A master bedroom is meant to be a peaceful place to relax and recharge. That’s why designers say a lot of attention needs to go into its look: to make sure it fulfills that purpose. Design experts also say an uninviting master retreat could negatively affect resale value, so there’s more at stake in the bedroom design than a night of restful sleep.
“One thing to keep in mind is that form follows function, meaning the visual appearance of your bedroom comes second to bedroom functionality—especially since roughly one-third of your life is spent in your bedroom,” Michael DiMartino, senior vice president of installations at Power Home Remodeling in Chester, Pa., told realtor.com®.
Design experts shared with realtor.com® some of the most common bedroom design mistakes they see, including:
Having too large an empty space. Spacious bedrooms are usually a plus, but you don’t need to go overboard. “Between a bed, nightstands, one or two dressers, and maybe an armchair, there's only so much furniture that goes in a bedroom," Nathan Outlaw, president of Onvico, a design and construction company in Thomasville, Ga., told realtor.com®. A room that is too large can feel empty and uninviting, he says.
Forgetting a TV. Most people want a television in the master bedroom, and it’s a good idea to at least stage one if selling. “We find about 70% of our clients want a TV in the bedroom," says Thomas B. Wagner, a residential architect in Haddonfield, N.J. Jennifer Okhovat, a real state pro with Compass in Los Angeles, told realtor.com® that she fields a request for bedrooms with TVs often. “I’m selling a home right now with two guest bedrooms, and one of the biggest objections I am getting from buyers is that there is nowhere to put a TV,” she says.
Disregarding the closet size. “The design of closet space is quite important,” Amy Berglund with RE/MAX Professionals in Colorado told realtor.com®. “It’s a big turnoff to show a closet that is crammed with clothes and shoeboxes because the closet hasn’t been thoughtfully designed with proper shelving, baskets, etc.” Real estate and staging pros advise making sure there is enough hanging space for longer clothing pieces. Also, make sure the shelving isn’t so high that it isn’t accessible. In some cases, you may need to add a ladder to the design or show a stepstool.
Source: “7 Bedroom Design Mistakes That Could Affect Your Sweet Dreams—and Your Home’s Value,” realtor.com(R) (Sept. 12, 2019)
