Get Maximum Coziness in a Minimalist Bed
If stacks of plump pillows and fluffy coverlets make you toss and turn, make your bed in a simpler style that's no less comforting
When I wrote an ideabook on 13 simple steps to making a bed, I didn't expect it to generate such a passionate response. Houzzers weren't shy about sharing their opinions, and the feedback is fascinating. Although a number of you love the layered look of multiple pillows, puffy duvets and artfully placed throws, others are put off by the thought of dealing with that many linens at a time. And how can I blame you?
So for this go-round, I thought I'd take the opposite approach: beds for the minimalist, outfitted only with the bare essentials. Making them is a snap, but the downside is that they sometimes can look a little stark. Fortunately, there are ways to cozy them up without losing their simple appeal.
So for this go-round, I thought I'd take the opposite approach: beds for the minimalist, outfitted only with the bare essentials. Making them is a snap, but the downside is that they sometimes can look a little stark. Fortunately, there are ways to cozy them up without losing their simple appeal.
Add a padded headboard. A cushioned, upholstered headboard adds an extra layer of softness that doesn't have to be made up in the morning. Choose a tailored rather than tufted version for a sleeker look.
Tuck it under a low ceiling. A sloped ceiling helps to occupy some of the visual space that a tall headboard and piles of pillows would.
Buttress it with furniture. This bed backs up to an integrated shelf and bench unit that makes the long, narrow space seem snug. Orienting the bed against a wall also enhances the enveloping feel.
Keep the scale large. In a tiny room, even a double or queen-size bed will feel massive, and oversize scale translates to a feeling of comfort and warmth. You'll need enough room to walk on either side, so don't squeeze it in too tightly.
Stay low to the ground. A mattress that sits on the floor feels just right for curling up and lounging.
Frame it with a four-poster. Without canopies, testers or other draped fabric treatments, four-poster beds can feel wonderfully spare. This one provides a visual framework that helps to create a cozy sense of boundaries.
Warm it with color. Vivid tomato red keeps this floating bed from feeling sterile.
Layer in texture. Nubby, tactile linens and surfaces help to prevent a minimalist bed from feeling flat and one-dimensional. Combine three or four textural yet comfortable elements, such as the woven rug, wooden planking and feathery plant in this space. Keep the color scheme basic to preserve the stripped-down sensibility.
Are you a minimalist or a maximalist when it comes to your bed? Tell us about it in the Comments!
More:
Your Guide to the Perfectly Made Bed
So Your Style Is: Minimalist
Are you a minimalist or a maximalist when it comes to your bed? Tell us about it in the Comments!
More:
Your Guide to the Perfectly Made Bed
So Your Style Is: Minimalist