Software
Houzz Logo Print
susanna_yurick

Dark bedroom with low ceilings and small windows - paint and carpet?

5 years ago

We're turning a room in on the (very) ground floor into our bedroom. It doesn't get a lot of light and the ceilings are low. Does anyone have recommendations on ceiling and wall colors to make it look less oppressive? What about carpet colors?

Comments (59)

  • 5 years ago

    bump!

  • 5 years ago

    my husband is 6'2". And there's a pipe. Ha!

  • 5 years ago

    Add lighting at different heights - no shadows to look and feel empty, spooky even?

    The wall with drum set and 3 things above, I'd consider accenting with wallpaper or good paint job. It can be mix of neutrals, and play upon the vibe, and the shapes.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Pearlescent sheen for opposite wall of the windows. Add sheen, and not ilght-absorbing... idk.

    Florentine Gray Tile Wallpaper Bolt · More Info



    Matte Satin Quilted 4 Piece Bedspread Set, Taupe, Queen · More Info


    https://www.houzz.com/products/matte-satin-quilted-4-piece-bedspread-set-taupe-queen-prvw-vr~47175432

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Wallpaper behind the drum set could be striking and dramatic. Nice with lilac bedding... on another wall.


    Matte Satin Quilted 4 Piece Bedspread Set, Purple, Queen · More Info



    "Photo Flowers II" (4-Pack) Removable Wallpaper Panels 24"x48" · More Info


    https://www.houzz.com/products/matte-satin-quilted-4-piece-bedspread-set-purple-queen-prvw-vr~47175429

  • 5 years ago

    Looks ilke an informal room -- colorful bedding instead?

    Harley Quilt Tangerine 5pc Set Full/ Queen · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/harley-quilt-tangerine-5-piece-set-full-queen-prvw-vr~47391673

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Course could be 'off' but seems I read that generally the ceiling reflects a bit more of window light [than walls or floor].... ceiling could have a light-reflecting finish...I suppose that's just a satin anyway, and don't many choose that....

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Curious what's above and below windows [as to coverings]. Already shades were mentioned - inside mount I suppose?.... if you want softness, i see no problem with casual shorter curtains.

    If door is metal - I've used magnetized rod for curtains.

  • 5 years ago

    ... as we assume, the functional bumps that can be smoothed, would be, to prevent the eyes moving to them and "getting stuck on them..." ;-) ?

    Susanna Yurick thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago

    Not a Pro.


    @everdebz.....love your suggestions.


    If you are not moving the pipes above, paint them the same color as the ceiling so they disappear,

    Use sheers for drapes

    Blinds, from bottom up to keep light in the room, but it still gives you privacy.

    Luxury vinyl planks for the floors,

    Lighting in the room is key, Maybe adding some track lighting.



  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    You could use a tiny bit of industrial / loft look cause of room, and the pipe, etc.... not the rustic kind with rough wood and dusty-distressed, does that ring true?

    Also am curious from what direction do the windows receive sunlight?

  • 5 years ago

    Idk what the aqua item is there - but with blackout inside mount shades - this type for windows?

    Houndstooth Check Faux Sheer Linen Rod Pocket Top Single Panel Curtain, 52"x84" · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/houndstooth-check-faux-sheer-linen-rod-pocket-top-single-panel-curtain-52x84-prvw-vr~94233522

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Wouldn't put carpet in a small bedroom. A runner rug w/no slip backing beside the bed will do.

    Would definitely use a light color for the walls of a small room. Recently saw a "new" (to me) interior paint color at Wall Mart: Glidden Warm Caramel. It has a bit of a light color wood vibe to it. Glidden has a Sahara Desert Sand that is lighter.


    With a light color for the walls, if you don't want a white ceiling, you could paint the walls and ceiling the same.

    Susanna Yurick thanked suezbell
  • 5 years ago

    Consider white mini blinds with sheers rather than drapes.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    My lower level is broken up into rooms, and the largest is the only room with natural light from two windows and a slider leading out to a cobblestone patio.

    Similar to your space, I have what I call “drop boxes” which house pipes. I painted everything one color (woodwork is Super White). Because (lots of ceiling) lights always are turned on when we are there, I chose a darker color…Racoon Hollow. I have a taupe leather sofa and accents are red…a Chinese wedding cabinet, an occasional chair and a large white gloss tulip table for DH’s poker parties.

    The entire area is carpeted in a light taupe wool rug. Padding is important, so my recommendation is Mohawk’s Smart Step. I vacillated on the flooring, but decided on the carpet because of cold concrete under foot in the winter.





    All works well because of colorful, bright furniture and art which draws the eye away.

    Example:




    Susanna Yurick thanked JudyG Designs
  • 5 years ago

    Wow. This is all so helpful. Thanks so much everyone.

    I was considering the idea of having the beams exposed (that would at least give us a bit more space above our heads) but I think we need the sound isolation.


    I'm a person who loves grays and blues, (though I painted my living room on two walls with Cayenne - which looks fabulous) but would those kinds of colors draw light away? I could do a satin finish on the ceiling, that would work.


    While I always prefer hardwood, this floor is extra hard and cold and ugly, so I think that some kind of rug/carpet is essential. But I'm unsure about pattern v. solid.


    I have some beautiful bedspreads - one, a series of blue materials and one deep reds/orange/purples.


    Also, all that crap that's in the room now will be gone. No drum sets or guitars, thank you... the husband will need to find an alternative space for those. :-)


    As for curtains, I think we'll just need them to muffle the morning light. Our back yard is shallow and there's a fence across from the windows with two story high vines and bushes from the neighbor's yard. There are virtually no sight lines through the windows which are (unfortunately) facing north.


  • 5 years ago

    I think it's possible to install cork floor on cement slab.

    Susanna Yurick thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago

    Not a Pro.


    Please post pictures as you go along, we would love to see the progress.

    Susanna Yurick thanked njmomma
  • 5 years ago

    Wow! Cork is a cool idea. I'll investigate that.

    The pics will come slowly as we're still investigating whom hire. We have a connection with TOLA Architecture and they are helping to guide us. But I will be sure to do so. I'm thinking of building a closet out of pallets! I've seen some great ideas on Pintrest.

  • 5 years ago

    Hi all... thanks again for the suggestions. We are now in process! I will upload some photos soon. At the moment my teenager is refusing to budge from the area even while my husband is building a closet (not out of pallets).

    We had the old closet (which was very big, bulky, and dark) ripped out, the walls and ceilings redone (and insulated). Everything is painted 'mascarpone' which is the white I've been using throughout the house - it's bright and creamy at the same time.

    We've had a cushy charcoal grey carpet (the cement was too hard and cold) and are now building a smaller, more efficient closet. Also getting a storage bed to free up other space.

    Under consideration now is the closet doors.... thinking of some kind of barn door (though I think with the low ceiling it may just be too bulky) or getting some smaller, interesting second-hand doors and turning them into folding doors... maybe painting them some interesting colors (even, perhaps, some doors with glass windows which way may paint from the inside to get color but the feeling and lightness of glass)... muted of course. The colors make my husband happy, the muting makes me happy.

    More to come....

  • 5 years ago

    So teenager camped out on the floor and husband building a closet... a mess. But still, cleaner, brighter. The last shot was to try to show some floor color.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Was thinking about row of windows - if you don't want to emphasize them [nearby pipe and electrical box can't tell?], then a neutral covering like the paint color might be nice.

    Susanna Yurick thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago

    Lightweight cloth Fringed edge in 100% cotton, offers simple texture / 2 tiers / Header: 3.25" rod pocket.

    Tobacco Cloth Antique White Tier Fringed Set, 36x36 · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/tobacco-cloth-antique-white-l36xw36-fringed-tier-set-of-2-prvw-vr~43905600

    Susanna Yurick thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Thought I'd post a simple storage bed that seems like paint color, sort of 'natural' blond tinge..?

    Engineered wood in oak and gray two-tone finishing. The inset handles in gray contrasts with the oak surface for a contemporary, Scandinavian aesthetic. 42.28" H x 31.5" W x 15.91" D


    Alegria Full Size Storage Bed, Natural Maple · More Info


    Mid-Century Modern Two Tone Oak And Gray Wood 5-Drawer Chest · More Info


    https://www.houzz.com/products/nexera-5654-alegria-full-size-storage-bed-3-drawer-natural-maple-prvw-vr~80077285

    https://www.houzz.com/products/mid-century-modern-two-tone-oak-and-gray-wood-5-drawer-chest-prvw-vr~100197245

  • 5 years ago

    Can't seem to sleep - this reminds me of the glass block, modern and carpeting - Light oak-finished engineered wood frame with grey finishing between the drawers. 50.2" H x 31.1" W x 16.7" D

    Miren Mid-Century Modern Light Oak and Dark Gray 5-Drawer Chest · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/baxton-studio-miren-5-drawer-modern-chest-in-light-oak-and-dark-grey-prvw-vr~136970234

    Susanna Yurick thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago

    @everdebz, Look at the bed my husband found on Craig's list! Queen Size Bed.

    It combines my love of an older look with the clean lines you so wisely suggested! I hope it's still available.

  • 5 years ago

    Nice Craig's List find!

  • 5 years ago

    following

  • 5 years ago

    He put down the deposit! I’m psyched.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Great! Just saw your bed, yes nice. Can you tell us if there's a check been done on electric outlets and such!? I think so, but curious.

  • 5 years ago

    That’s an amazing Craigslist find!

  • 5 years ago

    @everdebz, not sure what you mean about the electrical outlets. The contractor who did the work is actually an electrician... which is handy!

  • 5 years ago

    My husband is a long time Craig’List expert. Or, rather, devotee. :-)

  • 5 years ago

    That dresser has a Mid Century Modern vibe. Great find.


    Is the floor of the room concrete? If so, you could paint it. Then buy a pair of runners -- one for each side of the bed. Surprisingly, and in my experience, a medium gray painted floor seems to visually disappear once the room is furnished. We painted, and for a time lived with, the plywood sub - "dark gray" porch paint from Walmart.


    It really seems like a waste of money to buy a room sized rug for a small bedroom only to have most of the rug covered up by the Queen sized bed (which really is a great find if you already have or are buying a new mattress and springs).

  • 5 years ago

    Course I'm not pro at all, but I was mentioning the conduit whatever it's called [above the window fan]...

    Susanna Yurick thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago

    old

  • 5 years ago

    We already carpeted. The carpet adds warmth - which the room needs in the winter. The room isn't actually that small, it's just got a low ceiling and is an odd shape. We may be able to move in by next weekend... It should get a good clean up on Tuesday... I'll take more pictures.

    And yes, that electric ugliness will be pained/hidden better. At least, that's what I've been promised. ;-)

  • 5 years ago

    The carpet is actually wall to wall... something that this brownstone-raised, parquet floor loving, woman never thought she'd allow... let alone like!

  • 5 years ago

    Thinking of wallpaper for the small wall opposite the windows - wondering if you like idea of accenting one ?

    Susanna Yurick thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago

    I'm not so much a wall paper type (we also have a lack of walls in our house if you can believe that) but I did think of a color accent. But I'd like to see what our art situation is first. I think we still have a lot of art that is not up - or not up in a good place. Course one doesn't preclude the other.

    Good idea.

  • 5 years ago

    Ha! totally not me. I am a bit old fashioned in my taste. I love Mission/Arts and Crafts.

  • 5 years ago

    now ya tell!! joking. You have bedding must be the burnt reds and such?

    Susanna Yurick thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago

    Actually, Blues... but I also bought a beautiful, colorful, reds/oranges/purples bedspread... Company Store. Very bright for me. :-)

    And also, I love Art & Crafts. Doesn't mean I can afford it. :-)

  • 5 years ago

    I didn't mean anything except to mention that you said you already had the warm-colored spread... are you going to post it? :)

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Maybe hang a room dividing curtain? or use starch to place on accent wall [even over the glass blocks I guess]...

    Barton Chinchilla - Fabric by the Yard, 1 Yard · More Info


    Myla - Fabric by the Yard, Marigold, 1 Yard · More Info


    https://www.houzz.com/products/barton-chinchilla-fabric-by-the-yard-1-yard-prvw-vr~146068640

    https://www.houzz.com/products/myla-fabric-by-the-yard-marigold-1-yard-prvw-vr~141957890

  • 5 years ago

    I like the last 3 - though still not what I'd do. Too much going on in them, and we tend to have too much clutter to add business to the walls. I wish I could keep things cleaner but we're fairly useless. Hopefully with these movements we'll be able to shed some crap. But I've been pretty bold lately... pained one room white (mascarpone) and teal... and we have a living room painted in mascarpone and cayenne, and the dining room is mascarpone and Adriatic (if I'm remembering properly - it's a deep blue).

    I think if we do something interesting with the closet doors (with color) then I'll leave the small wall white - but otherwise, I may paint. I'll leave the glass bricks open - that's the only "natural" light that comes into the bathroom.



  • 5 years ago

    ...

  • 5 years ago

    So... I think we'll try to move down to the room this weekend. It will still be a work in progress as my husband is working on the closet doors, and we'll probably be experimenting with the placement of the bed before we add floating bedside tables with lighting... pictures to come. (and that electrical stuff still needs to be painted!)


    Next.... the kitchen and living room. The work starts in two weeks. YIKES!

  • 5 years ago

    Update: we’ve 1/2 moved in though we still have some touches to add and fix. I’ll take a transitional picture.
    I should have taken a picture of our old bedroom!
    Kitchen and living room stat in a week.