In today’s difficult financial times, more and more people are choosing “stay-cations” as opposed to “vacations” and as such, are looking for ways to re- create the luxurious feel of boutique hotels, with their rich bed linens, sophisticated lighting and stylish décor so they can feel as though they are on vacation every day. The master bedroom, previously one of the most under-used rooms in the house along with the formal dining room, is finally breaking out of its defined bondage as “just for sleeping and storing clothes” and taking its rightful position in the ranks of house rooms as a sanctuary and a place you may call your own.
Because the allure of boutique spaces is inherent in the overall sense of serenity and luxury they exude, people are frequently unable to pinpoint the specific elements they wish to replicate from a particular room, aside, perhaps, from the linens and chocolate. Of course, the key ingredients of a good night’s sleep are still the basics: a superior mattress, a fluffy down comforter, crisp and cool percale or lightweight Egyptian cotton linens in the summer and warm fuzzy flannel fibers in the winter. For those of us who are environmentally-conscious, embracing the use of bamboo and soy-based fabrics spells ultimate luxury.
Yet a careful examination of these stylish boutique spaces reveals they actually achieve their appeal through a sum of many parts, including:
Space and Proportions. Scale down or expand. If your bedroom is scaled for a queen size bed and you squeeze in a king size monster with heavy head and foot boards, you will always feel claustrophobic. Get rid of heavy dark furniture that takes up too much space, such as armoires and large mirrored dressers. If you can swing it, add two or three feet to the room or even a full window bay. You will be surprised how little extra space it takes to make you feel at ease.
Minimize. De-clutter and throw away. Do not keep your off-season clothes in your bedroom. Move them into the attic or storage. Remember the golden rule: if you do not use clothing for a year, pass it on.
Windows and doors. It definitely is a larger project to replace or add windows or even move doors, but a poorly laid out room can make it almost impossible to fit anything correctly in your space. If you like light in the morning, place a high window facing east. If you enjoy the golden hour in the evening, a west-facing window will fill your bedroom with warm light. Consider moving a door to give adequate room for the pieces of furniture you do need.
Lighting. The best way to achieve the richest and warmest lighting for a luxury bedroom suite is with a variety of light sources at varying heights and intensities, including traditional bedside table lamps or wall-mounted reading lights on flex arms. Adding lighting to your closets or recessed eyeballs just outside helps distinguish shades of dark clothes and a chandelier by a reading chair creates a “room within the room.” Put some of these utility lights on dimmers as well as timers, so you can leave them on as ambient light or leave the room and not worry about the electrical bill.
Window treatments. Blackout shades no longer have to be ugly PVC roller blinds. Many fabrics on the market have a blackout lining or are woven with a density to keep the light out. Beautiful natural fibers can be backed, so you combine a visual effect of weightlessness with 100 percent light blocking.
The visual focal point. What is opposite your bed? What do you look at when you lie in bed? The most common answer is a TV on top of a dresser or in an armoire, but there are better options.
- Electronics. Thanks to wireless technology, homeowners no longer need heavy electronics and big cabinets to house all their audio/visual needs. Flat screen TVs provide a much sleeker profile than old picture tube TVs, but with the new line of pearlized paints on the market, there is no need for an actual TV at all, since you can create a virtually invisible viewing screen surface right on the wall and use a TV projector. In fact, today’s technology is so seamless that you can enjoy music, television, computer and radio from one small source.
- Artwork: I always encourage my clients to “think outside the box” – or at least the living room – when it comes to displaying their favorite artwork. There is nothing like opening your eyes in the morning to that favorite painting, photo or sculpture that you love and which brings you great pleasure.
- Fireplace: The luxury of a live fire in your bedroom is now possible with the wide variety of gas fireplaces on the market today. The styles range from traditional to contemporary but the types I like best are installed in the wall and are fully enclosed so the warmth and view of a roaring fire can be seen and enjoyed while lying in bed without the risks associated with open flames.
Creature Comforts
- Beverage centers. Hotel guests today expect in-room coffee makers and convenience bars as part of the comfort of the room. It’s not surprising then, that many of my clients are taking that expectation home with them and are including beverage centers in their luxury bedroom suite plans. Thanks to new sleek and small refrigerators and in- the-wall coffee makers with automatic water feed, these hotel-like features are easily incorporated into nearly every bedroom makeover.
- Mini-Kitchens. For the larger bedroom suites, I suggest a mini-kitchen disguised as a sleek counter or a raised window seat. With single drawer refrigerators, microwaves and dishwashers, you can create a totally disguised but very functional kitchenette.
If you, like we, have a busy lifestyle with work and family, it is not until the day ends that we can unwind – and where better than in the bedroom with a good book, some music, fresh linens and good lighting. A room designed for the subtle senses, with textures, colors, fragrances and light that restore calm and put you at ease is also a room to wake up in, where you can enjoy a morning conversation over a cup of tea with your partner before the day barges in and demands your attention.