Master Bedroom Ideas: 7 Tips for Creating a Dreamy Updated Retreat
In this post: Are you ready for a bedroom refresh? Here are 7 master bedroom ideas with tips to help you create a dreamy updated retreat..⇒
Did you ever finish decorating a room and know in your heart it’s not right?
But you spent all this money and put in a lot of effort so you try to ignore the voice inside. Maybe you focus on the lovely aspects, which are inevitably there and look past the imperfections.
But you still know.
It’s not right.
Do you dare change it? Again?
Master Bedroom Ideas
Such was the case with my master bedroom, a room I spend a lot of time in. I wanted it to be right. I wanted it to be a place I go to for recharging. And reflection. And inspiration.
But every time I photographed the room, I knew I hadn’t gotten it quite right. I tried the breakfast nook at the foot of the bed. And I love that focal point, but the rest of the room just wasn’t working.
And then one day I was just updating the bedding to freshen up for summer. And bam! There it was.
It was working. And everything flowed from there.
Today I’m sharing 7 master bedroom ideas for creating a dreamy updated retreat…
1. White linens
This is what started it all.
I had gorgeous French bedding from D. Porthault in a pretty floral pattern that I loved. But it just wasn’t working for the room. Either the dark furniture and wall paint had to go or the pattern did.
I lightened up the bedding and went all white to welcome summer, but the difference it made was transformative and I decided to keep it permanently. It has a softness that I just love.
I am a white dish and towel girl, so this is not surprising. But I do love the spa effect it offers. And it led the way for all of the other changes.
2. Gilded mirror and sconces
Next on my list was to move the vibrant paintings that were above the bed to a side wall and replace them with an ornate gilt mirror.
I had already replaced the dark headboard which you can read about in THIS POST, and the relationship between the gilt pieces and the white linens is the essence of this room. Everything else services this relationship.
I added the pair of sconces that had been in my parents’ home.
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3. Seasonal flowers
There’s not a post I do where flowers are not on the list of styling elements. The colors and blooms change with the season, but the concept does not. I include flowers in my grocery budget and perceive them as the easiest way to add seasonal flavor to a room.
In this room I used mid-tone pinks and they became the key accent color for the room.
4. Painted furniture
This piece has actually been here for a few years, but this corner serves to illustrate how lovely soft paint colors play off the white linens and gilded details.
5. Crystal chandeliers or lamps
Another key change in this space was replacing the more traditional lamps with these crystal ones.
I knew I wanted crystal in the room and there was no place for a chandelier, so the lamps became an important style element to play off the white and gold.
They reflect the summer light that streams into the room and the light play off the wall is utterly magical.
6. Feminine French accessories
Once the updated larger pieces were in place, I moved on to styling with accessories.
From vintage silver and gilt pieces to design books, vintage china and a ruffled throw, the deliberate placement of gorgeous older pieces helps ground the newer items and keeps them from looking “canned”.
Antiques are present in all my rooms and they’re what make a space individually unique.
7. Gilded French bench
This room was complete a few months ago, minus the bench. And I knew it simply wasn’t ready to reveal. Because despite the fact that it’s just one little piece, it’s the crowning touch really.
It gives finish to the bed and works perfectly with the modern French look of the rest of the room. But more notably, it’s also the staging ground for the seasonal decor.
A front a center space to display summer florals and a lightweight throw, in fall it will host a chunky knit, russet blooms and perhaps a pumpkin or two.
As always, I know I’m not done.
There are still parts I’d love to change (I’m looking at you dark wood!) and refinements I’m already thinking about. But what a pleasure it is to come home to this room and feel it’s a place I can relax and refresh.
After all, that’s what creating a home is all about, isn’t it?
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Beautiful room, Lory and I love the puddling drapes and tiebacks.
Thanks, Kim!! I’m starting to change over the drapes throughout. Loving simple white linen lately… 🙂
Perfectly lovely. Everything is so very pretty. I love it❣️
Thank you so much, Ilene!
I thoroughly enjoy your sense of style and design. You usually hit the mark . But trust your first instinct about the wall color. It doesn’t really seem quite right. The mirror also seems a bit crushed between the top of the bed and the ceiling. I love the bed, drapes and the bench at the foot of the bed.
Thanks for the input, but I don’t agree with you on this one.
I’m a white dishes, sheets and towels girl myself, so I can totally relate. Love the gilded pieces and how they relate to the white. I rather concur with Nancy that this spot does not do justice to this gorgeous mirror. I love the Louis Philippe-style nightstands. It has beautiful lines, and they relate very nicely to the mirror. Lovely room.
Sorry, I don’t agree.
Your wall color is so refreshingly not gray. It’s like the breath of springtime! Love the contrast of dark furniture with light colors. So pretty and frenchy!
Thank you so much, Connie!!
I love your bedroom!!!
Thank you so much!!
Your bedroom is absolutely gorgeous! I loved each of your tips. I too know the feeling of completing a room and not having it quite right. I’m so relieved to know I’m not the only one. Thanks for sharing your beautiful room with us!
Thank you for your kind words!! I really appreciate it!
Such a lovely space! Those white drapes just feel so summery to me. LIke they are swaying in the breeze.
Thanks, Kim! Yeah, I’m all over white linen lately… 😉
What a beautiful bedroom, Lory! Love the wall color with the white linens. So refreshing.
Thanks so much, Jennifer!!
Beautiful bedroom! I love the secretary with the clock in it. How unusual!
Thank you!! That piece is from Soft Surroundings, but they seem to have discontinued it. Its a shame because it’s one of the pieces I get the most comments about.
So beautiful, Lory! I love your headboard and that stunning bench! Great tips! So glad you could be part of this tour!
The white linens look absolutely gorgeous Lory! Wow – they made such a difference in the space!!
Happy Summer to you my friend:)
Sheila
xo
This is just gorgeous, Lory. What a beautiful place to relax in. I wouldn’t want to leave!
Hugs, Jamie
It’s lovely! My favs are the bedding and gold gilded pieces. My perspective–I would prefer to paint the walls (the green feels too light and cool) than the dark wood furniture. (Probably because it’s much easier to paint walls!) I can envision a slate/peacock/teal color looking lovely with all of your pieces. It would feel so rich. Clearly, it’s your house, your style and your $$! And your vote that counts!
Oh goodness, my friend! This is just dreamy! Love your tips and totally agree! I just noticed we have the same headboard….high five! Don’t you love it! THanks for sharing with us! xoxo
Just noticed this comment. Gosh, I’m so behind. But yes, I do love it!! Thanks so much for the kind words, Summer!
Lory, I love all your gilded touches. Very pretty.
For me, the beautiful green wall paint is so refreshing and a perfect back drop for everything! Fabulous!
Hi – very serene. I have been thinking about painting my master bedroom green. What brand and color are the walls? It’s a nice green. Thank you
Thanks so much!! It’s Benjamin Moore Wales Green. It’s a very happy color… 🙂
love your bedroom, the color is the same I use for my insurance office, everyone that comes in enjoys the peaceful color. Hope this is the place to sign up again for the giveaways, what a hard choice. Beautiful items. Really enjoy your posts
thanks, Diane
It’s a beautiful room. The accessories are my favorite part of the space. I’m glad you have your eye on the dark wood furniture pieces. They don’t feel right.
I have a question about the antique secretary. Did you paint it yourself, and if you did, do you remember the brand and colors of paint that you used? I’m obsessed!
Hey Lizzy – sorry, just saw this comment now. Thanks for your kind words! No, I did not paint the secretary. It came that way… 🙂
The bedroom is beautiful. I love all the furniture choices, white bedding, gilded bench, mirror, & accents of pink……but the wall color Is not peaceful or conducive of a retreat.
And that color is totally antithetical to a restful bedroom with feminine details.
Sorry, just my opinion. It’s your room and you need to like it.
It’s perfection…and yes… sometimes it takes a bit, and then it clicks. Sites like yours help with ideas. Love the wall color.
Thank you so much!
I thought the room exceptionally designed and entrancing. Absolutely beautiful. LOVE the wall color. Unusual color for a bedroom and a brilliant stroke (no pun intended ?) of creativity. It was my first thought about the mirror as well … “Brilliant! How clever!” IMHO, the darker pieces offer a vivid but pleasing contrast to the brightness of the room while allowing the gilt and white to particularly stand out. I was totally enchanted by the room and the gifted mind behind its remarkable charm. Thank you for your generosity in sharing with us!
Thank you so much for your very sweet comment!! What lovely things to say!
I may have said this before. I went to the BM store to check out the Wales Green. With my Texas accent and a bad cold I couldn’t convince the salesman, who had a Northern accent, that they really do have this color. He kept saying you must mean Whales Gray. Not a gray fan I would not have said that, but it was amusing. I didn’t want to get close enough to share germs and write it down, and doubted he knew sign language. He didn’t even act like it clicked when I said WALES like the country. It was amusing though. Your room is beautiful. Can’t decide which is my favorite, your master or the kitchen, but I love your entire house and everything you have done. Your blog is like having a great friend with great ideas!
Aww this is such a great comment!! Thanks for the kind words and for sharing that funny story!!
I just switched to all white bedding too. Never thought I would because I love color so much but I had the same AH HA moment you had. It’s elegant, simple and feels a tiny bit decadent (like I’m at a four star hotel).
Exactly my thoughts!!
Beautiful bedroom Lory! Everything just flows nicely and I think the dark wood is gorgeous with everything else!
Thank you so much!
So pretty, my friend. I love your style. So many gorgeous details.
Thank you for your very kind words!!