My bedroom has always been a bit of a retreat for me no matter where I lived. Growing up, I always took great pride in my bedroom and wanted it to feel like a true reflection of my personality. There is so much I would love to do to our room now to give it a bit more life, but I decided to hold off until we have a place of our own where I can really do what I want to it.
In the meantime, it works very well as a comfortable place to retreat to at the end of the day. One of the questions that came up recently was how to make your bedroom feel more adult when you share the rest of your space with roommates. It got me thinking about the constants I utilize in every bedroom I’ve had and the staples that can make your room feel like a fancy hotel (even in a shared rental!)
GREAT BEDDING
a mix of super soft sheets & classic duvet
My bed is my favorite place in our apartment. It is so comfortable, in large part due to our bedding. Investing in great bedding truly makes such a big difference. I have a post on some other favorites here, but my go to sheets are the Pottery Barn Tencel (they are the softest) and I love the classic look of my Savoy Duvet cover and Euro shams.
ACCENT LIGHTING
pretty sconces or lamps
Soft lighting can help set the mood in a bedroom. We hardly ever use our ceiling light and I prefer my sconces or lamps to be on dimmers. I try and link a lot of my current favorites on my lighting shop.
A COZY RUG
texture to warm up the space
Having a plush rug in the bedroom instantly adds a cozy factor and feels so good underfoot. I love a Moroccan shag style rug. If you prefer something with slight pattern, I have this. Just make sure you get the right size – especially in a bedroom I like the rug to go almost up to the nightstand so you don’t step out onto the hardwood.
FRESH FLOWERS
Fresh flowers make such a big difference in my room. I love having some on my bedside table or dresser to brighten up the space and make it smell good. I love getting inexpensive bunches at the grocery store and often get tulips, freesias or the simple white roses from Trader Joe’s. If real florals aren’t your thing, there are some nice faux options like this.
THE PERFECT ACCENT
a chair to curl up in
One of the things that drives me crazy in our current bedroom is not having room for a chair. I love having an accent chair to curl up in read or sit on my laptop. It adds an extra space for you to retreat to besides the bed.
CANDLES
a signature scent
I always have a candle next to my bed or one on the dresser. I love lighting a candle before bed to kind of wind down. I typically prefer lighter scents in my room to keep it from feeling over powering. Jo Malone Orange Blossom and Diptyque Freesia are my favorites, but I have a slew of others linked here. You can even do unscented pilars just to have some candle light!
BEDROOM RETREAT
Where is your nightstand from?
Hi Thea,
Everything is linked on my Bedroom Shop Page : )
https://harlowejames.com/my-bedroom
Can you tell me where you got your headboard? I don’t see it on shop your apartment…
Hi Helen! It is linked on the bedroom tab of My Apartment shop – from One King Lane and linked below. Have a great week!
https://rstyle.me/+4xnt9itoeGoqMxqWIbeIWQ
Hi Chrissy!
Would love to know what some of your future bedroom plans are! I mean not to the point where you spoil anything of course…. 🙂
Maybe you could do a bedroom mood board or share some bedrooms you love? I’m having a curious cat 🐈 situation because you said there was so much you wanted to do, and I’m like “Oh really?! WHAT?!!” 😇🥰
Merry Christmas! Thank you for the constant inspiration and beauty.
Hi Hannah! Haha!! I can definitely do that! Merry Christmas to you, I hope you have a beautiful holiday : )
Hi Chrissy!
Simply gorgeous. I might have missed this somewhere, but would you be able to share the source for your nightstand? I’ve been searching high and low and love this one.
Thank you!!
Thank you so much Shannon! I try and link everything on My Apartment shop, which has the nightstand and the pulls I replaced the original ones with. Happy Holidays!
https://harlowejames.com/my-bedroom
Hi Chrissy! As always, love your style. And your best looks the coziest-
Can you link the plate/tray underneath the candles and perfume
Hi Amy! Thank you so much. Here you go : )
https://hudsongracesf.com/products/fleur-de-lys-platter?_pos=1&_sid=08a0cd85d&_ss=r