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Original poster

Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom

54 replies

bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 19:50

nc for this. Need ideas to inject warmth and colour into our bedroom. In desperate need of a cosy sanctuary to retreat to rather than a clinical lab!!!

Bed is the only thing that must stay. We need paint/wallpaper, new curtains and bedding, plus all finishing touches eg pictures, lamps, rug etc.

We have 6 drawer ikea Malm - I’ve included photos of it at diff ends of room. We need a new (mirrored) wardrobe. There’s obv not enough room for two pieces of bulky furniture - so either the Malm or new wardrobe will go in the spare room. Dressing table can also be moved to spare room if needed.

there is a tiny ensuite too which needs a privacy door/screen too.

please help!

Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
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bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 21:11

A quick scroll through Pinterest is showing that 90% of the bedrooms with a similar bed have neutral/white walls - and black frames above the bed.
here’s what I liked - but perhaps too much for a small room?

Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
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Original poster
bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 21:13

The artwork is a lovely idea, thank you.
Any reason why not mirrored wardrobes?

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MargotBamborough · 10/10/2023 21:17

bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 21:01

Colour wise I’m open to anything - just not the ‘landlord white’ soulless colour that’s currently on them.

I really really recommend Pinterest for this. Just search for bedrooms and start pinning pictures you like. Then when you find a colour palette you love, just copy it. You could pick two accent colours and a couple of neutrals and just use the accent colours in your bedlinen and curtains if you don't want to commit, although I do prefer a coloured wall personally.

I like this.

Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
CoffeeBeansGalore · 10/10/2023 21:19

The long mirrors either side of the bed is a nice idea.

Shadyboots23 · 10/10/2023 21:19

I think those you posted are lovely, definitely not too much

CircleWithin · 10/10/2023 21:20

Colour wise, think of what you like to wear. It'll give you a starting point for wall colours.

snackprovidersupreme · 10/10/2023 21:20

Based on the pics you like I'd paint the walls a warm neutral like dulux esoresso delight 4 (a sort of pinkish brown). It sounds horrid but we have it in a room and it's lovely, not too much and just makes the room like a warming cocoon. Then I'd order a big warm rug and curtains in warm neutrals. I'd bring in colour with some colourful bedding (Oliver bonus or anthropology do some lovely quilts and bedspreads). It's not as expensive to change if you hate it.
You have space for an ottoman at the end of the bed. I love upholstered ones that can double as a seat. You could get a plum velvet one, for example, which would be gorgeous.
And add some art - the walls need it!

sparkedsparkle · 10/10/2023 21:21

Feature wall or some artsy prints on one wall
Spider plant and windows thrill for a pop of colour
Lamp with coloured bulb
Bedding makes all the difference!

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bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 21:30

Off to get some paint samples tomorrow and go shopping for a wardrobe. Thank you for such lovely, non-judgemental advice everyone!

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DappledThings · 10/10/2023 21:33

I love a green bedroom. I've had three green bedrooms and find them really restful. Anything in the white/beige/neutral range for walls makes me tense in any room but especially a bedroom.

The colour we have at the moment is discontinued but is very similar to this one in picture. Currently choosing between that or F&B Wine Dark.

I can't ever find any room cosy that doesn't have a proper colour on the walls.

DappledThings · 10/10/2023 21:33

Forgot the sample photo...

Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
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bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 21:35

That’s a beautiful colour too. Yes, you’ve hit the nail on the head - I feel a colour on the walls will be the ‘warm cocoon’ a previous poster referred to, instead of feeling like a waiting room.

esp with white dresser drawers and presumably a white wardrobe, I feel it needs colour on the walls.

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clareth · 10/10/2023 21:36

I think your room is lovely and bright and clean but it would definitely benefit from a big green leafy plant in a large floor standing plant pot. I think some greenery always makes a room so welcoming.
Also a big leaner mirror - check out William Wood mirrors, we got one earlier this year for our bedroom. It really reflects light back into the room and looks cool too!

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bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 21:40

Thank you! Yes, if we put a wardrobe opposite the bed beside the dressing table, a wall-hung mirror would go well on that blank wall to the right of the window, opposite the bedroom door.

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bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 21:49

Just spotted this on the Dreams website - same bed, pink wallpaper I referred to earlier. It looks lovely here but I feel would fall flat in my space?

Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
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Hibernatalie · 10/10/2023 21:51

Coving!!

DappledThings · 10/10/2023 21:55

Hibernatalie · 10/10/2023 21:51

Coving!!

Yes! I hadn't realised there wasn't any but now looked again. Coving makes a massive difference. Just a simple curve but changes the feel of the room so much and reduces the clinicalness.

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bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 22:04

Yes! Coving! I never noticed that before!

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crumpet · 10/10/2023 22:08

Here are some more ideas, keeping a pale theme. Agree with a big mirror over the drawers too.

Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
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bedroomdecorideas · 10/10/2023 22:11

Is this to Prof Umbridge sickly pink? Spotted on ikea website - same Malm dresser

Ideas for sad, clinical, bare bedroom
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UsernamenotavailableBob · 10/10/2023 22:13

It's a lovely colour but I'd then want something in the room as a contrast. Either a mustard or a bottle green chair or accent picked up somewhere or it would be too 90s.

MustDust · 10/10/2023 22:14

Can I just say 10/10 for the fantastic opening post with brilliant photos first off.
If it was my room I would go green, I'm loving deep emerald colours as a bold accent, there's some gorgeous leafy print wallpapers out there too, perhaps just the bed wall or behind the drawers. I like the drawers to the side of the bed, and I'd go for the wardrobes at the end of the bed, unless you need the dressing table in there, fill that wall with wardrobes. Personally I'd prefer white over mirror wardrobes but then I couldn't be bothered to clean them all the time and there's only so much of me I want to look at, but it's your room.
Finally, it's a bit flat, so as others have said, lovely velour bold curtains, cushions and blankets, a rug if it won't be a trip hazard and some plants. I like some of the pictures you've posted off Pinterest with art work so you seem to have an idea there.