i'd do stationary drapery panels over whatever privacy type of blind you can agree on. i dont know how tall your windows are under the valances, the rods can be mounted that height or higher. length to just kiss the floor. just a bit wider so the panels cover half the side casings but not on the glass, as your windows are on the narrower side.

as far as color, thats for you two and your marriage counselor to work out.

Plantation shutters an option? Agree with stationary panels. Maybe you guys can take a style quiz and compare results? Behr Swiss Coffee and Behr Chocolate Froth are two awesome neutrals while you decide. Turned an eye watering sunrise into a softer glow. They look totally different on the wall. In the meantime, start with the bed and the rest will follow.

I agree we should start with the bedding! We would like to do a new, bigger headboard. As for other updating I'd like a reading nook, bookshelf maybe and things on the wall. Pretty much it all could be changed. I'm just overwhelmed with how it would go together. Thank you silenthrx for the color suggestions. I like them a lot. Maybe my husband and I won't need marriage counseling after all :-)

You can have drapes and blinds on the same window. Easy.

Dusty greens or creamy browns can be warm and calming at the same time.

I love the idea of starting with the comforter. You will see something beautiful and be inspired to pick the right color.

Do not choose wall color before bedding and if you are going to change bed frame i would go much heavier maybe a upholstered headboard

Yes, upholstered headboard is what we were thinking!

Starting point, decide on colors, I can change them :>)

I like your bed frame and dark dresser and wouldn't change those myself. agree you need to find bedding you like and go from there or if you find an upholstered headboard you like use that as a starting point. but that being said, if your walls are a neutral you don't have to paint every time you want a change. lots of colors go together. I change my bedding and decor winter and summer. lighter colors, blankets, rugs and feel in the summer. darker, heavier, warm cozy, down comforter in the winter. I look forward to the change. just pick colors you like and you'll love the room. as a thought you could satisfy your likes and your husbands by doing that. your look in the summer - light and calm. his in the winter warming up the room. just find a wall color that compliment both styles. I change my (cheaper) drapery panels too but have blackout panels under and open both fully every day to take advantage of the natural light. a combination of blinds and drapes would take care of the light in your room for sleeping.

the window wall is pretty bare now but you could add a small table or bookcase between the 2 windows and add a chair or 2 for your reading nook. if you really wanted to go crazy make that a library wall with bookcases and window seat. free standing units can look built in. it looks like you have plenty of room. a combination of closed below and open shelving above can both hide the clutter and display your treasures along with books at the same time.

it can be done on a budget. my master is only 11 1/2' X 13' in a 1959 980 sq ft house but it lives large. I believe in only using white or ivory sheets. they just seem cleaner and crisper and also don't have to be changed if you change the color of the rest of the room.

please post some progress pictures would love to see what you do.

ditch the valances they really date the room

Really like all that natural light; it makes for a great space.

First, and unless you're opting for wood shutters for the windows, seriously consider adding white mini blinds inside the window frames for controlling light and for privacy. there are mini blinds that are intended specifically to be room darkening blinds. Attaching the blinds INSIDE the window frames (rather than overlapping them) means they will not interfere with drapes and/or sheers you might choose in the future. With white window frames, white mini blinds tend to visually disappear. You could then keep the valances unless and until you decide what, if anything you want to replace them. drapes are something for which you shouldn't spend money on until you decide what else you want to do with the room.

Though some consider the valances dated, with mini blinds and painting all the walls a single color, the valances would look better, especially if you could find one piece of artwork with just a tiny bit of that same dark color in it for the wall above your headboard.

Opt for a single color for your bedroom walls. Avoid "beige" walls with either a pink or yellow hue -- if you want pink or yellow color for your walls, choose that actual color; otherwise, your other color choices will never truly coordinate well. A lighter color will embrace all that natural light rather than fight it.

For your walls, consider a neutral light brown (tan w/o pink or yellow hue) or, preferably, any of the many shades of gray. Use bedding and art to add color to the room. Art need not be expensive or even a picture -- it can be a pressed metal sculpture for the wall above the bed and/or a mirror for above a dressing table.

Unless you want a larger bed, your bedroom furnishings are fine so you don't need to replace it just to update it. If you want a larger bed, thought, get that first before you invest in new bedding.

Seriously consider replacing the one piece bed spread concept with a bed skirt and comforter and pillow shams. The style you choose for bedding will go a long way to changing the entire feel of the room. If you're opting for drapes, now or later, consider both bedding and drapes as you buy either. The objective is to coordinate the colors and patterns. Since you have four pillows on the bed, you could have both a pair of solid color shams that match a new solid color bed skirt and another pair of shams with the same pattern of your new comforter.

If you do choose a new bed, less is more -- especially if your chest of drawers and any other matching pieces are still in good condition. You can start with buying the size frame and mattress and box springs you want and opt to add a headboard later -- maybe decide you want no headboard at all. You could add a shelf above your bed instead.

... Alternately, once you have the bed size you want and your comforter color, you could pick a color from the comforter and paint only the part of the wall behind the head of the bed that color -- instant "headboard" without the cost.

... Alternately, after or as you choose your dressing table, you could shop for headboards that go well with that -- perhaps something modern and metal.

You could use taller lamps on your bedside tables. Opt for thin posts for the lamps rather than ginger jar types -- you want to leave room on your nightstands for other items and you don't want to block the light from the lamps.

You should consider a pair of rectangle ottomans tall enough to be used for seats for under each of the two windows on the yellow wall, perhaps with storage. Something like these (links below) would enable you to use them for storage -- perhaps even for your most often worn shoes or for bedding such as winter blankets not used in summer -- and could provide a place to sit while dressing or a place for the clothes you're laying out for early the next day -- instant window seat w/o construction cost:

http://ep.yimg.com/ay/clubfurniturestore/alfred-ready-to-ship-coffee-table-leather-ottoman-15.jpg

http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/8261569/Malm-Storage-Bench-P15585647.jpg

Consider a tall narrow plant in front of the window near the corner where the yellow and red walls now meet -- perhaps a snake plant. Use the pretty little square top table in the opposite corner -- the one to the right of the two windows on the yellow wall -- as a plant stand.

You might consider putting a narrow table between the two windows and ottomans that could serve as a desk for recharging your phones, etc., or as a dressing table, hanging a mirror on the wall above it. Since it is unlikely you can match the wood finish of your other bed and chest of drawers, opt instead for something that doesn't try to match it -- instead, match the mirror and chair with the table. You could opt for modern and something that coordinates with your "window seats". (Choose a chair with wheels.)

Declutter. Along with your newer furniture purchases, include a cabinet to control clutter such as a place to store the items on your floor and even bedding not currently in use. Something to consider for that purpose is a wardrobe with doors that was built for the larger analog televisions before the thin digital tv sets became available. A lot of these are now being sold in used furniture stores at reasonable prices -- check your local Habit for Humanity Restore Store for a bargain on one of these. You may want to rip out and replace the shelves to suit your needs. If you need to add a piece of plywood for a back, the local big box building supply stores will cut one to size for you. If you cannot find a wood finish that suits you, you could always paint if white or black or any other color -- even the same color as your walls -- something that goes with the new look you choose. Put this clutter cabinet next to your chest of drawers.

You'll enjoy your newly decorated space much more if you take the time to enjoy shopping for bargains to get the look you actually want rather than rushing the project and going over budget. Have fun.

I think that the bed frame is pretty ok that you have now, if you bought new bedding. However headboards can be had for $100+ and would make a big impact. You have nightstands. You could even keep the chest at end of bed, but might consider painting it to match a new headboard. Once you decide on the bedding (I love white bedding and you can add pillows to bring in the accent color). Pick a paint color for the walls and then an accent color. Look at a couple of accent chairs for the window corner. You can find some very nice ones fairly inexpensively, as they are seldom used so wear is minimal. You can compromise with hubby on colors. A neutral silver gray for the walls, maybe even go darker for the wall behind the bed and pick a warmer color for accent pillows and the chairs.

I like going with a pure white bedding it looks so luxurious and it allows you to add as much color or pattern into the room..maybe a patterned rug...choose a color from the rug to put onto the walls.....or choose some accents pillows you can't live without and get your wall color from them. Of course if in your budget consider an upholstered bed and frame...it gives a nice updated look with no need for a dust ruffle..most men hate them.

zinnia, you have two--count 'em, 2--photos in your ideabook. Go through the bedroom photos on Houzz and choose the ones you love. Have hubby do the same. Compare and see if there's one you can agree on. Then simply copy it.

Here are two to get you started:

I have found that most men and women love the style of this upholstered bed...no need for separate metal frame or dust ruffle....again love the white bedding.

By painting over that red wall, you will immediately feel more calm. Red is a power color that actually invokes the feeling of stress on the brain.

Your husband likes warm colors so I would go for a warm neutral but choose your rug first. Even cheap rugs are generally more expensive than a can of paint so choose that first, then choose a paint color based off of the rug you love!

But going warm isn't all about color. You can have very cool colors in a room but if the layout of the room is warm and cozy way, you will feel warm and cozy. Curtains and rugs add a lot of warmth. And so will a big fluffy white duvet. Because your space is beautifully large you can add a sitting area in the corner for putting shoes on or reading a book!

I agree with the comment above! Find bedding and rugs that you like, bring home a paint wheel and pull colors out of your rugs/bedding using the paint colors to bring certain colors out, use these for curtains, accessories, then pull another color that you both enjoy and use as an accent wall - but make the other walls a neutral light color with warm undertones. I work with designing kitchens and I am constantly amazing my clients when I take out granite samples and show them how the same piece can look completely different when paired with a color or material that brings out colors one wouldn't have seen otherwise. Be creative and get lots of ideas from Houzz! Best of luck!
Keryn