New This Week: 6 Calm, Refreshing Bedrooms
See how soothing colors and soft textures create a comfortable atmosphere for unwinding
The last thing you want in your bedroom is something that’s eye-opening. After all, your bedroom is a place to power down and get some rest. That’s why soothing color palettes and soft textures work so well in bedrooms. The following six designs give you a jumping-off point.
2. Wood and Wonderful
Designer: Ashley Martin of Ashley Martin Home
Location: Lake Oconee, Georgia
Size: 162½ square feet (15 square meters); 12½ by 13 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this new-construction home, the owners wanted a guest room that could fit a king-size bed and feel warm, inviting and fresh to visitors.
Main feature. “Because the room can be seen from many areas on the first floor, the wall where the bed is situated needed to make a statement, so we designed the room around the art,” says designer Ashley Martin. “We then focused our design on creating a clean, warm feel with natural wood tones and a calming color scheme of blues and grays to play off the gorgeous water views of the home.”
Other special features. Custom pillows. Cane-back headboard. Chandelier. Hotel-style bedding. Meranti wood nightstands. Gray walls (Worldly Gray by Sherwin-Williams).
Designer tip. “I always want to make sure a bedroom rug is large enough for the space, because if it is not, the room will appear and feel a lot smaller,” Martin says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The furniture we originally selected was on backorder and the client wanted the room done quickly, but without sacrificing or compromising on the design, so we changed course and ended up with a slightly different approach. But we were more than pleased with the overall result,” Martin says.
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Designer: Ashley Martin of Ashley Martin Home
Location: Lake Oconee, Georgia
Size: 162½ square feet (15 square meters); 12½ by 13 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this new-construction home, the owners wanted a guest room that could fit a king-size bed and feel warm, inviting and fresh to visitors.
Main feature. “Because the room can be seen from many areas on the first floor, the wall where the bed is situated needed to make a statement, so we designed the room around the art,” says designer Ashley Martin. “We then focused our design on creating a clean, warm feel with natural wood tones and a calming color scheme of blues and grays to play off the gorgeous water views of the home.”
Other special features. Custom pillows. Cane-back headboard. Chandelier. Hotel-style bedding. Meranti wood nightstands. Gray walls (Worldly Gray by Sherwin-Williams).
Designer tip. “I always want to make sure a bedroom rug is large enough for the space, because if it is not, the room will appear and feel a lot smaller,” Martin says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The furniture we originally selected was on backorder and the client wanted the room done quickly, but without sacrificing or compromising on the design, so we changed course and ended up with a slightly different approach. But we were more than pleased with the overall result,” Martin says.
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3. Gray and Gorgeous
Designer: Nina Jizhar
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Size: 216 square feet (20 square meters); 13½ by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. A bright, airy, cozy and serene sanctuary layered with textures.
Main feature. “The room is a decent size, so instead of having a couple of nightstands that are smaller in scale, we opted for a chest on each side of the bed with wider dimensions to ground the room,” says designer Nina Jizhar. “We brought in color palettes that are serene in gray and blues, but sometimes that can feel too cold, so we threw a wood dresser into the mix to warm it up.”
Other special features. “In this space, where gray is the dominant color, the pop of indigo blue found on the linen settee and ceramic lamps create a nice juxtaposition of contrasting colors that is still calm and serene,” Jizhar says.
Designer tip. “I think selecting pieces in the right scale is a key,” Jizhar says.
Designer: Nina Jizhar
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Size: 216 square feet (20 square meters); 13½ by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. A bright, airy, cozy and serene sanctuary layered with textures.
Main feature. “The room is a decent size, so instead of having a couple of nightstands that are smaller in scale, we opted for a chest on each side of the bed with wider dimensions to ground the room,” says designer Nina Jizhar. “We brought in color palettes that are serene in gray and blues, but sometimes that can feel too cold, so we threw a wood dresser into the mix to warm it up.”
Other special features. “In this space, where gray is the dominant color, the pop of indigo blue found on the linen settee and ceramic lamps create a nice juxtaposition of contrasting colors that is still calm and serene,” Jizhar says.
Designer tip. “I think selecting pieces in the right scale is a key,” Jizhar says.
4. Nice Niches
Designer: Catherine Honeycomb (also the homeowner)
Location: Cumberland Foreside, Maine
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters); 16 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. Clean lines and neutral colors in transitional style.
Main feature. Custom bed in durable outdoor fabric.
Other special features. Recessed shelves. Swing-arm wall sconces. Hand-scraped oak floors in custom stain. “As the homeowner and designer, you’d think the project would be easier, but it’s not the case,” says Catherine Honeycomb. “Bedrooms are such important spaces. You should feel relaxed and sheltered when you walk in, go to bed, wake up. I’m not a minimalist per se, but I abhor clutter. For that reason, I included just the essentials, in performance fabrics and natural wood, against a quiet, neutral background.”
Designer secret. “The long white linen drapes offer a bit of subtle drama and provide great sound-dampening,” Honeycomb says. “Also, when reducing clutter is a priority, wall cavities are great places to build recessed shelving. They hold all the things that would otherwise be on the table.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “I had originally selected a bed with a tall headboard, but it made the ceilings look so low,” Honeycomb says. “We swapped it out for one with a better relationship to the space.”
Paint colors: Picket Fence (walls) and White Dove (trim), Benjamin Moore
Designer: Catherine Honeycomb (also the homeowner)
Location: Cumberland Foreside, Maine
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters); 16 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. Clean lines and neutral colors in transitional style.
Main feature. Custom bed in durable outdoor fabric.
Other special features. Recessed shelves. Swing-arm wall sconces. Hand-scraped oak floors in custom stain. “As the homeowner and designer, you’d think the project would be easier, but it’s not the case,” says Catherine Honeycomb. “Bedrooms are such important spaces. You should feel relaxed and sheltered when you walk in, go to bed, wake up. I’m not a minimalist per se, but I abhor clutter. For that reason, I included just the essentials, in performance fabrics and natural wood, against a quiet, neutral background.”
Designer secret. “The long white linen drapes offer a bit of subtle drama and provide great sound-dampening,” Honeycomb says. “Also, when reducing clutter is a priority, wall cavities are great places to build recessed shelving. They hold all the things that would otherwise be on the table.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “I had originally selected a bed with a tall headboard, but it made the ceilings look so low,” Honeycomb says. “We swapped it out for one with a better relationship to the space.”
Paint colors: Picket Fence (walls) and White Dove (trim), Benjamin Moore
5. Four-Post Fantastic
Designer: Guinevere Johnson of Third Coast Interiors
Location: Wilmette, Illinois
Size: 320 square feet (30 square meters); 16 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted a soothing space,” says designer Guinevere Johnson. “Our biggest challenge was to work around the window directly above the headboard.”
Main feature. “The Noir Venice Bed in weathered wood is the star of this room,” Johnson says. “The lines bring your eyes up to the ceiling and accentuate the architecture and frame the harmonious natural views.”
Other special features. “I love the way the one decorative kilim pillow ties in the bench,” Johnson says. “The warmth of these two pieces ties together with the wood and brings warmth to an otherwise neutral and cool space. The geometry of the bench ties together with the geometry of the rug and adds a fresh and modern twist on a traditional space. The mirrors accentuate the height of the room, add polish and reflect the nature from outside, creating a harmonious natural sanctuary. All the materials are natural: leather, wool, silk, cotton and wood. And I love the white shiplap with the weathered wood.”
Designer tip. “Styling is always a must,” Johnson says. “The little additions of trays, flowers and throws complete this room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “At first our client was worried that the mirrors were too big, but we showed them how the proportion married nicely with that of the windows, creating a seamless, open and ethereal quality in the space and making it seem larger,” Johnson says. “In the end the client was thrilled.”
Designer: Guinevere Johnson of Third Coast Interiors
Location: Wilmette, Illinois
Size: 320 square feet (30 square meters); 16 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted a soothing space,” says designer Guinevere Johnson. “Our biggest challenge was to work around the window directly above the headboard.”
Main feature. “The Noir Venice Bed in weathered wood is the star of this room,” Johnson says. “The lines bring your eyes up to the ceiling and accentuate the architecture and frame the harmonious natural views.”
Other special features. “I love the way the one decorative kilim pillow ties in the bench,” Johnson says. “The warmth of these two pieces ties together with the wood and brings warmth to an otherwise neutral and cool space. The geometry of the bench ties together with the geometry of the rug and adds a fresh and modern twist on a traditional space. The mirrors accentuate the height of the room, add polish and reflect the nature from outside, creating a harmonious natural sanctuary. All the materials are natural: leather, wool, silk, cotton and wood. And I love the white shiplap with the weathered wood.”
Designer tip. “Styling is always a must,” Johnson says. “The little additions of trays, flowers and throws complete this room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “At first our client was worried that the mirrors were too big, but we showed them how the proportion married nicely with that of the windows, creating a seamless, open and ethereal quality in the space and making it seem larger,” Johnson says. “In the end the client was thrilled.”
6. Leather and Luxurious
Designer: Susan Goldstein and Jessica Friedt of SBSG Interior Design
General contractor: Cardinal Construction
Location: New York, New York
Size: 203½ square feet (20 square meters); 11 by 18½ feet
Client request. For this new development, SBSG Interior Design was brought in to design and provide furniture, art and accessories. Designers Susan Goldstein and Jessica Friedt imagined young professionals starting a family in the kid-friendly neighborhood of Tribeca. “We chose light neutrals that were contemporary and added textures and accents to create a cozy environment,” Goldstein says.
Main features. King-size bed and leather chaise.
Other special features. Large graphic rug. Black-and-white framed photos. Midtone wood nightstands.
Designer tip. “I believe every room should have elements that combine wood, metal, stone, leather and wool,” Goldstein says. “This room has all of them.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Because the building did not have its official occupancy certificate from the New York City Department of Buildings pending final inspections, we could not use the elevator,” Goldstein says. “We were faced with walking the furniture up five flights of stairs. The developer swooped in with the perfect solution. He hired a crane so that everything was lifted to the roof and therefore more manageable to distribute to the units.”
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for a Dream Bedroom
Get more bedroom design ideas
Find a general contractor
Shop for your bedroom
Designer: Susan Goldstein and Jessica Friedt of SBSG Interior Design
General contractor: Cardinal Construction
Location: New York, New York
Size: 203½ square feet (20 square meters); 11 by 18½ feet
Client request. For this new development, SBSG Interior Design was brought in to design and provide furniture, art and accessories. Designers Susan Goldstein and Jessica Friedt imagined young professionals starting a family in the kid-friendly neighborhood of Tribeca. “We chose light neutrals that were contemporary and added textures and accents to create a cozy environment,” Goldstein says.
Main features. King-size bed and leather chaise.
Other special features. Large graphic rug. Black-and-white framed photos. Midtone wood nightstands.
Designer tip. “I believe every room should have elements that combine wood, metal, stone, leather and wool,” Goldstein says. “This room has all of them.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Because the building did not have its official occupancy certificate from the New York City Department of Buildings pending final inspections, we could not use the elevator,” Goldstein says. “We were faced with walking the furniture up five flights of stairs. The developer swooped in with the perfect solution. He hired a crane so that everything was lifted to the roof and therefore more manageable to distribute to the units.”
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for a Dream Bedroom
Get more bedroom design ideas
Find a general contractor
Shop for your bedroom
Designer: Christine Gee of G-Interiors
Location: Southlake, Texas
Size: 168 square feet (16 square meters); 12 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. The homeowners were moving from California and didn’t bring any furniture with them. They hired designer Christine Gee to help create a luxurious retreat.
Main feature. The rug, made of viscose and wool in slate blue and navy hues, was a key for the room and inspired the overall color palette.
Other special features. Custom-upholstery furniture to pick up tones in the rug. Commissioned art.
Designer tip. “Neutralizing the bed overall and only using simple pops of blue hues for the pillows allows the bed to make a bright statement in the room while allowing the rug to stand out,” Gee says. “If you select a neutral rug, the bed is a great place to make a color statement.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The original design included a smaller bench at the end of the bed with a more subtle fabric,” Gee says. “Once it was delivered, the homeowners and I realized it was too subtle and blended with the bed. The current bench was selected for its length and the custom-upholstery fabric with a bold print to anchor the bed. The original bench was perfect for a guest room, so they were able to utilize it elsewhere in their home.”
Art over bed: Kimberly Loveland
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