I hate to admit it, but I have no love for my bedroom.
The furniture is dreary and mismatched. The closet is dark and messy. The room lacks light, organization and even a headboard for the bed. It’s so uninviting that I use it only for sleeping and paying bills.
My husband and I bought our house seven years ago. Since then, we’ve gutted the kitchen, screened in a porch, renovated a basement playroom and decorated bedrooms for our two children. But our own room — why bother? No one sees it but us, so it ranks dead last on the list of home improvement priorities, after any first-floor room seen by visitors.
“Everyone always seems to put it off,” says Karen Bengel, a Washington area designer who did no such thing. Her bedroom has warm beige walls, a modern four-poster bed, linen and cotton sheets and a jolt of color from red pillows. It’s a mistake, she and others say, to give short shrift to a space intended for relaxation and comfort.
So why not give some thought to the room in the house that, really, should inspire affection? Home staffers asked designers, color pros, organizers, shop owners and others for advice on quick ways to perk up a bedroom. It turns out it really doesn’t take much — paint the walls, change the lighting, rearrange the furniture or commit to 10 minutes of daily tidying — to create a room you will love.
Tips for a brighter bedroom
Wall-mounted swing arm lamps foster reading in bed but take up zero table space.
Simple drapery panels framing a window can soften light and hard angles, even when used with blinds or shades.
Light dimmers are a sure and simple way to set the mood. They also save energy, which further lifts the spirit.
A headboard instantly upgrades a room, making it look and feel more pulled together. An upholstered headboard goes even further, adding warmth, softness and comfort for reading in bed.
Clear off the nightstand, leaving just a lamp, clock radio, water and something to read on top. Stow tissues and other necessities in a drawer or nearby basket.
Throws add color and an instant sense of cozy. Cashmere is lovely, but affordable fleece can be just as comforting.
Don’t skimp on bedding basics: mattress cover, sheets, blankets, bed skirt. Pillows should be replaced every few years. You’ll sleep better for it. Treat yourself to a new laundry basket, too.
Fresh flowers are even nicer than candles. Place a bud vase on a nightstand and fill it with a single red rose. Or two, or three.
Fresh paint makes the most impact for the money. Designer favorites for bedrooms include Benjamin Moore’s whisper-soft Palladian Blue, Farrow & Ball’s Hound Lemon and New Age, a pale purple-gray, also by Benjamin Moore.
Keep paper and pencil handy for jotting down big thoughts in the middle of the night.
You don’t have to buy a thing. Just try these simple (mom-endorsed) routines: Make your bed, hang up your clothes, toss old newspapers and magazines, pick up towels and laundry, and empty the waste basket.
The following experts contributed ideas for our list: Designers: Susan Beimler, Karen Bengel, Mario Buatta, Bill Carroll, Annie Elliott, Linda Jo Foreman, Tynesia Hand-Smith, Joseph Ireland, Liz Levin, Chris Madden, Helena Peck, David Rowe, Sally Steponkus, Matthew Swingly. Organizers: Fran Cohen, Jill Lawrence, Nealey Levi. Shop owners: Ann Sullivan of Abrielle, Daren Miller of And Beige. Color consultant: Teresa Balcom of the Color Wheel in McLean. Author: Paul Darby.
