Our Primary Bedroom Refresh: Why I Finally Said Yes to Pink
I wasn’t planning on changing our bedroom color, to be honest.
I started working on this space earlier last year, almost at the same time I was designing my -Real Simple- room in NYC. The two months before that I was fully immersed in bedroom inspiration, gathering ideas, saving images, thinking about layouts and palettes… and naturally, the itch to finally do something about our bedroom sparked.
If you’ve been here for a while, you know I love color. I love trying new ideas, and I also love change. But somehow, our bedroom had become one of those spaces that — aside from a fresh coat of paint — stayed mostly the same for nearly six years.
There was never a true design plan. It was more a collection of pieces from our previous home, mixed with newer additions, evolving slowly over time.
On the wall where the closet stands now, we used to have an old IKEA dresser, a random chair, and a lamp. The canopy bed was newer, one of the first pieces of furniture I bought right after moving in the house, and I loved it, but I purchased it before having a design plan for the room. Even with beautiful items, the room always felt unfinished. Like it was waiting for its turn.
Adding a Closet Wall (and Reworking the Room)
Closet color is Benjamin Moore Pueblo Brown
We’re hoping to renovate our bathroom in the next year or two. Since our closets were inside the bathroom, the long-term goal is to dedicate that entire footprint to the bathroom itself.
Which meant we needed to create storage somewhere else. So the TV wall became the closet wall.
I’ll share the full story of the IKEA PAX transformation in another post (because she deserves her own moment ✨), but while I was deciding on colors for the cabinetry, I fell hard for the idea of red and pink living together in this space.
At that point, I had a choice: try to make the existing wall color work… or start fresh. We had already lived with the previous color for over two years, and it was also very similar to my daughter’s bedroom across the hall. Changing the palette suddenly felt exciting, liberating - like the beginning of a new chapter for this room. So I went for it.
Finding the Right Shade of Pink (and the Perfect Red)
This might be my favorite part of any project. I tested several peel-and-stick samples, moving them around the room, watching how they changed throughout the day, and seeing how they played with the light. I finally landed on a soft, creamy, warm beige-pink called Boudoir paired with a muted, earthy red, called Pueblo Brown, both by Benjamin Moore. And let me tell you, this is the coziest our bedroom has ever felt.
There is something about pink. It holds warmth in such a gentle, comforting way. Especially in a room meant for rest, it completely transformed the mood. For reference, this is an east-facing room with beautiful light in the morning and indirect light most of the day, and this new color looks beautiful at all times of the day.
Layering Pattern, Texture, and Personality
Once the paint decisions were made, it was time for layers.
I knew I wanted patterned curtains, and the moment I found these, I had that instant this is it feeling. They brought movement, softness, and a little playfulness that balanced the stronger tones in the room.
Because the bed is such a statement, I kept the bedding simple. But I still wanted to echo the colors around the room, and this accent pillow ended up being exactly what it needed. Bonus: it’s reversible, which honestly makes styling so much fun. I am not a big fan of lots of decorative pillows on the bed, one and done it’s my way to go.
Table lamp Benjamin Moore Boudoir on the walls.
Yes, We Added the Big Light
For years, we didn’t have overhead lighting in this bedroom. And wow, what a difference it makes.
With our 8-foot ceilings, a chandelier didn’t feel right, so a semi-flush mount was the perfect solution. It adds charm and character while keeping the overall feel airy and comfortable. It’s functional and beautiful, and it makes the whole room feel finished in a way it never did before.
A Room That Finally Feels Like Us
What makes me the happiest is that this space finally feels intentional. It feels layered. Personal. Warm. Like a true reflection of where we are right now - not where we were six years ago. And the best part? I’m not rushing to call it done.
There are still things I want to find. Maybe a vintage painting for above the bed, a rug, a bench for the foot of the bed (something old I can refinish). But I’ve learned that the magic often happens in the slow evolution, in letting a room grow with you. If you’ve ever been waiting for the “right time” to make a change, maybe this is your sign. Start with the paint. Rearrange the furniture. Try the bold idea. You might discover your favorite version of the space has been waiting for you all along.
And, if it doesn’t feel right, don’t settle. In this room the biggest transformation was achieve with one gallon of paint.
Patterned Curtains + Roman Shade Combo
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