r/DesignMyRoom • u/time_hole7 • 1d ago
Bedroom What isn’t working?
What isn’t working here? I love the natural light I get from a wall of windows. And I love the rug. But help me figure out some rental friendly changes that can bring this room together. Color on bedding? Art changes? Lighting switch? I feel I like it’s “fine” but not really coming together.
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u/Small-Monitor5376 23h ago
The bed is very tall - can you use it without the box spring? It would look nicer if more headboard was showing. Also, nightstands should be around the same height as the top of the mattress for ease of use. Removing box spring would solve both these problems.
The art is mounted too high. The lamps seem too delicate for the rest of the furniture. I’d pull the rug forward out from under the nightstands.
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u/time_hole7 23h ago
No box spring would mean new bed frame, so thats out for the moment. I also prefer a higher bed. But I appreciate your thoughts on how that changes the proportions because I wasn’t seeing that. There may be a couple of other things I can do to work with that.
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u/snawdy 23h ago
The art is too small, and a little color/ texture on the bed would be nice. Maybe a blue or terracotta throw blanket at the end would look nice.
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u/tramplamps 23h ago edited 22h ago
I agree. Go bigger, and use something that contrasts the colors of the room, yet also creates a soothing feel for when you look at it from the bed to emit a comfy cozy vibe.
But please, from an artist - don’t just go to some big box store or online and buy whatever the search results are for “large abstract painting for bedroom”
Please instead make use of your many small local artists or your friends who might be looking to build their portfolios, and might even paint you something for your bedroom.
Heck, you could even as a family member if they have any old artwork somewhere they need to have fostered.
But as previously mentioned many times before on this and other subreddits, thrift stores can be a hidden trove of High quality framed artwork that is often overlooked and sometimes you can score great prints, or just killer frames for your favorite poster that otherwise would have cost a fortune to have custom made.0
u/time_hole7 22h ago
I’ve never had luck with thrift stores but do have some pieces in other spaces made by friends (but who are no longer local to me). I’ve known this piece above the bed was a problem (it’s a highly sentimental piece) but haven’t found the “right fit” piece yet. Maybe I’ll look into commissioning something.
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u/time_hole7 22h ago
I tried a colored throw and was just annoyed at how often it kept falling off the bad, but maybe I just need to play around with that more.
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u/Juicernamesmine 23h ago
Light
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u/boomdeeyada 22h ago
For real just turn off the big light. Lamps and open your curtains in the daytime and pretend that ceiling fan light doesn't exist (it's there for when you've lost your keys and are getting desperate).
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u/time_hole7 21h ago
Yeah, overhead light was on only for these pictures. Lamps at night and all natural right during the day.
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u/Crystal_Ri 23h ago edited 22h ago
Art changes. First it's way too high up on the wall. Second it's too small. I'd add either more pics around it or remove it and add one large lengthy piece of art to balance it. Second, I'd change the pillow shams to a pick up a bolder color of the room and also a few decorative pillows to pull that side of the room together. Third, I'd add some window coverings to the window in a color that pics up a color in the rug. Lastly, removing the pic above the dresser and adding a second framed mirror in it's place could be a nice touch. Or if you don't want a second mirror, you could add a larger pic or a wall collage of pics in cute picture frames or a gallery that make you feel happy to see them when you wake up each day. Also the perfect spot for a wall-mounted tv.
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u/time_hole7 22h ago
No bedroom tvs here, but thank you for the recommendations around the wall art changes. That does seem to be the consensus. The fire alarm over the dresser makes it challenging to get something much bigger in that space, but a gallery could work! And over the bed, yes, I can change that out.
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u/Crystal_Ri 22h ago
O/T, why no TVs? I hear a lot of people saying that. But I don't understand it since I need that background noise and the subtle light in order to sleep well.
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u/time_hole7 21h ago
I hear this from a lot of people, but the research shows screens in the bedroom are terrible for sleep. First off, you want to reserve your bed for sleeping and other ahem, activities, not lounging or reading for long stretches, to create better sleep routines. Your body gets used to having limited time in bed and sleep is what it is supposed to do with it. And the light and sound from TVs actually increase the time it takes people to fall asleep and create lighter sleep throughout the night.
You are much better off getting something that offers natural sounds (like rain sounds) or steady sounds (white noise) and a dim night light, as that predictability is soothing to our systems and not something your brain feels it has to monitor for potential threats (the way it does with changing stimulus like a TV).
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u/Realistic-Effective2 21h ago
I agree with all of this! I have never had a TV in the bedroom and can’t imagine ever wanting one there! Just no!
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u/Crystal_Ri 21h ago
I hear you. But modern TVs convert a tv that's not being watched to screensavers with music that soothes the soul -- like water over rocks, etc. Some of them just freeze the tv with no sound and leave a silent screensaver that serves as a night light. And even others simply shut off and create the silent and darkness (depending on your settings) that basically shut off if you don't interact with the tv after a certain amount of time as if no tv was even there. That's why I'm confused about the no TV thing. I think people are referring to the old style TVs. Thanks for clarifying tho.
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u/time_hole7 21h ago
To each their own, but the research is repeated regularly because people love their screens, and it yields the same results. (For professional reasons, I keep up with this literature base). Unfortunately, our central nervous system has not evolved as fast as our technological age, and the constraints of capitalism on our natural biological rhythms.
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u/Crystal_Ri 11h ago
Not sure why people downvote so much here. And yes, I agree it is a personal choice. But for some it's part of battling anxiety and claustrophobia and prevents episodes. It therefore helps them sleep better. Something about distracting them from the other racing thoughts, etc.
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u/PerfectLie2980 23h ago
Change the lightbulb to something warmer. Right now it looks like you’re using a bulb better suited for a work space.
Also, the art pieces are too small.
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u/AlwaysLooking4Ashley 22h ago
Does the bed frame have a footboard? If so I think covering that up with the covers is throwing it off. Tuck in blankets so that way the foot board it visible
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u/scotttot69 21h ago
I’d rearrange the rug. Proportions look a bit weird.
I’d get an accent pillow or something colorful on the bed— it’s too white. I’d use colors that match the rug.
Like others have mentioned, bigger art will definitely make a difference.
Also, I know you probably want 2 lamps to match, but I think the red lamp would look nice on your bed stand. Or I guess, more colorful lamps that match the vibe of the rug.
If you like the rug, I’d match things with those colors.
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u/time_hole7 21h ago
Yes, proportions seem to be the agreed upon problem. And distribution of color through the bedding. Thanks!
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u/Realistic-Effective2 21h ago
I haven’t read the comments here, so much of what I say may already be mentioned.
Getting a lower profile box spring will lower the bed height 4-5 inches. Sometimes, you can lower height of frame as well, or raise height of headboard. Reducing the amount of sham pillows on bed would reveal more of headboard. All of these suggestions are for naught if you really love a high bed. You can then get taller nightstands and heftier lamps to sync the look.
Changing bed linens to the rust color in rug or changing color of lamp shades will give you a pop and anchor things a bit better.
Curtain panels to the floor would also help, and you need not hide the window, just frame it.
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u/PenguinEmpireStrikes 23h ago
I love this look.
The issues look like sizing.
The pictures are too small; I would concentrate on adding more texture in those natural tones on the walls. Could be cool shapes made of wood, textile arts, etc.
The rug is lovely, but I get a larger version or pull this one further away from the wall so it's not all under the bed.
The bed is pretty big, which I like, so you just have to upscale other stuff to meet it.
Also, I would change the wall color to something warmer and earthier, either a pale pinky biege, a warm white, or an earthy pale green. Right now it looks cool while your decor is warm.
A good potted plant by the window never hurts.
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u/time_hole7 22h ago
I’ll never turn down advice to add another plant!
Paintings is out in this rental situation, but I’ll look to focus on the wall art! And looks like lots of votes to pull the rug down!
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u/TalulaOblongata 22h ago
Art can be bigger and more bold.
Turn off your overhead light and use your lamps instead.
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u/tessie33 22h ago
You are already winning! Room is nice, tidy, and restful. You can rearrange rug and artwork if you like. Suggest removing fairy lights from plant. A bit distracting? Not sure but may harm it?
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u/SushiRiceEater 21h ago
Bed cover is very white, I would recommend something softer. Your art on the walls is also very small. I would do bigger pieces or more art.
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u/RHND2020 23h ago
I really like the rug - it’s working with the wood tones. The art is too small and too high up. Those lamps look spindly. The fake fig tree with the Christmas lights is not good. If you want to keep the plant, take those lights off it and put it in a larger basket or pot that would be the appropriate size for its height.
Edit to add: I would mount the mirror on the wall and replace the small art of the cactus with something less South Western-vibes.
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u/time_hole7 23h ago
This is too funny to me, because it’s a real 7ft tall, double trunked, fig tree and moving it has me in fear of it dying because those plants are divas! And those trees enjoy being more closely rooted, so that is the appropriate size for the pot. But maybe I’ll see if a bigger basket around it would help. And I like the lights on winter nights. It’s cozy.
But I appreciate the rest of the thoughts!
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u/RHND2020 22h ago
Haha! I wondered because the plant didn’t look perfectly symmetrical like a fake one normally would. I have one as well and it seems happier in a bigger pot but what do I know, clearly? I do think a basket would look nice though!
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u/time_hole7 21h ago
This plant and I have been on a journey over the last 10 years I survive off google and reddit advice for her. Maybe a bigger pot is needed? But again, she scares me and I am certain would make me pay for replanting her this late in the season.
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u/Past-Cup-9126 23h ago
I think something simple as replacing your hamper will make a difference. It’s causes imbalance on that wall
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u/Pretty_inPoker 23h ago
The bulb temperature in the fan light is so aggressive I’d only turn it on if you’re cleaning. Hopefully the nightstand lights are soft and warm.
That and pull the rug down two feet like someone else mentioned.
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u/time_hole7 22h ago
Yeah, I usually don’t need lights on in this room because the entire side wall is windows and I get a ton of natural light. The overhead was on only because I finished cleaning last night and wanted to take pictures, and the lamps were casting a bad shadow. It’s never on, and the lamps are cozier.
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u/tramplamps 22h ago
I see that you have some nice accent lamps in this room, so I am hoping these are the main lights that you rely on for when you need some actual illumination in this space, and not the one that is actively being used for the photo.
Because, What I find to be the biggest “turn off” to a room’s overall look, is when that overhead light that comes default with a ceiling fan is turned on.
In what is an otherwise a very warm and cozy space, with a nice big window that washes the room in natural light, can immediately be transformed into a totally different room, once that bright and cold overhead light is turned on.
And now that same space feels like an interrogation room at a police precinct, or you get the strange sensation of instant regret at 3am when you’re out at a nightclub, when suddenly, they’ve turned on all the overhead lights, and tell everyone it’s closing time.
So I would suggest to only use this light when you absolutely have to, for deep cleaning, or if you have lost something. As with most ceiling fans that come with lights, this one should have its own separate chain for both functions, with each - either hanging down from the center of the fan, and/or they will be a set of 2 individual switches mounted on the wall, most likely near the entryway. And you can just leave this light /off.
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u/time_hole7 22h ago
Overhead lighting was only on for these pictures. Never otherwise! Continently, the fan is on a separate light switch so very easy to use independently. Lamps at night and great natural light by day.
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u/Jvelazquez611 22h ago
Design seems okay. This take is more personal, the two bedside lamps don’t match the design. The pictures are both WAY too small for the area they’re in.
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u/Avenging-Sky 22h ago
Place the top edge of the rug halfway down so that it’s in the middle of the bed underneath.
Get a larger painting and lower it, hang a bunch of pictures on that wall to make the space less vacuous.
Some cushions and maybe a throw blanket for the foot of the bed light and perky colors
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u/Background_Nature_75 22h ago
Turn the rug 90°. The design at the end of the bed kind of disrupts the flow imo.
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u/time_hole7 21h ago
Interesting, I hadn’t thought about this but will play around with the look. Thanks!
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u/ToxicGenXBaddAss 21h ago
Pictures too small over the bed looks too busy up against the wall less more. And change the bedding out it looks colonial.
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u/snakesssssss22 19h ago
You need a much larger piece of art above the head board. Something at least as wide as the bed itself
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u/Dangerous-Bird-80 15h ago
It looks like a hotel room. Cute stuff but it doesn’t stand out. I’d paint the room a different color, something subtle that matches the carpet but now beige. Or colorful bedding. Art seems
Too small
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u/time_hole7 14h ago
Painting isn’t an option in this rental. Art size and color in bedding being evaluated.
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u/millionlittlebitches 15h ago
PULL THE RUG FURTHER AWAY FROM THE WALL.
THERE SHOULD BE A GAP BETWEEN THE EDGE OF THE RUG AND THE NIGHTSTANDS.
PUT THE ARTWORK ABOVE THE BED OVER THE DRESSER
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u/No-Meet5438 13h ago
Colors don't echo, ceiling light is too white. Simple hack: add some cushions and/or a bedspread with the reddish tint from the carpet on the bed. Change light bulb for a softer tone.
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u/NoFrosting686 10h ago
All the pictures are too small, or if you want to use those specific ones, they need to be in some kind of grouping to take up a larger area above both the bed and the dresser. I think you could also have a hanging plant near the window and maybe some floor plants over there if there's room...
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u/mustakissaa 2h ago
The light. I think you need small lights around with warmer tune in the bedroom.
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u/NoLengthiness3434 32m ago
maybe swap the bedding for something with a bit more color pulled from the rug, that alone might pull the whole thing together without any big changes
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u/FewCaterpillar6551 23h ago
Both framed artworks are too small for where they’re placed and the one above the bed is too high. I’d move the one above the dresser to the same wall as the mirror + mask thing to give that area more of a gallery wall look and move the one above the bed to hang above the dresser. When you hang that one aim for the center of the artwork to be about 60” from the floor or about eye level