Creating Your Dream Bedroom: A Beginner's Guide
Your bedroom should be your sanctuary.
It's the place where you start and end your day, and it should reflect your personal style and provide you with the comfort you need to rest and recharge. Whether you're starting from scratch or simply looking to refresh your space, creating your dream bedroom is easier than you might think. In this beginner's guide, we'll explore the essential elements of bedroom design and offer tips and tricks to help you transform your bedroom into the restful retreat you've always wanted.
Image Source: Paulina Carcach Studio
Pay attention to the first wall you see when you walk into the room. That should be the wall that makes the most impact. One easy way to make this wall stand out is by creating an accent wall. An accent wall is a great way to add visual interest and depth to your space without overwhelming the room. There are many ways to create an accent wall, depending on your personal style and the overall look you want to achieve. One option is to paint the wall a bold color or use wallpaper with a bold pattern. Another option is to create a gallery wall by hanging a collection of framed artwork or photographs. A third option is to use a textured material, such as wood, to create a unique and eye-catching feature wall. Whatever option you choose, an accent wall can add a pop of personality to your bedroom and make a lasting impression on anyone who enters.
Image Source: Mindy Gayer
Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary and after years of remodeling, restyling, and designing projects for our clients, we’ve noticed that the bedroom is often one of the most overlooked spaces in the home. While the bedroom might not be the most seen by visitors, it is likely one of the rooms where you spend the most time, so it’s worth putting extra time and intention into designing a space that feels like a retreat.
Image Source: Paulina Carcach Studio
Opt for function over form. Evaluate what you use the space for most. What can make the daily life in this room better? Is your space always littered with clothes on the floor or laundry? Why not add some easy organization? Clutter isn't sexy.
Focal points are an essential element in every space and designing around them is all about creating a place for the eye to land. Splurge on wallpaper in this room. It adds that extra layer of coziness.
Like many aspects of design work, it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact formula or step-by-step guide because our process rarely looks the same from project to project. However, we wanted to dive into this topic and identify a few patterns to help you navigate selecting furniture for bedrooms.
Identifying the essentials based on the shape and function of your room is always the best place to start. In a smaller bedroom space, you may only have room for a bed and nightstands but no dresser, or you may have room for one nightstand, depending on how the door opens and where the windows are placed. When possible, we avoid placing the bed in front of any window to get the most natural light possible.
No matter what the size of your bedroom space is, measuring is essential! In a uniquely shaped bedroom, look for opportunities to add function in every corner, be it a small desk or seating area!
Nightstands should take up as much room as you have for it. You don’t have to use matching nightstands, but make sure they’re the same height. Your nightstands should be close to the height of the mattress. They can be a smidge taller or a smidge lower, but not much.
If you have space for additional seating in your bedroom, make sure it’s comfortable.
Make sure the scale of an end of bed bench matches the scale of the bed.
Determine if you are getting a platform bed and need a box spring or not. Think about your height in comparison to the bed height. If you’re tall you might not want a super low bed and vice versa.
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A BED
Cal King or Eastern King? We generally prefer Eastern King beds as they are slightly wider, unless you’re really tall and need the extra length, order a Cal King.
Upholstered Beds: My personal favorite. There is already enough wood and hard surfaces in a bedroom. I always opt for an upholstered bed unless it’s a 4-poster. Even then, I favor an upholstered headboard.
Footboards, to have or have not? It’s a personal choice. I never like beds that have a tall footboard as it’s impossible to sit on the end of the bed. Instead, I opt for low/mattress height or no footboard. These designs are more formal. In a master bedroom with a bench at the foot of the bed, a footboard is always nice.
Platform beds are a more modern look. Make sure the profile is not too low. If so, the design becomes impractical for many people.
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A BEDSIDE TABLE
Typically, in any room, we try to stick to a maximum of two, contrasting wood tones, meaning we might do a nightstand in light oak, and a dresser in dark mahogany. We do consider black wood a neutral, but with a black, wooden bed, seeing as the nightstands and the bed are right next to each other, you may want to choose something other than wood to pair with it to bring more warmth.
Wider is better: Always fill the space with the widest nightstand that will fit. If that means a custom size, then order a custom one to fit. It makes the room!
Style & Color: Take this direction from your Visual Guide and mood board.
Height: Make sure it matches your mattress height before you order. One to two inches lower or higher is fine. If ordering two nightstands that don’t match, make sure the height is the same or your lamps will be off.
Drawers vs. Open shelves: Do you need more storage in the room? If so, go for drawers in the biggest bedside table you can fit in the space.
STYLE & PALETTE, LAYERS & MATERIALS
Sometimes people think of a bedroom as a place to match furniture and keep things more cohesive. However, we always like to mix styles to give a room more of that thought-through, designed look. Layering pieces of different styles, wood-tones, and materials always bring more dimension.
Layering a Bedroom is generally the most fun. Beds are the focal point and instantly bring softness and personality to the room, so you don’t have to do a lot of work in a bedroom to get it looking great.
Window coverings need to be highly functional in a Bedroom. Blackout shades or drapery, etc.
Wall sconces or pendant lights over nightstands add interest and allow more surface area on the nightstand for accessories.
Warm metal tones can warm up a room.
Green and Blue can be considered “neutrals” for accents.
The larger the rug, the better. Find the largest rug you can in your budget that works in your color palette.
Textured materials are great for headboards, avoid silks. Lower headboards and bedside tables create a more modern look.
Typically, in any room, we try to stick to a maximum of two, contrasting wood tones, meaning we might do a nightstand in light oak, and a dresser in dark mahogany. We do consider black wood a neutral, but with a black, wooden bed, seeing as the nightstands and the bed are right next to each other, you may want to choose something other than wood to pair with it to bring more warmth.
Image Source: Paulina Carcach Studio
RUGS VS. CARPET IN THE BEDROOM
Ground the space with a rug. We use a rug in nearly every room, even carpeted spaces! Rugs have a way of grounding the feeling of a design like nothing else while bringing so much warmth, texture, tone, and pattern. Simply adding a rug in your bedroom will elevate the look and feel more than you’d expect, and it’s a great way to add some interest and personality if your main pieces are streamlined and neutral.
Typical rug sizing for a King bed is 9×12, and for a queen bed, we usually go with an 8×10. I typically recommend an area rug instead of wall to wall carpet. Don’t be afraid to layer an area rug over wall to wall carpet either.
The rug does not need to go under the nightstands, but should go very close to them.
We always recommend a rug pad. It helps the rug stay in place and provides additional cushion and softness.
Depending on the rug and the location I will tape the corners of the rug to prevent the edges from rolling back.
CHECKLIST FOR DESIGNING A BEDROOM
This below checklist is here to give you a useful guide when approaching your room design. It’s like having me there with you asking all the right questions!
How can I get more natural light into this room?
Do we need to update the drapery & Shades for better style? Are they sitting too low/can I raise the drapery rod?
Is the rug too small, does it fit well in the space?
Are the bedside tables too small/can I fit wider ones in the room?
Save the pops of color for items that aren’t permanent. Materials installed should be neutral and classic
Drapes should be hung as high as possible, leaving at least 3 inches from the ceiling.
Select a color palette that is comfortable and soothing. Go to your closet for inspiration. The colors of your wardrobe usually dictate the colors you like to surround yourself in. It’s a good measure of what colors should be used in your home.
When covering walls, it’s best to use the same wallpaper/paint in the entire room. Accent walls should only be use selectively and when it makes sense, such as in children’s bedrooms or bathrooms or rooms that you may need to change the style down the line.
Styles and eras of furnishings and design can be mixed. If you have an older home or more traditional in style, it’s reasonable that you would have items from different eras.
Repeat a color at least twice.
Make sure nightstands are the same height.
Keep lighting easy to access and control. Dimmer switches are optimal.
Generally, rooms should be symmetrical and balanced in size/ placement of furniture.
Choose which part of the room will be your focal point. Create a focal point in each room.
Pick a color palette, usually 4 are enough. 2-3 neutrals and 1-2 brighter hues.
Add texture to increase the feel of luxury.
Add functional seating, such as a bench at the end of the bed, or design elements that doubles as storage.
An organized bedroom feels inviting and restful.