Design Crew
Sat, 30 Jun 2012
Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! This week's problem is from Kelly.
I'd like to submit photos of the master bedroom in our new apartment for the design crew's input. This wall is the only one that really works to put the bed on, but I'm stumped because of the windows being off-centered. I'd like to build an upholstered headboard, but I just feel like it will look silly covering half of the window? And I don't want to push the bed in the corner either because then either my husband or I will have to crawl across the other to get in/out of bed! I'd love some suggestions as to what I can do to balance out this wall/make the bed/headboard work! Don't worry- new nightstands and bedding are on the agenda as well. Thanks!
Reader Comments (21)
What if you placed your bed on the wall that your dresser is on currently? It's too bad you don't have another view, it looks like that would work from this angle..
Other than that, it might be neat to centre your bed with a low headboard on the two windows, (like this photo http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=6591) move your dresser to the other side, and play with window treatments. A graphic pair of roman shades will have the same effect as a high headboard drawing the eye up and making your bed a focal point. Try http://www.imogenheath.com/product-gallery/ or http://www.marimekko.com/ for fabrics! I'd balance the room by treating your other window accordingly, amping up the bedding and putting some color on the walls!
I don't think a tall upholstered headboard will work in your space unless it can be rearranged like I mentioned above, but something shorter won't block too much light :)
It looks like there's enough room for a walking path if you centered the bed beneath the windows. But probably not much space on that side for the night stand.
Or hide the windows behind a nice wall of drapery.
Very easy: build a frame of a third fake window on the left, put the same curtain on the fake window, and the center the bed, with a low bed base, on the window in the middle.
Done.
I would either lower the bed and leave it where it is; or maybe try to put it at an angle.
I agree that the bed should be centered beneath the window, then have your dresser in the larger space to the left of the bed. Perhaps with a large mirror or artork on it to balance the windows and add personality. If it won't fit against the same wall, then on the wall to the left. Add an area rug beneath it. For window treatments I think one large fabric blind hung from the ceiling would 'read' as a high headboard when it is down. Or plantation shutters could work nicely if you want an upholstered headboard. See the last pic in this link: http://www.mrshowardpersonalshopper.com/mrs_howard_personal_shopp/2010/10/weekly-qa-with-phoebe-problem-windows.html
I think the room being off centre will add interest and allow for a chair by the dresser on the left and actually maximise the space. See this off centre bed in a room http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=94630¤tPage=0&index=4&relatedPhotoId=2074 and browse more beds beanaeth windows on decorpad. And finally I think this room shows how asymmetry can add to the character of a room http://www.knottinghillinteriors.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/hb-bhg-vintage-hankies-over-artist-canvas.jpg
A headboard is essential, but I think you should consider a slatted headboard rather than an upholstered one - it will let light through, without apologizing for the bed being there, or trying to pretend like the windows aren't where they are. Embrace the asymmetry, decorate, balance....it'll be gorgeous!
Agree about moving the bed under the windows and moving the dresser to the other side and maybe next to the bed, depending on the space available on the other side of the room. You might need a taller bedside table on the right then. You would also need a headboard of some sort if you read in bed at night like I do.
@Annie's slatted headboard idea- here's an Ikea hack I saw:
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/06/applaro-headboard-hack.html
If you don't need the light and plan to keep the blinds shut, you can do a wall of curtains hanging from ceiling to
floor. That eliminates the asymmetry of the windows, and allows you to center the bed on the wall, with your headboard to your liking.
You could center the bed on the same wall it's on now, under the windows with a low or slatted headboard, as has been suggested already.
Then move the dresser to the left of the bed and use it as the "night stand" on that side. Get some sort of cool art table or an interesting chair or stool for the right side night table. Put a large picture or lean a very large mirror on the right side wall to play with scale.
Use window treatments that are same on all windows for uniformity; the mis-matched "night stands" and the large mirror will be your ecclectic visual interest.
You could also find a slipper chair to put on the dresser side and a bench for the end of the bed to make a seating area.
Can you angle the bed in the corner between the windows and put two small round tables on either side for nightstands?
Or, if the room is big enough, can you put an area rug in the middle of the room and put the bed on that - right in the middle of the room - and have a low headboard with a console table behind for reading lights?
I agree with Jill re: angling the bed in the corner. Something like this- http://www.houzz.com/photos/49658/Anita-Diaz-tropical-bedroom-atlanta
I'd still do an upholstered headboard, but a narrow, low profile one perhaps, and then instead of having the plant behind the bed, how about putting up some corner shelving on the wall, if you require it. Otherwise, hang a lighting fixture from the ceiling, maybe, in the corner?
you should angle the bed out from the corner. build your headboard and put the bed on the angle. you can both still get out on your side. example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63122153@N00/2168673964/
what about installing a long rod and patterned curtains over the two windows, and then over more to the left, pretending that there is a window there? you could create the look of centered windows with the fabric of the curtains.
Boa tarde, assim com apenas uma foto do quarto fica complicado uma solução, mas como designer de interiores na minha opinião, não cabe uma cabeceira, se a janela abrir interno, com apenas cortinas tipo painel, uma Vision, ou algo parecido, inteira na parede central da cama, você soluciona o problema, alinha a cama no quarto, enxoval em tons terra como castor, marrom e bege você agrega valores a cômoda que está em uma cor mais escura, as paredes em uma cor pastel tapete e trocar as cúpulas do abajures para maiores assim, faz um equilíbrio no visual.
Just center bed on the windows. Place one nightstand in the "small" corner. Move the low dresser to the other side of the room. You can either use it as the other nightstand, or you can place it against the opposite wall.
Great room, shame about your predicament. Looking at your pictures making a corner unit to showcase your bed from the left hand corner would look amazing.
Here's another collection of bedrooms with the bed in the corner if you like the idea: houzz.com/corner_beds
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. We moved the bed into the corner and it looks great so far! Now I'm thinking we need some round nightstands for sure also. I'll try to send in some follow-up pictures when we've made more progress. Thanks again!
I am glad you decided to place the bed at an angle to that corner. That's exactly what I will do. You can soften the look by putting a plant or a folding screen at the head of the bed. For the window treatment, I would prefer curtains to further soften the look. Have fun!
Hang curtains off center of the windows so that the windows appear centered on the wall. In simpler words, get a very long curtain rod, and hang it dead center on the wall, regardless of the windows. When you hang the curtains up, you can make the windows look centered, by hiding half of one window, but revealing all of the other.