when you’re reading something you can’t afford to fall asleep during, or need to have a conversation with your partner that’s best not had in bed. It’s also great for putting on shoes, or if you are breaking the no tech rule, you might as well check email from a chair so it at least stays out of your bed.
A COLLECTION OF THINGS YOU LOVE – It doesn’t have to be an entire étagère full, as seen in this bedroom by LA based designer Kelly Sutton, but a cluster of pieces that make you smile will go a long way, especially in making a bedroom feel just right. Bonus: This is also a great way to incorporate pieces you’ve acquired over the years but can’t quite figure out where to put them. Make sure they’re in your line of sight upon waking up and their true purpose will be revealed: Making you happy.
A GREAT MATTRESS – You could have every item on this list but your bedroom wouldn’t be complete without a perfect mattress. After all, if you’re not getting enough quality sleep, you can’t fully appreciate a beautiful room. “You want a mattress that keeps you cool and gives you great lumbar support,” says Ron Rudzin, CEO of Saatva Mattress. And of course, one that looks great in your room. He recommends choosing a mattress and foundation height based not just on your bed frame and headboard, but also the height of your night tables and window sills. A low profile headboard may call for an 11.5 inch model, while higher window sills make sense with something higher up, like a 14.5 inch.
PHOTOGRAPHS BUT NOT OF FAMILY – You should have as many family photos as you wish in other rooms in the house but it’s best to keep the bedroom’s artwork less emotionally loaded. Elegant and calming photographs in this room by designer Ryan White evoke good feelings much like family snaps do, without reminding you of specific people while you’re trying to fall asleep.
DRAMA! – Even the brightest, most cheerful bedrooms need an element of dark, sexy glamour. This bedroom by Windsor Decorating and Design has them in spades: The moody wall paint, the theatrical chandelier, even an oversized gray headboard does the trick. But notice how clean lines and touches of white keep it from looking like a bordello: That balance is key. Stick with one or two pieces and you’ll be golden.
