I would install some simple drapes for privacy and light control. Not all drapes are super old fashioned.

I'm confused though because you want modern but that bed frame screams traditional. It's also heavy looking, which is making the room feel smaller. A lighter bed frame in a lighter color would help a ton.

Other than that it just looks unfinished. A rug, maybe some artwork, and some color would help a lot with making it look more put together and complete.

Thank you for your input. Yeah the contemporary house is new to us and the bed you see in the pic is from our old traditional home. And you're right, it does look heavy. Maybe we do need to change it out.

So you think a big art work above the bed will help? We do have a large interesting piece on the wall opposite the bed so I was reluctant to add another, especially with the small window and wall lights already on that wall.

We currently have a cellular shade on the window. But we could add some kind of sheer drapery for decor I suppose.

Since you can't expand horizontally, go vertical. Hang a drapery rod at the height of the top of the smaller window. Let the drapes flank the window. This will draw the eye up and add even more "height" to the room.

When you can, buy a lighter, more modern bed. I'd use shelves for nightstands.

Then add a stunning piece of art over the bed.

What a gorgeous room. I would get a headboard without a footboard. It will really help the room look larger. I would go for something thin, delicate such as a metal

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/august-grove-rockaway-open-frame-headboard-agtg1360.html

I textured rug, some light colored curtain panels, art, side tables and some airy glass based lamps (taller) would look great!

Lamp Idea

https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/aspire-lissie-29-table-lamp-ehq4074.html

On the other hand, if it's a "contemporary" house (not sure exactly what you mean by that) it does appear to have some characteristics - ie tall vertical windows, high ceilings - reminiscent of an old victorian - and besides, theres something to be said about eclectic. How to keep "eclectic" from being "chaotic" - well thats a subject for another day. Would haveto see rest of house + furnishings before commenting further.

Anyhow, if it was mine, I would simply embrace the coziness the room and strip it down to its essentials - its a bedroom, period, end of story. So what has to be in there and what can go somewhere else? The room I currently use for BR was the former nursery back in 1906. Once I accepted was ridiculously small for a BR, I actually now love it for its womb like qualities. There was no "making it look larger." Its a small room with a window }+ big bed and a dresser and a chair that the cat sleeps in.

Anyway just thought Id put that on the table - my first thought when I saw your pic was how appealing the bed in that space looked to me - complete with excellent window for gazing out of and assessing what kind of day it will be, before getting up. Just needs a big fluffy down comforter that hangs down to the floor and a bunch of pillows you can lean up against to read in bed.

I also really like the bed and wouldn't change it. You do need drapes, even just side panels with the rod long enough that the panels don't cover the window. I would pick a solid color that is close to the wall color, cream or even that minty green of two of the pillows. You need more wall art, and it doesn't necessarily have to be over the bed. The height of the room and the bed make your space look classy, so it doesn't need a great deal more.

I like your room - it has great possibilities. I'm not a designer so take my POV with a grain of salt. I would get rid of the bed as others have suggested and put up the drapes as CDR design shows. Then I would have a wall treatment all across the 'headboard' wall that is custom for the room. Sconces on either side of the bed on the wall treatment. Here are some insp pics

Love this before and after and the before reminds me of your room. I think curtain panels would look great in your space.

Get an electrician in to run the wiring from the sconces to a spot for wall mounted lamps. Patch the walls and get a contemporary bed and floating bedside tables.

Think cozy ... a "half-tester" sort of hanging over the bed from the ceiling down to each side.

Simple shades or drapes on the window matching the wall color

and a rug.

The bed looks fine, it just needs some soft rounded friends in there

This room reminded me of your room........would you consider having it painted BM Revere Pewter and doing a molding design on the headboard wall? I think the molding would help balance out the bed and the starkness of the windows.

I love this room because it is small and is done in a 1940 home; so cozy.

There is no other color in the room except the pillows and the art work which keeps things simple but with great impact; the chandelier and the clear glass tall lamps (top of shades should be height of headboard for balance) add the WOW factor. Opt for narrow tall night stands or tables. White bedding and window treatments and the room could look lovely!

I wouldn't add drapes -- they feel fussy to me generally, but would definitely make the room feel more crowded here. Maybe change cellular blinds to the bottom-up top-down kind that will let you enjoy the view while keeping some privacy.

Also fine with the sconces, if they work for you as reading lamps. Definitely need something above headboard, though -- if you don't want a large work, then two smaller prints would work.

Beyond that, having no footboard definitely helps, but meantime, an appealing throw hung over the footboard would add some softness and color/texture.

Wow lots of great ideas - thank you so much! The house itself is 35 years old, and updated to be more of a contemporary farmhouse. Tall ceilings, big windows and french doors everywhere so lots of light. All the trim and finishes are simple but beautiful. The other rooms are mostly contemporary but with traditional touches. Ex. I couldn't part with my persian rugs.

And even though the bedroom is small, I do love the cozy feel, and the rest of the master suite (office, closet, bathroom) are (or will soon be) quite luxe.

My favorite of the ideas is to move the existing light sconces to the sides of the bed and put interesting wall lamps there with floating tables below. This will make those lamps more functional, and provide a better space for art above the bed, AND be consistent with the simplicity of the rest of the house which I love. Next I will see about removing the bed side rails and footer and just using the headboard. And if that doesn't work, we'll replace the bed with something more modern.

We already have the kind of shades that allow me to move the top up or the bottom down - love it!

I like the simplicity of the room and the traditional bed in the contemporary space. It reminds me of a monk's cell. The only thing I'd do is change out the current sconces for some articulating wall lamps like these.

Please let us see the final outcome!

I copied your later comment: "the rest of the master suite (office, closet, bathroom) are (or will soon be) quite luxe"....

more reason to keep the bed - in small room it's ..well so far.. the only interest in the room [and it looks grand].

Unexpected mix - could hang 3 hammered metal plates - a 'nod' to the ceiling fan - mix metal finishes....

Fancified ceiling medallions, and maybe sconces will 'blend in'.... make it your own whatever it is!!

Wow Groveraxle, that was especially cool how you photoshopped those in for me! I like it! And Everdebz, I like what you said about the bed, and those metal plates are cool. I am so happy with the ideas I am seeing!

I like the bed. I have top down bottom up pleated shades in my master bath and they’re great for allowing views of the sky and treetops while blocking my neighbors view of our bathroom rituals. I tried faux wood blinds in there but they didn’t close tightly enough for complete privacy.

How about "dressing" bed for cozy and privacy without addressing the windows for simplicity? A fab canopy?

Something along these lines? So many options for this cozy style without the need for window treatments.

Like the room. Like the bed -- would not get rid of it as long as it's sturdy.

If you need to do so for space, you could use a metal frame and keep the headboard (but store the footboard -- perhaps even under the bed until such time as you may have a larger space).

Have you considered removing the wall the prior owner added or do you need that room to stay separate as an office or guest/bonus room?.

You might consider a pair of narrow floor lamp/table combo units with large white shades for the room corners to be used as bedside tables that wouldn't take up much space.

http://www.deonnakellisayed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/traditional-floor-lamp-with-attached-table-uk.jpg

White mini-blinds for the windows would visually disappear. Install them inside the frames and you could add curtain rods, too, for white or pastel curtains or sheers.

A stained glass hanging for that high window could brighten and color to the room without detracting from it's classic look.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/cd/24/a5/cd24a50f288a960af802c5428100813d--stained-glass-projects-stained-glass-panels-ideas.jpg

Adding one brightly colored favorite throw pillow would be worth considering as would art above the headboard.

http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mLq5WcaOko0BENRj2FsVI8A.jpg

Suezbell I LOVE the stained glass idea. A quick internet search yielded a lot of beautiful and unique options for that. We could easily hang it in the window and it would draw the eye up, as well as help darken the light that comes through that window. It's an interior window, opening onto a stairwell.

I'm not a very creative person and definitely not one to be on top of all the decorating options open to me. So many thanks again to everyone who offered input. What an amazing resource this has been!

I also adore beautiful stained glass... Maybe one sheet of glass. "Habitat Studio: the glass was made by Flux glass in Edmonton, AB. The wood frames were made by our carpenters." www.fluxglass.ca/

Use of resin 'sheets' - try search on Houzz by searching 'photos' ... seems you don't need large. Architectural salvage shops could have something...

I wouldn't start fussying this room up with decor. A simple bench and a fluffy white comforter would draw me right in (and probably keep me here).

Groveraxle - love the modified pics and especially the dog! Everdebz, that's a beautiful glass idea! Now I'm wondering where else in the house I can use it!

Doggie says: "Woof.. but I'm not a monk!" .... :-)

LOVE your bed!!

grover's minimal with metal lights, nice -- but I added round-ish items thinking you're keeping the half-moon sconces... are you?

I found these products in research for a project of mine, am not affiliated with the business. They have a lot of options that are economical, as well as decorative. Agree with grover, nice calming space!

https://www.houzz.com/pro/gtaylor18/s=product

Love that room. What would be reflected if you went with tall mirrors?

Could you get rid of the foot board and add some textured luxurious bedding?

Faux fur, knits, linen, velvet, lace?

Maybe also a lambskin.

If you paint your bedroom a Benjamin Moore color, be sure to buy that brand. Some companies such as Sherwin William will paint match other brands but it's never the same! :) Here's a Houzz promo code for 5% off if you order online: 597E5

Everdebz, I will replace the sconces if I don't come up with other solutions. Mercurygirl I like the window film idea. As much as I love the stained glass, I'm not sure I want that heavy glass hanging right above my head. Nosoccermom the opposing wall is plain with a painting on it. Not sure it would help to reflect that. But I liked your bedding photo.

I think it looks a little better already, with a small artwork above the bed and a blanket. For now these are things I had elsewhere in the house that I'm just trying on for size.

Is there room for a bench at the end of the bed? We have a small bedroom with no room for a chair or sitting area, so we put a cushioned bench at the end of the bed that has storage for seasonal clothes and acts as a chair to put on shoes.

Remember metal plate idea? so, with white sconces, could try 3 white plates instead... all to blend in, and keep headboard's shape the 'only feature' on the wall... does that make sense?

So far you have a really great bedroom. We say keeping the bed, since it is an interesting piece, works well. You might want to try adding a colorful throw on the end of the bed though. Also artwork above the bed might be great as well.

Thank you Courtney that 2nd pic especially looks comparable to our size issue but solves the problem very nicely. I think getting those sconces replaced with more interesting light fixtures and moving them further apart is going to make the biggest difference. For now, I like the idea of adding a colorful throw or more interesting pillows.

Someone else mentioned about storage and suggested a storage bench at the foot of the bed. We have an adjacent office/library and a large closet so no need for either storage or a sitting area in this room. So that helps!