Staying in a 5-star hotel is quite the sensory experience. The look, the feel, the smell, the sound (or lack thereof) can create a bedroom environment that you never want to leave. However, you can recreate the same level of lavishness at home.
Jay Kallos, SVP of architecture at Ashton Woods in Atlanta, GA, tells us that the primary suite should be a destination and it should feel like an oasis. “It is especially luxurious if it is in its own zone in the house, away from the secondary bedrooms and laundry room.” Privacy sets the stage, but he says layering in amenities increases the wow factor.
Your bedroom should feel like an oasis.
“I like a vestibuled entry that provides a sense of arrival – even a hall that provides an even greater sense of privacy.” One entry door leads to the bedroom, closet, and bathroom. “This affords you more privacy and creates a much easier room to furnish,” Kallos explains.
Walls
Darker colors can create coziness.
Next, you’ll want to consider the bedroom walls, and color can add personalization and determine the mood. “I love a dark bedroom as darker colors usher in a cozy, secluded energy,” says Leigh Spicher, Orlando, FL-based national director of design studios for Ashton Woods.
She recommends adding in a specialty wall treatment like trim or wallpaper. “Any kind of wall treatment that isn’t basic, neutral paint will immediately advance your design to a new level of luxury.”
Wall treatments add depth and interest.
Her view is shared by Tama Bell, an interior designer in Sebastopol, CA, who recommends a wall treatment to cocoon the space. “We like to use texture, in grasscloth or sisal, sometimes in a solid – or you can take it farther and add a pattern.” The goal is to add interest, but she says the room should still be grounded and quiet.
Lighting
Lighting also plays a role in creating a luxurious bedroom. “We want to layer a room with good overall general light, which can be done with recessed or spot lighting, depending on preference,” Bell says. She suggests a chandelier to add drama and a focal point in the room. “And, of course, bedside lighting in either sconce or table lamp form so you can cozy up and read.”
In lieu of lamps, Spicher also recommends using sconces or pendant lights. “This takes a little extra planning with an electrician, but the effort pays off in overall luxury – and you have more space on your nightstand,” she says.
Flooring
Bell says her team likes to use wood floors throughout the house and then use area rugs to add softness underfoot. “The rug is such an opportunity for texture and a beautiful way to add color to a room.” But the key is to make sure that the rug is soft and plush underfoot. “This will create that luxury feel,” she explains.
Furnishings
As it relates to the bed, Bells says she often uses an upholstered bed, which adds to the feeling of coziness. “We like to customize with luxurious fabrics that have a chunky hand, often in linen, boucle, or a mohair if budget allows.”
Spicher recommends adding a beautiful accent chair, bench, or poof. “Just an added layer of décor, that also provides function – a place to read, put your shoes on, et cetera – creates a sense of luxury,” she says.
Bedding and pillows complete the look. “Starting with a good, quality sheet set, we like sateen and linen, depending on the season,” Bell says. She also recommends a duvet or down comforter, and layering with a coverlet and blanket. “We try to be disciplined with pillows, so that it is not a chore to make one’s bed, but have enough decorative pillows to make the bed full and interesting.” Finish with drapery or roman shades. “It’s so much fun to use a fabric for window coverings that matches the wallpaper,” she says.
These are some of the items that can help to create a luxurious bedroom.
Saatva Valencia Tufted Bed Frame
An upholstered bed frame provides luxurious comfort
You’ll be enveloped in plushness with the Saatva Valencia Platform Bed Frame, which is made with sustainably-sourced hardwood and premium plywood slats, along with fortified bolts and brackets. The upholstery comes in a choice of three fabrics: Taupe Vintage Velvet, Graphite Vintage Velvet, and Natural Linen. The headboard and footboard are hand-tufted, and the back is freestanding. Note: the platform bed frame does not require a foundation or box spring.
Cariloha Classic Bamboo Mattress
This mattress is made with bamboo charcoal memory foam.
Made with luxury memory foam, the Cariloha Classic Bamboo Mattress adjusts to the shape of your body and relieves pressure points. It’s made with bamboo charcoal memory foam – which is naturally hypoallergenic and breathable – along with visco-elastic foam. In addition, the base foam creates optimal air flow and ensures that heat is not trapped in the mattress, which helps to keep you cool and also maintains the shape of the mattress.
SFERRA Giza 45 Seta Collection
Silk fibers and fine Egyptian cotton create a sumptious feel.
The elegant SFERRA Giza 45 Seta Collection is the company’s most exclusive bedding collection. Each item is woven with silk fibers and fine Egyptian cotton to create the two-toned effect of a sateen weave. The collection includes a duvet cover, sham, pillowcases, and also flat and fitted sheets. Each item in the collection is made to order, and crafted by a team of master weavers in Italy.
The Company Store Alyse Velvet Bench
A velvet bench provides seating and adds style.
Color choices abound with The Company Store Alyse Velvet Bench, including White, Berry, Ink, Papaya, Pearl, Steel Gray, and Light Gray. The made-to-order velvet bench has a hand-upholstered seat and plenty of cushion to make it as comfortable as it is stylish. The company store also makes a linen bench.
Quince European Linen Blackout Curtains
These European curtains come in three sizes.
Form meets function with the Quince European Linen Blackout Curtains, which are made of 100% European linen and have a 100% polyester blackout lining, perfect for sleeping or lounging in bed during the day. The dual top treatment includes both back tabs and pole tops. The curtains are available in 3 sizes and in over a dozen colors, including Grey, Blue, Storm, Cloud, and Sand.
Big Blanket Sateen Dream Duvet Cover
This duvet cover fits well over thick/deep mattresses.
If you have a thick/deep mattress, it can be difficult to find bedding to completely cover it. However, the Big Blanket Co Sateen Dream Duvet Cover is 25% larger than typical duvet covers, so it can fully cover your bed. The 300-thread count duvet is soft and breathable, with a satin-like finish. Color choices include Graphite, Denim, Black, Navy, White, and Cream. The company also makes matching sheet sets.
Double Stitch Cotton Tencel Duvet Cover Set
This duvet set helps to regulate your body’s temperature.
For those who prefer cotton, the Double Stitch Cotton Tencel Duvet Cover Set produces a smooth feel and finish. The responsibly-sourced duvet set is made of cotton and natural eucalyptus-based Tencel fiber. It’s free from harmful chemicals, and the breathable material is designed to be temperature regulating. Color choices include Sandstone, Bright White, Dusty Mauve, and Winter Sky. Double Stitch also makes a matching sheet set.
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
A silk pillow feels as good as you think it would.
Sleep like a baby with these Cozy Earth Silk Pillows. They’re filled with 100% long-strand mulberry silk, which is naturally breathable and won’t trap heat. The shell is made with 100% premium bamboo viscose for a luxuriously soft feeling. Cozy Earth also makes silk sleep masks, treated with aloe vera, to block out light.
Bedgear Ver-Tex Sheet Set
This tropical color is reminiscent of your favorite resort hotel.
If you tend to sleep hot, the Bedgear Ver-Tex Sheet Set is made of instant- cooling fabric that’s also cool to the touch. Designed to promote breathability and air flow, the sheets are also smooth to the touch, and the comfort stretch material conforms to your body. The sheet set is available in Misty Blue, Navy Blue, Light Grey, and Bright White.
Brooklinen Two-Toned Lambswool Throw Blanket
This two-toned blanket is made of 100% Lambswool.
Made of 100% Lambswool, the Brooklinen Two-Toned Lambswool Throw Blanket is the finishing touch at the foot of your bed – or it can be draped over a chair. The 51” x 70” blanket is grey on one side and black on the other side. However, Brooklinen also sells the blanket in another color combo that’s cream on one side and tan on the other side.