I would consider an all white bedroom since the room is small with your current furniture.

I agree with "PRO". Your bed is eating up the space in the room. A smaller headboard and lighter drapes will visually expand the room. A large mirror hanging to the left of your bed between the closet and door would also make it look larger. I would not have floor length drapes in this room- consider linen shades or honeycomb cellular shades ( can get at the Home Depot- they have them in black out if needed). Or go with shorter café curtains or valances ( with a shade). Your TV is HUGE. Sure you husband likes it, but it is also taking up space. Can you downsize this as well? Light colors, and maybe a small, corner chair where your standing mirror is would give you a cozy feeling.

I concur, the bed so too large. Go out and get a metal frame for the mattresses and then buy a romantic headboard.

Then change out the bedding and get something that makes a statement. Big fluffy white duvet and then add some glitter in a couple of pillows. Glam it up. The rest of the furniture is fine. Add some better lamps, put one like this on his side

and one like this on yours

de-clutter everything and after you get rid of the bed frame, hang a great chandelier

I agree about the bed. I'd be okay with changing this out, but my husband is very attached to it for whatever reason. The posts are in sections so I could get rid of the canopy and shorten the footboard or even the headboard.
I think I could get onboard with white... I would need a pattern or stencil on the walls, even if it was done in a polyurethane clear coat or a different sheen as the base coat. I love the white/gray color combo and also the grey/beige combo. Would black doors go with either of those? I do have plenty of wall decor, however, the small space doesn't seem like it would coincide well with my general taste in decor. (Chunky frames, large ornate shelves, etc.) The TV was on the wall beside my closet and I just moved it this weekend because I craved a space to hang wedding pictures, decor and such. It seems like I don't have many options!

Paint the walls a soft dove grey.

Hi Kristen
First off, take your time in deciding what you want to do. You've been given some great suggestions so far!

Some additional ideas would be to remove the piece above the bed and just leave the 4 posters. It looks like your using that to hang stuff from so suggest you find a small armoire for this.

Not sure what that is over to the right of the bed as you come rough the door. Can that be removed and put armoire there?

Agree with getting white bedding but perhaps using Woodlawn blue from BM might be nice with white trim. Perhaps an inexpensive crystal chandelier replacing the light would be nice and romantic!

Another idea

I bought a canopy bed years ago and after I got it in I hated my bedroom, loved the bed tho. After a year I finally realized that the reason I hated my bedroom it was to small. So I sold my canopy bed and bought an iron headboard and it was magic. Loved the room and it wasn't so small after all. :>)

Kristen- not sure black doors will compliment a lighter pallet. Keep thinking that you want to make the small space look bigger, so lighter colors will really help. And if you need to keep the bed, the suggestion to take off the canopy was smart. Try to simplify and organize and you will have your wish.

You have received some excellent suggestions. I think one of the reasons this forum is so useful is that we are faced with some design challenges that we don't have a lot of experience handling (duh). :-) I am chiming in for several reasons. My husband and I recently moved and found ourselves with a smaller master bedroom. We have chocolate brown carpet, wood beams on the ceiling and three wooden doors in the bedroom (entry, closet, bathroom). I fell in love with some beautiful furniture at Restoration Hardware. I desperately wanted what looked like a washed wood tone....but I knew the off white would work better...but heck, I did not want the room to look like a child's room. To get to the point, I did buy the off white and it is amazing how in works in the small room. You can obviously "see" the furniture, but it also kind of disappears...meaning in it not in your face making the room look smaller. My recommendation is to either get a smaller bed and bed frame, or paint the current bed frame white/off white. You also mentioned a style you embrace...black (no...your room is way too small and it will have an in your face effect) and chunky frames (not in this room because chunky really demands attention and if you keep the bed, you will have too many things competing for attention).
The other thing is to remove as many items that can be stored in a closet, etc. I will see if I have a photo of my bedroom to share with you so you can see what happens with light colored furniture...it works miracles in a small space.

The miracle of lighter furniture in a small room!

Thank you, rinda! I have no objection to lighter furniture. RH has a set that I adore, again, it might be considered too big or bulky. (Image 1)

If I go with lighter furniture and paint the walls a light color, whether it's white or a dove gray- wouldn't it be too.. Sterile? Hospital like? It's a task wrapping my brain around something other than my usual taste but please know I am open to it!

https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/zoom-viewer/rhHTMLViewer.jsp?serverUrl=https://media.restorationhardware.com/is/image/&asset=rhis/prod690088_R12_cl342014,rhis/prod690088_av1,rhis/prod690088_av2,rhis/prod690088_av3,rhis/prod690088_av4&title=Restoration Hardware Zoom&initialframe=0

My phone is throwing a fit. The bed set I'm referring to is the ST. JAMES PANEL BED WITH FOOTBOARD, either in antique granite or antique taupe.

Kristen- the RH bed is gorgeous but yet again a bit HUGE for a small space. I do like the grey color. Here are just a few ideas from Overstock.com. See the difference when the footboard is either the same height as the mattress or even non-existent. And a great idea, this ( probably too dark) grey set, is a STORAGE bed. Try a google search for grey (wood) bed and you will see how lighter colors ( and grey pallets) work together - lots out there.

Hi Kristen, I think the bed you fell in love with for RH is stunning...but I agree with Diane, it will be too big for your room. Maybe they sell just the headboard? I had to smile when I read your response because you reminded me of me when I was searching for furniture. I fall in love with things and then try to "will them to work". And that usually does not work out well.

As for my room, I also put a quilt that is folded at the end of the bed that is a teal color that matches the pillows that are in front of the Euro pillows. The base boards in our room are also painted a very light sage green color...sounds odd, but it works.

It can be a challenge to think outside the box, because I am like you, I love what I love....but when you face a design challenge like a small room, You will be so glad you stretched your talents....and this is such a great forum for additional ideas. I will be looking forward to what you decide to do.

Kristen,

If this were my room, I would:

Remove canopy and lower headboard and footboard to see if the bed would seem less imposing.

Don't paint the doors black due to the room size.

Paint the walls a lighter color.

Move the dresser behind the bathroom door to the right of the closet door. That seems like a better fit.

Add light colored matching curtains to both windows, and dress the window behind the bed as wide as the other, so the curtains are mostly on the wall behind the headboard.

Move item on the wall to the right of the window unit wall, perhaps to the area behind the bathroom door.

Post pictures of furniture changes and perhaps the distance between footboard and TV wall. Not sure if there is space for anything there.

Can't wait to see updated photos!

Perhaps you could find a corner unit to house the TV and put it in the corner between the closet door and the entry door. If necessary, change the direction in which the entry door swings so that the TV will not be blocked when someone enters the room. I agree with another poster that white walls and more white items will help a great deal. I do not think a white bedspread is practical in a room used by a man, but you might find a black and white or black and light grey floral bedspread that would brighten the space and add color, pattern, and contrast. I do agree with another poster that a wide, plain white curtain across the window would give the illusion of a much larger window and that such a curtain would make a good background for the head of the bed.

Y'all are so kind and helpful! I'm ever so grateful. I took the plunge today and just started painting the room. I had BM Metropolitan on hand, so that's what the walls are in the process of being.
The windows drive me nuts because the one behind the bed faces west - sunshine for days and raises the temperature on this side of the house significantly. The window on the connecting wall faces north, but the views out of either window are hideous.

Other window faces south* not north!

Just make sure when you get new window treatments that they match. Having the two unmatching windows makes the room very disjointed, not serene.

DO it the way you like it Kristen, if Hubby doesn't like it trade him for a new one on Craigslist :>)

Any thoughts on a clear coat stencil? I love this bedroom and the layout is pretty similar. I think I will do the wall of curtains behind the bed though.

That is nice if it is the same color as other walls. And you need separate pillows that say his and hers, in case you need to move his out to the couch.

Wow, the new paint color looks nice. I like the idea of the stencil, but that might be a more ambitious project than you want at this point. You may want to wait to see how the room comes together. As for your windows....now may be a good time to call in an expert so that you can get a good window treatment that will cut down bright light, heat, etc. We often just think of window treatments as decoration, but the right type will multitask and be worth the investment.

I would not paint over cherry wood furniture, ever, quality is never out if style. I would add white on white on white linens, curtains, rugs. Quality linens on the bed. Then add colors in pillows.

This is what I have arranged so far... I have to find creative ways to store stuff - we have a lot of STUFF and minimal storage throughout the house. I plan on painting the trim and the doors in white eventually. I do have a white quilt I can change out with the gray one that's on now. As far as the bed goes, the photos show the bed frame at its lowest possible setting with no attachments. Looks funky!

Kristen, Can the bed frame allow for just the use of the headboard? I think the headboard alone would work in the room. As far as storage, can you stash some plastic boxes under the bed? I also needed to find storage any way I could and that option worked for me.

I agree with Rinda. Was going to suggest for you just to use the headboard and use the space under your bed. Have you tried putting off season clothes in those vacuum packs? Also use every inch in your closet well ( and don't be afraid to purge) . And maybe hide hubbies hat rack in a closet or in another room. The grey paint is a wonderful improvement. Going to put my vote in for cellular ( honeycomb) shades again. You can get blackout ones in lovely white or grey colors at Blinds.com. They give a room a clean look, will block light and heat when you need it and give you the option of adding sheers or a simple valance. Plus you can open them half way or all the way to the top to add more light.

This is just a sample- they have "cotton", "white dove" and "grey sheen". And that is just one place online. I know Home Depot sells them and although their colors might be limited , they are more reasonable in price. You are doing a great job so far!

Has anyone mentioned changing your ceiling fan out? Either remove it or change it to a white one to disappear in the ceiling.

Hi Kristen
Great job so far! I agree - it's sux when you don't have enough storage! I agree with the other posters to see if you can just use the headboard and also use under bed storage. Can't wait to see the final results!

I sure can just have the headboard. It will be a stand alone headboard that would be easy to fall back against the wall. If I have it pushed up against the wall, the mattresses won't be able to be pushed against it because it's one of those tempurpedic beds that adjusts up and down and all that jazz.
I like the honeycomb shades! Definitely putting that on my list.

Excellent! If you can use just the headboard, can you use the top portion of the spindle or does that need to have the canopy attached to it as well? I think just the headboard with the full spindle will frame the window nicely and be a great focal point. You are really making some progress...impressive!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to update with a couple of pictures. I have some shutter blinds up now! Man, does it help with the heat! I'm wondering now, since I'm not so focused on heat prevention, does that change how I should hang curtains?

I like adding height!

Yes, I agree with miacometlady: go for the height way to hang them. It will make your room look bigger. You are doing a GREAT job! Keep them light and airy.

I agree with the height! I'm more curious of whether or not to cover the majority of the wall, making it the same length as the other wall of windows - or not.
Thank you! I haven't spent one penny on any of this, which excites me! I've had everything on hand. ☺️

Just commenting on your great progress so I can follow along!

I've got the white quilt on and am testing this rug... It's pretty feminine, right? I'm not sure my husband will care too much for it, however, he wouldn't care if I kept it in here. I'm debating on replacing the fan (with the missing, aka broken, bulb cover

Thank you, Katinparadise!! This forum is amazing. I have umpteen more projects to do and I can't wait for the tips and advice. If my bedroom was a handful, the other rooms are going to be a mess!

Be sure to get a flush mount fan. As close to the ceiling as possible. I like the rug. It adds texture to a neutral theme.

First of all...you are married to a Marine, corral the mess. You need more storage, then keep it neat!

I find a neutral color scheme fine, providing the neatness/storage issue is met...


I would honestly say tidy up before you spend.

You are being awfully presumptuous stating that I'm married to a Marine, don't you think?

I agree and will refer you back up to a previous comment I made about needing proper storage. If you're referring to the last pictures I posted regarding tidiness, I'm aware of the things out and about but, in my defense, I was simply trying to take a decent picture of the rug haphazardly placed under the bed.

Thank you for your friendly advice!

No worries.

Perhaps it was the USMC logo hanging on the bed frame that caught my eye. Silly me...

I honestly think your first priority needs to be storage.

Best wishes

Oh. And don't buy the Exploitation Hardware stuff until you read this...
http://pulitzercenter.org/articles/sick-furniture-fumes

http://extras.sltrib.com/china/story3.htm

My brother just got out after serving two terms and two deployments.

Storage is high on my priority list. For now, I'm doing all that I can with materials I already own. Then I will purchase what I'm lacking.

Thanks for the info, good to know.

No problem. People need to understand the karma of things and usually want to do what is right.

Hi Kristen- Really like the rug and I agree with glschisler about the flush mount fan. You are moving along so well. Consider some black and white photos in matching frames, one on each side of the bed . Looking great!