Elizabeth’s Design Dilemma
We received another request for decorating help, and this time it’s a master bedroom overhaul.
Hi Sherry,
My husband and I both love your website and are eager to have y’all help us out with a decorating dilemma in our master bedroom. As you can see from the photos, we are in serious need of extra storage. One closet isn’t cutting it so we’re looking to create wall storage to the left of the entrance to the master bath (where the white thing is currently). We found cabinets at a local builder’s supply place that are maple and cheaper than Ikea!! We were thinking of painting them white like the trim in the room. We also wanted to create more storage units around the bed, but aren’t sure if we should just put the same maple cabinets that we’re using near the bathroom on either side of the bed as well. We already got a great headboard from West Elm, but we need help with accessories. Any ideas? Other than a new comforter from Dwell we don’t have much. Thanks a million! -Elizabeth
So here’s a photo of her current bedroom with the new Dwell bedding that she scored on Bluefly for 40% off (it’s still available by the way!).
And here’s another angle of the master suite. Check out those gorgeous vaulted ceilings. Oh and that white thing is where she plans to add the maple storage cabinets.
We definitely know what Elizabeth means about needing more storage, so if that’s the primary goal we’d definitely suggest adding the same cabinets on either side of the bed as the ones she’ll be putting by the bathroom door. Keeping things consistent by using the same materials will look calm, and the gorgeous wooden doors are simple and streamlined. Painting them white to match the trim is a great idea- they’ll look lighter and much more like deliberate built-ins that came with the house.
BUT… if the storage by the bathroom door will be sufficient (it looks like you can fit a pretty big unit there) you might want to keep it open on the wall with the bed (so it doesn’t look your bed lives in a room full of cabinets). By using small side tables with airy glass lamps (like the ones in our handy dandy mood board below) the room will feel open and restful. So if you can spare the storage on that wall, you’ll probably appreciate the light and airy feeling of the sleek white tables coupled with the beachy glass lamps.
Here’s the moodboard breakdown.
1. The headboard Elizabeth already purchased (on sale from West Elm)
2. A gorgeous glass lamp (we think she should get two and put them on matching tables on either side of the bed)
3. Elizabeth’s existing Dwell bedding from Bluefly (fab by the way)
4. The maple cabinets (to be painted white) that Elizabeth discovered (cheaper than Ikea? Amazing!)
5. Cheap and chic bedside tables from Ikea (actually quite similar to the one shown in the West Elm headboard pic)
6. The current wall color (by now you all know we adore a pale blue-gray bedroom)
7. Some amazing art from Etsy that will work beautifully with the wall color (we want our own set too!)
Oh and my brilliant hubby had an idea to add to the mix. He noticed that repeating squares can be found throughout the design (in the headboard, the maple cabinets, even the bedding). And he thought the the recessed squares on the fronts of the cabinets could be accented with some square artwork, grasscloth wallpaper, printed paper or even some upholstered fabric squares to break things up. And if Elizabeth does decide to go with the extra bedside cabinets for the storage, this could be a nice way to mix things up and avoid cabinet overload. Isn’t he creative? Just some food for thought. Now I’d love to hear what you guys think (and I bet Elizabeth is on the edge of her seat). So share and share alike.
And if you’re in dire need of some decorating advice, click here to get your very own virtual design consultation.
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Comments
Wow! Storage does seem to be the biggest concern… let’s think, I didn’t see a dresser in there. Do you have one?
I like the idea of storage cabinets on the wall near the bathroom.
Wow! Yes, Storage, storage, storage!
Loving the wall color already, as well as the Dwell bedding.
Glass lighting- perfect! Beachy prints, even better!
How about some Seagrass baskets for storage, and a seagrass hamper? A few throw pillows that same gorgeous color as the walls?
Great ideas on the wall art too! Great ways to add some color. (I want the same prints!)
:)Amy
Thanks so much for posting comments!! For the record, there is only one closet in the ENTIRE house. No pantry, no linen closet! There is are two dressers in the room, but unfortunately they are full and (obviously) overflowing. There are also two large windows on the wall opposite the bed. The second dresser is currently between the windows. We really don’t have that much stuff, so the piles o’ clean laundry are the result of a true storage crisis!
What if the cabinets were painted the same color as the wall so they would blend in more? You could also paint the trim of the cabinets the same white as your trim around your window/door frame.
I think a white shag rug or something similar would tone down the hardwood floor color and bring more attention to the fabulous bedding and new cabinets.
Next to your bed, if there is room on either side, this bookcase from IKEA (turned on its side) http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50103086 makes a great place to put fabric boxes (maybe the chocolate to match the bedding) and store smaller items that typically go in drawers, such as pajamas and socks. It also doubles as a place to put those glass lamps Mrs. Sherry found.
There we go. Comments-a-plenty. And so many good ideas.
I love the shag rug idea and the seagrass baskets & hamper - ohh, what about a capiz chandelier somewhere? Even in the adjoining bathroom it would tie the whole beachy chic look together. And I can attest that they look especially amazing with pale blue walls nearby. I also love the idea of painting the cabinetry to match the walls. Genius KK! It’ll definitely recede and become less of a focus in the room. And hopefully with all that cabinetry the storage crisis will be resolved. Hip hip horay!
Thanks as always for your amazing feedback everyone. So inspiring!
xo,
Sherry
Thanks for all the great ideas! Especially love the shag rug idea and the basket idea. We already have a ton of these galvanized bins
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70105975
Do y’all think that they would work until we find seagrass ones? We already have a lot of galvinized accessories in the adjoining bathroom too.
What no comments?
Check, one, two… is this thing on?
I guess everyone’s super busy or something.
xo,
Sherry