The Winter Is a great time for home makeovers, and what better place to start than the bedroom? It is so often neglected, as we tend to spend our energy fixing up the more public spaces in our homes. But we spend so much time in our bedrooms, and the state they are in can affect our sleep, mood and more. Make your bedroom a place you can’t wait to come home to (and don’t want to leave!) by lavishing it with attention this year. These ideas for creating 10 different looks can refresh your bedroom –
1. Refined feminine. Crisp black and white stripes paired with soft misty blue create a chic, elegant look that is easy to love. Keep accessories pared down and simple, with favorite bags and jewelry on display and a few simply framed art prints on the wall. Bring in delicious texture with a cuddly mohair throw and smooth sateen sheets.
2. Dapper gent. As polished and tailored as a bespoke suit, this look is based around handsome materials like wool, wood and leather, and traditional menswear patterns like a windowpane check and plaids. Furniture with clean lines and neatly tucked bedding keep things looking fresh and modern, while a monogrammed accent injects a bit of personality.
3. Old-world comfort. Plump cushions and deep bedcovers are pure luxury. The patina of age on a mirror paired with full-length drapes and a personal collection of antiques call to mind venerable old European hotels. Silvery gray-blue paint, plush wall-to-wall carpeting and creamy bedding are a serene match for this look.
4. Fresh romantic. Pure linen sheets or pillow shams, flowing white curtains and fresh flowers are musts for this look. Practicing a bit of restraint will keep it from veering into froufrou territory — a bit of a ruffle perhaps, but skip the floral prints. Walls painted a pale minty green provide a soothing backdrop.
5. Boho glam. Pick a classic decorator favorite (like the upholstered bed with nailhead trim shown here) to build the room around, then mix and match accessories at whim. Bamboo blinds and colorful printed bedding paired with a glass-top table and a fun framed print add up to a laid-back yet glamorous look.
6. Parisian chic. A restrained palette of black and white can feel really luxurious, especially when you choose textures and details that thrill the senses. Smooth dark (or even painted) wood floors and crisp white walls create an envelope to fill with little luxuries — fine sheets and a delicate coverlet, a petite chandelier, a velvet cushion. Add a bit of sparkle with a few vintage perfume bottles and spritz sheets with linen water before slipping in for the night.
7. Vintage charm. If you can’t pass up a flea market or “junktique” shop without running in, this look is for you. Collect what catches your eye and your heartstrings, without worrying whether the it will fit perfectly — after all, you can always paint it. Having one modern print in the mix, whether on cushions or a re-covered chair, is a great way to keep this look feeling fresh and current.
Jagoda Architecture 8. Warm modern. Keep a clean, minimalist look from being too cold with a stroke of fiery red or orange. Here, a wide striped bedcover echoes the color in an oversize painting. If a painting of this magnitude is beyond your current budget, consider stretching a length of bold fabric on stretchers meant for canvas (find them in art stores). Choose a simple platform-style bed and slim task lamps, then fill out the room with a healthy potted plant and a vase of flowers.
9. Cozy rustic. Raw, unfinished wood is key to this look, but you don’t need to splurge on a big piece to make it work. Use a plain wood slice (find it in a crafts store) as a tray to hold bedside necessities, repurpose a wood stump as a table or bring in a few rustic wooden boxes as bedroom storage. Create warmth with cozy patchwork quilts, wool blankets and faux fur pillows — and if you have a pair of cowboy boots, be sure to leave them out on display.
10. Color pops. Liven up a plain bedroom with an accent wall covered in fabulously bold wallpaper. For the truly fearless, choose a contrasting color (like the yellow here against the peacock blue wall) for the bedside tables and cushions. If you prefer to limit your pop to one place, choose a white or wood headboard and tables, and layer on neutral (but deliciously textured) bedding.
Maurie McGuire
