Time and Place

Photo: Eric Piasecki / Time and Place, Abrams Books

Take on a Side Project
"I've noticed that people often use bedside tables that are too small. The most liberating thing you can do is remove the small table and opt for something larger, even asymmetrical. For instance, use a chest of drawers on one side and a tall round table on the other side. This way, you have more space to keep the things you need close to you." — Steven Gambrel, author of Steven Gambrel: Time and Place
Janet Lee

Photo: Aimee Herring

Start a Paper Chase
"Wallpaper is really great for dressing up a forgotten zone: on closet doors, inside an armoire, inside the backs of bookshelves, or to create a statement wall. If you're afraid of commitment, order from tempaperdesigns.com, a site that offers temporary peel-and-stick designs." — Janet Lee, of livinginanutshell.com, and author of Living in a Nutshell: Posh and Portable Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces
Coastal Modern: Sophisticated Homes Inspired by the Ocean

Photo: Noah Webb

Find Yourself a Little at Sea
"To bring the calm of the seaside into the bedroom, incorporate something from the beach into the room. Whether sculptural coral or a collection of shells, it evokes the spirit of the coastline, even if you live in the middle of the country." — Tim Clarke, author of Coastal Modern: Sophisticated Homes Inspired by the Ocean
The Joy of Decorating: Southern Style with Mrs. Howard

Photo: Josh Gibson

Choose a Bed of Roses...
"An easy way to update the bedroom is to get new bedding—new pillows, linens and mattress and pillow covers. Every spring, rip your bed apart and step-by-step make it as luxurious, comfortable and fabulous as it can be; after all, we spend one third of our lives in our beds." — Phoebe Howard, author of The Joy of Decorating: Southern Style with Mrs. Howard

Photo: © Victoria Pearson, designed by Kathryn Ireland

Pick a Headboard (or a Pretty Good Substitute)
"A headboard anchors your bed in the space and a bed with nothing behind it looks empty. Headboards can be pricey; by framing art and hanging it on the wall behind the bed, [you can create] the same visual impact." — Susanna Salk, author of Be Your Own Decorator: Taking Inspiration and Cues from Today's Top Designers

Next: Find your own design style