“Everyone deserves to have the bedroom of their dreams,” says interior designer Elaine Ryan, who transforms the social lives of her clients just by redoing their bedrooms. In fact, one single Wall Street lawyer was so happy with the changes Ryan made in his bedroom that he referred his entire law firm to her. “Of course, I first had to convince him to ditch his beloved leather bedspreads," laughs the Connecticut-based designer who believes everything in a  bedroom—from colors to fabrics—should be “wrapped in soft.”

The goal, she says, is to create an environment that gently awakens the senses, inspires warmth and security, and even helps you to look thinner, younger and more alluring! Well, why not? Read on to discover how.

Instant intimacy. According to Elaine, the focal point of a sensuous bedroom must be the bed. Give it a prominent position by placing it on a 4-inch deep platform covered with plush carpeting and continue the carpeting throughout the rest of the room. Or, inspire that intimate alcove effect by creating a false ceiling above the bed (12-15 inches lower than the natural ceiling) and building walls are on either side of the bed (about 18 inches deep).  Canopy beds also do the trick. Or drape the ceiling to create a tent-like feeling.

Glowing color. Almost any color, says Elaine, whipped to its most fragile, frothy tone, can produce a sensuous effect,. Consider the colors used by lingerie designers: the lightest lemon yellows, the most delicate powder blues, the palest apple greens. Black used as a background for an exotic pattern or set against coral, apricot or peach can be deliciously seductive.

Mesmerizing patterns  If you lean toward patterns, ask yourself if it they stir your senses. That is, does the pattern make you want to touch it? According to Ryan, some patterns, like plaids, geometrics, checks and lattice designs, will never do in a bedroom unless the pattern is woven into the fabric. Floral patterns that conjure up thoughts of touch and scent, she says, belong in a room where you want all the senses to come aglow.

Touchy-feely fabrics. Don’t stop short with silky sheets: incorporate plush material any place that might make contact with your body (such as comforters, pillows, upholstery, slipcovers, etc.) For a deliciously sensuous look, select satin in shades of rose, apricot, peach, marigold or silvery gray. Other  fabrics lush to the touch: velvet, gauze, pongee, taffeta, chiffon, moire, shantung, soft polished cotton and soft lace.

Ready-unmade beds. “In a sensuous bedroom no one worries about wrinkling the spread,” observes Elaine. Instead of cumbersome spreads, cover your bed instead in soft, plush down comforters in light-as-air shades or rich jewel tones

Cellulite-free lighting. Want to dispel cellulite, make yourself look thinner and bring a rosy glow to your cheeks? It’s as simple as a lampshade lined with pale pink or rose-colored fabric. Another trick Elaine suggests is to place a small lamp with rose-colored bulbs at the opposite end of the room from the bed. And make sure you install dimmers or rheostats so you can easily lower and manipulate the lighting level.

Floors for bare feet. How your toes feel touching the floor is as important as how they feel snuggled up under the covers. Give yourself a treat with carpet that is soft and deeply piled.  If you have wood floors, situate a plush throw rug next to the bed.

Furniture for two. Nothing’s more romantic in a bedroom than furniture built for two. A two-seater sofa or day bed is a perfect addition, covered in the same fabric as your window treatment or bed covering. Try to match the hue to the room’s major or anchor color. And don’t forget a table big enough to hold two glasses and a plate of delicious food.


What’s your  Bedroom Style? French Country Romantic? Exotic Oriental? Traditionally Sensuous? Or Contemporary Seductive? Find out and discover the Benjamin Moore colors you need to make it happen.