What to do to my bedroom

Sophia

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hi,

We've been in our home 18mths now and now time to start changing things. We have a smallish bedroom which I don't know whether to try and brighten up or to go moody and embrace the dark and cosy. My partner prefers sleeping in a pitch black room, whereas I can sleep in any room. Only a small window and the eaves restricts so much.

The room is already all white, but floor very dark wood, and also the built in wardrobe. I had thought about painting the wardrobe but not sure. The floor I won't change (yet) as the whole house has the same. Room is at the top of the house which is already really dark (pics also included).

The bed is new and not going to paint, as it cost us a fair amount of money. Everything else open to change.

Also have thoughts of knocking through to the spare you to have a really big space.

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minnie101

8 years ago

The house has got some great features and furniture! Please post pics when you've finished this room

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Comments (15)

Susan Peterson
8 years ago
Hello yes I agree I would definitely paint the wardrobe this would make your room feel more spacious. You need to consider the whole room scheme. I think the wall colour needs to be changed. I'm not sure if it's the lighting in the photo....It's not contrasting enough against your bed colour. The mirror above the bed is not centred and looks unbalanced.

Farrow and Ball Parma Grey with Wimborne white trim. I would paint all timber work Wimborne White.

Do you like blue that would be a soft colour against your bed? Add a new block out roman blind above the bath as a feature. Maybe a stripe or interesting geometric pattern.

Shelves/Storage

The shelves in the alcove are too dark and small. I would add wall to wall shelves in white.

Heater - paint white or have a cover made for it and then paint it white to match other timber work (this is the only pic I could find - I wouldn't have the contrasting grill but have this white too)

You might want to consider updating your bedlinen to tie in with the new look. Adding some tiny bedside tables and lamps. Your white chest is this under a sloping ceiling it's hard to tell?

I hope this help. These are my thoughts so far. If I think of anything else I will add them. I love your bath near the window.
Susan Peterson
8 years ago
Three of these mirrors above your bed would look more interesting. Either position to be not as wide as your bed or position to be wider, this helps the balance and proportions.
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Jonathan
8 years ago
Nice room.
I like the floor but think along similar lines for decorating.
I think you should warm up the wall colour as the dark floor makes white look stark. I would choose a pastel for this room, perhaps a pale blue or mauve. I would paint the wardrobe the wall colour and get a handle to match the door. I would move the door handle down to the correct height.
I would choose a roman blind with a pale background but with a pattern in a similar colour way to the walls and get cushions or a throw made to match.
A rug might help soften the look. I would prefer to see something bigger in the alcove than the existing shelves - perhaps a wall mounted cupboard.
Lastly do you need the bath in here as it seems to be occupying space that would be better used for storage. Could you replace it with a chest of drawers?
minnie101
8 years ago
It's a great room.

I think I'd go for a slightly french look to go with your furniture.I'd add a feature wallpaper behind the bed. I would lose the mirror and go for a different style in a non-linear shape. Maybe a chinoiserie style paper as pictured, or floral or french. I'd probably go for a mix of pastels but if that's too feminine go for pastel grey or taupe and just add accessories in pastels. I'd also paint the wardrobe In an off white and update the handles. I would actually paint the bath In a colour to make it stand out more. I'd lose the bath mat until it's needed and have a rug under the bed. Maybe add sconces to use as bedside tables Do you have a ceiling light? I'd also lose the curtains and have a patterned blind fixed high so as not to block light. I love the radiator, depending what colour scheme you opt for maybe add some black trim to cushions on the bed or something to tie it in. I would paint the shelves in the wall colour and angle the chair so it's in the corner and maybe swap the cushion for something patterned.
Sophia
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for your replies.

Think the French theme would be nice. And would tie in with the rest of the house.

The bedroom pictures were taken in the natural light. Bed linen is actually a duck egg colour, but didn't come out as such in the photo. The bed is by Neptune furniture and in and colour is old chalk which is close to Farrow and Balls Old White. I wouldn't want to cover the radiator as these are also in every room of the house, and see it more of a feature. The bath is one of the things that sold the house to us, especially having a teenager hogging the bathroom. We have used it but mainly in the winter months.

Although storage you can never have enough of, we kinda do in the bedroom. The sideboard I have changed the use to a chest of drawers. Works well too. I just lined the drawers and shelves with soft felt.

So also wouldn't want shelves in the alcove, but would paint those there, as it's more as a picture rail.. Shelf.

Love the ideas for the window, and possible colours. Parma Grey we have in the bathroom so know that colour well. The whole house is painted using Farrow colours and the pervious owner even left us the chart marking what was used in each room.

Theres no ceiling light, the previous owner used the light switch to turn on the French style plugs, so lampshades are used and then turned on. Same thing for our living room which we quite like.

Even though it's our bedroom I'd like to keep a general feel throughout the house. I'm okay with a bit of modern but mixed with the old.

cupboard under the mirror moving upstairs
Jan Johnson
8 years ago
Can the bed be moved to another wall. I am not keen on beds under windows or beside doorway for health reasons. People do not realise how much draught comes from openings. Pale colours will work best for the room.
stabmonkey
8 years ago
I think the room looks lovely as it is. The floor has me green with envy. I love the fireplace and radiator. Mirrors and pictures do not belong above a headboard. Could you have the mirror on a different wall?
Sophia
Original Author
8 years ago
I was a bit wary putting there, as images of causing our own injury or death went racing through my mind. And my husband checked and double checked my attempt at putting it up (not straight). I had thought that it would help with the natural light as opposite the window. But for dressing I have a mirror attached to the inside of the wardrobe. There are magnets on the loose side so it can be swung out if needed.

Trying to decide on the colour for the room now, as I would love to paint the sideboard an inky blue, leaving the top and handles silver foiled.
stabmonkey
8 years ago
As long as it is safe leave it where it is. Inky blue would be fab.
Sophie Bridge
8 years ago
Your bedroom is beautiful! I think an inky blue sideboard would be nice - how about F&B railings? Would you consider painting the wicker chair in railings too?

You could paint the little shelves in railings as well - or, alternatively, get rid of them altogether and scatter your pictures on the alcove wall, making it a little feature?

Brassy colours would look lovely against railings - you could find a brass lamp (or spray paint one yourself) to add a warm hue to the room. Would you consider changing the door handle to a brass handle? (Thinking antique brass - I know you've mentioned silver handles already!).

Finally, how about a brown/grey fluffy/faux fur blanket to throw over the lower half of your bedding for an extra sumptuous/cosy look (and to break up the white)? The cushion on the wicker chair could have a revamp too - maybe a simple DIY block print?

Sorry - just my mind whirling around with ideas!
PRO
Bloc Blinds
8 years ago
Hi there,

What a beautiful room! I really love the bath under the window, it is such a unique feature. I'd like to recommend a crisp white roller blind above it to keep the light and airy feel to the room. Our Roller Blinds offer a swappable fabric feature so if you want to change it down the line you just hook off the old fabric and hook on the new one without having to replace the complete system. The below fabric in Frost White would be perfect to create a really fresh look in your room or take a look at our complete range at www.blocblinds.com.

If you have any questions or need measuring advice just give us a call on 0800 107 5535.

All the best with you project,

Kiera
Sophia
Original Author
8 years ago
Colour decision made. We went looking and choose our our colours and thought yep.. That's works. Then looked up some images of the colours and visually in a room looks really good so... Farrow & Ball Hague blue (back wall behind the behind the bed) walls, ceiling and wardrobe in Cabbage white, and coving and skirting in All White.

happy days.. Glad that part over with. Now with the physical and financial pain.
PRO
Penelope interior designs
8 years ago
It is a lovely room but as you have chosen black and white monochrome, you need to get a bold or big/ item in black into the upper part of the room - ie: like a beautiful bold/sculptural black monochrome reading lamp/light for example. And also think about a couple of beautiful grey decorative cushions (monochrome) for the bed. And a beautiful small white sheepskin rug for the black floor, to add the look of more comfort. I would put the mirror above the dressing table instead of above the bed. And find a large interesting black and white art-deco photograph or print to put above the bed. I think a few art-deco style things like the photo/print, a lamp and a sheep skin rug and cushions will look stunning - choose them wisely. And stick to mono-chrome colours which you have already chosen as colour-scheme. That will really bring the room together and make it look fabulous. Good luck and please show us the results afterwards. And one last thing I think a different luxurient headboard to your bed in the art-deco monochrome style is a must.
PRO
GINGER JAIRALA REYES
8 years ago
you need more color to brake monotony. With one wall!! paint it with the favorite colour of your child. Use pillows and blanckets with a touch of the selected color but more intense that you choose.... different tones..of blue for example blue, light blue, turquoise, king blue!! let us see the changes!! gingerjairala@hotmail.com !!