Bedroom spaces should not only reflect your personal sense of style, but also exude comfort. With these four useful design tips, you can transform your master and guest bedrooms into luxurious 5-star dwellings that will surely impress family and friends.Soothing Color SchemesI prefer soft color schemes in the bedroom. One of my recent projects included redesigning my own master bedroom in which the color palette featured subtle creams and pinks. I work in color all day long and when “I lay me down to sleep,” I need comfort in almost no color at all. The soft taupe walls in my bedroom provide a very simple and neutral background that is calming, yet anything but boring. Paired with a blush-colored ceiling, my bedroom also has miles of taupey-velvet fabric. This creates both texture and interest. When going “colorless,” it is important to bring in textures for depth and design aesthetic. For example, a snake-skinned fabric sofa, velvet boucle on the bed, and little French chairs upholstered in blush toile blend beautifully for a restful retreat that is easy on color. Soft blues are also nice for bedrooms. It is one of the most versatile hues with which to work and provides a calming effect. Mattresses, Sheets and BeddingQuite simply put, buy the best mattress you can afford. I have found that people rest better on a pillow-topped mattress with firm coils and a soft body. Many claim they prefer a firm mattress, only to discover that firm mattresses can cause “hot spots,” aches and pains. The other misnomer in bedding is that sheet count is the end-all-be-all. Thread count is not necessarily important. Rather, decide if you like a crisp sheet or a soft sheet. For crisper sheets, I recommend Pine Cone Hill 100% cotton sheets. When laundered, it feels like a fabulous crisp sheet in a beach house. For softer sheets, choose luxury Egyptian combed cotton sheets. The fibers are actually combed down and have a softer feel. Linen sheets are the new rage. Just make sure you don’t mind wrinkles, because this is inherent with the fiber.As for bedding, there are many readymade bed-sets on the market. It is very easy to customize some of the readymade sets by adding a custom bed-skirt and pillows. At Knotting Hill Interiors, we often advise clients to purchase a readymade coverlet and let us customize the look with a bed-skirt, pillows and a folded duvet at the foot of the bed.Arranging Design ElementsArranging a bedroom space for functionality and flow is important. The bed should be the room’s focal point. When entering a bedroom, I always prefer to walk in facing the foot of the bed. Next to the bed, position a pair of nightstands. No matter if you incorporate a matched pair or mismatched nightstands, ensure they are exactly the same height. If the height is uneven, the room will look and feel unbalanced. On each nightstand, place a reading lamp that gently frames the bed. You can also arrange family photos, candles and small accessories on bedside tables for a more personalized effect. For guest rooms, a classic book set and an antique clock can add character. Seating in bedrooms is a bonus. If you don’t have room, at the very least, a small stool or chair to sit and put on a pair of shoes is a must. A bench seat at the end of a bed is often a good alternative when space is limited.Little Luxuries MatterJust as with any design project, the devil is always present in the details. It is the small things in life that make a bedroom more special. For example, a cashmere blanket positioned at the foot of the bed is perhaps the biggest luxury to add warmth. Despite being lightweight, they are perfect for cool nights.Fresh flowers are a luxury I personally enjoy. For guest rooms, place a bouquet of flowers on the dresser and away from the bed. This is especially important because you may not know a guest’s allergies. Also in guest bedrooms, I love leaving a little chocolate on the nightstand. This is an age-old tradition used in some of the finer hotels. Other luxuries include placing a thick and fluffy bathrobe in the closet and including a basket of special shampoos, soaps, lotions, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. I like my overnight guests to feel pampered. These small accents show you care and provide a cozy feel to any bedroom. About Kimberly Grigg: Myrtle Beach, S.C.-based interior designer Kimberly Grigg is the owner of Knotting Hill Interiors and specializes in designing, renovating and redecorating homes in the South, and beyond. To learn more, visit www.knottinghillinteriors.com and www.itssofabulousblog.com.
Kimberly Grigg is CEO and principle designer of Knotting Hill Interiors. The company specializes in designing beautiful homes with intricate detail, elegance and comfort. The professional design team works diligently to ensure that each client's personality and lifestyle is reflected in every detail of the home. Knotting Hill Interiors' services include luxury interior design; home remodeling and renovation; green interior design; children's rooms and nurseries; construction services including all specification, paint and color selections, furniture layout, electrical plan and project management; commercial application for hospitality, restaurants and offices; and much more.
