Designing a Bedroom With a Point of View

Each week Mansion Global tackles an interior design topic with an elite group of designers from around the world who work on luxury properties. This week we look at how to design a bedroom with distinction.

Beyond a comfy bed and maybe some artwork on the walls, the look and feel of a bedroom may seem like an afterthought, especially since it really has one primary function.

But just because you may not spend most of your waking hours there doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have a point of view like any other room in your home. To help determine the design aesthetic, follow these design tips from the pros.

Style bed area

"As the bed is normally the largest piece of furniture in the room, it is imperative to style it well. We particularly like having a row of pillows at the very back of the bed next to the headboard, then a row of large, square decorative cushions in a pattern or color—they create a focal point and add interest to the room without overpowering it. A smaller row of cushions can be added to pick up on the headboard fabric. We finish with a large throw to conceal the end of the bed well, and add another smaller cashmere or woolen throw on top.

"We love using oversized headboards and pastel silky fabrics with a bit of sheen in them to create an instant luxurious feel around the bed. For softness, we like adding a smaller headboard in velvet and use the same fabric for the frames around the divan base.

"The room should feel soft and plush, so if you have timber flooring, a large rug under the bed is a must. If the space allows, we would add a bench at the end of the bed.

"Accessories are one of the key aspects to any room and bedrooms are not an exclusion. Books, photo frames, candles, small vases with flowers and throws all add details to the room."

— Anna Zvedris, creative director at ALJ Studio in London

Look to the home itself for design inspiration

"My point of view is usually defined by the architectural details of a space that I want to highlight—be it a vaulted ceiling or a large window—or by less desirable features I want to conceal, such as low ceilings or small windows. I then consider location, whether the space is by the coast, in a large city, or anywhere in between.

"I also look to the style of the other spaces in the home and try to translate that into the bedroom. Then I consider the atmosphere I want to create, and who specifically is using the bedroom. Would they prefer something dark and moody or fresh and airy?

The height of the headboard can really define the style of the space in a significant way, whether it’s low and minimal or tall and grand. Another essential piece of furniture includes a bench or settee. It serves as a place to sit when your bed is already dressed, or as a place to toss your clothes. It can also be a great way to inject a pop of color or pattern into the room.

— Miami-based designer Maggie Cruz of Maggie Cruz Interior Design

Think about the details

"On the decorative level, lighting should convey the aesthetic of the room. I like to use a ceiling fixture that animates the space. Bedside lights need to be functional and ambient. I also use small reading lamps, which allow for individual use when desired.

"Art is the layer that makes the bedroom truly personal. Peaceful, humorous, or edgy—the art conveys the owner’s personality and passion.

"Bedroom carpeting should be soft but also practical. All-wool is the most practical and easiest to clean material."

— Erica Millar of Erica Millar Design in New York

READ MORE TIPS:How to Design a Dining Room

Consider the look and feel

"To determine the layout, I would suggest centering the bed equally on a wall, preferably facing a window. Symmetry is key in the bedroom, so on each side of the bed, place a bedside table and one or two armchairs to sit. Cabinets and consoles are also good options to furnish the bedroom nicely and add built-in storage. Another layout I am experimenting with a lot lately, especially in smaller spaces such as yachts, is placing the bed in the very center of the room with a combined headboard/bedside table and built-ins behind the bed.

"Coziness and elegance are essential for bedding. Natural and light materials, such as silk, cotton, and linen, will give this feeling to the bedding. I prefer to use light-colored materials rather than heavy greys, blues, or blacks.

"I often use wood floors with silk rugs. The wood floor gives a clean and warm look to the room and a silk rug adds extra comfort.

"I would suggest a chandelier if the room is big enough, but more importantly, you must be able to dim the lights to create atmosphere. I also like to use scented candles in the bedroom for atmosphere and romance."

— Rome, Italy-based architect and designer Achille Salvagni

Unite form and function

"I try to lay out the room so one enters looking at the bed. I think there’s something tremendously psychological to the way one approaches a bedroom. Seeing the full bed helps bring peace of mind and a feeling of relaxation immediately to the person inhabiting the space.

"Lighting is also key to a successful master bedroom. There have to be layers of light to a sleeping space: overall ambient light to set the foundation, decorative lighting, such as chandeliers and sconces, and task lighting, such as reading lights, to help make the room functional.

"In terms of art... when you are selecting a general palette for a space, think about the effect that you want to create. Do you want it to relax you or do you want it to invigorate and inspire you? You want to wake up every morning and go to bed every night with art that pleases."

— Phillip Thomas, founder and principal of Phillip Thomas, Inc. in New York City