Ever wonder why your bedroom design just doesn't quite work? Color expert Shannon Kaye has some basic suggestions for a 'gender-confused' room, but this solid advice will work well for any bedroom makeover.

Hi Shannon Kaye,

I've been struggling for some time now on what color to paint the bedroom. I bought window treatments a couple years ago that didn't really go with the current wall color. I was fine with that because I knew at some point I wanted to paint the walls. I just bought some new bed linens and I think they're okay with the window treatments (but not sure). Ideally, I'm looking for a paint color that will bring the bedding and windows together. The pictures attached show a corner of the bedroom with the bedding, current wall color (with a few test colors that I don't like), furniture and windows. The windows and furniture are staying. I can change the bedding.

Any advice you have would be great.

Thanks!

Jen

Hi Jen,

The sleeping baby on the bed is too cute!

Okay, so your window treatment and bedding are neutral and masculine while the furniture and lighting is feminine and traditional. Then, everything is kind of a middle-range earth color while the paint samples are super energetic.

To start, you need to ask yourself a few things: 

1. How do I want to feel when I walk into the room and when I wake up in the morning? Soothed, refreshed, comfy, cheerful?

2. How would I describe the overall look I'm trying to create? Minimal and clean? Modern but neutral? Cheerful and bright? It seems to me that you're trying to create something more masculine and modern, but feeling a bit stuck with the furniture. If that's the case, painting the furniture is a great way to transform it to better suit your style.

Without knowing your answers to the above questions, I can see a simple direction for you:

1. Replace the bedding with a simple linen or cotton duvet and bedskirt in a natural or dark natural color.

2. Paint the nightstands and bed frame in a creamy white or basic black.

3. Create easy artwork by enlarging black and white photos of you, your baby, your partner, your family. Add inexpensive and simple black or white frames (or a bright color if you choose neutral-color walls!) and create a simple collection or collage on the wall.

4. Replace the lamps with modern or mid-century ceramic lighting in your favorite color. (JCPenney, Target and Pottery Barn have some wonderful choices.)

5. Find a simple throw pillow or two with a print that incorporates the lamp color. (I like henryroad.com and etsy.com.)

6. Finally, find a paint color that suits the mood of your room and your personality. For a soothing but masculine feel, look at gray blue, light teal or dark taupe. For a cheerful, modern theme, look at medium yellow, dark teal or raspberry red. With bright pillows and lamps, look at natural tones like crisp white, chocolate brown or pale gray.

Here are some rooms and color palettes to inspire you:

Create a neutral backdrop with bold color and texture for the accessories. Bright pillows, a multicolor throw and a fresh splash of yellow flowers make this neutral masculine room feel inviting for everyone. (To translate this room to yours, paint the walls Benjamin Moore 1075 Fairway Oaks or 1068 Squire Hill Buff. Paint your furniture white and add dark or bright accents with a medium natural bedding.) [See main image for example.]

Giving old furniture a white or black silhouette will make your furniture feel fresh again. To translate this room to yours, paint your furniture black or dark blackish green, paint the walls HC-8 Dorset Gold, add a white or bright lamp and use natural-color bedding.

Even more feminine rooms are approachable with soft colors and one bold print. Translation: Leave the walls as is, paint your furniture black or white and add neutral bedding with a bright quilt or throw.

A simple white room can become cheerful with a simple decorative detail. (This wall decal is from whatisblik.com.) To translate this room to yours, paint the walls OC-130 Cloud White and add a bold, colorful graphic OR a collage of color.

Sincerely,
Shannon Kaye

Dear Shannon Kaye,

Thank you! You made me consider a few things. The lamps are old and will be replaced once I figure out where I'm going with the room.

The furniture was handed down from my in-laws and we'll be holding onto it for quite a few years. Although it's not really my style, we're not looking to spend money on new furniture just yet. So the elements I'm really trying to bring together would be the window treatments and furniture. I can replace bedding if needed. Once that is done, I'll be shopping for lamps and artwork for the walls.

As far as how I want the room to feel, I'd say soothing and modern/neutral. The rest of the house is done in neutral colors, and although I do want to use something other than beige in this room, I'm not looking for bright and cheery. 

Does any of that help?

Sincerely,
Jen

Hi Jen,

Okay, for soothing and modern, you really need to update the furniture with paint. You may even find that with a fresh look, the furniture may make you happy for a very long time! Try this:

1. Paint the furniture a creamy white like Benjamin Moore C-17 White Dove. (I know, terrible name—but it's a great color!)

2. Paint the walls a pale, soothing color like 2153-60 Rich Cream or 695 Turquoise Mist.

3. Add comfy dark bedding (baby proof!) like this KoKo Company quilt at pillowsandthrows.com.

I hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Shannon Kaye