How to give this bedroom the big 3: character, comfort and cosiness.

7 years ago

Hi, everybody!

I've having some difficulty picking a direction for my bedroom, so - given how great the advice has always been - thought I'd come here for some help.

The room itself is in a new build, so is very bland - I think it mainly needs some character to make it seem cosy and comfortable. The house is owned so no issues with drilling etc.

I think the big step is a paint colour. I'm leaning towards blue or grey - in the blue/grey crossover, to be rather precise. Definitely open to other suggestions though.

Just to add a few things:

1) The door that's not the entrance is to a walk-in wardrobe, so I've a clothes rail in there with the rest of my clothes in.

2) The bed is a storage one, so has plenty underneath it

3) The blue chair is one to go - I've just put it there until it goes.

4) The black thing hanging on the ridiculously-plain wall is a TV mount. I think the TV works better on the chest of drawers so might remove this.

5) I feel curtains would play a big role in cosiness.

6) The main bedding is all white/ complements the blandness :). The one on at the moment is space.

7) The room faces West.

I hope that sheds some light. I can get some measurements if people would like. Here are some pictures to give an idea:

If you've any questions, just let me know. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

Daisy England

7 years ago

The blue chair definitely needs to go. I would fit a more luxurious headboard. It's one of the first things you look at when entering the room. You need a higher one in some nice fabric. I'd also make any artwork larger than what you have currently. The pix behind the current headboard look lost. Add some cushions on your bed. I'd also hang curtains (even if you also keep the blind).

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Comments (12)

A B
7 years ago
I love the room on your ideas board with a wood feature wall and white walls- why not do that? I would definitely have some kind of feature wall behind the bed, keep the TV on the wall and also stick with a blind if your style is minimalist. If you don't need a chair in the room you could have a statement floor lamp instead. I'd also take down the art work as the scale is too small. Add a chunky knit throw to your bed to complement your white bedding, and you'd have a lovely minimalist feel.
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You may want to reconsider keeping curtains as well as the shutters, as they don't keep out all the light, particularly as you said the room is bright & south facing. Especially in the summertime when it gets lighter so much earlier. From someone who's been awake since 5am because of this problem! Note to self: must get round to choosing curtains! Also, F&B cornforth white is very pale. We've used it on the interior of our windows, but I think it would be a little boring if we used it on the walls, too close to white, especially in a room as bright as yours. A friend with very good taste recommended Little Greene's French Greys. It's a lovely warm grey & there are several different tones. Don't be scared of even the darkest one as even that isn't too strong on the walls! Our master bedroom used to be at the south facing front of a 30's house too, but after rebuilding we're now at the back of the house. Although I love looking out over the garden, I do miss that glorious sunshine you get! (Although not at 5 in the morning!). Have fun deciding, and remember you can always repaint if you really hate anything!
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minnie101
7 years ago
Hi Zach. I'd look at a feature wall of F&B Hague blue or maybe stiffkey blue and then pair it with either cornforth white, ammonite or purbeck stone all of which have some warmth. I'd also paint the dressing room door and the radiator in grey. I'd put the chest of drawers (and move the bed slightly) where the table is to allow curtains to hang properly. I'd probably go for a light shade of grey for curtains (perhaps look for these before deciding on grey paint colour). Try the table next to the bed and add a table lamp, something in a warm metal would be great against a blue wall. I'd add a rug on the floor, I like the idea of a cowhide but a pale grey subtle one or a sheepskin would be much cheaper. I think you need to add throws and cushions to the bed, perhaps get a textured darkish grey throw with grey and white patterned cushions then add some plain mustard ones. The art is too small over the bed, perhaps try hanging them vertically next to the door and replace with something larger over the bed. I like copies of old masters for some character. When in budget I would replace the chair and consider adding a large mirror on the wardrobe wall if there's room? Do you have a pendant light?
Zach W
Original Author
7 years ago
Contemporary bedroom · More Info

Thanks for responding to soon, all! To respond to each in turn:

Daisy - I definitely agree regarding the chair - just need someone to take the thing off me. The headboard is an issue as it holds the bed together so not sure how smooth replacing it could be. It seems all agree regarding the pictures so down they will come. Leaning towards the curtains, too. Thank you!

Jen - The feature wall and knitted throw is a common theme so something I'll look to invest in! Just a case of what way to go with the feature wall and how to have the other walls tied in to it. Hmmm

Minnie - as always, thank you. I actually looked at Hague blue but thought it was just too dark, although I'm torn again after seeing that picture. I might get some samples, as I like the contrast and it goes with a few ideas I saw. I had been thinking about a colour more like the one at the top of this post (which I can't move for whatever reason), which isn't too far from Hague blue (not sure of the exact colour right now but recall seeing it). I assume you'd move the bed closer to the window to allow more space with the drawers being by the door. The table by the bed wasn't the best as it's so high and the bed is rather low - to be honest I'll likely move the console table out the room at some point; not decided yet. I need to get a pendant light but figured I'd get it once doing the bigger things - the current light shade is looking very sorry for itself. A mirror does need inserting (something my girlfriend reminds me of weekly) - would you say a full-length onejust to the right of the wardrobe entrance? Your colour scheme - with the greys and mustards - sounds good, too!
minnie101
7 years ago
It's definitely worth getting a tester. Little Greene hicks blue is also a great colour and slightly lighter than Hague blue. Btw I've just been speaking to someone on houzz and johnstones can do an exact colour match for f&b so it may be worth considering. The table may work if you have large cushions against the headboard although will it fit on the wall opposite the bed? Just thinking your girlfriend could use it as a dressing table with a mirror over the top instead!
cmoulson
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi Zach. You've got a great blank canvas to work with here! In terms of paint colour, if you’re swaying towards a blue/grey colour I’d recommend trying out Juniper Ash (medium/dark shade) or Gauze Mid/Deep (for something lighter) from Little Greene. If you want to try something a bit different I think a dark green such as Studio Green from Farrow & Ball would be worth a try, especially if you're thinking of a feature wall. I've also attached a photo of a grey/mustard theme which could be another option...

Investing in some textural throws and bedding will help amplify the cosiness factor. If the walls are dark, I’d recommend going for white/very light grey bedding and then add in some darker colours with the throws to create texture.

Picking out some directional accessories will help add some character. Try an oversized filament bulb or a metal lamp to add some contrast to the grey. I also love the idea of adding a large art piece above the bed. With the mirror - a full sized one will be the most practical! I hope this helps.
PRO
Hillarys
7 years ago
Hi Zach,

What about layering curtains with a Roman blind? That will contribute to the 'three Cs' you talk about. Lots of people like to choose a plain or textured fabric, and contrast with a patterned one. See how cosy the effect is below?
Bedroom blinds and interiors · More Info

And if you do choose to go for a bold blue feature wall, you could even have one fabric match that.

Good luck with your decorating,
Zoe
PRO
Corinne Natel Art Ltd
7 years ago
Hi Zach - perhaps some original artwork would help create style, warmth and character to the room. Here are some abstract pieces below that could work well. For more examples please visit: www.corinnenatel.co.uk. Feel free to email me for more information: design@corinnenatel.co.uk
PRO
Feature Radiators
7 years ago
Curtains would definitely add a cosier look, but I would not recommending going with long curtains if you radiator is staying under the radiator. If you did, you could lose most of the heat out of the window. Instead I would recommend using roman blinds or short curtains, if you don't want to move the radiator.

Also it might be nice to upgrade the radiator to something more interesting???
PRO
Couch Potato Company
7 years ago
You can try the Shaggy Rocker, it will definitely add comfort and cosiness. It's an Eames RAR rocking chair with pure sheepskin cover:

http://www.couchpotatocompany.com/products/shaggy-rocker
Zach W
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi all

Minnie, I've got a Stiffkey Blue sample and just need to pop to Johnstone's to get a price, as they've said they can match it - thanks so much for that tip! I'm also leaving towards Purbeck Stone but need to get a sample to see how it would go with Stiffkey Blue, the light and the general decor.

Cmoulson, I agree with everything you've said! I like the look of Juniper Ash, but not sure where to get a sample in person - may have to look into that, or just order online. I think I'm leaning slightly towards Stiffykey Blue atm but that's without seeing samples so it's certainly nothing definite. I must say I was thinking about a green tone before but I just don't seem to be a fan of dark green for some reason - something about it (generally) I can't put my finger on. I'm a big fan of the grey/ mustard theme; my only reservation is that my living/ diner is painted grey so I may incorporate that theme into there.

The texture point is a common theme, likely because it's so important, and I agree with that entirely - I'm just focusing on the paint colour for now as that will dictate everything else. A pendant light, artwork above the bed, some accessories and a mirror are all planned! The curtains I'm leaning towards but may decide that once it's all done.

Zoe @ Hillarys, thank you for your post, which I actually did not realise was on behalf of a business (a compliment). As mentioned above, I'm going to leave the curtain decision for now, but I think any choice will see them end about the radiator as it can get a bit chilly around here in winter :)
PRO
V.I.P Walls Interior Specialist
7 years ago
Hi Zach

Have you thought about a feature wall.

We could create a fantastic modern design in your choice of colour. Our latest wall paneling is 3D and is perfect for a new build . It really gives a feel of coziness when you add up lighting / down lighting.

Check us out at www.vipwalls.co.uk

We also offer classic designs that will work too.

Kind regards
Claire

V.I.P Walls Team