(Photo: Shutterstock)While bedroom trends may change -- wallpaper is back, matching sets are out -- the basic premise behind your bedroom should be your own unique sense of luxury, comfort and relaxation.
The master bedroom is meant to be a refuge from the rest of the world, and sometimes, the rest of the house. Pick soothing colors, grand objects and comfortable bedding to create the perfect, restful place that is conducive to sleep.
When it comes to your bedrooms, remember to keep the design simple. Even if you're a fan of bold colors and eclectic design, take a step back and don't overdo it. Pick a focal point (hint: it should be something around the bed) and design the room around that one piece. Make your biggest statement with your bed, comforters or headboard and then find complementary pieces around it.
Symmetry
(Photo: Shutterstock)Symmetry isn't so much a trend in bedroom design as it is the bedrock of bedroom design. A bed is naturally sliced in half with each side mirroring the other. The two bedside tables should follow suit. To add variety, focus on the smaller elements on the bedside tables, or the smaller pillows. No matter how trendy or modern your design, symmetry adds a sense of calm to the bed area.
Eye-catching headboards
Whether they're the dominating focal point of the room or a complement to bold bedding, headboards are becoming more grandiose and inventive. A headboard is a great unifying element - if you want classic furniture but modern colors, try a classic colonial headboard painted a glossy black. Without a headboard, bedrooms tend to look incomplete, so if you really can't stand them, try turning that wall into an accent wall with a different color or unique wallpaper, or place striking artwork over the bed that draws in the eye.
Oversized accessories
Unless you already have a massive headboard, a great way to make your bedroom look luxurious is by having tall lamps, a large trunk at the end of the bed, wide bedside tables or a stretched out armoire.
Modern storage
Clutter equals stress, but you still need space to store your stuff. Consider space-saving options like underbed drawers, where you can store out-of-season clothes and hide them with a bed skirt. Research storage solutions that keep your shoes from spilling out from overstuffed shelves in your closet.
Hotel-suite atmosphere
More people are treating their master bedrooms as hotel suites, trying to create an all-inclusive space where they can sit and relax or sip on a cup of coffee. If you have the space, consider adding a sitting area near a window or fireplace, if you have one. You could also add a small Keurig near your bathroom to make a cup of coffee in the morning, giving you a few more minutes in the comfort of your pajamas.
Decadent fabrics
(Photo: Shutterstock)You can be minimalist in a bedroom's design, but not with your fabrics. Go high-end with soft sheets that offer high thread counts. Try bold, long curtains that can be pulled away to let the sun in or shuttered up to create a dark, sanctuary at night.
Bold but calm color
When picking out wall, furniture, bedding, headboard or even carpet colors make sure they all work together. With bedrooms, there are plenty of ways to bring color in through extra pillows, lamps or colorful bedding. Some popular trends are black-and-white decor, gold accents, using various hues of one color or saturated neutrals with splashes of bright color. Carry the color scheme through to your sheets and towels for a unifying theme.
Mix and match
You no longer need to buy all your bedroom furniture in a set. Pick a unifying element, like a color scheme or design style, to bring all your elements together. Go for an earthy theme and incorporate fresh flowers and natural wood finishes with pale greens and blues in the bedding. Or try a more modern style mixed with vintage furnishings, uniting the two elements by largely relying on dark blues and black to bring the different styles together.
Ilyce Glink is an award-winning, nationally syndicated real estate columnist, blogger and radio talk show host, and managing editor of the Equifax Finance Blog. Follow her on Twitter @Glink.
