When it comes to home decor, we instinctively tend to focus our budget on areas of the home that guests will frequent, including the kitchen, dining room and living room. But given that we spend one third of our lives in bed, creating restful and functional bedrooms shouldn’t be an afterthought. Our bedrooms should be somewhere we look forward to spending long periods of time in, but it can be hard deciding where to spend your money to help transform it into a cozy retreat. Read on to discover what bedroom pieces are worth the splurge and where you can save.
Splurge On: A Mattress
Of all the pieces in your bedroom, your mattress is the one most worthy of a splurge. In spite of the fact that you can’t see it under your sheets and blankets, your mattress plays a large role in your physical comfort. Find one that offers good support and won’t leave you with an aching back. In the Royal Oaks Landing master bedroom, an ultra-thick mattress is sure to help spur on sleep.
Save On: A Headboard
While your headboard may be attached to the biggest piece of furniture in the bedroom, it’s often covered by piles of throw pillows, meaning it isn’t worth spending hundreds or even thousands on. Headboards are often a great opportunity for a crafty DIY; covering a headboard frame in linen or cotton, as seen here in our Legacy community, makes for a stylish and budget-friendly alternative.
Splurge On: Bed Pillows
Much like a high-quality mattress, investing in a supportive and comfortable pillow is beneficial to your health. Whether you prefer memory foam, down, polyester or another fill, there are plenty of options out there, so be sure to do your research and find the one that’ll give you the best night’s sleep. Piles of plush white pillows sit just in front of the headboard in the Harlow model home.
Save On: Accent Pillows
Accent pillows, like these colourful ones found in the Landings at NoDa model home, are a great way to add personality to your bedroom, but there’s no need to direct your budget towards ones that are overly expensive. Throw pillows come in almost any colour, pattern or material, so it shouldn’t be hard finding ones that are affordable and well-suited to your space. Switch them up periodically to keep your bedroom feeling fresh and current.
Splurge On: Sheets and Bed Linens
At the end of a long day, no one wants to lie down on sheets that scratch against your skin. Bed sheets made of natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen, are worth the higher price tag because of their softness and breathability. Be sure to consider both design and durability when choosing your bed sheets; good sheets typically range between 200 and 800 thread count, and ones that have a unique or playful pattern to them — such as the ones seen in the Venetian Pines master bedroom — are a great way to boost your room’s visual appeal.
Save On: Accent Lighting
Lighting on either side of the bed — be it sconces or lamps, as seen here in our Hadley floor plan featured at our Belle Grove, Oldenburg and Enclave at Massey communities in the Carolinas — is a great way to boost the ambience of the room and control the amount of light if the room is shared. But much like accent pillows, attractive lamps and sconces come in many sizes, styles and materials, so finding ones that suit your space shouldn’t be difficult. Depending on which way your bedroom faces, blackout drapes are another great way to control the amount of light in your bedroom and are worth the investment.
Splurge On: Wall Coverings
If you’re feeling bold, or if there’s a wallpaper you’ve had your eye on for a while, wall coverings offer a unique opportunity to inject personality into your space. Just be sure you really love the pattern, as you’ll be seeing it all the time. Wallpaper imparts a woodsy feel in this Riverland guest bedroom.
Save On: Artwork
Artwork doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective, especially in a bedroom. Whether hanging a large statement piece, a collection of photos or a combination of the two, use artwork to help tie the room together. In this Landings at NoDa bedroom, an abstract piece of art is hung above the bed, complementing the theme of the room without being too overpowering.
Splurge On: An Area Rug
An area rug adds an extra element of coziness to a bedroom, helps protect flooring and acts as an acoustical sound barrier, making it worth the investment. A rug in a bedroom isn’t swapped often, so it’s worth splurging on one that won’t wear out quickly. A dark-coloured rug breaks up the lighter furniture pieces in the master bedroom of Parmer Ranch’s model home and grounds the room.
Save On: Bedside Tables or Nightstands
Nightstands are essential to a bedroom’s functionality, but there’s no need to blow your budget on them. No matter what shape, size or style you’re after, there are nightstands to suit every budget — focus more on ensuring that they’re in good condition, slide easily and close properly. Nightstands can easily be jazzed up with an impressive vignette or by replacing the knobs. Unique lighting fixtures create a one-of-a-kind design moment in this Harlow bedroom.
Above all else, your bedroom should be comfortable and speak to your personal tastes. No matter what you choose to save or splurge on, be sure to purchase pieces that spark joy in your space. For more design inspiration, including where to save vs. where to splurge in the living room, click here.