How to Decorate an Ivory Sleigh Bed

A handmade quilt and lace bed skirt complement an ivory sleigh bed.

An ivory sleigh bed's curved lines and solid contruction provide a classic feature to bedroom decor. Though neutral color schemes work well in the bedroom to give a sense of tranquility, a brighter palette of colors from nature such as jade, scarlet, lapis blue or sunflower provide a counterpoint to the ivory sleigh bed. The Wall Street Journal's website suggests using a group of related colors to decorate a sleigh bed, such as pinks and fuchsias. Decorate the ivory sleigh bed to make it an oasis of comfort and sumptuous color.

Things You'll Need

• Bed skirt
• Box spring cover
• Sheets
• Pillow shams
• Comforter, comforter cover or quilt
• 2 accent pillows
• Artificial vines or silk flowers

Instructions

1. Plan the color scheme for the ivory sleigh bed. Dressing the bed in two to three colors will add interest and provide an appealing contrast to its ivory color. For example, select a dark, medium and light shade of a color, such as sky blue for the bed skirt and box spring cover, turquoise blue for the sheets and pillow shams and cobalt blue for the comforter and accent pillows.

2. Select a box spring cover in a color to match the sheets or in a lacy pattern to lighten up the size and solidity of the ivory sleigh bed.

3. Choose a lace or translucent bed skirt for a soft effect---this also helps the ivory sleigh bed to appear smaller and more open, rather than a solid mass sitting in the room. To conceal storage under the bed with a see-through bed skirt, choose a ruffled style.

4. Buy sheets and pillow shams in the medium shade of the color you chose to decorate the ivory sleigh bed.

5. Invest in a comforter cover in the dark shade of your chosen color. For variety, choose a reversible comforter or cover with a color coordinated print on one side. Pick out some accent pillows to match, such as neck roll pillows, or two round pillows to echo the ivory sleigh bed's curves.

6. Add whimsy to the ivory sleigh bed by placing an artificial vine or daisy chain of silk flowers across the headboard. Tuck the ends behind the headboard and adjust the strand so it lays across the top.

Tips & Warnings

• Integrate the bedding colors into the room by adding a vase and candle holders or other decorative items in the medium shade of the bedding color for the ivory sleigh bed.

References

• The Wall Street Journal: Can you Decorate Without Overspending?
• From My Home to Yours: Bedrooms Worthy of Dreams