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Help me fix this bedroom?

10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago

So I just assembled a new guest bed and I've been trying to come up with a comfortable furniture/art arrangement for night tables in this small room.

Storage is not a major concern as this is a guest room at a cottage.

Things I like: the bed, the duvet, the antique washstand and the mirror above the washstand.

Things I don't like: grey homesense flower art, the lamps (just placeholders), the quilt (maybe swap out for a white one?)

Things I'm open to changing: the vintage bookcase (I like it for guests to stash their clothes but maybe it's a little dark?), the little blanket trunk (although anything in that corner, if anything, has to be tiny due to tiny room).

Right now I think it looks crowded and off. Help?

ps the aisle is more generous on the left hand side to accommodate the entry door swing.

Comments (53)

  • 10 years ago

    Love. What a charming room. Love the quilt. I'd maybe get better lamps for reading in bed. I'd also hang lace/sheers on each window.

  • 10 years ago

    Another vote for the quilt...that bed absolutely needs a vintage quilt rather than a floral cover. :). I think the artwork and the lampshades are also too modern for the furniture. Why is one lamp sitting in a tray?

    Donna

  • 10 years ago

    I would get larger lamps and you might want to get one that is taller for the left side and have matching shades. That way they appear to the same height. The only other thing I would do is find a different piece of art. Or, just paint the edges of the canvas black so it looks almost like it is framed.

    I think the room is lovely and looks very inviting. I would be happy to stay in that room!!!

  • 10 years ago

    I too like the quilt a lot, but not sure with the floral bedding...white would be great or a solid that picks up one color from the quilt.

    You obviously need taller lamps to be functional. I'd make them similar but different as the surfaces they sit on are such different heights. It would add to the cottage feel that way too.

    Also with the black bed, it might be nice to have the black repeated somewhere else in the room...maybe in the artwork over the bed...maybe in the frames...

    I'm concerned with the small trunk on the floor....it looks nice, but it also looks like it could be a toe-banger if someone's on the way to the bathroom at night.

  • 10 years ago

    Love the quilt! Would prefer it with solid bedding.

  • 10 years ago

    I would change artwork and lamps. Really like the vintage furniture and quilt. Also like the suggestion of white bedding with the quilt along with white sheers. Your guests are lucky

  • 10 years ago

    Another vote to keep the quilt and use a white duvet or coverlet. Maybe go with a more simple folk-art piece of art with some of the brighter colors from the quilt. Anything else looks too formal for the look you're going for.

  • 10 years ago

    I can see why you love the duvet, and I love the quilt, but they are fighting with the art above the bed. Two of the three have to go, starting with the art. After that, it is what do you love the most or dislike the most?

  • 10 years ago

    The quilt at the foot of the bed should be used by itself, nothing more, except pillows. When guests stay there you an always switch it out so it won't get damaged. But that is a beautiful focal point for the room.

    As someone who loves trays, I'd take the tray off the wash stand and put a simple, medium size faux/silk floral arrangement on the left side, and a larger lamp next to the bed. Yes, I said silk flowers. :)

    I doubt you need two lamps, but turning the bookcase around to face the bed would look nice along with a picture above it.

    Because of the style of the room I wouldn't use floral pictures.

    I'd put that darling little trunk at the end of the bed.

    Great room to work with!

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I've not read the replies so it may be duplicative. Love the bed and wall color

    1. I like the sheets with the quilt. It has a pleasant un-matchedness to it. If you want to add a layer, Id add a white bedspread folded half way; i would not take anything away.

    2. I agree that the painting is a bit blah

    3. The nightstand on the right looks too modern. I would look for something at a tag sale, etc w more character

    4. Unless you have an emotional attachment, I dont care for the blanket chest, and feel the scale is wrong.

    5. agree you need bigger lamps; id like to see pottery

    6. I like asymmetry, but for some reason i think if you have a mirror on one side, you need a mirror on the other side

    robo (z6a) thanked MtnRdRedux
  • 10 years ago

    If I were to put something in the corner, i might choose a small chair. Guests can put stuff on it too. DO you have any hooks anywhere?

  • 10 years ago

    I like the idea of an antique wooden chair on that side! I saw a picture of that somewhere before and loved it, but now can't find it.

  • 10 years ago

    I'll disagree about the 2 lamps. If you have a couple staying over and one wants to sleep while one wants to read, 2 separated lamps are very welcome.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Hooks...just hung a hat rack! There are temp hooks on the back of the door as well...not sure if I will hang real hooks there or a towel bar or what. It would almost make more sense visually at foot of bed but there's just not a lot of clearance so I worry about headbonks and eye removal.

  • 10 years ago

    Add a large framed photograph of President Eisenhower.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Does the little floral chest thing work at the end of the bed or is the room too narrow? Can you "shop the house" for some artwork that is more harmonious. You have too much pattern that is too dissimilar going on, and I am a gal who loves to mix and match pattern!

  • 10 years ago

    The chest would unfortunately be in the way at end of bed.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Ok so I did some in-house shopping. White bedspread and I changed out the bookcase for another little night table which I think I like better for scale in the room. Plus it's the same Color family as the washstand.

    now that the painting is gone it's definitely staying gone.

    these are my living room lamps...does the scale work? Match or not? I would get ones with quieter shades.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Here's an idea: Take out the little chest and find a little stool to put in that corner or just nothing is fine. If it is a small room no one is going to sit anywhere other than on the bed anyway. A square or rectangular stool could serve as a small luggage rack.

    Take off the tray and leave the lamps, why not, they are whimsical. Just find some books to stack up on the nightstand so the lamps are at the same level. It would not fit the current minimalistic aesthetic, but it would be charming. I don't think the duvet cover and quilt are a huge problem if there is some resting space for the eye in the room. And having some symmetry over the night stands, so hang that picture above the other nightstand on the wall with the top the same level as the top of the mirror. I have to say honestly the two nightstands/two mirrors look seems a little mirror overkill for me and would not work in your room since the nightstands are different heights. Get the symmetry from the lamps being the same height and the art over the one nightstand "mirroring the mirror." I'm not bothered by a lot of pattern in the room on the walls. The whole floral vibe is nice, by guest bedroom is similar. Getting the art hung right can be very tricky, I know.

    I'd also take that other thing off the nightstand, looks like a vase with feathers. It's nice, but since you have so much art going on in the small space, it's getting lost and serves no purpose for your guests.

    Edited to add I see you've switched out the tables. Love the lamp bottoms, I'd go with more muted shades which you already mentioned. Try that look with the old art configuration and a book or two to prop up the one lamp so they are level. And I still say ditch the vase.

    P.P.S. This botanist says bring back the floral duvet! ;)

  • 10 years ago

    I much preferred the first bedside table.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I liked the height of the first bookcase but it was just about 6" too wide for the space, I believe, it seemed quite crowded.

    duvet cover AND bedspread and squatter lamps ... Again just stole them from another room for scale. Now desperate to hang this tray on the wall somewhere


  • 10 years ago

    I just had to post and tell you how much I like that quilt. I know you like the duvet but the quilt on a white coverlet looks so warm and cozy.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I would still like bigger lamps. Love the bed in the last iteration! Nightstands and artwork work well. Round table doesnt make much sense to me in the corner. I'm talking a little wooden occasional chair. easy to find at tag sales. People like to put a bag on it or drape clothes.





  • 10 years ago

    Oh, i think the round green table would be great as the other bedside table.

  • 10 years ago

    Mtn I tried a little antique chair I have and its unfortunately too big, I think it would definitely get kneed in the night. I could look for a round stool?

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Maybe a little tiny corner étagère if I see one.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I would try a larger horizontal piece over the bed and hang the tray between the windows.

    edited to add...if your guests need a place to hang a few items, could you put a coat rack in that corner? Or hooks on the wall? I'd just leave it empty if you don't need that.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    The tray is cute on the wall. Might it go on the same wall between the windows, with that other floral picture? Not sure about the spacing, don't want to be too high to see the pattern well (I have that problem a lot with my pictures). Love the little round table, looks great in the room. Don't exactly love the tray on the wall against the other side of the bed, but don't hate it either. Another option would be to have a tall lamp on that side, tall enough to line up with the mirror, and then a smaller one on the other side. You might not notice the imbalance enough if the lamp on the side without the mirror had a substantial presence.

    Love the white coverlet giving the quilt a frame. Might be blanket overkill but love them all together. Is that a duvet cover with the botanicals? Do you have sheets to match? That could give you a great summer option. I have a summer and winter look for most of my bedrooms, because in winter I need lots more blankets! Love it with just the white too. Lots of great looks possible for that classic bed. The tricky part is going to be the art on the walls. You'll know when it is perfect.

    Edited to add that if you could find some art that was about the same size and weight as that mirror, the room would be just about perfect even with those matching green lamps, which are tres cute.

    Edited again to add that I had some wall mounted shelves in my tiny bedroom. They were above the bed which freaked me out even though they were plenty stable, so I took them down. Kind of a pain to install, but an option in a small space., maybe on the wall across from the bed Here's a link to photos of my tiny, pattern and antique mixed guest bedroom, so you know I feel your pain. I am totally in love with your wall color though. Mine was pepto bismol which I always wanted to change to spring green like yours, but since dear dad painted the room, I never did. http://www.pbase.com/lpink/image/22613379

    robo (z6a) thanked l pinkmountain
  • 10 years ago

    Keep working, you are doing a great job. Here are my thoughts.

    I agree with removing the tray. Also thing the art with the roses needs to be
    removed, as well as the mirror. The tray
    just does not look right in the bedroom to my eyes. Would also remove the green table and leave
    the corner empty. Also remove the
    coatrack from the wall; it is not necessary since you hooks on the door. Not every empty space of wall or floor needs
    to be filled. The white duvet looks
    great with the quilt. I also like the white
    lamps and their blue shades which go so well with a blue in the quilt.

    robo (z6a) thanked WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
  • 10 years ago

    I really like the tray where it is, but I think it would be nicer over the round table, so I'd try putting the round table under the tray, as a bedside table, and see how that looks.

    robo (z6a) thanked User
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    The white lamps were just for scale, they belong in my living room here. But I could find something similarly sized.

    I don't really like taking away the limited storage afforded by the chest of drawers on the right in favor of the round table. I know I said storage isn't a huge priority but I like to have somewhere for someone to stash their undies. Especially because room is too small to keep a suitcase in (this is my smallest guest room but paradoxically the most used).

  • 10 years ago

    I really love your room, so far I think it would feel like a warm hug to your guests. I'd remove the duvet entirely, use the quilt for the bedding and have the white blanket at the foot. All of the guests we've had tend to really use their bedside table a lot, so I'd stick with lamps that have a smaller base and don't eat up so much space. Maybe you don't have to match the lamps. On one side, you could one that's a little short and put a stack of books under it. For art, I'd start visiting some consignment stores to find something with the right scale that isn't new and would fit that wonderful lived in feel of the room.




    robo (z6a) thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    Great lamp inspiration! I will keep my eyes open at homesense.

  • 10 years ago

    Robo, you room looks great. I like the final arrangement you showed the best. It looks beautiful! I am also glad you brought back the beautiful quilt!

    robo (z6a) thanked amykath
  • 10 years ago

    Where are the first and lamps from?

  • 10 years ago

    The tiny leaf lamps were from bouclair and the white lamps with blue shades and the green lamps are from homesense.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Love your bedding and the room is so pretty. I saw these elsewhere on Houzz and I guess thought of you because of the quilt. I also really like this very simple room.

    My House · More Info

    My House · More Info

  • 10 years ago

    Hi Bluebell. I see in my "activity" that you added these pics of my guest bedroom (just above in your comment) to your ideabook. I'm just so flattered you like this room. I've had several house dilemmas but this room was one of my very favorites. This was a very low budget update and I still love the outcome. So many great Houzzers helped me with this bedroom and it was great fun!

  • 10 years ago

    So, Ann, since you're here, where did you get that fabulous painting? Very nice room.

  • 10 years ago

    Thanks bluebell! Ann, great room!! I love it. Love the bird especially. And the quilt.

  • 10 years ago

    Deeinohio, I had seen that canary art photoshopped into Houzzer's rooms a few times by a wonderful Houzzer named groveraxle. So, when I decided to dig the quilt my great aunt made out of a trunk where it had been stored for 40 years and use it in this room, that art immediately came to mind because of the yellow canary. It just came from greatbigcanvas.com and with the coupon codes they always have it was very affordable. Since then, I've purchased from them again and I love the second piece I bought for my dining room too. Great website!

    Thank you Robo! The whole room was because of a most enjoyable Houzz dilemma of mine. Here is a Houzz pic I saw that inspired me to do it in the first place.


    South Melbourne Family Home · More Info


  • 10 years ago

    Thank you, Ann!

  • 10 years ago

    I'm supposed to be doing the dishes, but couldn't help myself. Here are some sample rooms that you could use as a guide. Notice that most have different night stands, solid colored bedding with the patterned quilt on top and layered pillows.


    Eclectic Bedroom · More Info


    Gary + Gayle: Cincinnati, Ohio · More Info

    Coastal Ranch · More Info

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    My Houzz: Bright and Cheerful Updates to an 1890s Colonial Revival · More Info

    Vermont Rustic Romantic Country Guest Room with Wallpaper Ceiling · More Info

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  • 10 years ago

    Thanks so much for the inspiration photos! I am loving them!

  • 10 years ago

    Ann, I really do love your room so I'm glad you don't mind me saving and sharing it. :) Thanks!

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Robo, as some others have said, I also like your quilt on top of white bedding. I noticed that's what was done in some of the pics finallyhome posted too.

    Bluebell, I don't mind at all. I was very flattered.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Ann you room is so cool! I have a very similar wedding ring quilt from my grandma, but the background of mine is cream. It was on my bed as a kid and one day when I should have been napping, I drew on it with a pen! (I was four, not recently!) I hope I can someday find a way to restore the quilt (some of the squares have disintegrated too) and use it in a room.

    Edited to add that I just may use your room as MY inspiration in my current bedroom redo. I have a dresser across from the bed and an old antique rocker from grandma too. And windows in the same spot. And I have a white blanket I could use on my bed, along with another intact quilt. And white pillow shams and a white dustruffle. The only problem with my room is that it has ugly blue carpet that I am not able to get rid of right now. But it is actually the same color as that dresser, so your color scheme would actually sort of work for me. Another difference is that my woodwork is not painted, but I think I can still bring some elements in from your room to great effect! I am a total ditz when it comes to decorating so I do well to "copy" others as a base. Of course not an exact copy, but the general aesthetic.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I hope you find a use for it pinkmountain! My great aunt made mine for my mom (as well as two others I have - one green and one lavender). This one was never used by anyone so it's in perfect condition. The green one has had a ton of use. I used it through all of my 20s (which was 40 years ago, lol).

    I used to wonder why she made a deep yellow one (what was she thinking?), lol:) Now, I'm delighted it's just as bright and yellow as can be!

  • 10 years ago

    Long term I have an idea to get a quilt rack to display some of the antique quilts I have that are maybe too special and fragile for everyday use. I have a couple from Grandma and an afghan from my Baubie.

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