Whoever said contemporary living can’t be cozy?
The term modern when used to describe a bedroom might elicit images of a severe white box with a few pieces of angular furniture within. Sure, that’s a look some people like, but it’s the exception, not the rule. A modern bedroom can be so much more than that aesthetically. You should think of it more as having a sleek look replete with present-day comforts—to whit: conducive to getting that beauty rest. “The key,” says designer Jayne Michaels of 2Michaels, “is investing in quality bedding. What’s better than getting into bed at night with crisp cotton sheets and a soft bedspread that can be kicked off easily.”
That seems simple enough. But what makes the bedroom look modern? Creating a polished vibe that’s also cozy means incorporating rich materials, dramatic textiles and art, and the occasional pop of color. “I always like to start by asking my clients about the preferred tone for their bedroom spaces,” says New York City–based designer Augusta Hoffman. “I feel that sleeping areas can either be an airy, dreamlike space or go more masculine and moody. I love the two extremes.” Hoffman says she also likes to understand the exact functionality of the room. “Is this more of a meditative experience for simply sleeping or, in the case of my bedroom, a real retreat and hang-out space that should feel more like a primary suite?”
Michaels also recommends bringing in a little something for extra personality. “Find a sculptural element, a chair or chaise that will add mystery and romance,” she adds. From beach-house chic to industrial glamour, here are 70 modern bedroom ideas that will help you transform your space into a clean and cozy, calming environment.
1
PALATE CLEANSER
This primary bedroom, the end-of-day retreat for designer Elad Yifrach, is meant to be an ocular “palate cleanser” after a long day of visual stimulation. The walls are covered in a neutral grass cloth that scatters light like an overexposed photo, and the bed is topped with sage green linen that has been acid washed to “kill the vibrant tones.”
2
PALATABLE OVER PLUSH
In the primary bedroom of this Brooklyn apartment, designer Darren Jett threw the rulebook out the window. Rather than sticking to the standard plush headboard, he anchored the scene with a bespoke bedpost made of Antigua Verde marble, giving the room a unique panache that needs no soft edges or plush pillows to be sophisticated.
3
SUBDUED SCHEME
Incorporating natural elements brings a sense of tranquility and warmth to a modern bedroom. Just ask Matthew Harris, who incorporated oak paneling into the primary bedroom of his Lisbon apartment, topping it off with an opulent Gubi pendant. Further enhance the outdoor-indoor connection by allowing natural light to flood the space through large windows or skylights.
4
PINK PANACHE
Who says adults get to have all the fun? In this kids’ bedroom designed by ELLE DECOR A-List designer Robert Couturier, a soft pink canopy graces the bed, creating a sense of lighthearted fun as well as elegant style.
Eric Piasecki
5
TACTFUL TEXTILES
Take cues from this colorful Manhattan triplex bedroom and change up the bedding and upholstery for an instant touch of drama. Here, Peter Pennoyer and Katie Ridder mixed Holland & Sherry textiles with a vintage Japanese obi, rounding the space out with more traditional pieces like the antique Murano chandelier.
6
BROWN IS BACK
Have you ever met a color so calming? At the Future Perfect’s new gallery-slash-home in Los Angeles, founder David Alhadeff opted for a custom mocha wall color and a bronze bedspread in the primary bedroom. It’s like a giant bear hug. We’re especially loving the Luigi Crassevig rocking chair, which offers another spot for unwinding.
7
WARM HUES
This New York City bedroom, designed by Apparatus CEO and cofounder Gabriel Hendifar, is dressed with distinctive works of art and a warm color palette. The latter is achieved through the brass in the pendant by Apparatus, the rosy bedcover from Zak + Fox, and natural light galore.
8
TOWERING TAPESTRY
Photographs and paintings are the common go-to for creating visual interest above the bed. But designer Todd Raymond opted for a tapestry as an alternative, pairing the textile by Pauline Esparon with a wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries. The result is a restrained, tranquil look.
9
FOREVER IN FLUX
Mint-green and purple make for a lavish duo in the primary bedroom of Dedar co-owner Caterina Fabrizio’s Milan residence. These plush, silk-velvet textiles paired with moody throw pillows are the picture of charm. And if there’s anything we can learn from Fabrizio, it’s that no design choice has to be forever. “You have to continue to be inspired,” she tells ELLE DECOR. “Otherwise, you don’t have fun.”
10
KALEIDOSCOPE DREAMS
Whether it’s a repeating square, triangle, or diamond, sometimes the most straightforward motifs can make the biggest statement. In the bedroom of landscape designer Jenny Graham’s Argentina home, a custom bed brightens up the otherwise minimalist scheme.
11
NEUTRAL NODES
When it comes to filling a place with furniture, be sure it doesn’t speak louder than the room itself. Such was Keri Russell’s thought process when orchestrating the design of her own bedroom in this Brooklyn brownstone. “With so much wood in the equation, it could have turned into a cliché of farmhouse chic,” Russell told ELLE DECOR, “so I stuck with a neutral palette, kept it spare, and worked in as many textures as I could without straying into girly territory.” Here, the headboard fabric and bedding are by Matteo, the sheepskin rug is by IKEA, and the chandelier is an antiques-fair find. The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Stone Hearth.
12
A NAVAL FINISH
Create a soothing ambience through well-thought-out lighting, as this dark and sleek retreat in this Chelsea apartment has in spades. Le Whit’s Liza Curtiss and Corey Kingston incorporated a combination of contemporary ambient, task, and accent lighting to cater to different moods and activities. Hot tip: Install dimmers to adjust the intensity and for a soft, relaxing atmosphere.
13
PATTERN PLAY
Understated patterns take center stage in designer Eva Bradley’s artful refuge, with dramatic views of San Francisco. Here, bold wallpaper and abstract designs add depth and dimension. We’re especially loving the “ribbon” artwork by Angela Chrusciaki Blehm, which introduces a focal point to the bedroom.
14
MONOCHROME MOMENTS
Incorporating natural elements brings a sense of tranquility and warmth to a modern bedroom. Take, for instance, this townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side designed by Augusta Hoffman, where soft fabrics, amped up with Pierre Frey pillows, create a serene color scheme that feels like a private oasis.
15
VELVET REVERIE
The modern aesthetic is redefined in this jewel box of a guest room in Lisbon, where a custom velvet bed is paired with a vintage Berber rug. It’s a master class in relaxation, if not a really bold color palette.
16
MODERN CONVENIENCES
If your television doesn’t turn on automatically at a scheduled time for your daily dose of news, alongside an automated curtain raise, then you’re doing 21st-century living wrong. Inside this cream-colored contemporary bedroom, designed by Nigerian designer Tosin Oshinowo, all the delightful perks of a very smart house are on hand. Did we mention that the house actually glows?
17
SULTRY SHADES
In the main bedroom of this Manhattan pad owned by Coldplay’s lead guitarist, Jonny Buckland, cool hues create a cozy hideaway. Enveloped in walls painted in Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion in Down Pipe, a return to this inviting bed (and the Ralph Lauren Home linens it’s dressed in) sounds dreamy. For a convivial touch, a painting by Thilo Heinzmann adds a delightful explosion of pigments.
18
MIRRORED WALLS (NOT CEILINGS)
The bedroom of Apparatus’s Gabriel Hendifar New York City apartment is an object lesson in how a mirrored wall—long considered a relic of a bygone era—can be just what a modern bedroom needs. The custom brass bed is topped with a bedcover and bolster in Zak+Fox fabrics. The pendant and nightstand are by Apparatus.
19
SINUOUS SEATING
As much as you may want your bedroom to be a quiet sanctuary, the presence of a dramatic piece of furniture, like this sinuous rocking chaise by Igor Rodrigues in a 2Michaels townhouse project on the Upper West Side, won’t keep you up past bedtime.
BY RACHEL SILVA AND CHARLES CURKINPUBLISHED: MAY 18, 2023
Thanks To: https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/g1820/ultimate-modern-bedrooms/