The Do’s and Dont's of Decorating
Watch Video
home sectionhome section
If you’ve been searching for bedroom inspiration ideas, look no further than your favorite--or your fantasy--vacation spot. Your bedroom should be a retreat from the rest of the world, a sanctuary for peace, rest and romance. What’s a better retreat than a holiday hideaway? Whatever your dream destination, recreate it in your own private haven.
If you dream of elegant chateaux or chic Parisian apartments, give your bedroom some French panache. Indulge in a opulent, tufted velvet bed trimmed with gilt, and hang a crystal-laden chandelier overhead. Cover the bed with a silky coverlet, and pile it high with squashy cushions featuring tassels, embroidery or fringe.
Complete your fantasy French bedroom with luxurious furniture and accessories. Look for bedside tables, chests and dressers with carving, gilding and bits of metal ormolu. Hide media equipment and linens in a curvy, carved armoire. Hang lush, flowing silk panels at the windows, and prop a trumeau mirror against the wall. If you have the space, create a seating area with a couple of leggy bergere chairs or an antique settee.
If a charming seaside cottage is more your style, create a tranquil, ocean-inspired bedroom. Paint the walls white, sand, watery aqua or pale blue. Look for a simple iron headboard painted white, or opt for a pencil post bed of maple or pine. Flank the bed with a pair of wicker or rattan nightstands. Dress your bed in crisp white linens.
Continue your seaside fantasy with furnishings inspired by nature. Use dressers and chests with simple shapes and pale, painted finishes or light to medium natural stains. Remove heavy rugs or carpets, and use simple rag or jute rugs over bare wood. On the windows, flank matchstick shades with linen curtain panels--white or unbleached. Slipcover a comfortable chair and ottoman for a reading corner.
Perhaps you long for a sophisticated Manhattan penthouse high above the hustle and bustle of the city. Start with a sleek, modern platform bed. Add a pair of contemporary bedside tables topped with matching lamps--perhaps stacked Lucite cubes with square shades. Dress your bed in neutrals or monochromatic brights, whichever you prefer, but keep the lines simple. Avoid ruffles, fringes and frills.
Choose furniture and accessories with clean lines and a variety of finishes. Mix chrome, brushed nickel, glass and mirrored finishes with exotic woods like zebrawood, thuya and wenge. Use simple window treatments like Roman shades, or sleek drapery panels hanging from tracks or curtain wire. Add a piece of contemporary sculpture on a pedestal, and hang an abstract painting or two. Install directional track lighting overhead to spotlight your favorite elements.
