Peter Murdock
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. “Also, find a sculptural element, a chair or chaise that will add mystery and romance,” Michaels says. From beach-house chic to industrial glamour, here are 54 modern bedroom ideas that will help you transform your space into a clean and cozy calming environment.
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1
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.
2
Sinuous Accent Chaise
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.
3
All Out Aubergine
There is no more sophisticated shade of purple than eggplant, as evidenced in this Brooklyn family residence designed by Danielle Fennoy of Revamp. The bedroom walls are covered in Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal paint. The custom bed’s headboard, beneath an artwork by Stan Brodsky, is upholstered in a Romo print, and the throw pillow is in a Dedar fabric.
4
Haute Tension
If your interior aesthetic swings contemporary but the architecture is antique, it’s always advisable to preserve some original elements to then mix with modern furniture pieces. In the Paris apartment of Hugo Toro, the stained-glass window in the bedroom is original to the apartment. The chair is by Timothée Musset, and the curtains are from Silva Paris. The carpet and the leather bed frame are custom.
5
Repurposed-Door Headboard
A headboard doesn’t need to be upholstered, tufted— or a headboard at all, for that matter. In a Brooklyn brownstone designed by Ishka Designs, carved wooden doors from Morocco make a perfect decorative headboard. The pouf is from CB2, the pendant light by Workstead. The carpet is from Nourison, and the curtains are from the Shade Store.
6
Better Together
Where is it written that two beds need two discrete headboards? Answer: nowhere worth mentioning. After seeing this custom bed arrangement in a Long Island house by Joe Nahem, consider the argument Q.E.D. The table is by ModShop, and the lamp is from Allied Maker. The artwork is by Jessi Reaves.
7
Hitting the Tube Lights
Bedside lamps can be nice, but they take up room on the nightstand. In a Workshop/APD project in Manhattan, these Orion tube lights by Lee Broom from the Future Perfect provide an exceedingly chic solution. The headboard was upholstered in a Pierre Frey fabric, and the curtains are by Cowtan & Tout. Underfoot is a custom Medina rug by Eskayel.
8
Lower the Pendant
In Milan, anything goes. Case in point: Designer Paolo Castellarin installed a Flos pendant to hover next to the pillows. Some might have an issue with this, but stylishly irreverent is something we should all aspire to be. The Vico Magistretti bed from Flou is topped with Loro Piana throws and Fornasetti pillows. The wall paint is RAL Pale Brown, and the window paint is RAL Green Beige.
9
Maximum Botanicals
There’s botanical wallpaper, and then there’s botanical wallpaper. This example from Lizzo in a Malibu home designed by Martha Mulholland is an impressionistic visual feast that will keep you close to nature, even if the view from your bedroom window is of a brick wall. The vintage pendants by Bruno Chiarini for Stilnovo hang down on either side.
10
Mixed, Not Matched
The throw has nothing to do with throw pillows, which have nothing to do with the headboard. And yet, everything fits together perfectly. It’s sprezzatura for the bedroom in an Oakland, California, house by Duett Interiors, and it’s oh-so-appealing.
11
Timber Trifecta
Rattan and pine and mahogany! Oh my! Who says brown is dead? Jacques Grange proves that tired conceit wrong with this calmly sophisticated bedroom in a Comporta, Portugal, house. A pendant from Loja de Cá hangs from a soaring pine ceiling. The rattan screen and floor lamp are both from Paris flea markets; the vintage Mozambique mahogany cabinet is from Santa Maria Velharias. The artwork is by Ophélie Asch.
12
Blue Is the Warmest Color
Very few colors can bring both a feeling of joy and moodiness to a bedroom like this shade of blue from Farrow & Ball used by Perifio in a house in Hudson Valley. The throw on the Lulu and Georgia bed is from Missoni Home, the Verner Panton chair is vintage, the side tables are from &Tradition, and the sconces are from Lighting NYC. The walls are in Inchyra Blue from Farrow & Ball.
13
Infinite Headboard
Where does a headboard stop and a room begin? That’s not easy to answer. Ashe Leandro provides a new twist in an Upper East Side apartment with one that wraps around the periphery of the room. The custom nightstand is by Rob Pluhowski, the sconce is from Lites on West, the bed linens are by Matteo, and the throw is from Area Home.
14
A Hint of Yellow
What’s that peering through from behind the creamy bedding? It’s all our eyes can see. Is it...? Why, yes. That’s a dollop of mustard in a New York City bedroom by Carly Cushnie, as strong in appearance as Colman’s is to taste. A collage of vintage saris adds another splash of yellow above the bed.
15
One Big Dark Room
Don’t underestimate the calming qualities of an all-black room. Delia Kenza went for it here in the main bedroom of a Brooklyn townhouse. Verdict? Worth the risk!
16
Frey All Day
Every house should include some Pierre Frey fabrics. They’re chic, they’re classic, and they’re extremely well made. Patrick Frey, of Pierre Frey, just went all out in his use of the family product in his house in the south of France. The bedcover, canopy, and pillows are all in Pierre Frey fabrics. The rattan trunk is vintage, and the rug is by—you guessed it—Pierre Frey.
17
Statement Bed
A stunning lacquer-and–silver leaf four-poster bed makes a statement in this Palm Beach house. An Art Deco floor lamp is paired with a tufted window seat. The art is by David Hockney.
18
Bright Blue Accents
Two iridescent glass pendants flank a blue artwork by Caroline Sardi. The Nicole Fuller Collection side table sits next to a low-profile platform bed by Poliform. Rich velvet curtains match the cobalt hue in the rug from the Rug Company in this townhouse in New York City’s Greenwich Village.
19
Wood-Beam Bedroom
An iron four-poster bed sits on top of an antique parquet floor in this Jacques Grange–designed apartment. The wood-beam ceiling is an original and striking detail. Custom bronze mirrors face the bed, and a 1950s floor lamps adds a pop of color.
20
Modernist Details
Concrete walls are softened with flowing blue window treatments in this Marina Del Rey, California, house. Wood furniture adds warmth, and the tufts of the bedspread align with the tie holes in the concrete wall behind the bed.
21
Rich, Colorful Accessories
This Montecito, California, bedroom by Kim Alexandriuk is gorgeously filled with gray textiles and accessorized with pops of rich color. Blue table lamps by Ryan Mennealy flank a bed covered in a George Spencer Designs velvet. A midcentury aluminum bench covered in a green jacquard by Lauren Hwang is placed at the foot of the bed, and the subtle and glamorous rug is by Jorge Pardo for Christopher Farr. A pendant by Philippe Anthonioz makes a statement in the center of the room.
22
Modern Glamour
Shades of gray create a chic palette in this London apartment. A custom lamp with a charcoal shade by Liz Marsh Designs sits on top of a nightstand by Oliver Bonas. A large black-and-white photograph hangs above the cream-upholstered bed.
23
Minimalist Decor
Stark white walls are a crisp canvas for furniture and accessories in this modernist bedroom. A black Volante occasional table by Pierre Guariche is paired with a Pivotant wall light by Charlotte Perriand. A painting by Hans Hedenström hangs above a low wood headboard.
24
Warm Tones
A blue-and-orange color scheme adds richness to this New York City bedroom by designer Danielle Colding. An upholstered bed is topped with blue velvet throw pillows, and a pendant hanging above a cobalt side table makes for an unexpected bedside lamp.
25
Oxblood Accents
Walls covered in a Holland & Sherry fabric create a creamy canvas in this New York City bedroom. An oxblood wallcovering from Castel is a dramatic break in the wall. The custom bed by interior designer Gideon Mendelson is flanked by two open-shelf nightstands.
26
Hamptons Living
An East Hampton bedroom relies on a sleek white backdrop punctuated by a colorful Dhoku rug, artwork by Richard Aldrich, and vintage sconces by Gino Sarfatti. The bed features Frette linens.
27
Beach Escape
For this Miami Beach getaway, designer Lee F. Mindel fused modern and Pop Art sensibilities. The headboard, in a Chapas Textiles fabric, and bench are custom, the nightstands are by Atelier Prelati, and the vintage Max Ingrand pendant is by FontanaArte.
28
Modernist Accents
When it came to an apartment in a TriBeCa skyscraper, designer Richard Mishaan aimed for a sense of adventure. From stimulating hues to rich textures, there's no shortage of visual interest throughout the space, especially in the main bedroom. The design scheme features a custom bed and sofa, both in a Maharam mohair, from Mishaan’s line for Theodore Alexander. The bed linens are by Matouk, the armchairs are by Holly Hunt, and the Plexiglas cocktail table is by Charly Bounan. The brass pendants are by Roll & Hill, and the Willy Rizzo floor lamp is from Flair Home Collection.
29
Pops of Color
Designer Lee F. Mindel isn’t afraid of color, and this modern Miami Beach getaway is proof. In the guest bedroom, which Mindel brought to life with panels in Benjamin Moore’s Cool Aqua, the headboard, in a Link Textiles fabric, matches the wall panels. The bed is dressed in custom linens by E. Braun & Co., the Oluce lamps are from MSK Illuminations, and the nightstands are from Design Within Reach.
30
Monochromatic Look
An all-white bedroom in downtown Manhattan showcases the beauty of modern design. The minimalist interior, crafted by fashion designer Jeffrey Dodd and his husband, Jonathan Reed, still manages to have a sense of warmth.
31
Minimalist Dream
A soothing gray-and-white color scheme plus layers of texture enhance this modern bedroom design by Kara Mann. The interior is outfitted with a custom bed and bench by JM Upholstery, which are covered in a Rosemary Hallgarten alpaca fabric. The bed is dressed in Frette linens, the throw is custom, and the bedside tables are made from selenite. The artworks are by Ed Ruscha (left) and Yayoi Kusama.
32
Warm and Cool
This spacious primary bedroom—crafted by fashion designer Lisa Perry—unites warm and cool colors to create a clean, contemporary balance. Here, a Callum Innes artwork brings a citrusy appeal to an otherwise cool-toned space.
33
Industrial Cool
In the Brooklyn apartment of blogger Natalie Lim Suarez, custom sliding-glass doors lead into the bedroom, which maintains a pared-down appeal with minimal furniture and a monochromatic palette.
34
Monochromatic Oasis
Sex and the City creator Darren Star’s New York City bedroom is a lesson in the peacefulness of monochrome and features a headboard in a Cowtan & Tout fabric, sconces by Gubi, and nightstands by Room & Board.
35
Beachside Modernity
In a striking retreat in Miami’s Surf Club designed by Delphine Krakoff, the guest bedroom maintains modern beach vibes with a sculptural side table, rounded headboard, and statement artwork.
36
Modernized Antiques
With accents like a 1960s wall sculpture and antique French tole clocks, this bedroom manages to exude modern elegance. Thanks to a palette of rich grays, a layering of textures, and clean-lined silhouettes, the space has an overarching sense of modernity.
37
Pale Hues
A Chelsea home’s main bedroom relies on just a few statement pieces to reflect a serene and modern aesthetic. The custom walnut bed, matching dresser and side table, and coordinating artwork give the minimalist space a modern feel.
38
Minimalist Millwork
A recessed bed niche, low-profile bed, and cerused-oak headboard channel a spa-like vibe in this modern bedroom.
39
Black-and-White Industrial
In a spacious TriBeCa bedroom, a statement black bed frame contrasts the white walls and bedding. Modern sconces and a BDDW lounge chair tie the space together.
40
Wide-Plank Modern Walls
A summer camp turned winter home is clad in pale pine shiplap, which contrasts with the arboreal green window trim. Modern sconces and bedding—along with a pop of red in the headboard—helped reimagine a cabin-like bedroom as a contemporary oasis.
41
Clean Silhouettes
In the primary bedroom of a Lake Tahoe vacation home, an armchair and stool by Minotti, upholstered in a Holly Hunt leather, are paired with a side table by Jonathan Adler. The bench and dresser are by Lawson-Fenning, and the drawing is by Ching Ho Cheng; the wall is painted in Bank Vault by Dunn-Edwards, and the carpet is by Decorative Carpets.
42
Coordinating Finishes
In the main bedroom of a California home, the linen coverlet is by Area, the photograph above the bed is by Olafur Eliasson, and the 1930s lamp on the custom-made table is by George Carwardine; the capiz-shell pendant is vintage, and the redwood closet doors are original.
43
Modern Boho
In the main bedroom of a TriBeCa apartment, the bed is by Meridiani, the vintage Poul Kjaerholm daybed retains its original leather, and the side table is by Wyeth; the console is a vintage piece by Paul McCobb, and the circa-1970 Beni Ourain rug is from Double Knot.
44
Curved Furniture
In a Palm Beach home, the settee by Gastone Rinaldi is upholstered in a Bergamo fabric, the rug is by V’Soske, the walls are covered in Venetian plaster, and the adjacent closet structure is sheathed in acrylic panels; the drawings above the bed are by Ciprian Muresan, and the photographs in the corridor are by Mircea Cantor.
45
Rich and Sultry Fabrics
46
Modern Zen
In the main bedroom of a San Francisco loft, the headboard is covered in a Rogers & Goffigon fabric, the bed linens are by Sue Fisher King, the bedspread is antique Belgian linen, the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Super White, and the artwork is by Joan Mitchell.
47
A Futuristic Headboard
In the bedroom of a West Village home, the vintage Cityscape headboard is by Paul Evans, the bed is dressed in Casa del Bianco linens, the bedside tables are ebonized mahogany, the 1950s American lamps are from Wyeth, and the carpet is by Beauvais.
48
A Statement Chair
The bed in this New York City apartment is upholstered in a Holly Hunt silk and dressed in Schweitzer linens; the stainless steel chair (right) is by Maria Pergay, and the Philippe Hiquily chair has cushions in a Fortuny fabric. The curtains are of a Holland & Sherry silk satin, the carpet is by Beauvais, and the walls are sheathed in a Rubelli cotton velvet; the sculpture is by Rebecca Warren, and the painting to the left of the bed is by Richard Prince.
49
Modern ”Moldings“
The bed in this London townhouse is dressed in a custom duvet made from a Dedar fabric, the letter-shaped stools are from Andrew Martin, and the walls are sheathed in a Jim Thompson silk with hand-sewn red silk borders; the drawing over the mantel is by Lluis Lleo, and the artwork over the bed, which is inscribed with Buddhist phrases, was purchased in Singapore.
50
Round Geometrics
In a playful New York apartment, a bed by Christopher Ostafin and a 1990s bench by Campion Platt are featured in the master bedroom. The circa-1950 chair by Illum Wikkelsø is from Hostler Burrows.
51
Modern Playful Design
The bed, dresser, and side tables in the bedroom of a Mexican home are by Roche Bobois; the Eames chair and ottoman are from Herman Miller, the bedside lights are by FontanaArte, and the wall is painted in Patagonia by Comex.
52
Maximalism
The bed in the main bedroom of an upstate New York home is upholstered in an Edelman leather and dressed in Pratesi and Frette linens, the bedside tables are by Jallu Ebénistes, the Carol Egan stool from Maison Gerard is upholstered in a Toyine Sellers fabric, and the circa-1970 Mazzega ceiling light was found at a Paris flea market. The walls are upholstered in a Ralph Lauren wool suiting fabric, the ceiling is covered in a Stark tea-leaf paper, the custom wool carpet is by Hokanson, and the artwork over the bed is by Richard Serra.
53
Statement Art
In the primary bedroom of a Pacific Palisades, California, home, the custom bed is dressed with linens by Deborah Sharpe Linens and a Frette coverlet; the photograph is by David Drebin.
54
Bright White
In a minimal apartment, the neon wall sculpture in the main bedroom is by Glenn Ligon, and the Corian platform bed, a custom design, is dressed with Belgian linens; the circa-1960 bedside tables are by Joseph-André Motte, and the walls are sheathed in a Marmorino wall finish.
Charles Curkin
Articles Editor, ELLE Decor
Charles Curkin is ELLE Decor's Articles Editor, covering everything related to the architecture, interior design, real estate, and travel industries, and has previously written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Paris Review.
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