Most people want a calm and serene bedroom that doesn’t skimp on style. Too much color and decor can create a busy look that’s jarring. Too little and you’ve got a space that’s not inviting enough. Here, designers share how they used soothing texture, color and furniture pieces to get the balance right.
1. Ivory and Warm Wood
Designer: Andrea Ackermann of Andrea A. Design
Location: Hamilton Heights neighborhood of New York City
Size: 400 square feet (37 square meters); 20 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted a French-inspired, romantic, light bedroom,” designer Andrea Ackermann says. “The restored townhouse had a lot of original dark wood architectural details and the clients wanted to offset that in the bedroom space. Their favorite color is blue, so we used that and ivory to complement and lighten up the wood details.”
Special features. “One of the main architectural features in the room is the beautiful original wood moldings,” Ackermann says. “The color of the wood is a warm honey and we wanted to accentuate its warmth without making the room feel dark and heavy. We introduced a light but warm paint color (Wish by Benjamin Moore) and light-colored fabrics in creamy and silvery tones.
“The sheer shades that mimic French seam hosiery provide privacy without sacrificing light, and the drapes provide blackout when needed. The subtle Art Deco pattern on the drapes (Anna French fabric) provides visual interest to the high ceilings. The chandelier, although grand in scale, has a light, airy feel with just a hint of color.”
The bench at the end of the bed is a custom piece by MTC Studio Designs. “We upholstered it in a super soft subtle animal print pattern in a small scale to not compete with the drapes,” Ackermann says.
Designer tip. “What contributed to this room’s success was balancing the warm and cool colors throughout the room,” Ackermann says. “We customized the Hickory Chair nightstands in ivory and warm honey to balance the wood moldings. Then added a pop of warm color to the bed. We used soft baby blue bedding and then repeated that color in the subtle pattern on the bench and a custom painted blue chest across the room [not shown]. The artwork has soft blues printed on wood panels, continuing the balance of warm and cool colors. Hints of silver were used in the carpet, chandelier and drapery hardware.”
2. Metallic Walls and Patterned Ceiling
Designer: Amy Klosterman of AB Design Elements
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Size: 432 square feet (40 square meters); 18 by 24 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The client wanted a restful space with elegant finishes that included some sheen and sparkle,” designer Amy Klosterman says.
Special features. “The walls are finished in a hand-applied metallic paint with a subtle striated texture,” Klosterman says. “It’s a large room with a broad expanse of ceiling, so we wanted to make that surface unique and tie in to some vintage carved doors that led to the master bathroom.”
A custom pattern of gypsum molding covers the ceiling; both are painted in Exclusive Ivory by Sherwin-Williams. “We used Houzz to look for ceiling pattern ideas and trim molding concepts,” Klosterman says.
The curved bench is upholstered in crushed velvet. “Benches are perfect spots for small pets, sitting to put on shoes or to be a surface to drape an outfit after a long day,” Klosterman says.
Designer tip. “I love hand-applied wall finishes and wallpaper — both are transformative for intimate spaces,” Klosterman says. “They are an important layer to add subtle — or not so subtle — texture, pattern and color within a space.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The ceiling molding should come with a warning: Do not try this for a remodel project,” Klosterman says. “It requires a perfectly level ceiling — a rarity — so it took three tries for the installers to level the ceiling and then get all the pieces to line up with each other. It also required careful placement of lights, sprinklers, vents and fan. We photoshopped out a few of these items for a cleaner photo, but this layout required a detailed ceiling plan, and CAD [computer-aided design] doesn’t have blocks for patterns like this. We used the exact dimensions of the product, which comes in pieces and installs like a puzzle, and then penciled a grid on the ceiling (hello, Michelangelo) in order to center the pattern before installation. I think the whole team aged a few years to get that ceiling, but wow, it’s a beauty.”
3. Airy With Layered Textures
Designer:Jennifer Wundrow Interior Design
Location: Mill Valley, California
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters); 16 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. “When the clients purchased this home, this bedroom was adorned with a dark purple wallpaper,” designer Jennifer Wundrow says. “It was dark and did not take advantage of the beautiful bay views. We removed the wallpaper and the whole room was transformed.”
Special features. “Textiles and textures give this room a great deal of interest, while the walls stay neutral and allow you to experience the amazing bay views,” Wundrow says. A woven rattan bench coordinates with a woven pendant shade above. “If a room is large enough, we always love to add a bench at the foot of the bed,” Wundrow says. “It offers more interest to the room but also affords additional seating for the homeowners.”
Designer tip. “Think of your bedroom as your own retreat,” Wundrow says. “We do this by avoiding clutter and keeping the color palette quiet and restful. This has an amazing, calming effect that can sometimes be overlooked.”
4. Storage and Style
Designers: Paula Daher and Virginia Sherrer-Thoss of Daher Interior Design
Location: Boston
Size: 350 square feet (33 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This primary bedroom was part of the renovation of a 2,300-square-foot city condo,” designer Paula Daher says. “As with most city spaces, storage — both smart and styled — is critical.”
Special features. “We designed millwork cabinetry and outfitted the interior of the closet to accommodate the client’s extensive wardrobe, then designed a barn door to allow easy access to the closet,” Daher says. “The custom-designed headboard provided integrated nightstands on this small wall and afforded a display area for the client’s extensive art collection.
“We always include a bench for our clients with pets that love to jump up on the bed and as an easy place to pack a bag or suitcase when coming and going,” Daher says. “For this client, we wanted to provide an easy landing space as she pulled items from her closet.”
Designer tip. “The client’s artwork and grandmother’s chair from the 1940s provided personalization and connection,” Daher says. “The completed space in a mid-rise building made the client have an immediate connection to home. It is always important for the client to feel their personality has been incorporated. These heirlooms helped to make this connection.”
5. Neutral Palette and Millwork Accent
Designer:Monica Andrews Interiors
Location: Aldie, Virginia
Size: 315 square feet (29 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The client already had a few of the furniture pieces, but the room was missing all of the finishing touches that bring the room together,” designer Monica Andrews says. “This couple needed a serene and relaxing bedroom to wind down in after a busy day of working and raising children and their brand-new puppy.”
Special features. A stacked board-and-batten detail runs about three-quarters of the way up the headboard wall. “This became the focal point of the room and is the first thing you see when you walk in the double-door entry to the bedroom,” Andrews says.
The wall paint is Gossamer Veil by Sherwin-Williams. “A beautiful greige,” Andrews says.
The bench base coordinates with the wood nightstands, while the cushion ties in with the dark gray rug.
Designer tip. “Layering neutrals and adding texture without using too much color keeps this room calm and serene,” Andrews says. “Don’t be afraid to mix creams and beiges with gray. This room beautifully mixes creams, grays and blues — all colors that have an instantly calming effect.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Art is often the most challenging design element of a project due to its subjective and personal nature,” Andrews says. “After a lot of back-and-forth about what art to incorporate as the focal point of the room, we decided to nix the art and instead add the textural stacked board-and-batten detail in a fresh white color behind the bed wall. Not only did the board and batten turn out beautifully, it also makes the biggest statement in the room and I’m so glad we changed direction.”
