Renovation Resolutions Part 5 – The Master Bedroom
Today we’re are going to wrap up our focus on Renovation Resolutions for 2014!
And it is time to get a little bit selfish and think about yourself for a moment. Imagine a sanctuary where you can retreat to at the end of a long day. That’s right, today we are talking about the Master Bedroom. It is going to get a lot more attention this year.
Resolution 5: Create your Sanctuary
We all need a place to unwind at the end of the day. Why not look to the most practical place of all, the Master Bedroom. After dinner has been cooked, kitchen cleaned, and youngsters tucked into their bed it is time to end the day in your own personal santuary.
A Master Bedroom remodel is a big investment. Remodeling magazine estimates that the average master suite addition can be upwards of $100K but you can recoup over 60% of that cost when you sell. If you remodeling, without factoring in an addition, your costs can be much lower. Perhaps you just need to install or adjust some windows, or update the furniture.
Whatever your plans are, here are some tips to guide you through the design and planning process.
Space Planning
Master Bedrooms have a natural tendancy to get cluttered. That is where you begin and end your day. As you plan for your master bedroom it is important to work on space planning to ensure that everything has a spot. The last thing you want to walk into after a long day is a cluttered mess.
To do this you must first consider how you live and navigate in your room. Evaluate the overall scale of your room, and the locations of doorways, windows. Furniture selection actually comes last, after you have laid out a complete plan of your room’s dimensions and layout. Choose pieces that will give you the functionality you need while maintaining a balance in the overall space.
An Interior Designer can be an invaluable asset when it comes space planning. If you need help finding one visit www.asid.org for a complete member directory.
Keep it Simple
Going back to the anti-clutter sentiments for a moment, the key to a successful master bedroom design is simplicity. You can achieve simplicity within the master bedroom a number of ways-cleaning routine aside.
Start with a neutral color on the walls, and keep it light, no matter how few or how many windows you have in the room. These neutral tones like soft gray, tan, beige, and creams will allow you to complement almost any color scheme in your bedspread, window coverings and upholstery, and make it easy for you to change up your decor more regularly. If you have a specific color vision in mind, you can still use a neutral tone throughout, but use a favorite color on an accent wall. Another benefit of using a light color on the walls is it gives you more creative freedom with your wood flooring and furniture selection.
The HGTV Neutral Nuance Collection from Sherwin Williams has some nice neutral colors.
Next use a wide plank prefinished hardwood floor. Prefinished flooring is easier to install, meaning you can get your remodel done quicker. Wide planks, anything over 8″ wide, is going to create less seems in your floor. Less seams, mean your room looks bigger, and less busy. And if you use a light, neutral color on the walls, you can still use a dark wood floor.
Plants & Flowers
As we all embrace a greener lifestyle, and cherishing the outdoors, it is becoming more and more popular to bring the outdoors into your home. Adding plants and flowers to your master bedroom is a great way to lighten the mood, add a fresh scent and a little color.
Anti-Electronics
I’ll probably be cursed for saying this but the new trends in 2014 is to take the electronics out the bedroom. If you want to truly create a sanctuary for rest and relaxation keep the Television and other electronics in the family or media room.
Furniture Choices
Don’t design the room around the furniture. Furniture choices come last in your room design.
To maintain a simple decor only add furniture pieces you truly need, and try to find and utilize pieces that are multi-purpose. For example, instead of using accent tables next to the bed can you use a traditional size dresser that doubles as a means to keep a table lamp, alarm clock, and provide valuable storage.
Some hot trends for bedroom furniture straight from High Point this year include velvet. From headboards to upholstery, this sophisticated fabric can give your room a glamour feel.
This “Sonia” Red Velvet headboard from Neiman Marcus would give you a room a bold pop of color.
This Edie Velvet Chaise in 2014’s new “black” – Ink Blue – would be the ideal location to unwind.
Storage
Proper storage and organizational pieces are important to the overall design your master bedroom. Not only you should look for furniture that can pull double duty, but also look to your walls and closets. You will never regret investing the time and money in the right storage.
You can find functional and decorative shelves to hang photos and trinkets. Let an oversized mirror double as a storage location for necklaces or scarves. If you don’t have a walk-in closet or a space where you can build one, consider a wardrobe or a series of them, designed by closet specialists like California Closets.
Even something simple like a bench seat at the end of your bed, or a built in window seat with a bench (And built in storage) can come in handy.