The appeal of a luxury hotel room is undeniable. Often time our homeowners who are preparing to list or simply upgrade consult with us on how to incorporate this homey and cozy feel in their own master bedrooms. Below are some of our suggestions to creating the master retreat of your dreams...
Step #1: Start with your bedding. We recommend you start with bedding, is not only because the bed is the core focus of the master retreat, but also because the bedding will set the tone, style and color palette for the rest of the space. It is much easier to design a space around focal point as you can take all of your cues right from the bedding. Attractive fabrics which make up a lovely bedding set will provide a delightful source of color inspiration.
When choosing your bedding, it's important to consider functionality and style. Make sure the weight of your blankets, comforters or duvets are suitable for your body temperature and sleeping preferences. Ease of making the bed on a daily basis is another important factor to consider. An organized and restful space is key to creating a relaxing retreat. If you're running short on time in the mornings, but still want that hotel-like feel, consider choosing bedding that is easy and simple to toss and make while on your morning run out the door.
Step # 2: Coloring your Cocoon. Paint is the least expensive way to change the look of a room. Hues for a bedroom escape should be natural, relaxing and sophisticated. We recommend avoiding overly stimulating or saturated colors in this space, for obvious reasons. When selecting color palette, take cues from your bedding. Don't forget to have fun painting the ceiling. Since the ceiling may be the first thing you see at the beginning of the day, and the last thing you see at night, pay special attention to your ceiling color. Forget any “rules” of design you may have heard in the past – the ceiling doesn’t have to be white, or even a lighter shade of the wall color. You can use a darker shade of the wall color or even a completely different hue.
Step #3 When furnishing the master retreat, remember that you can and should create a space within a space. A bedroom doesn’t only have to be for sleep – which is why it’s called a master retreat. For example, do you need a writing desk? A dressing table? A comfy reading nook? A place to sit and enjoy your coffee and newspaper in the morning? Examine - What’s YOUR form of escape?
Step #4 Lighting is an important feature in any room, especially the bedroom, where the mood can so easily be set with proper illumination. Wall lamps or nightstand lamps on each side of the bed are a must for bedtime reading. Creating a “lighting triangle” by adding a 3rd lamp on a side table, dresser or desk in another area of the room and add dimmer switches for ambience and functional purposes.
Step #5 Window Treatments should complement the overall design of the room. Think of your window treatments as the belt or earrings which pull together a fabulous clothing ensemble. To create that sophisticated hotel suite look, avoid bold patterns and overly ornate and “fussy” designs. Simple custom drapery panels, lined with a room darkening fabric over a layer of sheers will be sure to create the hotel-suite look . If you’d like more light control, try layering decorative panels over a hard window treatment (such as blinds, woven woods or shutters).
Step # 6 Flooring: If you’re the type who likes the feel of soft flooring underfoot, think plush, soft and inviting. Use accent rugs over hard surfaces (and yes, you can even add rugs over carpet if you desire.) If allergies, ease of cleaning & pets are a factor, wood is a wonderful choice for a hard surface – it is warm in appearance and much warmer in temperature than tile. In this year's flooring trends we are seeing lots of texture - sculpted carpets in contemporary patterns and shaggy shags with multi color threads.
Step #7 When accessorizing a master retreat, keep it simple and not too cluttered. Art and accessories in your bedroom escape should inspire you, instill feelings of relaxation and serenity, or serve as reminders of moments you don’t want to forget. Keep in mind that less is more, and that clutter is far from restful!
Money Saving Nugget: If you don’t have money in the budget for a new bed frame or headboard, place a rug, upholstered boards or large pieces of art at the head of the bed. For more ideas on how to create your own headboards, visit HGTV.com.