Bedroom With Too Many Doors

Bedroom With Too Many Doors

Dear Laurel,

Thank you for your email; I expect nothing. I love your blog, and always feel that I learn something new from you!

I live in a 1964 ranch-style home that's only 1400 s/f (3 bed/2 bath). Here are the photos of my master bedroom layout, which I'm working on. It's only 13'7″ x 10'7″, with two random windows that aren't even the same size.

One window encroaches on the bed, and the other is squashed into the corner near the closet.

On top of that, they aren't even beautiful. They're kind of fat and squat, and someone replaced the original windows with vinyl. We are planning on replacing the vinyl with windows more appropriate to the home, but we're definitely not blowing out the brick on the walls to make something more attractive and symmetrical.

My bedroom is painted BM Gray Cashmere, with BM White Dove ceiling and trim. Earlier this year, I ordered Kristie Barnett's Paint Color Toolkit that you featured in a blog post (love it!). When I saw the Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere color card, I knew I wanted to go for (i.e. shamelessly copy) this look, a room I absolutely love:

My original plan had me cutting down the one bedside table to the same height as the other, and painting both white. I was also planning on doing just a single drapery panel on the right side of the bed window, and regular drapes on the other window, to add height and softness to the room.

But now I'm kind of doubting myself, and have reached that horrible point of decision paralysis. My room is so small, I somehow feel that the window treatments need to echo each other and not be totally different? (See, I can't even say that with confidence!)

If you created a mood board for me, even with something entirely different from my inspiration, I'd feel like I'd died and gone to heaven! But even if you just nudged me by saying what you think would be the best window treatment option I'd still be ecstatic.

I can't find anything online for my particular situation, because homes like mine always seem to be the "before" shot of the new, stunning remodel done by an architect/interior decorator husband-wife team, hahaha.

Sincerely, Tracie

Hey Everyone,

I received a sweet note the other day from Tracie and she said that she has a small ranch house and is struggling with her master bedroom. I told her it would be okay to send a few photos which she did with the note above.

Oh wow! Pretty wall color. I mean, really pretty.

And the bed is lovely… but there are some substantial issues.

What's the first problem with this bedroom?

Besides it being pitifully small for a master bedroom. Anyone?

Yes, in the second row; I saw your hand go up first.

The ceiling fan with a light?

Bingo. You guys know me! The fan is fine. The fan with a light says tacky in my opinion. The only time I've seen this work is with a retro style fan. It's meant to be fun and well… retro. Otherwise, in a classic design like Tracie desires, the light looks down-market to me.

Anyone else having a problem with the placement of the bed in this bedroom layout?

I see most of you raised your hand.

Tis a problem. We have a queen-sized bed that feels cramped in an elfin-sized bedroom. Okay, we'll call it cozy. :]

Plus… our problem child. Those windows.

But what are going to do about the bed? Anyone?

Yes, in the third row in the DT T-shirt. I bet you have lots of great ideas.

"Well, I hope so. I am wondering if the bed could be put on an angle in the corner?

Yes. That's a great idea! ;]

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Laurel spent four hours making a mood board without first putting the room down on paper.

I know better, but that didn't stop me. haha.

After I finished the mood board, I thought, well, I better put this down on paper. I had asked Tracie to send me the measurements and then I discovered that the photos lied.

Here's the sketch – a little rough, but it's all there.

The reality of this bedroom is that with a queen-sized bed and placement of the windows, something is going to be sacrificed.

But over-all, I do prefer the bed on an angle.  Yes, it's a little tight, but it's like trying to fit into your skinny jeans in January. And, it's tight the other way too.

Does the bed have to be on an angle?

No, it can stay where it is, but it's going to make it difficult to put up drapes, unless they are pulled to the right side. And then, the window near the closet the drapes pulled to the left side.

I'm not going to tell Tracie to get rid of the bed, but being a sleigh bed, it is a little longer than if it was just a standard bed, with a headboard only.

The other issue is the night stands. I drew in some small circles to represent two small round tables– maybe two garden stools, just big enough for a drink and a pair of glasses and maybe a small book.

We could do swing arm lamps above.

I drew in a rectangular table behind the bed but it's not really practical, except to catch the dust.

We can put her other tables in front of the windows, I think. And yes, painting the other table is a great idea.

And then, I would add a pretty lamp for each.

Tracie's instincts are right on about the drapes.

They should be the same style and even though the windows are different, sizes, we can cheat that a little so that they look to be the same size. I do that all the time.

But before I address the design of the drapes, I would like to address the fabric. Tracie loves the buffalo check and I do too. She wrote me that she wants to use this check from Ballard Designs.

Ballard Designs

Here it is on a recliner for scale purposes.

It's very pretty; but here's the problem and it's a universal one.

Sometimes when we see a room we like and we want to copy it, it may be that there are some elements that really aren't right for our space. In other words, we won't get that room.

The room Tracie sent me is at least 50% larger with a nine foot ceiling and normal windows.

BIG difference!

I'm afraid that the big check is going to be a little overwhelming and something else. I am worried that the large squares are going to act like a beacon that says… "look at my squatty square windows!"

But, I might be wrong. And one other thing. The large check is classic, but it's also very trendy right now. Just something to consider.

Here's what I would suggest if there's any doubt if a drapery fabric is the right one.

Definitely get a sample, but if the sample is too small, buy a yard of the fabric and hold it up. You can always use it for a pillow or something. Drapes are a really in-your-face-thing and better to get a better sense of what's in store.

In addition, the background of this fabric is cream and believe me when I tell you that it could possible go very yellow when the light shines through it. Always use a white lining fabric for that reason, unless you want it to look yellow. And it might still look yellow, even with white lining. It's a good idea to hold the fabric up in front of the window during the day to see what happens.

I forgot to tell you that Tracie has a pretty tight budget. I did look and Ballard does have  ready-made drapes in the buffalo check but in a dark gray, definitely not and a beige and white which is a possibility. She should get the 96″ size and hem them a little.

I'd like to suggest a fabric that's the same color as the wall.

I love this kind of treatment in any case, but especially for a small room because it will help to make things less busy and more elegant.

In any case, drapes need to be hung as high as possible. Right underneath the crown moulding.

OR we could do something else…

I am thinking that a tailored inverted pleated valance, just long enough to cover the window frame will do the trick. Tracie says that there is 11″ between the crown and bottom of window frame, but 13″ will be a good proportion, I think and ensure that one cannot see the casing. That would be very tacky.

This treatment will give the illusion of height to the eight-foot ceiling.

But of course, it is still absolutely fine to do a treatment without the valance.

In addition, I would paint the ceiling a slightly lighter version of the wall color. The ceiling will look lighter in any case, except close to the entrance. By painting it a pale gray-blue, it will raise the ceiling higher.

It really does!

And finally. I believe Tracie lives in the south so if a fan is needed, a simple white fan would be fine. Otherwise, I put in a fixture that does not come down more than about 18″. That should be on a dimmer for ambient light.

One other thing I would recommend is to have a different mirror for the chest and then a lamp on low in front of it.

It's not that the one that's there is bad. It could also be brightened up with a little gold craft paint, perhaps.

I like this brown and cream bone inlay mirror from Anthropologie

I think the pretty white lamp she has on her night stand would look great and brighten up that spot. This one is the Lilou Table Lamp from Currey and Co. If you google it, there are many online vendors that sell it.  It's a little big for this room, but I like the idea.

And here's the inspiration board!

I hope that helps Tracie and anyone else that's struggling with a small awkward space.

xo,

PS:

Art is from Ballard Design

Nightstand lamp: Athena lamp from Robert Abbey. It comes in a zillion colors and is also sold online– many sources.

The rug is something I made up from another rug and I found some random fabric for the bench.

PSS: It's Sunday morning at 10:40. If you leave a comment and don't see it right away it just means that I haven't had a chance to post it yet. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Bedroom With Too Many Doors

Source: https://laurelberninteriors.com/2016/10/08/bedroom-layout-giving-nightmares/

Beautiful Bedroom Colors

Beautiful Bedroom Colors

When deciding between bedroom paint colors, it can be difficult to envision exactly how the color scheme will work with the lighting, furniture, and overall decor in the room. Read on to learn how to determine the best bedroom color for your design vision.

Every room in a home tells a story, and the room's color helps that story come alive. This is particularly important in a bedroom, as the paint color can provide a tranquil, relaxing space when selected properly.

When brainstorming bedroom colors, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of room painting ideas that are possible— from accent walls to painted ceilings. Scrolling through your Pinterest feed could give you a jolt of inspiration, or inundate you with the sheer number of possibilities.

Here are our favorite bedroom paint colors to get you started, check out this article for more bedroom painting ideas.

The 15 best bedroom colors

1. Serene: Lavender

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Shades of lavender and light lilac exude serenity while providing a vibrant, yet understated, color palette.

Our paint suggestion: Glidden, lavender haze

2. Warm: Terracotta

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Terracotta gives earthiness to a bedroom and blends well with greenery and dark furniture.

Our paint suggestion: Montage Signature, terracotta

3. Calm: Slate blue

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Blue is associated with clear skies and sunny days, evoking happiness and serenity in a room.

Our paint suggestion: Rust-Oleum, coastal blue

4. Edgy: Royal purple

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Deep shades of purple offer an elegant edge to a bedroom.

Our paint suggestion: Prestige Paints, impulsive purple

5. Airy: Cream

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Creamy colors pair well with light wood furniture and flooring, giving the room an airy feel.

Our paint suggestion: The Spruce, macramé beige

6. Modern: Dark grey

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Rich shades of dark grey add deep, warm tones and a modern appeal.

Our paint suggestion: The Rainbow, dark grey

7. Earthy: Light green

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Light green evokes clean, earthy tones.

Our paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore, soft fern

8. Vibrant: Mustard yellow

LOOK Photography / Getty Images

Mustard yellow has subdued undertones that are vibrant and warm.

Our paint suggestion: Rust-oleum, Venetian yellow

9. Comforting: Rose pink

Image Flow / Shutterstock

Light shades of rose pink blend well with warm copper or light gold accents.

Our paint suggestion: Rust-oleum, blush pink

10. Energizing: Bright white

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White walls open the space and make a room appear larger than it is. It also provides a great palette for adding splashes of color in the décor.

Our paint suggestion: Glidden, white

11. Dreamy: Light gray

LEKSTOCK 3D / Shutterstock

Cool, gray tones enhance a room's natural light and pairs well with green and blue décor.

Our paint suggestion: Montage Signature, dove gray

12. Elegant: Gold

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Metallic paint, such as gold, can make a room appear larger and typically works best when used on an accent wall.

Our paint suggestion: Ralph Lauren, gold metallic

13. Fun: Creamy apricot

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Zesty shades of apricot and peach pair well with creamy beige tones and add an element of flair to a bedroom.

Our paint suggestion: Glidden, peach darling

14. Soothing: Light yellow

xujun / Shutterstock

Soothing shades of light yellow add a cheerful touch to a room.

Our paint suggestion: Prestige, yellow rise

15. Cool: Sea blue

PavelShynkarou / Shutterstock

Cool shades of sea blue are modern and minimalist, adding the perfect touch of color.

Our paint suggestion: Glidden, blue pearl

What is the psychology behind paint color?

According to Psychologist World, certain colors have been associated with increased blood pressure, metabolism, eye strain, and emotion. Specifically, the color red increases heart rate, blood pressure, and appetite (which is why it is a popular color in restaurants). One study suggests that black is associated with anger and aggression. Shades of dark blue and dark green can also bring about feelings of sadness or indifference.

The color of a room is deeply personal and often has cultural associations as well. For example, in Japan and China, the color white is used to indicate mourning, whereas white is associated with cleanliness and purity in the United States. Some Middle Eastern countries associate the color blue with protection and paint their front doors blue to ward off evil spirits.

So when it comes to choosing a color for your bedroom, go beyond your dream design. Dig deep and consider how the color makes you feel.

What you should consider when choosing bedroom paint colors:

• Warm, neutral shades: Beige, creamy white, mustard yellow, and light grey offer a homey, inviting atmosphere that evokes comfort and relaxation. Warm tones provide a great palette to pair with bright pops of color in the bedroom's décor.
• Cool, light tones: Soft yellow, lavender, light pink, and fresh blue offer a feeling of calm and restfulness in a bedroom. These colors are also less distracting and easier to pair with bright room décor and lively patterns.
• Vibrant bedrooms: Shades of gold, dark purple, and terra cotta provide a bold color scheme that's both inviting and elegant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a color for my bedroom?

Start by assessing the furniture you have in your room. If most of your furniture is white or light wood, adhering to that lighter design palette may work best. Darker furniture often pairs well with deeper, richer tones. After you have a general color idea in mind, explore color ideas on Pinterest, Elle Décor, HGTV, Good Housekeeping, and interior design blogs. After narrowing down some color options, visit your local paint store and request a sample that you can bring home. Test a small area in your room with the paint sample to help visualize how it will look. If you like it, you're ready to paint!

What is the best color to paint a bedroom for sleep?

According to OurSleepGuide, blue is considered the best color for sleep because it has calming qualities. There are special receptors in the eye's retina (called ganglion cells) that are particularly receptive to blue, making it best for sleep.

Which colors should I avoid in my bedroom?

Red, orange, dark brown, bright lemony yellow, and lime green are colors that should be avoided when deciding on a bedroom color. Red tends to increase heart rate while orange evokes enthusiasm, making it ideal for a fitness room or home office. Dark brown and black tend to close in a room, making it appear smaller than it is. Bright shades of lemon yellow and lime green can be distracting and make the walls appear to have a neon-like hue.

What is the best paint color for a children's bedroom?

Fun, vibrant colors such as aqua, sea blue, light green, beige, and cerulean blue are great colors to pair with a children's design palette. It is typically best to steer clear from white, beige, and other light colors as children tend to beat up their walls. Adding a chalkboard wall is a fun idea for a children's bedroom as well.

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Amanda Sapio is a freelance copywriter and the founder of ASAPEditorial.com. Amanda's real estate career began while working for Marcus & Millichap's top-producing team, where she experienced the various facets of the commercial real estate industry first-hand. She later went on to join Sotheby's International Realty where she broadened her understanding of the residential real estate market and helped guide many clients through the moving process. As a copywriter, Amanda now applies her years of real estate knowledge to help her readers make informed moving and investment decisions.

Beautiful Bedroom Colors

Source: https://www.mymove.com/painting/guides/bedroom-colors/

Pine Mission Bedroom Furniture

Pine Mission Bedroom Furniture

What Should I Know About Buying Used Furniture?

Photo Courtesy: Maskot/Getty Images

Is it time to replace that lumpy old couch or revitalize your dining room with a table-and-chair set that actually makes guests feel welcome (and comfortable)? Buying used furniture is a great way to get new-to-you furniture for sprucing up your home without hearing muffled cries of anguish coming from your wallet. If you're looking to decorate on a budget and buy your pieces used, you might have some questions about the process — it's not exactly the same as buying new, after all. Below are some important considerations to keep in mind as you get started in your quest for used furniture.

Used Furniture Is Usually Safe — Except for These Pieces

If you've never purchased used pieces of furniture before, you might be wondering whether it's safe to do so. In general, the answer is yes, especially when it's an item that you can wipe down and clean easily, such as an all-wood dresser or a metal-and-glass dining table. However, there are some pieces you really shouldn't buy used if you can avoid it.

Photo Courtesy: James Braund/Photodisc/Getty Images

Used mattresses, whether they're for adults, kids or babies, have a higher potential of posing health hazards because they could be contaminated with bodily fluids, bed bugs, mold and mites. Plus, it's impossible to know what's lurking inside a mattress without cutting it up to find out. A bed frame, on the other hand, is usually a safe purchase as long as you can clean it. If that bed frame is upholstered, however, you might also want to pass it up.

Overall, it can be best to avoid all types of heavily used upholstered furniture, such as couches, chairs, headboards and other pieces. These may have stains of unknown origin that you won't be able to remove (and won't want to, because who knows what they might be?). But upholstered items, with years of regular use, can also become lumpy and bumpy and uncomfortable to sit on, which defeats the purpose of bringing a new piece of furniture meant for relaxation into your home. Unless you're planning to learn DIY upholstery skills, skip upholstered items that are obviously old, misshapen and stained. Opt for items that are new with tags in this situation.

You Should Make It a Point to Hold Out for Quality

One of the main reasons you might want to buy used furniture is that you can get a great deal on a gently worn piece that was a lot costlier when it was brand new. And you should spend a little time trying to do just that. Look for pieces from well-known, durable brands like Flexsteel, Lexington, Bassett, Woodbridge and other companies that have reputations for producing higher-end, built-to-last furniture. If you can find them, you'll be investing in a piece that can last for years to come, and you'll be paying a better price on top of that.

Photo Courtesy: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/DigitalVision/Getty Images

On the flip side, unless you're looking for some garage shelving or a piece that won't see too much heavy use, such as a bedside table, it's best to avoid purchasing mass-produced, self-assembled furniture secondhand. These pieces are usually nowhere near as durable as factory-built pieces from trusted brands, and they also might not have all their original components. This means they may have lost some of their structural integrity. So, even if you're paying a low price, you might not be happy with how well they perform or get that much use out of them.

What a piece is made out of is just as, if not more, important than who made it. Self-assembled furniture is made with cheaper materials, like particleboard and veneer. And while there's nothing inherently wrong with these materials, you're usually not getting that great a deal when you buy them used because they depreciate quickly. Aim for solid hardwood and metal furniture instead. It'll last you longer, and these materials are easy to clean.

Take a Look in Person Whenever You Can

It's not always possible to check out a used item in person — maybe you're browsing on an online auction site — but you should aim for in-person shopping when it comes to used furniture. This gives you the opportunity to sit in a piece or otherwise use it to determine how comfortable it is and whether you'll be able to enjoy it. That's something you can't judge just from looking at a picture.

Photo Courtesy: Mint Images - Bill Miles/Mint Images RF/Getty Images

It'll also give you a better idea about the item's condition and quality, which, again, are somewhat easy to conceal in photos online. It's simple for a seller to show scratches and other damage, but they can't convey that a dresser's drawers stick, for example, in photos. Even seeing this in writing doesn't give you the clearest idea about how much of an impact the damage might have on the furniture's usability.

Unlike when you're buying something brand new, there's generally a greater likelihood that a piece of used furniture will have those dents, dings and maybe even some deeper types of damage. And of course you'll want to know about these things before you decide to make a purchase. Not only can they influence your overall decision to buy, but they may also give you a potential bargaining chip. If a piece needs some repairs that you're comfortable making, you may have an easier time negotiating a lower price because of its condition.

More From QuestionsAnswered.net

Pine Mission Bedroom Furniture

Source: https://www.questionsanswered.net/lifestyle/what-to-look-for-when-buying-used-furniture?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740012%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

What To Put On Your Bedroom Door

What To Put On Your Bedroom Door

Chalk It Up

1/13

A ho-hum door can become a conversation piece with a few coats of chalkboard paint. It's a project you can finish in a weekend, including drying time, so by Monday, you'll be chalking poetic.

Related: 10 Creative Uses for Chalkboard Paint

The Style Files

Break the Mold

2/13

Send your door right into the third dimension with the addition of some molding.

Related: Know Your Moldings: 10 Popular Trim Styles to Spiff Up Any Space

HGTV

Stencil Potential

3/13

Stencils are a wonderful way to adorn your entry, whether you choose a few small designs or a pattern that covers the entire door. This stencil from Royal Design Studio was applied using an off-white latex paint, followed by a light layer of stain to give an antiqued look.

Related: DIY Wall Stenciling

Shopify

Stick It to Them

4/13

With a decal, in just minutes you can have a door that makes a strong statement. This vinyl sticker from Cool Wall Art is designed to fit a standard door, but there's no reason you couldn't use it on a wall too.

Related: 10 Ways to Unleash the Potential of Your Blank Walls

CoolWallArt.com

Just for Fun

5/13

Sometimes the simplest ideas give you the biggest bang for your buck. These "legs crossed" stickers, available on Amazon, are sure to give your bathroom guests a chuckle.

Amazon

Paper Swoon

6/13

Today's wallpaper goes way beyond your grandmother's florals. With a seemingly unlimited selection of colors, patterns, and textures to choose from, once you've dressed your door with wallpaper, you may find yourself itching to cover the walls as well.

Related: 12 "Off the Wall" Ways to Repurpose Wallpaper

Wow Wallpaper Hanging

Neatly Trimmed Nails

7/13

These boldly painted blue doors have been carefully detailed with upholstery nails to create the illusion of panels. To create your own nailed trim, first plan out your design with blue painter's tape, and then use a hammer and awl to start a hole for each nail.

Related: Know Your Door Styles: 10 Popular Designs

Betterdecoratingbible.com

Behind the Curtain

8/13

We use curtains to adorn our windows, so why not use them on doors as well? Although fabric panels are more common on glass doors where privacy or shade may be desired, they can add an interesting design element to a solid door, too.

Related: How To: Paint Your Curtains

Ranzom.com

A Wreath for All Seasons

9/13

We expect decorative wreaths around the holidays, but they can brighten up your doors year-round. Shop your favorite home decor store for a wreath that suits your style or make your own, like this jute-wrapped monogram wreath from Two Twenty One.

TwoTwentyOne.net

Mirror, Mirror on the Door

10/13

If you want a space to look larger, an array of small mirrors on the door can do the trick. Mirrors are also believed to maximize a room's feng shui by shifting the flow of energy and creating a sense of calm.

Related: Mirror Magic: 10 Ways of Using Mirrors to Your Design Advantage

Frame Fanatic

Delightfully Distressed

11/13

Distressed furniture continues to be one of the most popular interior design trends. But though the look is rustic and "cheap," the price tag for antique finishes is anything but. Fortunately, you can take matters into your own hands by distressing a door yourself in a DIY minute.

Related: 8 Ways to Age, Distress, Gild, and Add Shine to Your Next Project

The House of Smiths

Shiny and New

12/13

Without having to do anything to a door's surface, you can dramatically transform it with a new handle. When you spring for the new knob, consider replacing the door hinges as well; the old ones may show their age next to a shiny new piece of hardware.

Related: How To: Install Door Hardware

HouseLogic

For More...

13/13

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What To Put On Your Bedroom Door

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/open-sesame-12-ways-to-dress-up-a-drab-door-47041