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How to give your bedroom a masterful makeover

Tribune News Service

October 27, 2017 at 4:29PM

Parade of Homes- Master bedroom at a modern farmhouse in Excelsior thats sustainable and designed by architects Maureen Bellows and Barry Pettit. It's a spec home on the parade.] Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune bbisping@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

It can be hard to achieve a truly blissful master bedroom. Often, nightstand clutter, mismatched sheets and underwhelming furniture can get in the way of creating a welcoming, relaxing sanctuary. If it's time to give your bedroom the makeover it deserves, here are a few masterful ideas that will help your space feel more layered and comfortable — and even a bit larger.

Start with a large rug

Nothing makes a space look smaller than a too-small rug. In the bedroom, it's especially important to have a rug large enough to cover the area around the bed, not to mention that it's more comfortable to step on when you wake up.

Small-space tip: If you can't fit a large rug in your space, opt for two runners flanking the bed instead.

Supersized sconces

Don't be afraid to supersize your bedside tables and sconces. There's nothing worse than leaving large blank spaces on each side of the nightstands.

Small-space tip: Sconces work wonders in small rooms because they free up nightstand space. Just make sure you opt for lights that have an appropriate scale for the room.

Add a statement chair

Fill an awkward corner with a statement chair. Not only does it look great on its own, but it comes in handy when you want to throw clothes over it at the end of a long day. After all, laziness happens to the best of us.

Small-space tip: If there is no space for a chair, try a smaller accent like a stool or even a woven basket to handle extra clutter.

Consider a chandelier

A statement lighting fixture, such as a chandelier, will dress up the ceiling and enhance the mood lighting in your bedroom. Don't forget to put it on a dimmer in case you want to set a romantic tone. If you have low ceilings, opt for a light fixture that branches out horizontally instead of vertically.

Small-space tip: To know exactly how big your chandelier should be for the space, add the dimensions of the room together in feet, and then convert the result to inches. For instance, a room that's 8 by 10 feet should have a chandelier with a diameter of 18 inches.

Go all white

Want to get that plush hotel look? Try going all white: walls, ceiling, floors, furniture, and, most importantly, bedding. Play with textures instead of colors by adding cashmere, sheepskin, and linens.

Small-space tip: White walls can look dingy in a small room with very little natural light. If that's the case for you, paint the walls and ceiling a soft muted color and keep everything else white.

Try a canopy bed

One of the most frequent questions people have for their interior designers is how to fill a large, blank wall space. This problem is especially common in the bedroom, where you often have a large wall behind the bed. A canopy bed visually fills vertical space in your room so it looks more structured and layered.

Small-space tip: Yes, you can have a canopy bed in a small room. Just opt for one with a thin frame.

End with a bench

Try adding a small living area in your bedroom room if you can, even if it's just a bench at the foot of your bed. It makes the room look finished and it's practical, too.

Small-space tip: Pay careful attention to the traffic clearance in your space. You should allow 2 to 3 feet to walk comfortably around the room.