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WANTED: Bright Inviting Guest Bedroom - Can't get it right!

13 years ago
My home is bright and sunny with large windows that let in lots of outdoor light and scenery. I decorated with the idea of bringing the outdoors in, springtime specifically, bright true colors, having a little fun while keeping it elegant. I'm very happy with the way my house has come together for the most part (Photos here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/154768 ) but I can't get the guest bedroom right (NOTE: I had a guest staying with me at the time these photos were taken).

The room is north facing and gets much less natural light than the rest of the house. The wall that the bed us up against is currently painted Benjamin Moore 2027-50 ( http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/hibiscus#ce_s=hibi ). My Mother has a wall in her guest bedroom painted this color and I love it! But her room gets a lot more natural light and mine looks like a dirty hospital yellow.

My hope is that the room feel as welcoming as my bedroom while still having it's own identity. The bed linens are a light grey duvet cover & white sheets. Lamps are silver and white with black shades. Drapes are a cream matelassé. There is a small white desk with black legs against the wall not pictured with a black chair. I am thinking of getting rid of the dresser. I have a taller bookcase that is of similar size to the dresser that I am thinking of painting to match the wall. This being an older house there is limited closet space so I am also considering getting a 93" PAX wall unit to add some closet space. The dragon picture has some great colors I am considering bringing into the room my problem is, what color?! I love the idea of a coral, peach, or dark teal/green but worry with the low levels of light what it might look like. In short, I am at a loss for what to do to turn this room into what I am looking for. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Comments (24)

  • PRO
    13 years ago
    Common sense tells me that it is better to use lighter colors/shades in a darker room, so any pastel colors you have mentioned may work. As to pulling colors from your artwork, it is a good idea as well. Best of luck redecorating!... Raisa
  • 13 years ago
    I think your last picture tells the story. You have a beautiful room in the making here, but light is a problem. Look up! Look at the little tiny ceiling light you have there! I think if you replace that small light with a light that will hold at least three light bulbs, you'll see your room differently.
  • 13 years ago
    If coral is what you love, then go for it. Instinct is always best. Personally I would paint the wall the same purple or even a lilac that picks up the tones of the picture and lamp. Aubergine and silver/grey are very elegant together.
  • 13 years ago
    For all of you who are wondering how it turned out. I'm still not in love with it but it's a LOT better!
  • 13 years ago
    Very nice. The thing that has bothered me in the first set of photos is still bothering me. The absence of any color on the window wall. Maybe if you were to find some more prints with the dragon colors and hang them on both sides of the window? Change the drapes for something with a little pattern/color?
  • 13 years ago
    How about a pretty white wicker headboard?
  • 13 years ago
    or this one
  • 13 years ago
    Great turquoise blue paint. I suggest a brown wood headboard or a wicker headboard (as Nancy Walton suggests) and new bedding.
    Turquoise Master · More Info


    Also, a folding luggage rack would be nice.

    Paint the window wall, too. It just looks unfinished now.

    A more substantial curtain rod would look better than the skinny one. Try a 2-inch diameter rod.

    The delicate dangly thing doesn't come across as a strong accent to complement the theme artwork or the lamp.
  • 13 years ago
    I like your new color, but I would also paint the window wall, it just looks left out! Paint the ceiling in glossy white. That really helps to bounce the light around in a darker room.

    I would like to see you try the bed against the window. That would let you have a nightstand on each side of the bed, which is nice for guests. Or even try the bed angled at 45 degrees placed to come out of a corner. I did this once and placed a tall palm onto an extra table behind the bed, but of course I had a headboard.

    I would reframe your art. Think a different color mat with a larger frame. It is a nice piece and needs to be shown off more!
  • 13 years ago
    Pier 1
  • 13 years ago
    Much better......I would also paint the other walls.....change the bedding to all white with 3 euro's to act as headboard, try "lifting" the bed, either with the addition of feet or put on concrete blocks...then you can also get those flat plastic storage boxes that slide under the bed...try switching..the lamps....then.lower and center the picture over the chest....getting there....good luck
  • 13 years ago
    Just re read your comments.....I would opt for closed pieces drawers, for storage as open shelving usually gives a cluttered look......look at Home Goods, TJ Max for white bedding at good prices......your curtains will probably need to change and need to be longer......have fun
  • 13 years ago
    I like Nancy Walton's suggestion for curtains and bedding. Her suggestions would really kick it up a notch, the bedding that's in there now takes away from what you are trying to accomplish, also a headboard would be the finishing touch.
  • 13 years ago
    Everything you need can be found at Pier 1
  • 13 years ago
    Here is another approach for a Guest room.

    Guest room necessities and luxuries

    At least one table beside the bed with a lamp for reading,alarm clock, water carafe and glass. I know these are accessories but guests really appreciate these items. If you can put a luggage butler in the room, it folds so does not take up a lot of room when there are not guests. I think one dresser is enough for guests. I presume that there is a closet as well. I also have a folder of information on the area and recommendations of places to eat,shop,sight see. The guest room is also a place to hang collections of pictures or unique items.

    Add a great mattress, lush bed and bath linens, room darkening window covering, as well as bath salts, oils, bubbles, lotions and creams, natural , room scent spray or diffuser, extra toilet paper and Kleenex in fabric covers, a luxurious robe and some hotel type slippers,a very good mirror ofor makeup and one full size for dressing, towel warmer is nice, clippies and scrunchies, hair dryer, really nice soap, a toothbrush and razor in case, guest sized toiletries including aspirin, etc, some books and magazines, either ipod and player or cd's and player or radio, alarm clock, cell phone charger, a plate of fruit and chocolate with a fruit knife, napkin, bottled water and a pretty glass, flowers, an eye mask for napping, a flashlight, yes..photos of you with your guest, some notecards, stamps, and a nice pen, side tables, good reading lamp and other lighting, a comfortable reading chair, hopefully you have wifi which extends into the room. I suggest you stay there for 2 or 3 nights and see if there is anything you are missing..... you may want to stay! hope this helps! :)

    I've added a bench at the foot of the bed and it's used a LOT for luggage. I also have a tray for bottled water and drinking glasses and a place to put their watch/rings on a small dresser. We also have a flat screen tv with a note in the side table drawer with directions on how to operate the remote(s). The biggest favorite of our guests is we have a "revolving" picture frame on the side table. I will put in a picture of the guests, or of their pet. Everyone always get a get out of this.
    //
    I would put very nice hangers in the closet. Padded ones for blouses, wooden ones shaped for jackets and shirts for men, ones with clips for skirts, and ones to hang trousers on.

    Extra pillows are appreciated. A soft one, a firm one, a small one (for between the knees when side sleeping), maybe a neck roll pillow also.

    Lotion, facial tissue, a pair of nail clippers, and a couple of BandAids could be placed in the top drawer of the dresser or chest of drawers.

    If you know the interests/hobbies of your guest, put any books you own on the subject on the bookcase in the guest room. You could also borrow a few books and magazines from your public library to put in there.

    A small fan is also appreciated as much for air movement as for masking noises in the home (the furnace turning on, refrigerator, hot water heater, voices in another room, and so on).
    //
    Something that will make them happy when they need some time alone, like magazines, a current newspaper, maybe one of those eye masks to soothe their tired eyes?
  • 13 years ago
    Eztia, I want to stay in your guest room!

    Just wanted to add: be sure to have new pillows on the bed. Sometimes folks use the old, lumpy pillows for that "extra bed". That, and I always appreciate an extra blanket for the bed. Once froze to death in a beautiful guest room!
  • 13 years ago
    I get new pillows at Big Lots for $3.00. Nice and clean and no lumps!!
  • 13 years ago
    Wal-Mart also has cheap pillows, you can afford to change them out whenever they get flat or lumpy.
  • 13 years ago
    Make your bedroom like some hotels: give your guests a choice between different sorts of pillows: firm or soft!
  • 13 years ago
    Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. I made some progress, It's slow going because the room is often times occupied but here is a little progress update.
  • 11 years ago
    Nice. Color is great & I loved your dragon print from the beginning. I would like to see all walls painted & new drapes w/ grommet tops hung from the ceiling to the floor. See if you can find some kind of head board as I'd like to see the bed against the window. Check Ikea for the drapes & hardware. Very reasonable. The reason I like the bed moved is it makes such a great presentation as a person enters the room. Love the lamps.
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Hey there...I have a great blog post that may offer some inspiration..
    http://timothyriversinteriors.com/2014/12/24/creamy-dreamy-master-bedroom-suit-for-a-king-and-queen/

    I hope this helps!
  • 9 years ago

    Once you add some artwork above the bed, accessories on the bed (a throw and additional pillows) that pick up the colors in your art inspiration piece and change the drapes, you'll be pleased, I think. Might I suggest going wider with your drapes? At least 18" left and right (adding 3 ft. overall to the width) which makes it look more substantial. Thank you for sharing your project!