Off the shelf or custom made?  When it’s time for a bedroom face-lift, sometimes it hard to figure out where your money is best spent.  With lots of options for ready-made bedding and window treatments, it can be tempting to go that route because it’s quicker and cheaper.  But is that really going to give you the look you desire?  Well, yes and no.  Even high-end designers use some items off the shelf.  On the other hand, certain items are worth the additional investment of going custom made.  Here are my best tips for incorporating both options. These will help you spend your money wisely while achieving the bedroom of your dreams.

Off the Shelf = Less $$$ Out of Your Pocket

Bedspreads, coverlets, comforters and duvets 

Any type of bed cover takes a lot of fabric, so this is definitely a chance to save big. The key here is the flexibility to make affordable changes from season to season and items that can be easily laundered.

Newgrange Matelasse from Linen Source is very affordable ($89 for a queen) and machine washable.

Designer Picks

• For warm weather months or climates - A matelasse coverlet or light quilt will do.  Linen Source seems to always have a great selection of washable matelasse covers on sale.
• For cold weather – Down or Hypo-allergenic comforter with a duvet cover is your best bet.  The Company Store has a broad offering of weights and duvet covers in many colors.

Decorative Pillows

Another place where custom is totally unnecessary. There are so many great places for designer pillows at half the cost of custom.

These four pillows came from the "Blue-Turquoise-Teal-Lavender" category.

Designer Picks

• European Squares (26″x26″) are much more stylish then queen size shams. And King size shams can get super awkward.
• Beautiful Pillows and Home offers collection by color so you can find items that are complementary but not to matchy-matchy!

Custom Made = Style Where It Counts

Window Treatments

While having a designer come to your home may be too costly, custom draperies ordered online are more affordable than you may think.  And adding custom details and beautiful hardware will make them show-stoppers.  Consider choosing a neutral tone drape that will transition nicely when you are ready to make a change.  And a good quality blind will work as a seamless partner. 

These pinch-pleat draperies from The Shade Store are bone-colored suede fabric with a terracotta edging. Classic and flexible.

Designer Pick

The Shade Store offers great options for blinds and draperies.  I would go with a neutral silk for simple elegance.  Woven Wood Shades offer great textural contrast.

Bed Skirt

An off-the-shelf bed skirt often fits like old pantyhose.  No matter how many times you tug and wiggle, it just doesn’t work.  Many people don’t want to spend the money because it’s far from the main attraction but I am telling you….IT IS WORTH IT.  I will repeat my mantra ad nauseum:  Good Design is in the Details!

Smith + Noble Bedskirt - Inverted Pleat in Linen/Natural (1622)

Designer Pick

Smith + Noble makes great custom bed skirts with lots of options and they help you measure so you get it right.  Go with tailored or pleated if your style is simple, ruffled if you like a softer look.  There are over 800 different fabrics to choose from!  Again, go with a neutral tone for longer-lasting style.  These will blow an un-lined, off-the-shelf bed skirt out of the water.

I hope these tips make it much easier for you to plan where to devote your decorating dollars in your brand new bedroom.  Enjoy your investment pieces for years to come and don’t hesitate to change it up with new pillows or artwork.  You will be amazed at the difference!

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Tags: bedroom, decorating tips, window treatments

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 at 5:37 pm and is filed under bedroom, decorating tips, window treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.