Is Your Bedroom Restful, or Just Decorated?

Let me ask you something.

When you think about your bedroom, is it the place you crash in? The place you veg? A place that’s comfortable because it’s familiar?

Or, could you genuinely say that it’s a “sanctuary?”

…We use that word a lot in remodeling: sanctuary. And that’s because it’s the goal of spaces like the primary bedroom and primary bath. Those have to be private sanctuaries.

But what’s that really MEAN?

It means your bedroom should actively restore you. It’s not about décor or square footage. It has to be the space that fuels your day each morning and re-centers you at night. It should feel so personalized and effortless that it changes the way you live.

If you can’t honestly say that’s what your bedroom does for you, it’s time you up your standards.

These primary bedroom ideas below are proof that Return On Enjoyment^TM is just a few decisions away…

1: Soundproofing beyond silence

Your sanctuary starts with as much or as little sound as you want. That means you’ll want soundproofing to protect you from what’s outside, and to protect others from whatever music you secretly dance to or the conversations you have on the phone with your bestie!!

You probably don’t realize exactly how much background noise you tolerate until you step into a space that truly shields you from all of it.

Dogs barking. TVs humming. Phones buzzing. Conversations down the hall.

Even in quiet neighborhoods like ours here in Keller, Texas, soundproofing is an essential ingredient of calm.

Here are some features you might or might not have thought of to achieve luxury-level silence:

• Solid core doors
• Triple-pane windows
• Interior wall insulation
• Acoustic panels behind drywall

2: Automated window treatments for light and mood

Natural light sets your daily rhythm. With automated (or at least electronic!!) window treatments, you control that effortlessly. You wake up with soft, filtered daylight on your face and black out the world for deep sleep.

With the right manufacturer (we’re the Tarrant County dealer for the high-end window treatments by Graber Blinds, for example), you’ll have whisper-quiet motors and automatic or phone-controlled lift, lower, and dim, all with savable settings.

This is NOT a gimmick. This is a habit shaper. When the light in your bedroom responds to your rhythm and lifestyle, you live better!

Here are some tips to get the right window coverings for your bedroom:

• Choose dual treatments (blackout and sheer)
• Integrate with smart home systems or in-app controls
• Use programmable timers or voice control, too

3: A beverage fridge…in the closet?!

This is one you never knew you needed!!

A small beverage fridge in your closet means better hydration, more frequent indulgence, and convenience you deserve. Because, let’s face it…you trek way too many beverages from the kitchen to the bedroom. Why not keep things where you want them?!

You can easily add new beverages to your routine that way, too, like collagen water for the mornings or chilled herbal tea at bedtime.

This is a small feature that delivers massive joy every day.

Consider these options:

• A drawer-style or compact fridge
• Building a small closet island or cabinet
• Stocking the fridge with options for hydration and pleasure

4: Charging drawers in your nightstand

This one is an easy sell…isn’t it simpler to charge everything at night in a built-in charging drawer in your nightstand?!

Cords are clutter, and clutter is the ENEMY of calm. Keep your nightstand clean and your sleep free of distractions. Consider:

• Installing USB and power outlets inside drawers, too
• Designing custom compartments for the devices you use
• Using felt lining to reduce noise and scratches (a small but critical detail)
• Ensuring drawers are ventilated for airflow (charging devices get warm)

5: A more secure safe

Jewelry, heirlooms, certificates, passports…you know how much your most precious items matter to you. A hidden safe built into your closet system keeps things more protected because it’s completely out of sight.

For added security:

• Add biometric or keypad access
• Choose a fireproof and bolted model

6: A sitting area (that actually gets used)

Most bedroom chairs are just decorative.

Does that really make sense, though?

What if sitting areas invited morning coffees or evening chats…supported journaling…encouraged reading…gave you moments of presence.

Here’s how to do that in your bedroom:

• Choose a pair of plush chairs or a chaise lounge
• Place by windows or create a nook with shelves
• Use soft textiles to cue your sense of relaxation
• Add small ottomans or side tables

7: Massage chair or wellness niche

A true sanctuary promotes recovery.

Your bedroom can support your physical well being as well as your emotional health. A wellness corner might include a zero-gravity chair or a compact infrared panel. Whatever you need to have something to look forward to!

Maybe you’re into:

• A massage chair or zero-gravity recliner
• A devoted nook to kick back while your leg compressors are at work
• An aroma therapy center with a custom, devoted soundscape

8: Smart lighting you need

Natural light is one thing, but how about the light fixtures and types of bulbs you have in your bedroom?

Remember: mood is painted by light.

Tap your bedroom to match every moment with special dimmers, cool-to-warm versatile bulbs, savable presets, voice activation, and automations.

Then, you can:

• Program presets like one for “wake up,” another for “get ready,” and another for “relax”
• Sync the whole setup with your overall voice control system

Don’t forget to layer light sources, too!

See what Bulbrite bulbs can do for your bedroom!!

9: Concealed laundry bins (one per person!)

Laundry piles don’t belong in sanctuaries!!

Integrated laundry bins mean you have no more visible hampers. And having separate ones means better timing for when to do laundry, and no more mixed-up loads.

Here’s how to get the laundry bins right in the bedroom:

• Build them into slide-outs in your closet cabinetry
• Ventilate the compartments to reduce odor (essential)
• Label by person or clothing type (if need be)
• Use liners for easier laundry transport

10: Zoned HVAC control

If you don’t already have this for your whole home…SERIOUSLY consider it for your bedroom!!

With individual temperature control, you stop compromising on comfort while you sleep, or prepare for the day, or try to relax. Your bedroom responds to you and isn’t subject to how the thermostat is set for the rest of the home.

Here’s now to integrate this:

• Integrate the bedroom HVAC with a smart thermostat
• Use climate sensors for automation and precision down to the degree
• Install ductless minisplits if you don’t do a whole zoned HVAC system
• Set schedules for morning temps vs. night

Are you ready to redesign your bedroom into a real sanctuary?

Do you know better what a true sanctuary would be for you?

This is not about what you “need” in a life-or-death sense. It’s about what reflects the life you’ve built and the one you want to be living.

If you’re ready to reimagine what your sanctuary could be, we’re ready to help!!

Inquire with our award-winning design-build renovation team.

About the author:

Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.

In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.

Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.

In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.