While a primary bedroom is predominantly a place to lie down at night, peak relaxation begins with a space that exudes warmth. If an individual or a couple are not completely in love with the space where they begin and end their days; there are a range of options to transform a room, as well as the residents' affinity toward it.

"Contact a general contractor, and then most of them will help [clients] to get started with plans and go from there, or see an architect first and have the plans made ... and then take it to the general contractor," advises Sam King, owner of Beechdale Builders.

The main element that comes to mind regarding bedrooms is, of course, the bed. Acting as a focal point, the bed's position, headboard design and style of bedding are easily-alterable. Consider adding a canopy for a bed fit for a queen, or depending on the headboard's design, opt to weave string lights through it. String lights come in many different shapes, sizes and colors, and some can be controlled with a remote or phone app.

Oleh Lopatynsky and Pavlo Danylchenko, co-owners of Signature Woodcraft, describe how every project they work on is unique. A satisfied client once described her new space as akin to a high-end hotel room. This is accomplished in ways one wouldn't normally consider—such as the effects of line work and angles to create that illusion.

"Just creating a focal point behind the headboard, different accent walls, maybe putting some wood panels in—people like to do it modern, like many different angles—45 degrees, 90 degrees—and creating a different design so the headboard of the bed stands out from the rest of the room," they say.

Another idea to amplify the space, considering the background of a fixture, is lighting behind a television. By adhering color-changing strip lights to the back of a TV, depth is added, and colors and intensity can be changed depending on a person's mood. Try falling asleep in blue or purple dimmed lighting or putting on a bright orange or yellow during the day while reading a book. The effect makes a room feel like an artistic film as everything in it is bathed in the light of different colors.

However, some people are partial to a classic look, and find that to be the most intimate. Classic and modern elements can also be combined to have a traditional aesthetic with modern efficiency.

"When you think about the bedroom, you think about the warmth. So people do like to add built-in, electric fireplaces. It's not such a pricey project like a real fireplace with the chimney and everything—it is very reasonably priced compared to the chimney, and it's easy to do with a frame," advise Lopatynsky and Danylchenko.

The partners further recommend bookshelves on each side of the fireplace. This can make a primary bedroom look as cozy as possible, and add an element of personal flair with the books that are chosen. While some may be partial to having their books alphabetically organized, organizing them by color is an easy way to customize a space. This will also work with now-old-school DVDs, CDs and vinyl albums, which have re-emerged in popularity. Experiment with creating a symphony of color, texture, design and functionality.

"I've been finding clients are starting to pull away from the minimalist look and starting to embrace a more eclectic mix, combining various styles such as earth tones, patterns and textures to create their space. I've been seeing an uptick with clients that are more interested in woven wood shades, not only for their beauty, but the texture element that shades bring in," explains Julianne Hidirsah, president of The Main Street Workroom.

Shelves of tchotchkes add a kitschy look, or one could opt for more precious trinkets depending on what they are interested in: porcelain dolls, sports memorabilia, antiques or anything else that they want to keep as close as possible while on display. Art is another way to elevate a space. Keep in mind that a bedroom is supposed to be personal, so there are no predetermined "dos and don'ts."

"Don't be afraid to be bold. Take the risk. Choose the vibrant paint color, go for the bold pattern on your drapery, thrift the vintage rug, buy the funky lamp. You won't regret it," affirms Hidirsah.
The other major part of a primary bedroom may be the bathroom within it. Decorative features can again be customized with linens, or perhaps with a bath mat, shower curtains, or replacing cabinet and drawer knobs. The latest, most innovative options for functionality take a bit more planning—but they are well worth the effort.

Freeform mirrors of different shapes and framing materials can hang over a vanity. While there are plenty of options of different combinations—for instance, an asymmetrical mirror with a gold metal frame—there are also artisans that can make custom pieces. Do some research, and make inspiration boards. Whereas a bed is the centerpiece of a bedroom, a vanity can be the centerpiece of a bathroom. The style choices can make the bathroom look like a palace, a spa or even a dressing room fit for the star of a Broadway show with the proper technology. This extends to lighting, mini televisions to watch while bathing and luxury spa features.

"Luxury options would be steam showers, not only regular freestanding tubs, but freestanding tubs that consist of air jets for cellular therapy. Some of them even have an aromatherapy [feature] to them. Frameless shower doors where you have clear glass with not a lot of trim on it, heated towel bars and pebble shower floors create that spa look in their own home," says Robin Murphy, a certified kitchen designer in Ferris Home Improvements' kitchen and bath division.

Everything is rapidly changing in the world around us, home renovation aspects included. While innovation can be overwhelming, it can be repurposed and utilized in creating an optimal sanctuary away from the hustle-and-bustle outside the home.

"I think people want a retreat. They want to create an oasis, a place to kind of get away—because everyone's always so available now, with our cell phones and computers," says Murphy. "It's nice to just go to a quieter space—not only your bedroom, but the primary bathroom."

RESOURCES
Beechdale Builders
Bird In Hand, Pa.
(717) 278-3683
BeechdaleBuildersLLC.com

Ferris Home
Improvements
Newark, Del.
(302) 998-4500
FerrisHomeImprovements.com

Signature Woodcraft
Horsham, Pa.
(267) 736-9740
SignatureWCraft.com

The Main Street
Workroom
Hackensack, N.J.
(201) 487-1626
TheMainStreetWorkroom.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 24, Issue 11 (October 2024)
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