How to Create a Cozy Retreat of a Primary Bedroom Space, Year Round

It’s safe to say we are solidly in the latter half of 2023 and we’re all aware that our relationships with our homes have evolved in many way over the last few years. We’re doing more living in our spaces than ever before, and want them to feel luxurious and finished and, well—like “us.” And what better place to focus that energy than in your primary bedroom? The place in our home that should feel as close to a sanctuary as any other space in our homes.

Here at Oho we love crafting our Primary Bedrooms to be a true retreat—a place you come to end your day and leave your responsibilities at the door, where you can feel enveloped by a sense of peace, warmth, and calmness - no matter the time of year (but especially as we head into the cozy season).

Here are some of our tried and true ways to execute it:

Set the mood with paint & color. 

If you’ve been around awhile, you know how much we love to set the tone of a room with color. And while we’re all about the moody hues in general, we also think that bedroom spaces can still feel cozy & warm whether you lean into a darker hue or are more into warm whites and soft neutrals. The goal is always to create a cozy, year-round softness that we just adore.

If your space indulges in more soft neutrals and white, lots of layers lend a hand here (see our tips below), along with calming wood tones and textural furnishings (think upholstery in nubby linens and tactile boucle). If your heart lies in moody colors, we still lean into textural pieces & layers but focus on making those layers more tonal in quality to help soften any harsh contrasts in color.

If you want to incorporate pattern, we love a wallpaper moment in this space as well, and will generally keep the vibe quieter by using subtle colors like neutrals, dusty blues and greens or more tonal patterns that evoke a sense of quiet.

Rugs always. (Yes, even over carpet.)

Nothing will ground your room quite like a beautiful rug under the bed—even if you already have wall to wall carpet. This layer highlights your sleeping area and makes the layout of the room feel intentional, while adding texture and a soft place for your feet to hit the ground each day. We love an antique Persian in a bedroom for their interest, pattern and soul. Keep in mind that a rug pad is necessary to protect your floors and prolong the life of your rug, but you’ll need different types depending on your surface. We love this rug pad for rugs on top of carpet, which will help the rug stay in place without adding excess bulk, and this plush rug pad for hard floors, which will provide extra cushion. While this step can definitely be an additional investment up front, the benefits are worth it in the long run, so don’t skip it!

Focus on the Bed Linens

As the textile in your home that gets the most one-on-one contact with your skin, bed linens are not a place to skimp. For sheets we love the look, livability and feel of linen from places like Parachute, Cultiver and Pom Pom at Home, which—truly—only get better with age. Investing in two sets ensures you always have a backup on hand, ready and waiting. From there, build up with pillows, blankets, a duvet and shams, depending on your personal style and needs for your specific climate. Neutrals and quiet patterns work well here, and tonal colors and fabrics create a luxurious and lofty ambiance. Our tried and true formula for making a bed to combine high style with low maintenance is this—linen sheets topped with a duvet, layered with a quilt or bed cover, and an extra long lumbar pillow. This combination always looks pulled together but is easy to throw together every morning.

Matching Nightstands & Lamps

This isn't a hard and fast rule for Oho, but we do usually lean towards matching nightstands and lamps in a primary bedroom. The repetition and symmetry provide proven psychological benefits and an overall calming effect in a space—and what better place to create that vibe than in your own bedroom? There are so many beautiful options for both of these items, so the pairings are nearly endless.

A Place to Sit

If you have the luxury of space, it’s always a good idea to work in a place to sit that isn’t the bed. A corner vignette comprised of a chair, lamp and a small side table or mirror adds so much function and beauty to a primary bedroom. No corner available? You can also go for a loveseat or settee under a window or a deep bench at the end of the bed. And one more thing—let us implore you not to let this become the spot where clothes collect. Instead, allow it to be the place you retreat on a rainy afternoon to catch up on your current read—you deserve it.

Window Treatments—Arguably, the most important addition to any space

Window treatments can be a controversial topic. Many people get to the end of an expensive renovation or redecorating project and want to take the path of least resistance—and lowest cost—to put window treatments in place, and we can certainly understand the feeling. But the truth is that window treatments are game changers—space makers—and are worthy of the time, attention and budget to do right. Springing for custom window treatments will ensure you get the right style, fit and overall look for your own unique space, and when done right they’ll only have be done once. Trust us here and include this line item in your space planning right from the beginning so you don’t feel it quite so much in the end.

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Oho Design Tip from Melissa: 

If there's one thing we love here at Oho, it's crafting a bedroom that will truly be your place of refuge at the end of a long day. The linens, the artwork, the atmosphere, the match holder for the candle on your nightstand—it’s all in the details, big and small. These things are worth the extra attention and worth making special and intentional in a place where you spend so much time. Work to create a space you love and I promise that space will love you back, in payouts which may be hard to measure in physical form are but priceless in mental and emotional health benefits. Don't wait. Do it for yourself. We want that for you! 
xo, M

Photos 1, 3, 5 & 6 by Taylor Hall O’Brien.
Photos 2 & 4 by Judith Marilyn.