You'll get more feedback if you post pictures of the linens you are considering.

Thank you. I will. Although it has been overwhelming trying to narrow down the bedding. I will look again.

Hi, just a few suggestions. The room looks small. So I first would reduce the clutter, I would move the bookcase out of the room. I would purchase modules that you can put the odds and ends in. I would change the blinds out. Maybe put plantation blinds in or just a real modern black. I would also move the bench out and it is taking up too much space and depending on your taste mine is modern get a abstract bedspread or comforter with a tailored bedskirt. I would also remove those two small pictures above the bed and put one large abstract painting there. Change the color of the walls and choose a different rug one that has a modern decor that blends with the colors you choose for the blinds, the walls, and the bedspread. Keep clutter to a minimum as it detracts.

Thank you Halo. This is a great start. I will be looking at bed spreads this week and will repost with all the changes. What is a module?

Thank you Christina. I will look at double sheers - the windows are such a challenge.

Hi Natalie, A module is a modern cubicle with a door or it could also be a acrylic stand with drawers to store books, papers, etc.. Some of these cubicles you can buy one or more and stack on top of each other or along side of each other to make a small console. If you go modern you could also have a large decorative mirror above it. I collect too much and end up with too many knick knacks which distract and also can make the room look even smaller.

Hi Natalie, what is your style? Do you like contemporary, modern, traditional, want a Hollywood glam bedroom or a contemporary glam style? There are some basic things that can be done and then we can make suggestions based on the style you want for your bedroom. A beautiful upholstered headboard could be added, maybe just one nightstand with open legs so the room doesn't feel too small. Remove all clutter and the bookshelf. New bedding, new rug, new art and new paint colors. Then the windows. If you go glam, you could add beautiful fabric on the wall outside of the bay area and use tie-backs to pull it back during the day and close them at night. You might want 2 or 3" wooden blinds on the windows if you never open the blinds or you could have soft, fabric roman shades. It will all depend on the style you wish to create in this space. Fun project!

Google some bedroom styles and upload photos or images of the style you like and/or the bedding you find that you like:)

Since blinds are always closed go with some drapes that will cover the whole window area. Shutters could work well for letting light in while not allowing people to see in.

Remove the large red chest at the foot of the bed.

Get a headboard.

Move the pictures above the bed to another wall.

Remove the wicker shelves.

Add a bedside table with drawers or doors on one side and a floor lamp on the other (if there's not room for 2 night stands). Bedside table should be as tall as the bed. Add a lamp that is suitable height for reading.

Nice chest of drawers--make sure it's centered in front of the window.

You can keep some Chinese accents without going with a total theme.

If you keep your bedspread neutral then you can change pillows, etc if you want a different look.

With regards to the issue with the window--there are many different types of blinds that you can actually open, but have a "privacy film" when opened that doesn't all for a clear view in. Some sheers work well too, put over the blinds you have, then you can open them.

I would consider using a top-down type of blind so that you can have light coming in at the top only and still have privacy. I would then layer a neutral drape so that you would have total privacy and a dark room when needed. Also, since it's a small room I would choose a solid for the linens and add color/texture in the accessories and pillows. I agree with using chests with drawers for night stands. Beautiful lamps would look great, but depending on your scheme I would consider hanging lights over the matching night stands. Is there any other place for a the dresser in the room? Perhaps the area where the dresser currently is would be a good place for a small chair and table? Good luck and have fun!

I saw a red & navy print comforter set at Homegoods yesterday that would be perfect with your bench. I wouldn't cover that beautiful bay, just get a rattan shade. Then maybe paint the walls a tan or vanilla yellow. Just start with a bedshet u love that matches your lovely bench and go from there.

My father made the chest of drawers - thank you.

Diane Leone Interior Design _ looked up the design styles you mentioned and I like contemporary with a hint of glam.

Many of you mentioned uploading pictures of bedspread coverings I like. The following are five duvet covers I like. Although I seem to be drawn from colour.

Beautiful choices! Since the chest of drawers is hand made, I think I would add some glam pic frames and accessories to call attention to it! I wasn't sure how large the room was, and I was just trying to squeeze a chair in there...I hope i didn't offend you!

Abstract/neutral/dreamy can be great for a bedroom, and the pale bedspread examples you posted will probably make yr room look bigger and lighter than the red one you now have. Something textured cd add nice detail (and a bit of glam!) without the busy-ness of extra color -- just make sure you can clean it with reasonable ease.

I am firmly with those who recommend bedside tables the same height as the bed (or much better, low chests or bookcases, you could have one of each) with lamps. Lamplight is SO much more relaxing and attractive at night than ceiling light, and good lamps are useful decor all day, even when not turned on.

I think you have a decision to make about whether you will go with dark furniture like the chest your father made or with a paler look, e.g. white painted, which makes it easier to get bargain pieces to "match." The chest fits so nicely under the window! If you want the paler look, would you consider painting or refinishing it? It's the kind of thing that would be fine in any room, so you cd switch it out if you want pale and aren't willing to alter it. Or you could put a table runner on it, to lighten the look. Its size appears to give you the option to hang floor-length drapes in an accent color, which would frame it, and you have room to pull it out enough for plain white sheers to hang to the floor also -- that cd make a nice effect with yr fluffy white rug in front of it. Plantation blinds cd also be worth considering if you cd get a double row in there so you cd have the top open for light but the bottom closed for privacy.

Although we can't see the other two walls of your room, for good natural light I wd also think about using a big mirror on the opposite wall to reflect whatever light the window lets in.

Since you're new to this site, I suggest checking out the "ideabook" feature, which allows you to collect photos you like...

@diane leone and homeowner: one nightstand is bad feng shui. A "one night stand in the bedroom..."

Window Film over windows for starters, get the light in

What if you used 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 shades? These shades have blackout cellular shades, light filtering shades, and sheer shades. So, you can make the entire shade blackout for nighttime or light filtering during the day, so you get the natural light, but you don't have to sacrifice your privacy. You can adjust them however you like, and it gives you complete light and privacy control. Plus, they're beautifully modern and will save you money on energy costs. But really, they just look great. :)

http://www.selectblinds.com/cellularshades/1-2-inch-day-night-cordless-cellular-shade.html

http://www.selectblinds.com/cellular-shades.html?F=ProductOptions|38

Good luck!

I would first paint the room a nice light gray it a light canning blue then branch out from there. gray and yellow looks good and even purple. You can leave the blinds just add some thin curtains so you can still let light in while the blinds are open.

http://www.homahku.com/small-bedroom-decorating-ideas-for-women/

I guess that would be a good choice for you.I would use a centered mirror above your headboard instead of the side ones.For the window a privacy film and sheer shadings to get as much light as possible.Have fun!

I don't like those blinds, but they are practical. If it was my space, I'd change those out. Simple roll up bamboo shades add lots of personality and texture to the space, but they won't work for light, since you'd have to roll them up, why not try some of that sticky window film, it's not expensive, if you don't like it, no big deal, but that way you'd get lots more light. If you like a more romantic look you could do lace or gauze--y filmy, flowing sheers on a café rod with or without an over curtain? Either look will go with a lot of different styles, beach, southwestern, country, romantic, casual or elegant.

As far as bedding goes, there's a BB&B wamsutta (I think) queen set that I've bought several times and been very happy with over the last 7 years - it runs at about $80 and you can use he 20 percent coupon on it as well. They make a charcoal gray and it has subtle vertical stripes where'd the sheen on the fabric changes directions. Could be very chic with the duvet covers you prefer.

There are lots of window covering you could use, top down / bottom up is a great option you can control the amount of light by lowering the top down and the privacy factor, Roman shades, woven wood, honeycombs are all available with this feature. Also honeycombs are low profile and look great under drapes, sheers. If you want a cleaner look a shutter can be divided so the top part of the panels can be open and with the bottom of the panels closed the privacy. Lot would depend on the length of the window.

I love the light coloured duvets suggested by Dianne. Too make the room appear larger I would get a headboard that has attached shelves either side for side tables, or use shelves from Ikea. This gives a clean line and will leave the floor area clear making it easier to vacuum. You could use sheer blinds to stay closed that allows soft light to enter the room. Save a drawer in your dresser for a current books and reading material, rather than a surface space such as a bookcase. Use your bedside shelves for lamps, flowers and temporary resting place for your current reading, perhaps a cup of coffee. Lots of pillows on the bed will allow different lying or sitting options for resting, reading etc. eliminating the need for a chair. An upholstered stool could slide under one of the bedside shelves if you need one. Keep everything light and soft which will give you a restful space to retreat.

There are a couple of options for the windows. If you install wood blinds you can open the slats to let in the light and look out while maintaining privacy. The slats can be two inches. They look nice too. Another option is top down bottom up shades. You can lower these from the top to let in light but keep them high enough to maintain privacy. These are often used on windows that face the street.

select blinds have the most versatile product as a blind option & you can add as many layers of curtains and drapes as pleases you. If it were mine I would go to IKEA and try out their floor length linen curatins. light, airy and have a simple high end appearance at a reasonable price. I agree that the first item to choose is your bed covering. I liked your calm choices. Add matching (small chests) in a light or painted white or mirrored finish on either side of the bed, lights on both sides of bed. for lights It could be swing arm or pendant or table lamps. I like to keep my side chests or table clear, so there is room to place a book or a vase or snack. I love the chest your father made. It is gorgeous and classy, high end. leave it exactly as it is. Paint the walls a paler shade of whatever you decide for your bed covering. then paint your ceiling the palest possible pink. a drop or 2 of red in a gallon of white. It will not appear pink but will add a warm glow to your complexion. I would have ONE outrageous object in an outrageous brilliant color placed on 1 of the nitght stands, such as a bright magenta ceramic pig....... an unexpected spark

*-+

Kristin - thank you for the tips. In particular the paint - it is still one of my challenges.

Top down-bottom up shades work well in our LR where the neighbor's garage is visible.

Hi Natalie

You have been given a lot of good ideas. In a small room, I would suggest using a small dresser instead of a nightstand. Also, I would suggest removing the bamboo shelf from the room. Definitely, get a headboard. I typically use neutral bedding so that I can change the look of my room by changing the pillows without a big expense. I love Pashmina by Benjamin Moore.

Regarding the windows, I suggest using 4" or 4 1/2 inch plantation shutters with the tilt inside on the side that can be controlled both from the top and the bottom. That way you can close the lower half but keep the upper half open. Also, the larger shutters give you lots of light even if they are tilted for privacy.

One more thing you might want to include is a large mirror. This will reflect light and also make the room look larger.

Thank you for all the amazing comments, suggestions and feedback. To date I have ordered bedding, ordered blinds, picked paint and moved out the red bench and wicker stand. Have replaced my dragon etching with a wall candle. Will pick out wall paper for the wall behind my bed on Monday.

Side tables are my current challenge. The following is the table I want to refinish and the bedding I decided on. Any ideas on how I can refinish the table and what kind of table to put on the other side?

What color paint did you pick for the walls?

A soft creamy white. It goes with the rest of my condo. The current paint has a bit of a yellowness I don't like. Then there will be wall paper behind my bed. I will pick the wall paper out on Monday.

I think you could do your side table in white with dark hardware or a darker--maybe mahogany stain. It depends on the wall paper. I'd think a narrow, multi-drawer chest would be good on the other side as it looks as if you have limited storage. I'd make the stain or paint match the other table. Again, depends on the wall paper. If the wall paper is something bright or funky etc., you could even consider a metallic paint for the table and a metal table/chest for the other side.

I think a brownish metallic would be great. I will see what I can find on the weekend for the other side.

Rustoleum has a cool color called Hammered Bronze (they have several 'Hammered' colors) that I've used and is very cool.

Thank you to everyone that took the time to share ideas, opinions and photos. I am essentially done and will look for a wall hanging for behind my bed and maybe another lamp over the summer. The following is where you helped me get to. This has been a really fun process. Have a wonderful summer!

I hope you don't have a "one night stand" :-) Looks lovely Natalie!

A headboard with a nice gallery wall of art above it would be super.