First, let’s rewind to a previous post where I explained that the bedroom’s floor plan is a real challenge: two off-center windows, a nook across from the door, another nook with a sink, and a chandelier centered on the ceiling that makes the bed placement feel wrong unless it’s just so. We’d tried the bed in several positions, and it had seemed like the only practical spot was the long flat wall where it originally sat.
After seeing a few inspiring magazine photos, though, we wondered if placing the bed next to a window might actually work. The main benefit would be that it lets us replace the tiny side tables we’d been stuck with—those small tables were the only ones that fit by the door in the old arrangement, otherwise the door would swing open and hit anything larger.
We weren’t completely sure how we’d deal with the odd nook on the right side of the bed or the window that would nearly touch the left side, but we decided to experiment. Before moving anything, we picked up new curtains from Ikea—Vivan panels we like, inexpensive and lightweight. They come in pairs and are breezy rather than heavy or sheer, which helps balance the room’s large dark rug and the plan to eventually stain the floors a dark mocha color.
The new curtains added softness and layer well with the room. We plan to reuse the old green curtains we made in the playroom eventually. I haven’t hemmed the new panels yet, but that’s on the someday list.
Moving everything took a bit of effort. We first removed our very heavy organic mattress, eased the bed into its new position across from the doorway, and suddenly the room felt more open—you can now walk much farther into the bedroom before reaching the bed, instead of a few quick steps that used to send you into it.
We shifted the rug under the bed and then struggled to get the mattress back into place. Even after that, the layout still looked odd at first.
John had to step outside to work on the deck and Clara was napping, so I took the opportunity to get things done. I hauled our dresser into the nook to serve as a large bedside table and paused to consider the empty spot under the window. Losing a night table would have been impractical—we appreciate having two bedside lamps, especially in a room with an off-centered window and an asymmetrical nook.
I walked through the house looking for something to use as a bedside table under the window and found a cabinet that had been in the dining room. Ironically, it was designed to be a bedside table all along, so moving it back into the bedroom felt right. We might eventually swap pieces between rooms or find a different solution, but for now this cabinet works well in its new role.
Update: People have asked if the chandelier still sits centered over the bed. Thankfully it does. If the nook were wider or if we had a king bed, this arrangement wouldn’t have worked—but with a queen it fits.
I rehung the art that had been above the dresser in the nook and placed an oil-rubbed bronze mirror above the bed; the mirror had previously hung in the living room before being replaced. The mirror helps fill the large blank wall behind the bed. Eventually we’d like to add a tall upholstered headboard and reposition the mirror so it sits closer to the chandelier’s height, which would add vertical interest and help the placement feel more deliberate despite the odd window and nook.
We also arranged lamps to balance the space: a smaller white table on one side and a larger wood dresser on the other. The mismatched heights were solved temporarily with a stack of books under the shorter lamp. It’s not perfect, but it’s functional for now—later we might add casters or modify the table to lift it slightly.
Moving the artwork into the nook helped immediately. The frames make that area feel intentional rather than an empty void, and visually balance the window on the opposite side. I also relocated a leaning mirror next to the wood dresser, which ties the dark wood into the rest of the arrangement. We anchored the mirror securely to the wall for safety and reused the same anchoring method when we moved it.
From another angle the room still looks a little unfinished: two botanical frames currently hang over a wall where no bed sits beneath them, so we plan to rehang them in a different corner that has a chair and side table. That back wall may eventually host a cabinet, console, or a large piece of art—right now it reads as a work in progress.
After a few hours of rearranging, we were tired but optimistic. The new layout looks different—still a bit strange at times—but it’s much improved for very little time invested. That night we stood in the hallway and enjoyed the new view: instead of seeing the side of the bed as you approach, there’s a clear path into the room and the dresser fills the nook so the space no longer feels bare.
So that’s where we landed after a few hours of bedroom noodling. We’ve got more DIY plans to refine the setup and will share those updates soon. For now, the room is more functional and feels more intentional—still a project, but heading in the right direction.