How to Design a Luxury Bedroom: Expert Tips and Ideas
A well-designed luxury bedroom is about more than just creating a stunning space - it also needs to be one of the most functional rooms in your home.
You’ll spend more time in this room than any other in your house (even though it’ll mostly just be while you’re sleeping!), so don’t neglect the chance to create a bedroom design that allows you to relax and recharge in style.
Whether you are giving a makeover to your primary bedroom, setting up a guest room that is guaranteed to receive 5-stars, or designing a functional yet FUN space for your kids, each room deserves a thoughtful approach tailored to its specific needs.
After designing hundreds of bedrooms across the past two decades, our team has learned a thing or two about what makes a bedroom of any kind feel more luxurious, and in today’s post we’ll share just a few of our best practices for crafting a luxury bedroom experience.
General Luxury Bedroom Design Tips
While every bedroom is different, you can rely on the following general guidelines to help create a luxury feel regardless of bedroom type.
Luxury Bedrooms Should Have A Calming Color Palette
You may be tempted to fill your room with vibrant pops of bright color, but don’t forget that the primary purpose of any bedroom is to provide a place to rest.
If the color scheme in your bedroom doesn’t make you want to immediately let out a long exhale and put your favorite set of comfy pajamas on, then you’ve used the wrong palette. If you are a person who loves bright colors, then just take care to use them sparingly and intentionally.
To create a peaceful vibe in your bedroom that instantly brings your stress levels down after a long day at work, opt for calming shades like you see in nature, think of the woods, mountains, marshy sunsets, or a sea scape. Utilizing calming colors in the bedroom was a major emphasis in our recent Chapel Creek project, which you can see more pictures of here.
These environments infuse earthy tones such as soft blues, creamy whites, gentle blushes, earthy beiges, and muted greens. These colors foster a serene environment, perfect for unwinding.
Incorporating calming colors in your bedroom is a surefire way to create a relaxing and luxurious experience
Splurge for Luxurious and Functional Fabrics in your Bed
A bedroom is only as good as the quality of materials used in the bed itself, so it’s always our recommendation that clients make the investment for the best fabrics and materials available - you’ll never regret it after your first night’s sleep on a set of fabulous sheets! Pro tip: Do not skimp on your sheets!
Choose luxurious textiles that blend aesthetic appeal with practicality. When we are designing bedrooms, we research all the fabrics to ensure that they look stunning without sacrificing durability.
If you have kiddos and pets, this is even more important! We generally select duvets and coverlets that are washable and give you different levels of warmth. Layering the coverlet with a duvet on top gives you perfect sleeping arrangements for any season.
Your top layer should include a few custom, decorative pillows. These can be pricey, but so important. At the minimum, a lumbar pillow at front and center is fundamental, but adding the Euro shams and King Shams that are custom made can really give a ‘wow’ moment!
The key is to creatively mix different patterns and textures that enrich visual appeal and create an interesting bed layout with depth and texture.
Adding these gorgeous custom pillows to the bedding makes a huge difference in this primary bedroom design.
Invest in a Statement Bed and Rug Combo
Once again, we cannot overstate the importance of the bed choice when it comes to luxury bedroom design.
However, you might be surprised to hear that the rug is equally important when it comes to setting the tone for a well-designed luxury bedroom. Pair them together to make a statement of luxury and elegance in your bedroom.
Consider an elegantly upholstered bed in lush velvet or with a unique silhouette to anchor the space. Pair it with an interesting rug that is delightful underfoot and also features interesting patterns or textures.
Pro tip: Don’t skimp on rug size. A properly sized rug should extend at least 24 inches beyond the bed, framing it perfectly and enhancing the room's luxurious feel. The rug should be as large as possible while leaving around 12” of wood flooring around the perimeter of the room.
Make a statement with your rug choice and be sure to properly frame your bed with the proper rug size
Incorporate Additional Spaces in Your Luxury Bedroom
We’ve talked about the bed, but your luxury bedroom should be so much more than just a pretty place to lay your head at night.
Ideally, your room should be able to accommodate at least one other functional space beyond the bed itself. Reading nooks are a great way to to accomplish this when possible, but for those pressed on space, consider something like a bench at the foot of your bed.
Adding a bench at the end of the bed is actually quite practical! Not only are you are adding a place for custom, decorative pillows to rest at night; you are also providing a place to sit while putting on shoes, or even just a space to sit and relax for a few minutes, away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of your home.
Whenever we have the room for it, we always add a reading nook as well. This area just exudes a relaxing, meditative vibe and makes you want to stay for awhile to enjoy it.
This sitting area at the foot of the bed extends the room and creates a small getaway space in this bedroom
Embrace Modern Luxuries
Let’s be honest - sometimes it is all about the little things when it comes to creating a luxury experience. Modern advancements in bluetooth, electronics, and voice control technology have made it possible to never have to lift a finger once you step into your bedroom, and what could be more luxurious than that?
As just a couple of examples, motorized blackout shades can transform your sleep experience by providing complete darkness at the touch of a button. Connecting all your lighting devices together with voice-controlled dimmable overhead lights, bedside lamps, and accent lights can make sure you never have to get up to turn out the lights.
What a time to be alive! We are in full support of embracing all of the modern conveniences and amenities available to help augment your luxury bedroom experience.
Tailored Approaches for Different Bedroom Types
Now it’s time to get a little more specific - there’s so many different types of bedrooms, and designs that work in one type of bedroom may not be as functional or comfortable in another.
At Studio Steidley, we use a specifically tailored approach (and a few tips and tricks that we’ll share below) to ensure each bedroom type has a unique luxurious feel.
Primary Bedrooms
Opt for a Chandelier: Replace that utilitarian ceiling fan with a grand chandelier or other fixture to elevate the room's elegance. Stepping into any room with a chandelier immediately gives the air of luxury, and the bedroom is no exception.
This serves as a stunning centerpiece that enhances the luxurious feel of the room. Put that chandelier on a dimmer switch for total light control.
If you need air flow to sleep well, filtered floor fans that can stow away when not in use are always an option.
Reflective Elegance: Add a large, ornate mirror with a brass or polished nickel frame to expand the space visually and enhance all the sparkling light from your new chandelier.
Customized Detailing: Investing in custom draperies and millwork makes the primary bedroom truly unique and lavish. The more layers of detailing you add, the more luxurious it will feel.
The chandelier and gold-accented mirror pair together perfectly to create an upscale experience in this luxury primary bedroom
Guest Bedrooms
Thoughtful Touches: Have you ever gone on a trip and forgotten to pack something important? Help your guests avoid that panicked feeling by thinking ahead for them - they’ll thank you later, trust us.
Equip the guest room with high-quality amenities like luxury shampoo, conditioner, and bath salts, in addition to some of those aforementioned easily-forgotten necessities.
Add a candle with a clean, fresh scent or a vase with a couple of cut stems in it to truly make them feel special.
These small details can significantly enhance the comfort and experience of your guests.
Elevate with a nightstand doubling as a desk: We sometimes add a small desk and chair on one side of the guest bed so that a person who needs to do a bit of work has a place to land. Top it with a stunning lamp for double duty!
Giving guests a small working space in their room is always appreciated in the era of remote work
Kids’ Bedrooms
Opt for Long-Lasting, Sophisticated Storage Solutions: Avoid those standard plastic bins like the plague, opting instead for more elegant, durable options like wooden bookcases with stylish baskets.
These help keep the room organized and also contribute to the overall decor of the room. If you choose well, these pieces will continue to serve a purpose for years as your child grows and the room changes.
Design to Grow: Speaking of your child growing up - avoid overly childish and juvenile motifs that require you to repaint and redesign your child’s room every couple of years.
Instead, choose themes and colors that can grow with your child. A neutral wallpaper can be a good option if you have a kiddo whose favorite color changes with the wind, and make sure that the core pieces of the room don’t require a ton of swapping and changing over time.
Fun colors should be integrated in bedding, rugs and drapery that can be easily changed out with evolving tastes.
Save Some Space (And Your Lower Back): You’ll be picking up toys over and over again for years to come, so don’t make storing them harder than it needs to be. Consider a storage bench with a pneumatic lift top at the foot of the bed to add some additional seating and hidden storage for toys and extra bedding.
Kids’ rooms can be sophisticated too - just take a look at this fun yet elegant bunk room
For this teenager's bedroom, we focused on her love for bright and bold patterns, giving her a room that felt true to her personality. Nightstands with drawers help with reducing clutter.
Make Your Bedroom a Luxury Escape That You Love Coming Back To
By incorporating these expert tips and ideas, you can transform any bedroom into a luxurious retreat that is both a fabulous place to rest and a showcase of your unique style and personality.
Designing with attention to detail and a focus on functionality ensures that your bedroom will be a beloved part of your home, whether for personal relaxation, the enjoyment of your guests, or a place for your kid to call their own.
Thinking about taking on a bedroom design project of your own? We’d love to hear more about it and see how we can partner with you to bring your dream bedroom space to life. We’d love for you to contact us or reach out directly by calling 972.469.0207.
Bring all of these luxury design tips together to create the ultimate upscale bedroom experience in your home
FAQs on Designing a Luxury Bedroom
What kind of furniture do I need for my bedroom?
Essentials for a luxury bedroom include a high-quality bed, adequate storage options like dressers and nightstands, and comfortable seating areas or reading nooks, if space permits. Customize these elements to fit your space and aesthetic preferences for the best results.
What color is best for bedrooms?
Calming shades like soft blues, creamy whites, gentle blushes, earthy beiges, and muted greens are generally best for bedrooms as they promote relaxation and calm. These shades also pair well with a variety of decor styles, enhancing the room's luxurious feel.
How many pillows should be on a bed?
For a lavish appearance, include a mix of two to three large square Euro pillows, two standard or king pillows, and a lumbar pillow to create a rich, inviting look. When possible, invest in custom pieces to ensure every piece fits your bed just right. If you are on the minimal side of bedding, include two large King shams and an oversized lumbar pillow.
How can I make my bedroom look bigger?
To visually expand your bedroom, color drench the ceiling, walls and trim with the same color. This could be white on white, or black on black, or anything in between! When your eye can flow without interruption, the space will feel bigger. Strategically place framed mirrors to reflect light, and provide enough storage in the dresser and nightstand to minimize clutter and maintain a clean, spacious aesthetic.
