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romopan

Help with small, awkward bedroom please

7 years ago

This small 11 x 11.5 bedroom has been a real challenge for me.I’ve tried the bed on every possible wall, even angled, and this is functionally the best solution...but it still needs help. The windows are offcenter and the radiator kills space. I need help with nightstands with storage and (ideally) display; they do have to be tall, because the bed is 30” high (!); but they don’t have to match. I will be getting new lamps. I need help choosing an attractive window treatment that allow maximum light when it’s gloomy, but can also block hot sun (southern exposure) in summer. I’d love a headboard, but I also occasionally want fresh air. Would an open, black iron headboard work? Would curtains? What kind/finish of rod if I have the headboard? And most of all, how can’t I make everything look balanced when it is not and the radiator interferes? P.s. the little rug covers a spot where floor finish is damaged - can’t refinish yet. I’d appreciate your help!





Comments (14)

  • 7 years ago

    Your room is small but it adds coziness and charm and a lot of design challenges.

    I am posting a picture that has elements that your room needs to give it a designed feel.

    Look at it and see what you like and think about what you want it to be....I do not know your taste but the elements will be needed for functionality; you can provide the design color pattern etc.


    To address the window I would do a Budget Blind type company to hang a wide cellular shade for privacy but easily opened for air and light etc.

    The Curtains should be custom to add the wow and architectural element to the room. I would do them just to the width of the radiator on either side and choose a pattern you love. I would also do them first as they are the design element in the room and will drive the rest of the design in wall color, type of lamps and nightstands, etc. For the smaller widow just do a cellular shade to match the one above the bed but have it fit in the window.

    Small open or closed nightstands can be found online, etc.

    The headboard is neutral and again easily found on line for a great price.

    I like the pillows but you could do any type in any combination.And area rug or runners on three sides of the bed work well too.

    Chandelier or fancy ceiling light looks lovely and lots of options for ceiling light at reasonable prices.

    If you do not like the 'look' of the room, again, curtains can make the design choice for you.

    If you think the room looks awful, and it might not be you, it still addresses the question of things needed in the room and makes for a neat window wall design. Good luck and keep Houzzers posted with your progress.

    Please note that bottom of shades are at the top of the headboard line and the end tables are same height as bed...very important detail for adding balance to the headboard area.

    252 7th Avenue · More Info


    romopan thanked Susan Davis
  • 7 years ago

    The room is cute. I wouldn't bother with a headboard. I probably wouldn't even add curtains, just use a shade for light control. I'd put a small dresser on the wall at the foot of the bed, get your books off the floor, maybe on floating shelves, and hang some art.


    Do you even need a nightstand on the other side? Do two people use this room?


    The little sheepskin rug looks like a perfect landing place for toes when one gets out of bed.

    romopan thanked groveraxle
  • 7 years ago



    romopan thanked groveraxle
  • 7 years ago

    Groveraxle, how did you do that?! And how did you find suitable art so fast (how did you search?) I would LIKE to have another nightstand for a bit of storage, another light (not a floor lamp). This table has no drawer(s) to hide stuff I want to keep bedside.


  • 7 years ago

    And Susan Davis, I see that curtains would allow me tomove the bed to the right, pretend the window was centered behind the bed, and get more room for another nightstand on the other side. Have a got that right?

  • 7 years ago

    HU-831..., I wouldn't off-center the bed from the window. I would instead get nightstands to fit each side. One advantage of shopping at Wayfair is that you can specify sizes (in addition to a whole bunch of other criteria). Both the tables below are 32" tall with the one on the left a mere 12" wide. The one on the right is 22" wide.


    As for the art, I have a huge catalog in my head and the print you had propped on the radiator reminded me of the work of Judy Paul, so I selected one of her pieces for your room. Others that I think would fit well in this space:

    A Day out with Little Betty Art Print by Sam Toft | Art.com · More Info


    Ryan Fowler artwork for sale, Posters and Prints at Art.com · More Info


    romopan thanked groveraxle
  • 7 years ago

    Oops. Forgot to include the tables:

    Wayfair.com - Online Home Store for Furniture, Decor, Outdoors & More · More Info


    Wayfair.com - Online Home Store for Furniture, Decor, Outdoors & More · More Info


  • 7 years ago

    Groveraxle, I love the Judy Paul and Little Betty! Thanks for doing my art shopping for me. What I was asking about earlier, though was how did you cut, resize and paste those things into my photos? I saw someone on another post referred to sketch but I still don’t understand how it works. Not a computer maven by a long shot. Using an old-ish iPad Air if it matters. Thanks

  • 7 years ago

    Ah, HU-8..., I use Photoshop on a MacBook Pro and don't really know how to do anything on an iPad. I also have never used Houzz's Sketch function. There is a free program for computers called Gimp that I understand has many of the capabilities of Photoshop.

    romopan thanked groveraxle
  • 7 years ago

    You may also want to consider using a top-down/bottom-up window shade. This way you can have privacy at the bottom while still have light streaming in at the top.

    romopan thanked RTHawk
  • 7 years ago

    RTHawk, topdown/bottom up double cell shades are what I have on all my windows on my first floor., and I love them. I think they are ideal, I guess I was just hoping to save a bit on window treatments On second floor. But your post made me realize I have the same issues to deal with on the upstairs windows so I may just go for it.… I’ll start to my lunch money now LOL . Thanks

  • 7 years ago

    If you have someone who is handy, you could get them to build you a cover for that radiator and have it extend over towards the bed with open shelves on the end.

    Something that looks like this. I'm struggling with importing the pictures. Have a look at that website. There is a picture of a cover that has open shelves at one end - something like that might solve mulitple issues for you.

    Or, similar to that, it could have a little drawer and door so it would be more like a proper table and then the top of the rad is also a bit of storage for you.

    This is a Canadian company but the pricing looks quite reasonable IMO. I'm sure you could find someone local to you who could build something similar.




    romopan thanked mvcanada
  • 7 years ago

    Here's a great way to deal with off-centered windows and your desire for display, built around the rad.

    Bedroom · More Info


    romopan thanked decoenthusiaste