Design Ideas for Master Bedrooms & Bathrooms

By Jennifer Kopf ,  Amy Bickers and and Jennifer Berno
July 22, 2009
Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery
A soothing color palette and soft-to-the-touch fabrics are the keys to creating a restful retreat.
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5 Bedroom Essentials

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

Creating a cozy bedroom is simple when you start with designer Jill Boothby’s favorite items.

  • Bedside Tables
  • White Bedding
  • Mirror
  • Table Lamps
  • Soft Rug
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Bedside Tables

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

Height is key. Jill's rule: Tabletop should be even with mattress top.

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White Bedding

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

Keeping the basics white gives the cleanest, most versatile look (Trousseau Luxury Bedding, from $85, from the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy’s).

Decorating Tip: Use an upholstered headboard. “Soft, soft, soft,” says Jill. “Your bed should be heaven!” You can have a frame custom-made, but many online and catalog retailers offer nice choices in numerous shapes and fabrics.

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Mirror

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

Hanging a mirror above the headboard reflects light and creates a focal point.

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Table Lamps

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

A must for nighttime reading. Add symmetry to the room by choosing a matching pair.

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Soft Rug

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

A fluffy rug at the foot of the bed brings warmth, both visually and physically, to your space. (Standard Flokati Wool Area Rug in White, $469 (8' x 10'), from Home Decorators Collection).

Decorating Tip: Go for a little elegance. “The bedroom should be the most luxurious room in your house,” says Jill. Splurge on lush fabrics such as raw silk for your drapes and velvet for a chair.

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Hanging Drapes

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

Decorating Tip: Hang your drapes high. To create the illusion of a larger room, hang your drapery rod just below the ceiling rather than right above the window frame. A higher rod draws the eye up and allows more light to come in. If the ready-made curtains you love aren’t long enough, add a simple band of fabric in your accent color for a custom look that costs a lot less.

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Master Bathroom

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

Decorating Tip: Choose calming colors. Soft blues are good options when you’re aiming for a relaxing atmosphere. Give your master suite a cohesive look by painting the bath walls just one shade lighter than the bedroom walls. To visually heighten the room, try putting the same color on both the walls and the ceiling.

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Light Fixtures

Photography Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Leigh Anne Montgomery

When it comes to baths, Jill says they’re all about two things: 1) a large, simply framed mirror and 2) pretty sconces. “I love wiring light fixtures through a mirror,” she says.

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By Jennifer Kopf ,  Amy Bickers and and Jennifer Berno