Master Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Refinish a Vintage Headboard

The designers “refinished” a vintage brass headboard with metallic Rust-Oleum paint (rustoleum.com). The bed linens, a modern floral duvet paired with a checked bed skirt and shams, are sweet but not too feminine. At the foot of the bed, a lavender ottoman with an ivory flange trim by sits on a rug from the Southern Living Collection.

Ottoman Slipcover: Best Slipcover Company (bestslipcovercompany.com)
Floor rug: Southern Living Home Collection (southernlivinghomecollection.com)
Paint Color: Quicksilver by Sherwin-Williams (sherwinwilliams.com)

Tour the 2010 Bayou Bend Idea House

Photo: Tria Giovan, Styling: Olga Naiman

Frame the Bed With a Canopy

This welcome getaway, with its soothing, cream-colored walls and mixture of antique and reproduction furniture, feels conveniently detached from the family hustle and bustle. In reality, the kids’ bedrooms are just a few steps down the hall. For a dramatic look try framing your bed with a lovely canopy.

Canopy Fabrics: Tremont Sage from Ballard Designs, ballarddesigns.com
Bed Skirt Fabric: Pattern #76628 from Ethan Allen, ethanallen.com

Tour the 2010 Abercorn Place Idea House

Photography Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett

Offer Lighting Choices

The master bedroom showcases multiple lighting options. For decorative effect, the deisgner went with a chandelier in lieu of a ceiling fan and added sconces above the bed. She placed reading lamps on the bedside tables, writing desk, and table in the bay. While not matchy-matchy, the lamps help pull together colors in the room.

Headboard Fabric: Bellarossa in Seaglass by Lee Jofa;available through DCOTA Design Services; (954) 921-7575.

Tour the 2009 Hemlock Springs Idea House

2009 Southern Living Texas Idea Downstairs Master Bedroom

Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto / Styling: Matthew Gleason

Get a Wallpaper Look for Less

For a wallpaper effect at a fraction of the price, try painting one wall of the bedroom with a stencil. For this master suite the designers created their own stencil pattern to adorn the wall.

The designer grounded the bright persimmon-and-white duvet with a soft blue coverlet. The squared-off headboard’s casual slipcover, made with a soft blue linen, can be removed and tossed in the laundry.

Stencil Pattern: The G Brand, thegbrand.com
Main Wall Stencil Paint: Crimson Glow (2011-5) by Valspar

Tour the 2009 Tarpon Run Idea House

Incorporate Green Elements

Because serenity is key for sweet dreams, we took a paired down, non-fussy approach in this master bedroom. The bed is a dominant element, so the designer had a simple platform and plank headboard constructed from sustainably harvested hardwood. Local artists provide their own contributions, such as colorful ceramic tiles placed above the bed.

A stucco-like coating containing finely ground oyster shells gives the master bedroom walls a luminous texture. This earthen plaster is a mixture of clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and vibrant natural pigments, resulting in a mold- and fade-resistant finish.

Tour the 2008 Davidson Gap Idea House

Build In the Bookshelves

Slide the bed into a cozy nook on a wall of shelves. In the master bedroom, the simple shape of an upholstered headboard sits surrounded by storage and display space. Light fixtures are installed on either side of the bed so there’s no need for a lamp. Fill shelves with bedtime reading materials and cherished accessories.

Tour the 2007 Tucker Bayou Idea House

Add Glamour With Vibrant Colors

In the master bedroom, touches of basic black and black-and-silver furniture mix with fabrics in shades of aqua and teal. The mirrored canopy bed features a headboard upholstered in deep turquoise velvet. The opulent floral silk of the duvet cover inspired the bold ceiling color. Pillows in the same fabric as the duvet, placed on cream-colored chairs, visually connect the sitting area with the rest of the room.

View 2006 Smythe Park Idea House Floorplans

Use Outdoor Fabric in Light Colors

This master bedroom packs a lot of style in a not-so-big space. A headboard upholstered in outdoor fabric with a sophisticated herringbone stripe spans the wall behind the bed. Simple, pleated Roman shades dress the windows; long curtain panels would overwhelm the space.

All-weather fabric is now softer and available in more colors and patterns, so take it inside. It's great because you can use lighter colors without having to worry about stains. Here, the headboard and bed skirt feature outdoor fabric.

View the 2005 Parkview Idea House Floorplans