3 Soothing Bedroom Retreats for an On-the-Go Family
New bedrooms give family members space for relaxing after a long day of work, school or dance practice
The members of the Garratt family dash between work, school, dance lessons and hockey practice. At the end of the day, each of them wanted — needed — a place to retreat. That’s why the family turned to Karin Bennett, owner of Karin Bennett Designs, for help in redesigning three of the family’s four bedrooms. The project included the parents’ master bedroom and the rooms of their 14- and 12-year-old daughters. (The parents opted not to update their sons’ bedroom just yet. The boys are currently sharing a room, but that’s likely to change, and their spaces will be updated when that happens.)
Take a look at these redesigned rooms to see how Bennett created soothing retreats for the family, and learn her tips on getting that feel in your own space, especially if you’re designing for kids.
Take a look at these redesigned rooms to see how Bennett created soothing retreats for the family, and learn her tips on getting that feel in your own space, especially if you’re designing for kids.
The couple’s tufted chair inspired the bedroom’s color scheme and steered Bennett toward more traditional design elements, such as the wall molding. She created the molding by attaching large, rectangular panels to the wall, then painted the wall and molding the same color.
Bennett chose to make the bed the focal point of the space. She designed a headboard with tufting to match the chair, which adds drama, she says.
Jana found the vanity at an antiques market in nearby Muskoka and knew it would work well with the other vintage furniture she had found, such as the dresser in the previous photo. Because the room has ample space, the vanity can function as both nightstand and desk.
Pro tip: Consider using a piece of furniture for something other than its intended purpose or as a multipurpose room element. This personalizes the space and gives it an unexpected look.
Browse tufted headboards
Jana found the vanity at an antiques market in nearby Muskoka and knew it would work well with the other vintage furniture she had found, such as the dresser in the previous photo. Because the room has ample space, the vanity can function as both nightstand and desk.
Pro tip: Consider using a piece of furniture for something other than its intended purpose or as a multipurpose room element. This personalizes the space and gives it an unexpected look.
Browse tufted headboards
Bedroom at a Glance
Who uses the space: 14-year-old Bronwyn, the Garratts’ older daughter
Size: 156 square feet (14.5 square meters)
Bronwyn is an aspiring ballerina and recently spent a year at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. After she returned home, she wanted a bedroom that reflected her dancing passion.
Wall paint: Aesthetic White, Sherwin-Williams; nightstand: Pier 1; bedding: Restoration Hardware; pendant light: Restoration Hardware; artwork: HomeSense; drapes: custom by Karin Bennett Designs
Who uses the space: 14-year-old Bronwyn, the Garratts’ older daughter
Size: 156 square feet (14.5 square meters)
Bronwyn is an aspiring ballerina and recently spent a year at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. After she returned home, she wanted a bedroom that reflected her dancing passion.
Wall paint: Aesthetic White, Sherwin-Williams; nightstand: Pier 1; bedding: Restoration Hardware; pendant light: Restoration Hardware; artwork: HomeSense; drapes: custom by Karin Bennett Designs
Bennett wanted Bronwyn’s room to reflect her love of ballet in a mature yet girly way. She used bedding in soft pink — Bronwyn’s favorite color — to play up the delicate lines of the bed frame.
The teenager also loves gold, so Bennett incorporated it as an accent color. You’ll see it in the geometric quatrefoil wallpaper behind the bed and in the bedside lamps.
“I added the black pillow and art to keep it a bit edgy,” Bennett says.
Browse nightstands and bedside tables
The teenager also loves gold, so Bennett incorporated it as an accent color. You’ll see it in the geometric quatrefoil wallpaper behind the bed and in the bedside lamps.
“I added the black pillow and art to keep it a bit edgy,” Bennett says.
Browse nightstands and bedside tables
Bronwyn’s love of dance is also evident in this display of her old ballet shoes at the foot of the bed and in the art on the wall. These elements are not overwhelming, Bennett says, and it will be easy for her to update her room as she grows up.
“I never recommend a themed room, but I do love a highly personalized bedroom,” Bennett says. “After all, this is where you should feel most at home.”
Pro tip: Less is more when it comes to bedroom furniture and accessories. Older homes were generally built with small bedrooms, and that was the case here. Bennett considered the need for every piece before adding it to the room, and she avoided over-accessorizing because kids tend to add their own decorations over time.
“I never recommend a themed room, but I do love a highly personalized bedroom,” Bennett says. “After all, this is where you should feel most at home.”
Pro tip: Less is more when it comes to bedroom furniture and accessories. Older homes were generally built with small bedrooms, and that was the case here. Bennett considered the need for every piece before adding it to the room, and she avoided over-accessorizing because kids tend to add their own decorations over time.
Bedroom at a Glance
Who uses the space: 12-year-old Clare, the Garratts’ younger daughter
Size: 117 square feet (11 square meters)
Clare also dances competitively, but she didn’t want the same ballet elements that her sister had. Instead, Bennett used Clare’s favorite color, blue, as the starting point.
Bennett also wanted to use a pattern in the room. She found this floral fabric with blues and taupe and used it for custom drapes and an accent pillow.
Because the room is small, furniture had to be chosen carefully. A double bed fit best, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t look grand. Bennett chose an upholstered headboard in a neutral fabric that didn’t compete with the patterns on the drapes, bed and wall, but she picked one with a fun shape to give the bed area more interest.
Wall paint: Shoji White, Sherwin-Williams; headboard: Pier 1; long accent pillow: custom by Karin Bennett Designs; bedding: Restoration Hardware; drapes: custom by Karin Bennett Designs; desk and chair: HomeSense
Who uses the space: 12-year-old Clare, the Garratts’ younger daughter
Size: 117 square feet (11 square meters)
Clare also dances competitively, but she didn’t want the same ballet elements that her sister had. Instead, Bennett used Clare’s favorite color, blue, as the starting point.
Bennett also wanted to use a pattern in the room. She found this floral fabric with blues and taupe and used it for custom drapes and an accent pillow.
Because the room is small, furniture had to be chosen carefully. A double bed fit best, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t look grand. Bennett chose an upholstered headboard in a neutral fabric that didn’t compete with the patterns on the drapes, bed and wall, but she picked one with a fun shape to give the bed area more interest.
Wall paint: Shoji White, Sherwin-Williams; headboard: Pier 1; long accent pillow: custom by Karin Bennett Designs; bedding: Restoration Hardware; drapes: custom by Karin Bennett Designs; desk and chair: HomeSense
For both girls’ rooms, Bennett’s greatest challenge was creating enough storage for clothes. The dressers were small and the closet space limited, so the girls went through their wardrobes thoroughly and donated items that no longer fit or that they didn’t wear. Bennett was then able to get everything into the girls’ closets — which left Clare with room for a desk.
Pro tip: If space is at a premium in your bedroom, start the redesign process by going through your clothes and belongings. You’re sure to find items you can get rid of or donate.
Professional Tips for Cleaning and Organizing Your Closet
Pro tip: If space is at a premium in your bedroom, start the redesign process by going through your clothes and belongings. You’re sure to find items you can get rid of or donate.
Professional Tips for Cleaning and Organizing Your Closet
The parents requested desks for both girls so they could have a quiet place to study. In Clare’s room, Bennett chose a desk and chair that didn’t add bulk to the space. The desktop has plenty of room to do homework, and its thin chrome legs make that side of the room appear more open. Likewise, the chair is slender and easy to move.
Pro tip: When designing a space for child, tween or teen, Bennett says, the most important thing you can do is listen.
“Kids have opinions,” she says, “and they will tell you what they want.”
More
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Dream Bedroom
Read more stories about bedrooms
Shop for bedroom products
Pro tip: When designing a space for child, tween or teen, Bennett says, the most important thing you can do is listen.
“Kids have opinions,” she says, “and they will tell you what they want.”
More
Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Dream Bedroom
Read more stories about bedrooms
Shop for bedroom products
Master Bedroom at a Glance
Who uses the space: Jana and Jeff Garratt, the parents of four busy children
Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Size: 234 square feet (22 square meters)
Homeowners Jana and Jeff Garratt are the parents of two girls who dance competitively and two boys who play recreational hockey. “They wanted their master bedroom to be a serene and welcoming place,” Bennett says, “and a room that gives them a refuge from their on-the-go lifestyles.’’
Wall paint: Aesthetic White, Sherwin-Williams; bed frame and headboard: custom by Karin Bennett Designs; bedding: Restoration Hardware; drapes: custom by Karin Bennett Designs