Hey Sleeping Beauty Wake Up. - MC Design

By Local Interior Designer and TastemakerMegan Dufresne (ASID)

Our bedrooms are our sanctuaries, or at least they should be. The best bedrooms promote calm and comfort while expressing the personality of the person who lives there. There are a few elements I pay special attention to when designing the perfect bedroom. These design areas will elevate your space and ensure you get the most out of your bedroom.

Make The Bed - The bed, of course, is the centerpiece of the room. Always choose the largest bed the room can comfortably accommodate. Choose materials that are strong, sturdy, and that will withstand normal wear and tear. Whether you choose solid wood, upholstered, or metal framed, be sure that it sets the tone for the rest of the room.

Once you've established the bed, you can move on to bedding and pillow choices. You can't underestimate the value of good quality bedding. Down fill inserts for pillows and duvets are the epitome of luxury in the bedroom. Beautifully crafted sheets and high-quality bedspreads ensure your bed will feel as good as it looks. Linens should be high in thread count and sticking with solid colors will create a classic look.

Be mindful not to overdo it with accent pillows and throws. You do not want to overpower the bed, you do, however, want to have variety. Having differing types of pillows, both firm and soft, standard and king size, allows for maximum comfort and pillows and throws are also a great way to bring in splashes of color without taking over the room.

The point of a perfectly dressed bed is to strip it down and get into it. All the best dressing can't save an uncomfortable mattress. The foundation of your luxurious bed needs to be a quality mattress.

Embrace the Shade - Depending on the overall style of your home, there are many options to choose from when it comes to window coverings. From traditional curtains, to shutters, to integrated smart home shades, window coverings give you complete control of the ambient light in your space.

Many options offer full black out ability, which amps up the luxury level a notch or two. Here are a few of my favorite options for the bedroom.

Roller shades offer many customizable options to suit any need. They can be motorized or manual which can also provide a bit of budgetary leeway. These come in a variety of colors and materials to suit your bedroom style and can fit any size window.

Similarly Roman shades are a great option for farmhouse style homes, though can be tailored to suit a variety of styles.

Shutters can make a beautiful addition to your windows as well. New materials are now available that do not warp like some wood options can, so these can be a long-lasting option for many homes.

Finally, drapes or curtains are a traditional choice that can be custom made which allows you to control the fabric and accessories to match the overall design of your bedroom.

Keep it Minimal - Keeping your bedroom design a bit more minimal allows comfort to take precedence over everything else. Clean lines, limited textures, and intentional decorative accents create a sense of peace and calm.

Organization is also a major factor in creating a stress-free space. You can incorporate larger furniture pieces such as dual bedside tables or an additional seating area, but stay away from unnecessary clutter or over decoration.

Have a Seat - Creating a seating area offers a comfortable place to lounge or let's be honest, a convenient place to hold tomorrow's outfit choice. Whether it's for form or function, a seating area adds personality and an opportunity to bring in complimentary style and color additions to the overall bedroom decor.

Using the same pillow design, colors, or materials in the seating area as on the bed help to create a cohesive palette throughout.

Light It Up - The best and most comfortable bedrooms have multiple light sources in the space. Overhead lighting, a floor lamp, and task lighting near the bed all help to create the right feel at the right time. Keep lighting functional but also have a little fun with the design.

Matching bedside lamps are an easy way to experiment with bringing in different materials and are very useful, especially in shared bedrooms.

Mind Your Headboard Wall - Finally, the headboard wall is a natural focal point in the bedroom. Knowing this enables you to decide how bold or how simple you would like that focal point to be.

Some go bold with a full wall mural or making the headboard wall an accent wall by choosing a differing paint color or texture from the rest of the room. Others go a bit safer with a gallery wall or large painting. Whatever choice works best for you, make it your own, and be sure it brings you joy.

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About Megan Dufresne

Megan Dufresne, founder and principal of MC Design is a Manhattan Beach native who was raised visiting job sites and marking up blueprints with her contractor father. She grew up in homes custom built and designed by her parents.

Today, she brings South Bay’s casual sophistication to residential and commercial spaces across

Southern California. Passionate about textiles and design, Dufresne’s goal is always to elevate

the everyday into motivating spaces for her clients. Innovative, fun and inspiring are three of her

favorite adjectives when it comes to design.

Dufresne works with both homeowners and builders to create personalized environments that are

timeless yet current; with thoughtful layers that look and feel as though they’ve been

collected over time. Focusing on clients’ culture, tastes and interests as well as the structure’s

architecture, she translates those influences into highly livable, visually stunning interiors. Kids,

pets, sand and swimming pools inspire instead of limit her creative possibilities.

She works primarily in the beach cities of Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Redondo Beach, Hermosa

Beach and Manhattan Beach, and travels for clients as needed. While currently building a showroom in Rancho Mirage, Dufresne is excited to expand her Firm to the Greater Palm Desert area.

As a former luxury design specialist for House Beautiful and Modern Luxury Interiors California magazines, Dufresne now brings that knowledge and passion to interior design. She founded MC Design in 2007.

Dufresne lives in Lower Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates with her husband and two Chihuahuas. She’s a firm believer in cocktail hour(s) and beautifully organized spaces.

Follow @MeganDufresneDesign on Instagram