If you’re building your new Barbados home, it’s the perfect time to create the master suite of your dreams. Of course, your architect will suggest including an en-suite bathroom and dressing room. But here are some other ideas to inspire your design.
1 Establish defined zones
Room dividers with hidden storage and open shelving are an excellent solution to separate living and sleeping spaces without obstructing natural light. Have the room dividers built in or as separate furniture, giving you additional flexibility.
A master bedroom can feel grander and more significant by using plate-glass walls and doors, which also work nicely as room dividers between a dressing room, en suite, or home office.
Keep the remainder of the room effortlessly simple by making the internal glazing the focal point of the design. Glossy-coated flooring, discrete lighting, and neutral linens are excellent, while traditional mid-toned wood furniture with a visible grain will highlight the raw materials.
2 Include your en-suite in your design plans
A beautiful master bedroom must have a spectacular en suite bathroom. However, making them work aesthetically together can be challenging as they serve different functions. The goal is to treat them as one space, so wherever you can, select materials with a similar look and feel and matching colours and finishes.
Many businesses offer coordinated vanity units and fitted furniture, or you could try incorporating a design theme from your bedroom into your bathroom. For example, install a sliding door or a frosted glass panel instead of a traditional solid door to assist the flow of light and help blur the boundary between the rooms.
3 Install adaptable storage
Full-height wardrobes and built-in bedroom storage will make the most of every inch of your bedroom’s space, including the ceiling, angles, and alcoves. Include some open shelving to keep it from being too imposing.
If your master suite has plenty of natural light, you don’t have to keep to brighter colours when it comes to storage. Instead, be brave and choose a smoky wood-look door finish with narrow bar knobs. Then, repeat the pattern in other areas of the space, such as the bed, floating bedside drawers and through into the en-suite bathroom for a unified look.
4 Select suitable window coverings
Sleek Venetian blinds at each window will transform your bedroom into a cosy haven and keep the space cool, notably here in Barbados. They are excellent for blocking out undesirable light, but you’ll need blinds that close tightly if you need a total blackout effect. , They can be entirely pulled up or left open during the day to softly screen the light while providing privacy.
If you want a more traditional treatment, go with a timber finish or add ornate curtains or sheer voile for a softer, more tranquil appeal. Minimalist white blinds alone create a very contemporary look.
5 Opt for neutral-coloured paint
Your bedroom’s paint colour scheme can be carried into an adjacent room to bind the two spaces together and make them feel like one.
Versatile furniture, finished in one gentle shade or with an accent tone against a neutral backdrop, is highly effective at establishing a link. Choose off-white with a warm undertone if you want to use pastels in your bedroom, as they provide a calming effect without being chilly.
6 Decide where to place the TV
In interior design, figuring out where to put the TV in a bedroom can be extremely difficult. It needs to be as aesthetically unobtrusive as possible when not in use while still being visible when needed.
If installing retractable screens is out of your price range, an effective workaround that minimises their impact and neatly frames them is to incorporate them into fitted furniture. Glossy furnishings in a neutral colour instantly exude glamour and go well with various accent colours.
7 Maintain a contemporary look
A long row of wardrobe doors with built-in mirrors is ideal for making darker spaces appear brighter, but they can feel drab and outdated.
Instead, consider utilising floor-to-ceiling tinted or antiqued mirrors with smooth wooden doors and minimal handles to add a contemporary flair. To keep the room feeling bright and airy, use a wood with a pale tone that can be carried throughout the space to create matching fitted furniture for the dressing table and bedside tables.
If you haven’t got the space for a dedicated walk-in wardrobe, create the effect with open hanging rails and shelf storage. Consider how much room you’ll need for shoes, handbags and other items in addition to clothing so that your wardrobes can be customised to your needs.
For open clothing storage, overhead lighting is beneficial because it helps turn it into a focal point and illuminates the contents, making it simpler to find things.
8 Increase the seating options
A window seat or banquette is a great design choice for your bedroom if there isn’t enough room for a comfortable armchair or sofa. It can also offer extra storage that freestanding furniture cannot offer. Incorporate deep, spacious drawers and a rising padded seat to provide storage.
9 Plan your lighting
Having good lighting is crucial for setting the mood in your master suite. Never be afraid to make a statement with your bedside lighting. Taller lamps look spectacular, framing either side of the bed, and hanging pendants or wall sconces may add a lot of drama to your room.
Pendants are frequently made of crystal, glass, or even sculptural metals, but you can use countless more materials as long as they complement the overall design theme.
When planning the lighting for a new bedroom, consider including dimmers for downlights and gimbals to draw attention to specific art pieces. For example, a two-way switch for the main light placed at the side of the bed can make life a little bit more comfortable.
10 Focus on ventilation and cooling
Including a functional ventilation system in the layout of your master suite is critical. A fresh breath of air prevents the space from becoming stuffy. In addition, a balcony and plenty of windows in your bedroom are innovative options because they let natural light into the room.
Here in Barbados, you’ll want to include an air conditioning unit for comfortable sleeping while a ceiling fan will keep the air circulating during the day.
If you require assistance planning the best master suite for your Barbados home, contact the Berkan Construction team, and we’ll happily share our advice and experience.