The thing about "simplicity" is it varies from person to person. This is a part of its beauty and charm. What's simple to one person, is too cluttered for another. What's calming and serene for someone, is a major bore for someone else. And so on and so on.
What we love about these eight bedrooms is the varying degrees of simplicity you find in each one and the different approaches each homeowner took to achieve it. Though you might lump all of these into a "simple" category, they all retain a remarkable amount of personality of the user and of the home. Some commonalities we see running through each room:
- Don't be afraid to leave the walls white
- If you do bring in colors on the wall, keep the hue soft
- Color's welcome, but keep it in small doses
- Bring in only the furniture you need
- Choose one or two pieces of art that really speak to you to include
- Bedding doesn't have to be a complex system of duvets, shams and more
How do you keep your bedroom simple? Or do you prefer a loud, proud and bold bedroom to sleep in? Let us know!
Images: 1: Beth Bates, Jessica and Angela's Art-Filled Oasis; 2: Marcia Prentice, Warren & Mimi's Highly Personal Architectural Home; 3: Marcia Prentice, Steven's Relocated Beach Cottage; 4: Dante's Simple & Sophisticated Style; 5: Adrienne Breaux, Mark's Mid-Century Austin Abode; 6: Adrienne Breaux, Erin's Modern and Bright Austin Home; 7: Adrienne Breaux, Kim and Paul's Twin Peak and 8: Adrienne Breaux, Deborah's Modern Shabby Chic Home
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Can't get past the dream catcher in the first photo. Ugh. Blech.
See, I look at each of those bedrooms and think they're just screaming for artwork. I live in a rental, so white walls are the status quo. I can't stand the "simplicity" of bare, white walls, so there is art everywhere. Not having any or much art in the bedroom makes me feel like it's just neglected.
I like the wood dresser at the end of the bed - quite unique.
The bedroom in photo number three is excellent. The colors are beautiful together, the austerity of the room really works here and that headboard is gorgeous. The honey-colored wood ceiling is unusual, and all the wood in the room and really warms the quiet colors. Great job!
I think there's a fine line between a room that's designed to be simple and one that just looks unfinished. I've been paring down my bedroom as much as possible, so it's interesting to see these and figure out what works IMHO (#3, #6, #7) and what doesn't (everything else). Some of it has to do with scale: a bed, which is a pretty large object, looks out of balance with puny, spindly art above it. Better nothing at all or a large painting or hanging, or a bolder color behind it, than a wimpy lamp or too-small frame.
we just remodeled our bedroom to be very simple- small room with just enough space for queen bed, lots of pillows, fluffy comforter, a picture, 2 plants and small stand. it feels restful as it is not busy, cluttered or for anything other than sleeping or....well, you know :) eitherway, its relaxing.
Love the blue/teal duvet in the first one.
Some of these rooms are very beautiful in their simplicity, but others are a bit too bare for me. I think that having "things" in a room can be done effectively if they are organized and deliberate. My bedroom is a bit more full, but still has an airy feel: http://designfixation.blogspot.com/2010/03/make-yourself-at-home-take-peek-into.html
For the most part they all work. I kinda like like how bare #4 is because it looks intentionally Spartan. However, I hate the subfloor on #6. Not sexy.
Would like to chime in with the "unfinished" comments. About half of these rooms just look like no thought has (yet) been given to how to make them welcoming and artistic!
With all that space, the bed is slammed into the corner...? (#1)
...and who wants to look at the back of a dresser while they're in bed? (#7)
However I really like the wrap-around headboard in #3 and the framed painting above the bed in #6
dying to know the wall color in number three.
Love this. My bedroom is also all white. Once I went with a white duvet, sheets, and sheers, it was impossible to go back to color. It is just so simple and serene. My restful place.
i dig