There maybe a reason for the platform i.e. giving more headroom for the floor below, vents etc. If you were to keep it, maybe leave the carpeting until you get used to the two steps when having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The carpet will hurt less if tripped up. I don't mind the platform but would probably extend the first step almost out to the bath door opening. That will give a better look and easier to negotiate. Then with a nice big step you could put something nice on it at the ends maybe even cabinet/bookcases. Perhaps the whole platform under the bed and the first step could then be hardwood flooring with area rugs and runners. Could be a good look.

Good grief - This suite is the size of my apartment!

The platform is undoubtedly there to split this massive room into separate spaces - otherwise it would look like a ballroom with a bed.

Furnish the rasied area as a bedroom - with flanking nightstands, dresser, etc - and the lower space as a sitting room: sofa, a pair of chairs, a writing table/desk, etc.

I was actually thinking the opposite of the above comment wrt to space plan. Use the raised area as a place to create cozy, comfortable sitting area and even possibly space for a small table and lamp and chair. Center the bed on the opposite wall fo the bathroom entrance.

How about defining it even more with half walls, pillars or both?
Also I'd paint the end wall to match the others. Being darker it draws the eye to the end and makes the room seem even longer.

It's hard to tell the total layout of the room by just a photo but I would suggest converting the raised area to a cozy sitting room if the rest of the space (the lower level) allows room for your bedroom furnishings. I like the idea of a half wall or columns. I also think that a canopy bed would help to further distinguish the two spaces. Good Luck

Using the upper area as a private sitting area sounds great. It would eliminate using the steps in the dark. You might even add some low book shelves or storage area to define it a bit more. Is the bed platform built in? That might complicate it a bit. Have fun!

I agree with moving the bed to the lower, larger area. I would place the bed against that wall with the sofa table. The idea of the half wall and posts is really good, you could then put a sitting area with maybe even a desk/office space as well in the upper area. Looks like a nice house! Congrats!

You could even make the upper portion a nursery, if that is something you need.

The sitting area up there sounds like a great solution too.

I am in complete agreement with making the upper area of this a sitting area and placing your bed on the wall opposite to the bathroom opening. It appears the walls and the ceiling are the same color so you might want to consider changing one or the other to create some further visual interest.

I think this is a great space and I know many of my clients who are buying older homes which they had this kind of room to "figure out"

It looks like the only windows in the room are in the raised area. If this is the case, I would leave the sleeping area where it is as it is nice to be able to look out the window from the bed. There are no doors to the bathroom. Very unsexy to have a view straight into the bathroom from the bed.

I'll explain why the upper section should remain the sleeping area:

The photo was likely taken from the entrance of the room: placing the bed as an immediate obstacle upon entering the room is a bad idea - and the small amount of wall space where the console is now is also not conducive to a large bed with generous side tables. The upper area, on the other hand, has two long unobstructed walks which are perfect for a king bed and large flanking night tables or a pair of bachelors chests.

In addition, if this is a family home - There may be times that the children would be welcomed in for story time, etc. It only makes sense to have the sitting area (with the TV, if necessary) at the entrance rather than back behind the sleeping area.

Finally, I wouldn't do half walls or columns, nor would I do multiple wall colors. This room is already architecturally busy - Adding more details and splitting the room in two with different colors would just clutter the visuals, and cut off the flow of the space. With the bed above, adding walls would mean that the occupants would have to walk around unneccessary obstacles to get to the bathroom and closets.

Don't do the walls. I agree with other post that the room is already very busy. There is a geometric harshness that needs some softening. I like the idea of a sitting area at the top of the stairs. When you enter the room the eye is naturally drawn to the window area. Some drapes, floor to ceiling, in a light, sheer material would add softness. I would layer an area rug on the platform, and find some nice fabric chairs, even a chaise longue, and an "out of the box" coffee table. Perhaps an old trunk or ottoman. I would place the bed on the lower part. The bedding should coordinate with the fabrics on the sitting area.

If you truly wanted to keep the bed at the top of the platform, you need to change the direction of the bed. It's better feng shui to walk into a room and have the bed face you. So place the head of the bed at the windows, and frame the windows with some soft billowy curtains. I would layer an area rug on at the bottom level of the bedroom, and place some chairs and a sofe, or chaise, there. You could place the sofa along the wall and have the chairs face the sofa, angled.

You have too many elements up against the walls. Bring some of those away from the way and you will find that the room becomes more enveloping.

Good luck!

Hi, mindyluck! This looks like a wonderful room in terms of size, but all of the comments generate some questions if you have the time. Do you have more pics of the room that you could post readily? Dimensions? Room orientation regarding the entry and other windows?
Some thoughts on points: since the bath area does not have a door; wouldn't you rather the bed was there than a seating area? There appears to be a fabric "door" that can be used to close it off, but maybe dual pocket doors would be a better option. (It appears to be significantly larger than a standard door opening, so a single hinged door would be a huge intrusion into either the room or the bath area, even as large as they are.)

I personally love the ceilings, would do painted tongue and groove with "beams" to really draw attention to them.

I love the ceilings too. I wonder if a soft color would look good on the ceiling? Since you like purple. Painting the ceiling a soft lilac or some other pale shade to show off the height and warm it up would help.

I personally would do the entire room in grey with glacier blue and white as my accent colors for curtains and bedding. I would color the ceiling blue, like the sky and cover all furniture with washable white covers, maybe a touch of green glass for the bedtables and some pillows. I would use a white on white bedding but utilizing texture instead of color would be advisable.

I would put the bed under the window, that gives room on both sides of the bed for the dressers. They would look better painted white but you can leave them the same, they are just a little dated.

I would then add a sitting area on the lower level. A electric fireplace on one wall ( they have them now that look like gas and hang like a picture) and a settee or chair/ottoman combo besides the fireplace would give a peaceful reading area. A sofa or loveseat on the wall against the bathroom. I think you could easily add french doors to the bathroom or even two hollow core doors to give more privacy and less viewing area.

Thank you for all your replies and great suggestions. Just to clarify, we haven't moved into this house yet. We literally live across the country from this house and only my husband has seen it in person. The furnishings and paint choices are not ours. I would like to repaint, add doors to the bathroom and eventually change the floor. I like the idea of painting the ceiling as well. I'm gathering that we should keep the platform and make a sitting area on the lower "level" and sleeping area on the platform.