Master bedroom shopping
Welcome to another week of Summer School as we continue our Home Design 101 course! Last week we talked about how to design home entrances—from front porches to mud rooms—and now we’ll tackle one of the most “inward-facing” rooms in the home: the bedroom.
I want to share my approach to decorating bedrooms because this is something that most people overlook when they think about design. This is often because we think “only design spaces where you’ll be hosting guests.” But let’s get real: The average American spends nearly half of their life in bed! This space deserves some love, my friends!
Remember, at the end of the day, we are designing for you. We want to create a place where you feel as comfortable as possible, and as balanced as possible. This can happen when you intentionally decorate your bedroom with beautiful, functional, and attractive items.
What should not be in the bedroom
So what’s the first thing I do when I decorate my bedroom? I look for things I can get rid of. Design is as much about negative space as it is about the things in the room. Is your bedside table covered in knick-knacks, books, and chargers? Do you have clothes strewn across your bed? Do you have too many decor pieces or workout gear? Listen, I’ve been there before. But less can often be more. It’s hard to feel like you’re in a calm, relaxing environment before bed when there’s clutter around you.
While we won’t talk about decluttering here (I covered that topic in a previous summer school!), it’s a great starting point for designing any room. Check out our Bedroom Tell-All post for more tips on decluttering your bedroom.
Run textures
Natural/Ivory Judy Rug | Wallpaper | Chandelier | Velvet Quilted Bed | Boucle Blanket | Bed Linens (Similar) | Dollhouse Bookcase | Stuffed Rabbit Head | Bedside Table | Stuffed Rabbit
You may not think of bedding as a design element, but your bed is a major focal point in the room! It goes without saying that making your bed is the first step in the hierarchy, but the next step is your bed sheets. From the texture and pattern on your duvet cover to your pillows, textiles can make a big impact in any space, no matter the size. I always recommend starting at ground level, and that means a luxurious set of bed sheets!
I also like to use a large cloud-shaped comforter and a layered duvet or blanket to give the room a hotel feel. Adding a large lumbar pillow can be an easy way to make the bed look “finished” without using dozens of pillows. Try a velvet pillow for instant luxury! If you like a moody look like me, choose a darker fabric for the curtains, and you’ll feel much warmer in your room.
Replace more with less (just go bigger!)
Bedside Table (Similar) | Table Lamp (Similar) | Coffee Table Books | Canopy Bed
I prefer to have fewer things on the walls or tabletops in the bedroom, so I often focus on one larger item. Just remember, the fewer items you need for a space, the more thoughtful you need to be. Make it count! Instead of a gallery wall, consider a large piece of art (yes, even if the room is small!). Instead of small lamps, get a larger one for the bedside table or a set of candles that add height to the bedside. This is a trick that many hotels will do, and it’s amazing how much it will lift the space.
Storage is essential in the bedroom, especially if things tend to pile up on your nightstand. I like to say, “Storage is a retail product!” If your nightstand is full of essentials and you only have one drawer, swap it out for a three-drawer one instead. You can always turn to Facebook Marketplace or eBay to sell what you have to make it more cost-effective.
make it feel welcoming
Judy Natural/Sky Rug | Spindle Bed (Similar) | Faux Fur Chair (Similar) | Bo Pillow | Knot Pillow | Bedside Tables | Lamps | Bamboo Lamp Shades | Cloud Art | Dayna Pillow | Striped Curtains | Wardrobe
Another thing to consider is what makes a bedroom more welcoming, and sometimes that means extra seating. If you can fit it, a bench can be a place to kick off your shoes (or slip on your slippers), or a comfy chair can give you a reading nook. And if the space doesn’t have room for more furniture, go for sensory additions like plush blankets, fluffy pillows, or aromatherapy diffusers instead.
Whether or not you have carpet in your bedroom, I recommend considering layering rugs. There’s something so comforting about framing your bed with a soft rug. It also helps define areas of the room, which is why I recommend choosing a rug that contrasts with what you have on the floor. This is a great tip for renters who can’t add paint, wallpaper, or change overhead lighting. The rug is where you can play designer!
Think about bedroom lighting.
Master bedroom shopping
The bedroom—perhaps more than any other room in the house—is the best room in the house for ambient lighting. I rarely turn on an overhead light fixture! I have a floor lamp next to the sitting area and a pair of oversized table lamps on both the dresser and the closet. Additionally, we added a picture lamp above the art hanging above the headboard, which makes the entire room feel taller.
My favorite trick is to get smart wall outlets for each of these lights and connect them to the same room in Alexa. That way I can tell my Amazon Echo to turn on the lights in the same time it takes me to turn on the overhead light switch! You can also install a dimmer for the overhead lights.
When it comes to bedroom decor, it’s easy to use our STYLING shortcut to enhance the look of your bed, nightstand, and dresser. These items can give your bedroom a stylish look without much effort!
Things I use to design bedrooms:
Floor Mirror | Floor Lamp | Velvet Bench (Similar) | Polly Smoke/Sand Rug | CLJ x Lola Lakefront Blanket | Vintage Armchair (Similar) | Linen Blackout Curtains | Roller Blinds
Shiny: Tray, light fixture, floor mirror, jewelry box/decorative box, bedside tableware. Texture: Bed linens, blankets, comforter, pillows, rug, curtains, vase, padded stool. You: Large artwork, old books, table frame with photo. Lighting: Large lamp, chandelier, picture light, floor lamp next to chair. Attractive: Candle, chair or stool, diffuser, water bottle. Essential: Clock, cup holder, tech tray. Greenery: Stems, plant, tree.
It’s important to choose items that serve you and your space, and leave the rest behind (or the place can quickly revert to chaos!) Stay tuned for more inspiration on Wednesday as I pick specific style-forward product groups that can create an instant bedroom upgrade.
