Get Organized to Create Your Dream Bedroom Suite
Create Your Dream Bedroom and Bathroom
Our ingredients for a well-designed bedroom and bathroom.
Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary.
And while this room of your home might not be the most seen by visitors, it is likely one of the rooms where you spend the most time, so it’s worth putting extra time and intention into designing a space that feels like a retreat. Creating a space that feels beautiful isn’t just about the aesthetic. More importantly, it’s about the feeling that you bring into your home and routine.
We truly believe that getting organized is the springboard for positive change. For example, having an organized kitchen makes it easier to cook homemade meals and saves you money because you’re no longer buying duplicates; Having an orderly workout drawer encourages you to exercise; And having an organized home entrance makes it easier to get out the door in the morning with everything you need. More is true for your bedroom and bathroom- it’s often where you start and end the day, and can set the tone for a great day ahead or a restful night’s sleep.
Although every space is different, we like to follow a few basic steps when designing a primary bedroom, big or small.
Starting with the bedroom…
Step No. 1: Space plan for the shape of your room
Whether you’re starting from scratch or you’re giving your bedroom space a refresh, identifying the essentials based on the shape and function of your room is always the best place to start. In a smaller bedroom space, you may only have room for a bed and nightstands but no dresser, or you may have room for one nightstand, depending on how the door opens and where the windows are placed. When possible, we avoid placing the bed in front of any window to get the most natural light possible.
No matter what the size of your bedroom space is, measuring is essential! In a uniquely shaped bedroom, look for opportunities to add function in every corner, be it a small desk or seating area! If you’re working in your own home, you can even tape out markings for where the pieces will be placed based on your measurements.
Step No. 2: Select scale-appropriate furniture
Since the bed is typically the focal point of any bedroom space, it’s usually the first furniture piece we select when designing a bedroom. Whether you choose something minimal or statement-making, the bed sets the tone for the room, influencing every other element in the space.
In smaller, darker bedroom spaces, we like using lighter-colored and/or upholstered beds to create the illusion of openness and bring a softened feeling to the room. In bedrooms where we want to make a statement or draw the eye up to tall ceilings, we may choose something that calls more attention and adds drama, like a canopy bed.
Nightstands are typically the second piece we select when designing a bedroom. They anchor the bed, add storage and function, and bring a new element to the space. We love mixing and matching furniture styles and materials in the bedroom to create a thoughtful, curated feeling, so we tend not to match the nightstand with the bed. For example, if we start with an upholstered bed, we’d likely choose a nightstand in a wood or metal finish to bring in more interest.
Once we have our bed and nightstand pieces locked in, we move on to choosing the dresser. We like to mix materials here, too, and select a piece contrasting from our nightstands, bed, or both! A dresser is a great way to add an interesting texture, material, or element to your room and can provide the perfect opportunity for styling to bring in personality.
When we have extra space in a bedroom for additional furniture, we love to consider extra seating. Whether it’s a bench at the end of the bed, a lounge chair reading nook in the corner, or even a small sette by the window, extra bedroom seating encourages a peaceful environment.
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Step No. 3: Layer in room elements
We use a rug in nearly every room, even carpeted spaces! Rugs have a way of grounding the feeling of a design like nothing else while bringing so much warmth, texture, tone, and pattern. Simply adding a rug in your bedroom will elevate the look and feel more than you’d expect, and it’s a great way to add some interest and personality if your main pieces are streamlined and neutral. When it comes to sizing, we like to leave at least 8″ of space from the nightstands to the beginning of the rug and make sure the rug extends the bed by at least 1 foot. Typical rug sizing for a King bed is 9×12, and for a queen bed, we usually go with an 8×10.
Lighting makes a world of difference in setting the mood for a bedroom. Whether it’s overhead lighting, lamp lighting, or even sconce lighting, consider layering your pieces to create a cozy and relaxing ambiance for every time of day. We love incorporating sconces above nightstands to free up table-side space and bring in a playful hotel-like feeling to a room.
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Step. No. 4: Add in decor
This is the step where you especially want to keep yourself in check, as having too many of things in this category is when things can begin to feel clutter. There is beauty in restraint!
Once you have all of your main pieces, it’s time for the fun part! When it comes to bedroom decor, we like to add serene artwork, space-expanding mirrors, and simple styling accessories to bring personality to dressers and nightstands alike. Consider the small details that bring a room to life, like a pretty vase with florals by your bedside, stacked coffee table books, and hand-poured candles to ignite the senses.
Add a candle on the nightstand
Curating an experience in a space is all about igniting the senses, and a candle is the perfect way to bring your favorite scent into a room. Something about a candle creates a warm ambient feeling to any space, and we style them in nearly every room.
Bringing in some life
Greenery and florals can bring so much life into any space, and it’s the perfect way to introduce a subtle color to your styling. In the bedroom, we love adding a vase of flowers or a plant on the nightstand or dresser, or even a tree for texture.
Update your sheets + invest in your bedding
Creating a cozy bedding experience starts with the basics, and the first must-have on our list are quality sheets! Instead of rotating through a few pairs each year, invest in good sheets made with natural materials for longer-lasting comfort. Great bedding inserts and duvet covers can go a long way in setting the tone for your bedroom space. We like to start with down inserts to create the most full-looking foundation for building upon. We also love folding a quilt on the bottom of a duvet or draping a throw on the bed for more dimension. Extra bedding layers create more texture and warmth aesthetically, and they are functional for when you get cold in the middle of the night!
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Step No. 5: Create storage solutions
We love incorporating pretty trays or boxes in the bedroom to eliminate clutter. Plus, having something on your nightstand that you can put your earrings or rings in at the end of the day means you don’t have to get up if you forget to take them out! Finding simple storage solutions that double as beautiful decor is ideal in a bedroom.
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Now onto the bathroom…
There are few places in the home that get as much traffic as the bathroom. It’s the place of our morning and evening rituals, book-ending each day with a space dedicated to personal care. With it being such a central point of our day-to-day, we prioritize styling it with pieces that are made as much for beauty as they are for practicality. It’s a balance we’re happy to strike.
There’s plenty of thought that goes into a bathroom, and we like to approach design in a functional way. Bathrooms tend to be smaller rooms, while often requiring more storage space which can make things kind of tricky! But with the right approach, you can be sure your bathroom has plenty of storage while looking beautiful.
Step No. 1: Design with storage in mind
If you have an opportunity to customize your space, do it! You can create extra storage in your vanity by adding an open shelf for baskets and storage at the bottom or you can customize built-in storage in your shower! Avoid using storage units that are built around the toilet and use a streamlined train rack above the toilet.
Step No. 2: Identify opportunities for furniture placement
If you have the space, a stool or ladder next to the bathtub is very convenient! Not only will it make your space feel like a spa, but it’s bonus storage! A stool is a place to throw a candle and matches on, or a book and towel when you’re taking a bath, while a ladder can display towels for easy access.
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Step No. 3: Add-in storage solutions
Obviously we are big believers in everything having a place. Taking the chaos out of daily routines through organization makes the day-to-day a little more straightforward and much more beautiful, especially when the organization includes elegant materials like marble, sandstone, glass, and wood. In addition to countertop organization, think about floor, countertop, closet, and in-drawer/cabinet storage as well. The materials here are just as important, making an impact not only in their aesthetic but also in their longevity and usefulness. With woven, strong frames of materials like wicker or seagrass, they are simple and sweet yet strong and durable. Not to mention, the texture and aesthetic of natural woven grasses with airy cotton is unmatched. Whether you’re storing cotton balls, stashing everyday pieces of jewelry, or tossing clothes into a bin before bed, there’s a solution for every part of your routine.
Corral in a tray
We might even argue that you need a tray in every room. Not only do they look pretty, but the way they corral various objects together feels high-end and organized.
Use the countertops
Jars and canisters are the definition of form and function. They’re so convenient for storing the things you don’t want on display and looking pretty on your countertop. If you have an empty one, fill it with greenery! Bonus tip: Almost any jar can serve as a holder for toothbrushes!
Create texture with baskets
We love baskets! It’s no secret, we use them almost everywhere! Not only do they bring natural textures to the space, but they’re the best way to store larger items! You can even show off your favorite decorative towels by draping them over the baskets.
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Step No. 4: Add the finishing touches
Towels and Bathmats
There are few things that elevate the bath experience quite like stepping out onto a soft bathmat and drying off with a thick, plush bath towel. Long-staple Turkish cotton is esteemed as a superior material for bath towels for its ability to balance softness with absorbency. This is thanks to its construction and long threads of cotton—luxurious, but in the most practical way possible.
Soaps and Lotions
It goes without saying that soap is a bathroom essential. And, admittedly, we are head over heels for soaps that smell just as good as they feel on our hands. And, we love good packaging!
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Bedroom Suite FAQ’S from the AGH Community
There always seem to be a few places in the bedroom and bathroom that clutter quickly (nightstand, bathroom counter) what are tips to keep those spaces neat?
Create a “home” for everything. Things tend to pile up if you don’t have a dedicated spot for them that is properly organized.
How do you approach organizing small bedrooms and bathrooms?
Ruthlessly edit the space until it only contains the items you truly use and love. Create boundaries for products and their categories in drawers and cabinets with labeled bins and baskets so they don’t mix together.
We love storage solutions that work double time in small bedrooms and closets. Over-the-door organizers and stackable drawers can help our clients maximize on vertical space that is otherwise being wasted.
What are your top tips on organizing a bedroom closet?
Matching Hangers- To the eye, your closet will instantly look more organized and your clothes will stay in better shape. Our favorites are the black slimline!
Categorize- Make sure you are keeping like items together, tanks w/tanks, and sweaters with sweaters. This makes finding what you need and putting things away much easier.
Color Code- Each category should start the ROYGBIV color wheel over. This will give you a true glimpse into what all you own and help you shop your closet with ease.
What do you do to prevent the pile of laundry that tends to pile up on "that one chair" in the corner? You know what we mean!
Get rid of the chair! Ha! Seriously though, it’s all about developing the habit and creating the best possible situation for success. For example, implement a really pretty hamper that can sit out near your chair. That way it’s just as easy to put laundry there as it is to leave it on the chair. Also, create routine. Pick your standard laundry day(s) that is consistent enough for you to tackle the piles that have accumulated.
What products are your favorite for organization?
It is no secret that we love beautiful baskets. Some of our favorites are made from seagrass and the hogla materials. We are also huge fans of a beautiful jar and marble and glass countertop pieces do not disappoint. There are so many ways and spaces that each of these can be used!
There always seems to be a few things that don’t have space. How do you organize miscellaneous items without creating a junk drawer?
Drawer dividers. By adding in drawer dividers, everything has a home, and when you open the drawer after making this adjustment, you can’t help but smile. You can label a divider ‘miscellaneous,’ and then it will always have a home.
Looking for organizing advice on your bedroom closet? Read The Ultimate Closet Guide to Decluttering and Organizing.
We hope you enjoy the items recommended here. At A Good Home, we put a lot of thought and intention into our recommended items, only suggesting things we love and use (and think you might, as well). We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page.