Bedroom Favorites (page 17)

Bedroom Furniture Worth Living With

A bedroom is the first room you see in the morning and the last one at night, so the furniture in it works harder than people think. Drawers open twice a day. A nightstand holds a lamp and the book you are halfway through. This collection gathers the beds, dressers and nightstands that hold up to that, from makers including Four Hands, Hooker Furniture, Bernhardt, Caracole and Moe’s.

Start With the Bed

The bed sets the tone, so choose it first. An upholstered or channeled headboard softens a room full of hard surfaces and is comfortable to lean against for reading. A wood panel or sleigh bed reads more traditional and pairs well with a quilt and layered shams. Rattan and cane keep a room light, and a canopy bed gives a high-ceilinged room some structure. If closet space is short, a storage bed adds drawers where you will never miss the room.

Dressers and Nightstands

Measure the wall before you choose a dresser. A long six- or nine-drawer dresser anchors the wall opposite the bed and doubles as a spot for a mirror or a TV, while a tall five-drawer chest fits a narrow wall and holds just as much. For nightstands, match the top to the height of the mattress, within an inch or two, so a lamp and a glass of water are easy to reach. Leave about 24 inches of floor on each side of the bed.

Skip the Matching Set

A bedroom bought as a set looks like a showroom. Choose the bed first, then pick a dresser in a related wood tone or a contrasting finish, such as shagreen, painted wood or rattan. Matching nightstands on either side of the bed are the exception worth keeping, since that symmetry is what makes a bedroom feel calm.

Finish the Bed

The last layer is the one that makes the room feel done: a coverlet or duvet, two sets of shams, an accent pillow and a throw at the foot of the bed. Linen and cotton in soft neutrals keep the room restful, and one pattern or texture adds interest without competing with the headboard.