Few things feel more luxurious than checking into a hotel room that just “looks right.” You know what I mean? The lighting is flattering (and dimmable), the bedspread is crisp but cozy, and you have somewhere to set your phone besides the floor. I wanted my bedroom (yes, the one you walk into when guests visit my home.
Which happens to be approximately the size of your walk-in closet.) to feel that way too! Layout When we first moved into our house two years ago, our master bedroom was roughly 10×12 feet, give or take a few inches depending on where you measured. The room was overstuffed with furniture: A king-size bed frame (eye roll), two nightstands shoved next to each other that weren’t quite the same size, and a bulky dresser that hid half the window.
You had to weave through the furniture jungle just to access the bathroom. Clearly I had learned nothing from my years of thrifting and painting and rearranging.
The first thing I did was exchange the king-size bed frame for a queen.
I hear you gasping from here. Yes, you need a king-size bed in your master bedroom. NO, you do not if you have limited space and would prefer to be able to walk around your bedroom without crawling over a mattress.
I found a beautiful wooden queen platform bed with drawers built into the bottom for extra storage. Platform beds don’t require a box spring, so the bed sits lower to the ground (making the ceilings look higher) and those built-in drawers helped me stash extra blankets and out-of-season clothing. Rather than splurge on two nightstands that match like they’reuggest, I chose one floating shelf on one side of the bed that’s only wide enough to accommodate my phone, a glass of water, and whatever book I’m reading that week.
On the other side of the bed I found a petite vintage chair at an estate sale. The scale is perfect for a nightstand, but so much more fun to look at. I can sit on it when I’m tying my shoes in the morning or thinking too hard.
Lighting Speaking of thinking too hard…I also had to rethink the lighting situation in there. My original wall lamps were basic utility nightstands that cast an ugly yellow hue over everything and made the room feel dingy. I switched the bulbs out for extra-bright whites and somehow ended up with hospital lighting.
NOT GOOD. Finally I had someone install dimmer switches for each wall lamp and bought these swing-arm sconces that mount to the wall and fold down when in use. They diffuse enough light to read by, but tuck neatly against the wall when not in use.
And they have no bulky bases that take up space on my nightstands. Bedding I also splurged on bedding. Invest in good sheets, y’all.
They really make a difference! I purchased this linen-cotton blend that feels better with every wash. White duvet cover to stay classy but play it somewhat safe with my coffee-making tendencies, layered with a sage throw and several cream-coloured pillows that match the undertones in my walls.
It took me approximately six trips to three different stores to find the perfect blend, but now I can’t imagine it any other way. Paint colour I painted the walls a dusty blue-grey hue that I honestly loved before I painted it and despised after the fact. Once it dried, Behr’s “Cloudy Sky” looked lavenderish in some lighting and grey-blue in others.
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Coming from a pure white bedroom, I was terrified. But once all the furniture was moved back in I actually loved it. Blue-ish grays are incredibly calming and help rooms feel larger than they are.
My best guess is that it reflects more light than pure white without feeling sterile. Closet/Storage I removed the bulky dresser and replaced it with a hanging rail and some of these gorgeous wooden hangers. It maximizes closet space and allows me to see everything I own at a glance, which means I actually wear clothes that I would’ve otherwise forgotten about.
Beneath the hanging rail are two shallow drawers on casters that glide out when I need them and mostly stay tucked away. Mirror Hungry for more space? Angle a full-length mirror so that it reflects your window and wall of closets.
Since I didn’t have the square footage for a traditional full-length mirror, I found a large vintage standing mirror at a flea market and placed it in the corner of my bedroom diagonally across from the window. It reflects light from the window around the room, doubling the sense of space. I’ve actually caught myself walking into the mirror a few times because it opens up the room so much.
Curtains If at first you don’t succeed…try, try again. I originally installed blackout curtains because I thought I wanted to sleep in total darkness. NOPE.
Not only did they make my room feel like a cave during the day, but they didn’t stay totally closed at night either. I switched out my black-out curtains for airy linen sheers that filter the morning sunlight and allow my room to breathe. Behind the curtains I installed a cordless roller shade that I can pull down for darkness when necessary, but 90% of the time I love how the soft light filters throughout the room.
Area rug Last but not least, place a small rug next to your bed so that you can step onto something soft with bare feet in the morning. Mine is cream with little pops of sage to help pull the whole room together.
Your brain may subconsciously register the scent first.
I found this wooden reed diffuser with sage and just smell(ed) happiness. It’s light and woodsy, not overbearing or sickly sweet like many fragrance oils tend to be. Hotels rooms always smell amazing because they dump several pounds of their signature scent into every ventilation system known to mankind, and I wanted that SAME feeling when I walked into my room.
SO YES. Reed diffuser. Life changing.
If I had to guess, I spent less than most furniture pieces on transforming my bedroom into a cozy retreat. But man, did it ever make a difference. Now whenever someone visits and we walk into my bedroom, they immediately compliment how peaceful it feels despite being super tiny.
Peaceful + cozy + nice are three things I say to myself every morning when I wake up. What more could a girl ask for? !
