Written by:Jill Connors, PointClickHome.com
We asked top designers to share their secrets for creating a sexy bedroom. And their answers? Let's just say these sultry solutions are the way to undeniable romance. They go through the room essentials piece by piece: bedding, flooring, window treatments, lighting and color, as well as some all-important personal touches. Go ahead; show some passion for the bedroom.
This bedroom? Not so sexy. Photo: Getty
Bedding to Spend All Day In
Crisp white sheets in thread counts ranging from 450 to 650 create the sexiest tactile experience in terms of bedding. Keep the sheets plain; go no fancier than a top sheet with embroidery. And don't go overboard with too many pillows.
"Even if you're watching your wallet, the place to spend the money is the bedding."
- Cathy Hobbs, founder of Aphereä
"People will over-pillow the bed," warns designer Eric Cohler, of Eric Cohler Design Inc. It's not sexy to have a romantic interlude put on pause while all the pillows are removed.
"For a two-person bed, you need at most two Euro-sham-size pillows (placed against the headboard), and four sleeping pillows."
- Designer Rebecca Cole, Rebecca Cole Design
Seduction Must-Have: Pure linen sheets
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Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
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The Ultimate Canopy
A canopy encloses not only the bed but the entire room, in a master bedroom designed by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz. "By using fabric to soften the room and create this space, you forget that you are in a small room and it makes you feel as if you are in a huge bed," says Noriega-Ortiz. The use of blue behind white makes the color feel soft and inviting.
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Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
Courtesy of PointClickHome.com
The Ultimate Canopy
A canopy encloses not only the bed but the entire room, in a master bedroom designed by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz. "By using fabric to soften the room and create this space, you forget that you are in a small room and it makes you feel as if you are in a huge bed," says Noriega-Ortiz. The use of blue behind white makes the color feel soft and inviting.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
Seductive Sheets
"A sexy bedroom has lots of luxury bedding," says designer Cathy Hobbs. One of her favorites: 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets by E. Braun & Co., shown in the "Palladio" style.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
Victorian Va-Voom
In this bedroom designed by Rebecca Cole, a medallion motif chosen for the wall stencil, bedding, and rug creates a modern twist on a Victorian look. Romantic lighting from a shimmering chandelier sets a sexy note. Matching bedside lamps with drum shades wrapped in an elegant silk stripe also cast a nice glow, and provide lighting for the late-night reader. Inexpensive matchstick blinds customized with the matching wall stencil allows dappled sunlight to serve as a gentle alarm clock.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
Captivating Lighting
The transparent "Take" lamp, by Kartell, is designer Robert Verdi's choice for a soft, romantic, yet modern bedside light. "Use a 15-watt bulb for a subtle effect," says Verdi.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
Rosy Reflection
Designer Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz placed a large bed next to a 14-foot-high rose-tinted mirror for the Mondrian Scottsdale, a luxury hotel in Arizona. "The reflection makes you look amazing because after all, everything looks better when you look at it through 'rose color glasses,'" says Noriega-Ortiz.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
Double Headboard Trick
Designer Rebecca Cole created two headboards to accentuate the bed. A low, foam and wood headboard upholstered in orange canvas acts as a pillow rest. Grabbing more attention is the oversized headboard made of canvas stretched on a frame and then hand-painted in a relief pattern of large white flowers on a dark brown background. Hidden lighting shines out the sides and through the white flower outline.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
Linen's Lovely Touch
"It's very sexy sleeping on linen," says designer Robert Verdi, who suggests 100% linen sheets by Sferra Fine Linens. The Italian sheets become softer with each washing. Says Verdi: "It's like sleeping in your favorite linen shirt."
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
See-through Effect
To make the bed feel sensual and mysterious, designer Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz enclosed it in a layer of transparent fabric. The mattress has a thick feather pillow on top that helps create the illusion of being on "cloud nine." By keeping the bed off the floor, the designer reinforced the idea of floating.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
A mirrored sconce adds a little bit of sparkle," says designer Eric Cohler, who designed the Tyler Sconce, made by Visual Comfort. "Go for a little glamour in the bedroom." For a soft glow, use a pink bulb.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
A Comforter for Two
Designer Rebecca Cole, a member of the Select Comfort Advisory Board, loves this half-heavy, half-lightweight comforter because it allows two people to snuggle under one comforter even if the two have very different preferences. "A bedroom is where we share," says Cole. The Dual Warmth Comforter by Select Comfort is filled with European White Goose down, in an all-cotton damask cover.
Designer Secrets to a Sexy Bedroom
Flooring That Makes You Weak in the Knees
Wall-to-wall carpeting, in either 100% wool, or a wool-silk blend, will give the most sumptuous landing to your feet-or to your entire body if the mood strikes.
"For anything but a beach house-where wood floors are fine-you should have wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedroom. - Harry Heissmann, Senior Designer, Albert Hadley Inc.
"A wool rug with silk in it will create a beautiful shimmering effect in candlelight." -Designer Amy Lau.
Seduction Must-Have: Sheepskin area rug under a chaise lounge
Window Treatments to Shut Out the World
For total relaxation-essential to romance-a bedroom should shut out the outside world, by way of blackout curtains or layered window treatments. A three-fold layering such as wooden blinds, topped by sheers, topped by floor-to-ceiling draperies will create the most soothing effect.
"I love the elegance of a whole wall of drapery, ceiling to floor."
-Designer Rebecca Cole
"Blackout curtains are a must in the bedroom so you can stay in bed as long as you want."
-Designer Eric Cohler.
Seduction Must-Have: Silk or matte velvet drapery fabrics
Come-Hither Lighting
Choose lighting from a mix of sources, including table lamps next to the bed, wall sconces, or chandeliers over a seating area (never have lighting directly over the bed-it makes a naked body look ghastly).
"The allure of the bedroom is in the lighting."
-Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz.
"Use gold paper on the inside of a semi-opaque or opaque lacquered paper lampshade, and it counteracts the unflattering glow of a compact fluorescent."
-Harry Heissmann, senior designer, Albert Hadley Inc.
Seduction Must-Have: Dimmers on all lights in the bedroom
Color that Flatters
To create a womb-type nest, paint the walls a rich color, then keep everything else in the room light and neutral. Body-flattering choices for bedroom wall color include: pale hues of rose, blue, lavender or gray. Avoid green or yellow: No one looks good in a green reflection; yellow can make skin appear jaundiced.
"Go with your favorite color because a bedroom should have the things you love."
-Cathy Hobbs, of Aphereä Design (whose own bedroom has burnt-orange walls)
"A wallpaper with depth and dimension can add color and spice to the bedroom."
- Designer Amy Lau
"For the bedroom, I like a slightly shiny wall with a Venetian plaster finish."
-Harry Heissmann, senior designer, Albert Hadley Inc.
Seduction Must-Have: Passionate sun-kissed reds or apricots for wall color
Final Touches to Set the Mood
Music: Nothing says romance like the right kind of music, so create a playlist just for the bedroom. Says designer Robert Verdi: "Don't use your everyday playlist. And make sure it's a playlist that can go on for hours-there's nothing worse than having the music stop before you want it to."
Candles: A scented candle appeals to the sense of smell, which is key to intimacy and arousal. Choose a long-burning candle, and try different scents-from jasmine to pepper-to find what you like.
Serenity: "The bedroom should be a soothing place for a couple," says designer Eric Cohler. "No cell phones, no Blackberry, no TV, no computer."
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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
As an interior decorator, I try to really find out what my clients want for their bedrooms. "Sexy" means different things to different people. Some people are attracted to a very clean look--no extra accessories, minimal window treatments, wooden floors. Some people want all things lush. It boils down to finding your own personal style and not what you "think" the bedroom should be. However, if my clients really turn me loose, I will always opt to say "No TV, cell phones, computers, or even large photos of your children (if any). This room is for romance and rest. Everything else is superfluous!"
ReplyI am a total male jerk and I need a woman to love me back. Get these bogus ads that are off-topic outa here. Can we stick to the subject please. The colors of purple and green are awesome with some vanilla scented candles. Have fun :)
ReplyMy wife once brought her cell phone into the bedroom. I broke it in half and threw it out the window. Then I spent the next week in my den; she learned her lesson.
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ReplyWhat makes a bed room sexy are two people in love, if you have this. There is no need for any fake atmosphere. You will make your own.
csi, if it had been me, you'd have found your belongings in the den as well. Who lost on that one - she got the bed. I personaly like a fresh, airy room with soft colors and soft fabrics. Bamboo sheets and a good mattress...
Replyok ok.. sheets...high thread count. check. Sheepskin area under a chaise lounge!!.. You have GOT to be kidding!!!.. who the heck has a chase lounge in their bedroom and who the hell wants a sheepskin rug under it???? I would laugh my ass off at it!!.. and definitely ruin the "sexy" mood. And what about too many pillows?? I fall asleep with two.. one kinda tucked against me and one under my head. So does my hubby. so.. four it is!!.. and hey.. if you only have two??? what about the pillow under your butt when you make the whoopie!!!??? rofl.. just throw the extras off on the floor in the heat of passion, who cares??? And ok.. yes I am gonna run off and buy velvet draperies.. RIGHT.. NOT!!! OMG...who is this write talking to? A romantic novel writer???? someone who has no life?? what????? someone who obviously has no sex life.. they are too damn busy decorating their bedroom with velvet and sheepskin rugs!!!!!... :)
ReplyA 'padded' headboard is a must. Its the best safe sex.
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