Why is it that the master bedroom is often overlooked when it comes to design and décor? Perhaps it's because the door can be closed and because it's often thought of as your private sanctuary. The funny thing is, that's the exact reason why your master bedroom should not be neglected! It should be your very own private, beautiful space.
When clients ask me to design their master bedroom, there are a few do's and don'ts that I like to share with them.
Don't: I know you love your kids, and your entire extended family, however, the master bedroom is not the place for family photos. If you must have photographs in your room, keep the subject matter focused on you and your partner or romantic places you have visited together.
Don't: While it comes with much opposition from my clients, I always try to steer them away from placing a TV in the bedroom. Or any electronics for that matter! But, if I must confess, I still have a small TV in my room for those must watch HGTV episodes and Dodger games, but it is mostly tucked away behind full length closet doors. Just remember, you are there for respite, not to catch up on the days' happenings. What's relaxing about watching the news or Law & Order right before nodding off to sleep?
If you have to have a TV in your bedroom, find ways to incorporate your TV into your design. I love how the TV in the photo below blends into the décor, instead of standing out!
Don't: Please don't even consider placing your home office in the same room that you sleep in. That's a sure-fire way to destroy any hopes of getting a good nights sleep. We are already so connected throughout the entire day. Take the opportunity to disconnect when it's time to rest.
Don't: Get all matchy-matchy with your furniture. You don't want the room to look like you walked into a furniture store and bought an entire set. The furniture should coordinate in scale and color, but doesn't have to be matching.
Do: What's the one place I recommend you invest in the best? Bedding! I love to layer it on in the winter. I've even been accused of disappearing under the covers more than once. Honestly though, most of the year we just use a great weight down comforter over top without a top sheet or blankets. Try the Company Store or Garnet Hill for great colored comforters that don't require duvet covers. If you do need a cover, try this to avoid the "Arghh!!" moment! Click here to see how to put a duvet cover on with minimal effort!
Do: Consider the your color palette. I love when my clients want to tie their décor to either their wedding day or a special romantic vacation. It gives the room even more warmth and emotion. Did you know that purple is the most romantic color for a bedroom with the highest rate of a tryst? If purple isn't for you, try other rich jewel tones to evoke a sense of seduction and intrigue.
Here we used inspiration from one of the bouquets from this couples wedding. Just a little reminder of that special day.
Do: Think about how your bedroom is sited. Are you a morning person or do you love to sleep in? Room darkening shades are great for getting those extra zzzzz's, but they can wreak havoc on your circadian rhythms. Don't forget to add curtains as well. Besides helping to block out light and keep the warmth in, they add a sense of romance.
Do: Keep in mind that lighting is incredibly important. And your little overhead light isn't going to do the job. I love to add something romantic, like a chandelier or a unique light that will cast a soft glow. Or, go for some great wall sconces or table lamps. Everyone knows I love to add dimmers in just about every room. That includes the bedroom and even your closets! There's nothing worse than waking up, all sleepy-eyed looking for your slippers, when you flick on the bright closet light to find them. It's a tough way to start the day. Go easy on yourself and add a dimmer. Don't forget the candles too. If you are someone who is known to forget the candles, there are some great, realistic candles that can do the trick too!
Do: Look up! It's the one room where you actually spend time looking up at your ceiling! Why not make it interesting? Exposed beams, molding, a wood ceiling, paint or even wallpaper will add a dramatic feel to your room.
Do: Add some music. One of our favorite investments years ago was a Sonos system. This allows you to control music throughout the house via your smartphone. Having a speaker in the master bedroom is wonderful. Some of our favorite Pandora stations include Patrick O'Hearn, Kaki King, and of course a little Madeleine Peyroux or Stacey Kent on a lazy Sunday morning in bed with a cup of coffee and the New York Times.
Still need convincing? Click here to see my Pinterest board, Musings: Master your Master Bedroom Décor.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.