Bedroom Design Challenge

I recently had the chance to help out with a design direction for a bedroom in a rented loft.   The room has some design challenges as it lacks natural light (it has no windows) and it also doesn’t have a door (just an opening)- wild, right?  One wall is exposed brick which adds an industrial feel.  Since they are renting, the residents don’t want to paint over the current creamy/light beige wall color.    So, this room has to add color and brightness via accessories and lighting.

Here’s the plan.

1. Additional lamps will allow you to adjust the lighting and mood in the room.  Lamps will help bring in more light when needed especially since the room has no natural light.  Accessories are another way to bring in white which will tie in to the bed.  Look for simple, classic lines.  Specific options:  HomeGoods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx have vases similar to the one pictured here for reasonable prices.

2. Glass and metal side tables can serve well on each side of the bed without feeling too heavy and the industrial feel ties in well with the brick wall.  Specific options:  table pictured here is from Target but check second hand stores and HomeGoods for similar options.

3. Basic dresser for clothing storage.  Specific options:  The dresser pictured here is the Hemnes dresser from Ikea but dressers abound at secondhand stores. Keep an eye out for sturdy pieces with clean lines.

4.  Existing bed frame with leather headboard.  (The resident already owns this).

5. Choose colorful pillows in your favorite color scheme.  Bright graphic patterns will pack a punch.  Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Target are great places to look for inexpensive pillows.  Specific options:  The pillows pictured here are custom made and can be found on Etsy.

6. White bedding!  This will create a calm, serene, yet polished feel.   It will also add brightness to a room without a window.  Specific options:  Tuesday Morning, Marshalls, and TJMaxx have good sheet and duvet choices.   Bamboo sheets would be a luxurious touch!

7. Art!  Consider placing a sunburst style mirror or other round art above the bed.  Specific options: Pictured is an easy DIY sunburst mirror made out of poster board

8. Brick wall.  This bedroom is in an interior loft apartment that features an exposed brick wall (and no windows).

9. Leaning mirror.  Go large.  Place this against the brick wall.  The mirror will bounce light around the room and serve a useful purpose when getting dressed.  Specific options: HomeGoods and Ikea both have leaning mirrors under $100.

10. Add a comfy, textured spot for your feet to land when you first step out of bed by adding a sheepskin rug.  Specific options:  It’s hard to beat Ikea’s prices on real or faux sheepskin.

Add additional color through accessories (frames, vases, books, etc) on night tables and dresser.

Hopefully, she’ll share pictures of the room once she’s finished!  How about you – any suggestions for overcoming a lack of natural light?
-J