(BPT) – It’s the place where you wake each day, rest your head each night, and go to when you need to escape the stress of daily life. If there’s one room in the house that should be a personalized retreat for homeowners, it’s the master bedroom. And with a few simple tips from design experts, you can easily take your master bedroom from boring to beautiful and add to your home’s overall value.
“When designing a space in your home, it’s always a good idea to go through the process in a methodical way to achieve the results you want,” says Jill Winninger, Allied ASID, CID, and senior interior designer with Seaside Home in La Jolla, Calif. “Foundation, function and finishing details make the process fun and effective.”
Here is Winninger’s three-step process for creating a grand master retreat:
Step 1: Foundation
Start by choosing the flooring that matches your personal style and the functionality of the space. Nothing beats the comfort of carpet in a master bedroom. Carpet and a high quality pad keep floors warmer and enhance privacy by absorbing noises. Today’s top trend in carpet is super soft and silky fibers that feel luxurious when you step, lie or lounge on them.
Think carpet is out because you have allergies? It’s time to think again, Numerous medical and other studies show that people who suffer from allergies and even asthma do not have to live without the comfort and softness of carpet. That’s because the dust that falls to a carpeted floor has a much stronger tendency to stay on the carpet until it is vacuumed away. Dust on hard floors, however, is stirred with every passing movement or footstep right back up into a room’s breathing space.
Of course, regular maintenance is important. Frequent vacuuming with a high efficiency vacuum like the ones on the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Seal of Approval vacuum list, as well as periodic deep-cleanings are musts. And, no matter what kind of floor you have, high-traffic areas should be vacuumed daily, with less frequently-used areas vacuumed once or twice a week.
Another important foundation element is the walls. When selecting colors, select hues that work with the rest of your home’s decor so the spaces flow smoothly. You can’t go wrong with basic neutrals. Foundation details like crown molding, wainscoting or wallpaper can add a splash of personality.
When deciding on foundation elements, keep in mind the focal points of the room. Is there a fireplace? A gorgeous wall of windows highlighting an exquisite view? Do you have a bed with a statement headboard that will be prominent? Highlight these focal points within your design decisions.
Step 2: Function
Beauty is just one part of the equation when designing a grand master bedroom. The space needs to function and suit your lifestyle.
Function is particularly important when selecting furniture. Do you need storage for clothes and accessories? Do you want to hide electronics? Do you have a specific bed size? After considering your options, choose wisely and allow enough room between furniture pieces so that you can move freely.
Privacy is also an important consideration. Like carpet, window treatments also help to control noise, plus they offer the added benefit of masking windows in the evenings and when high levels of privacy are needed. From a decorative perspective, window treatments add softness and style, critical to designing a stunning room.
Step 3: Finish
Some of the most important elements of master bedroom design are the details. This is where you can add a few personal touches to the space to create a truly individualized sanctuary.
Start by choosing comfortable, inviting bedding, pillows and throws. Create clustered vignettes of photos or personal collections to give the space your unique stamp. Appropriately scaled art and accessories add visual interest.
Remember, accessories are a good way to add splashes of color to your master bedroom. If you like a particular tone – like rich teals, ruby reds or baby blue – select a few accessories that feature that hue and strategically place them throughout the room. Accessories that feature different textures add interest and character as well.
“From carpet and furniture to photos and duvet covers, creating a master retreat you’ll love is simpler than you think,” says Winninger. “Just focus on the foundation, function and finishing touches, and the result is sure to be gorgeous.”
