Hi, home lover! Do you own an Arts and Crafts home? Or do you just love the style? Do you want that old charm in your master bedroom? Then you are in the right place!
Arts and Crafts homes are very special. They love good craft, natural stuff, and pretty things that also work well. Think dark wood, handmade details, snug corners, and a link to nature. For your master bedroom, this style can make a calm, warm, and one of a kind rest place.
But how do you bring that old Arts and Crafts feel into a big master bedroom? How do you keep it from feeling empty or too much? We are here to help! A big master bedroom in an Arts and Crafts home can be a dream. It gives you lots of ways to add comfort, style, and your own touch. We will share 12 great ideas to help you make a master bedroom that feels real, rich, and just like you.
So grab a cup of tea. Get comfy. Let us make your big Arts and Crafts master bedroom a real gem!
Understanding the Arts and Crafts Aesthetic for Your Bedroom
Before we start, let us recap what makes Arts and Crafts style special. This style came up in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It stood against factory made things and the fussy Victorian look. It loved:
- Handmade Quality: It loves good craft and pretty natural stuff.
- Simplicity and Functionality: Clean lines, strong build, and useful designs.
- Natural Materials: Lots of wood (oak most of all), stone, brick, and natural cloth.
- Earthy Color Palettes: Soft nature colors, like greens, browns, ochres, deep reds, and blues.
- Integration with Nature: Designs that bring nature inside, through windows and nature shapes.
- Honest Construction: Joints and beams stay out in the open. They are not hidden.
Keep these main rules in mind as you design your big master bedroom. They will guide you to a real and matching look.
Idea 1: Embrace Rich, Sturdy Wood Furniture
This is the most famous part of Arts and Crafts design. It is a must for your master bedroom. Skip thin, factory made pieces. Think strong, well made furniture that can last for many years.
Selecting the Right Wood
Oak is the top wood for Arts and Crafts. Quartersawn oak with its pretty grain is best. But you can use more too! Cherry, mahogany, and dark stained maple also work well. The finish matters most. Use a deep, rich stain that shows the wood’s real beauty. Do not cover it with paint.
Essential Furniture Pieces
- The Bed: The bed is the star. Look for a strong bed frame. It may have a slatted headboard or simple square carved shapes. A platform bed works too if it feels solid.
- Dressers and Chests: Pick pieces with strong clean lines, dovetailed drawers, and simple knobs in copper, bronze, or wrought iron. Skip curvy shapes and fussy extras.
- Nightstands: Solid wood is key again. They should be big enough to match the bed. One drawer and an open shelf work well.
- Armoire or Wardrobe: If you have room, a big well made armoire adds storage and a strong look to the room.
Feel free to mix a bit of different wood shades. Keep them in the same family with that solid handmade feel. It adds character. The room feels like a real home, not a shop.
Idea 2: Create a Cozy Reading Nook or Sitting Area
A big master bedroom lets you add more than a bed. Arts and Crafts homes love comfort and quiet thought. A reading nook or sitting spot is a great add.
Furniture for Your Retreat
Picture sinking into a soft chair with a good book and a cup of tea. For this spot, look for:
- A Mission-Style Armchair: These chairs are classic Arts and Crafts. They have open wooden frames, often with slatted sides, and soft cushions. Pick cloth covers in linen, cotton, or leather, in colors that match your room.
- A Small Settee or Loveseat: If you have more room, a small two seat sofa is nice. Keep the lines simple and strong.
- An Ottoman: It is just right for resting your feet!
- A Small Side Table: You need one for your book, drink, or small lamp. A strong solid wood table is best.
Lighting and Ambiance
Good light matters. A floor lamp with a stained glass shade (simple Tiffany style) or a strong metal base with a cloth shade is just right. Add a soft throw in natural cloth and some pillows to make it extra snug. This is not just decor. It is a calm, useful corner in your big room.
Idea 3: Incorporate Stained Glass Accents
Stained glass is a mark of the Arts and Crafts style. It adds color, texture, and art. It brings in light and privacy without fully blocking the view.
Where to Use Stained Glass
- Window Panels: This is the most common use. You can add full stained glass windows or small panels inside your windows. They give a bit of privacy. Patterns are often shapes, flowers, or nature, in amber, green, and blue.
- Door Inserts: If your bedroom door leads to a balcony, closet, or bathroom, think about a stained glass insert in it.
- Lighting Fixtures: As said above, lamps with stained glass shades are a classic pick. They can throw pretty colored light around the room.
- Decorative Panels: Even a small framed stained glass panel on the wall can add a strong Arts and Crafts touch.
Pick stained glass that is pretty but not too fussy. Keep it simple and close to nature. The goal is to lift the light and add charm, not to take over.
Idea 4: Choose an Earthy and Natural Color Palette
Your colors will set the mood of your big master bedroom. Arts and Crafts colors come from nature. They make a calm and settled feel.
Main Color Families
- Greens: Think sage, moss, olive, and forest green. They bring to mind lush fields and give a calm feel.
- Browns and Tans: From warm beige to deep chocolate, these colors settle the room and match the rich wood well.
- Ochres and Golds: Warm yellows and golds add a bit of sun and richness, like fall leaves.
- Deep Reds and Burgundies: Use these as accents for warmth and a bit of drama, like changing leaves or rich stained wood.
- Blues: Soft blues like slate blue or deep teal bring calm, like a quiet lake or sky.
How to Apply Your Palette
A big room gives you more wall space to play with. Think about:
- Two-Tone Walls: A common Arts and Crafts trick is two colors or two materials on the walls, split by a picture rail or plate rail. Try a dark rich color on the bottom third, and a light matching shade on top.
- Accent Walls: An accent wall can work. Keep it in the soft nature palette. Try a deep forest green behind your bed.
- Textiles: Bring your colors in through bedding, curtains, throw blankets, and pillows. This adds layers and softness.
- Ceilings: Do not forget the fifth wall! A soft muted ceiling color can make a big room feel snug and wrapped.
The goal is a matching and warm feel, not a stark or too bright one. Think comfort, warmth, and a link to nature.
Idea 5: Integrate Built-In Cabinetry and Shelving
Arts and Crafts style loves useful things and custom craft. Built ins are a great way to save space, add storage, and give your big master bedroom a custom feel.
Benefits of Built-Ins
- Seamless Integration: They look like they have always been part of the house. They add to the real shape of the home.
- Space Optimization: Big rooms can feel empty. Built ins fill the wall space with purpose and grace.
- Custom Storage: They fit your needs, for books, linens, or pretty objects.
- Architectural Interest: They add depth and charm, and break up big flat walls.
Where to Consider Built-Ins
- Window Seats: A window seat with storage under it is very Arts and Crafts. It makes another snug corner and gives useful storage.
- Bookcases: Put built in bookcases next to a fireplace, a doorway, or along a long wall. They are just right for your books and pretty items.
- Storage Cabinets: Low built in cabinets give great storage. They also give a top for lamps or art.
- Dressing Table Nook: A built in vanity with drawers and shelves is a rich add to a big master bedroom.
For built ins, use the same wood and stain as your main furniture. Or use a painted finish in deep green or cream if it fits your palette. The craft should show, with strong lines, strong build, and care in the details.
Idea 6: Focus on Natural Textiles and Textures
To get the true Arts and Crafts feel, add natural cloth layers. They bring warmth, comfort, and charm, and make your big master bedroom feel warm and lived in.
Material Choices
- Cotton and Linen: Use these airy natural cloths for bedding, curtains, and chair covers. Look for slub cotton, percale, or plain linen.
- Wool: A wool rug, throw blanket, or wool chair cover adds great warmth and a rich feel, mainly in cool weather.
- Leather: For a chair or ottoman, leather in a rich old tone works well. Think saddle brown or deep burgundy.
- Silk (in moderation): Raw silk is less common, but a small silk pillow or thin curtain adds a hint of class without too much shine.
Patterns and Motifs
Arts and Crafts patterns often come from nature:
- Botanical and Floral: Pretty styled leaves, flowers, vines, and trees. William Morris designs are the top example.
- Geometric: Simple repeating patterns with squares, rectangles, or locking shapes.
- Animal Motifs: Less common, but you may spot soft birds or other small creatures.
Feel free to mix patterns. Keep them in matching colors and sizes. Try a big flower pattern on curtains with a small shape pattern on pillows. The goal is richness, not clutter.
Idea 7: Thoughtful and Layered Lighting
Light matters in every room. It matters more in a big master bedroom, where you want different moods and zones. Arts and Crafts light fixtures are often art on their own.
Types of Lighting to Consider
- Overhead Lighting: A main fixture like a mission style chandelier or a warm semi flush mount gives soft all round light. Look for bronze, copper, or wrought iron, with maybe stained glass.
- Task Lighting: You need it for your reading nook, nightstands, and dressing spot. Table lamps and floor lamps with strong bases and cloth or stained glass shades are just right.
- Accent Lighting: Use it to show off beams, art, or built in shelves. Small picture lights or uplights add depth and drama.
The Importance of Dimmers
Put dimmers on all your lights! You can change the glow for cleaning, resting, or reading. In a big room, this is very useful.
Skip harsh bright white lights. Arts and Crafts style loves warm soft light that shows off the natural stuff in the room.
Idea 8: Incorporate a Fireplace with a Craftsman Mantle
If your Arts and Crafts home already has a fireplace in the master bedroom, you are so lucky! If not, adding one can lift the warmth, charm, and real feel of the room a lot.
The Heart of the Room
A fireplace soon becomes the star. In a big master bedroom, it makes a snug hang out spot with a grand but not showy feel. Picture curling up by a crackling fire on a cold night. Pure joy!
Craftsman Mantle Details
The mantle is where Arts and Crafts style truly shines. Look for:
- Solid Wood Construction: Often oak, with a simple strong design.
- Clean Lines and Geometric Shapes: No fussy carving. The wood itself and the good shape are the beauty.
- Built-In Shelves or Cabinets: At times the mantle sits between built in bookcases or small cabinets, making one neat unit.
- Tile Surround: The area around the fire is often covered in handmade ceramic tiles. They can be plain, or glazed in earthy tones like green, brown, or blue, or have soft nature shapes. Subway tiles or square tiles are common.
- Hearth: A big hearth of brick or stone adds to the settled feel.
Even with no working fireplace, a pretty mantle can still be a nice star. Top it with art, a mirror, and a few chosen pieces.
Idea 9: Large Area Rugs with Geometric or Nature-Inspired Patterns
In a big master bedroom, a big area rug is a must. It marks out zones, adds warmth and softness underfoot, and soaks up sound. This makes the room feel snug, not hollow. It is also a great way to add color and pattern.
Choosing the Right Rug
- Size: For a big room, go big! The rug should run under the bed and nightstands, and maybe reach your sitting spot. It should hold the main furniture group together.
- Material: Wool is the best pick for Arts and Crafts. It is strong, natural, and feels rich. Cotton or jute work for a more casual look.
- Patterns: Pick rugs with shape patterns like repeating squares, diamonds, or locking designs, or styled nature shapes like leaves and vines. Skip fussy Persian rugs and very modern art designs.
- Colors: Keep to your earthy palette. Deep greens, browns, coppers, and soft blues are great picks.
A good rug can tie the whole room together. It gives a soft base for your strong wood furniture and adds charm that fits the whole style.
Idea 10: Incorporate Handcrafted Details and Artwork
The Arts and Crafts style honored the maker’s hand. Handmade things in your big master bedroom will make it feel real and personal.
Ideas for Handcrafted Touches
- Pottery and Ceramics: Show handmade pottery vases, bowls, or tiles. Pick simple shapes and natural glazes.
- Metalwork: Wrought iron curtain rods, copper touches, or bronze knobs add a rustic handmade feel.
- Stenciling or Wallpaper: Think about a stenciled band at the top of your walls, or a wallpaper with a soft nature pattern (William Morris again!). This adds depth and a real old feel.
- Textile Art: A hand stitched quilt, a woven wall hanging, or stitched pillows add softness and a personal touch.
- Artwork: Pick art that fits the Arts and Crafts feel. Think landscapes, plant prints, or framed stained glass panels. Look for rich nature colors and a calm mood. Skip very abstract or pop art.
- Wood Carvings: A small wood carving or a piece with soft carved details is a pretty add.
These things need not be costly or old. Many new makers craft lovely Arts and Crafts style pieces. What matters is quality and the handmade link.
Idea 11: Maximize Natural Light with Appropriate Window Treatments
Arts and Crafts homes often have big windows made to link inside and nature outside. Your big master bedroom should honor this link, but still allow privacy and light control.
Window Treatment Philosophy
The goal is to frame the view and soften the light, not to block it fully or hide the window. Keep it simple and natural.
Options for Your Arts and Crafts Bedroom
- Simple Curtains or Drapes: Pick natural cloths like linen, cotton, or a soft wool mix. Keep the style plain, like simple rod pocket curtains or pleated drapes that fold neat. Skip frilly tops.
- Colors and Patterns: Keep to your earthy palette. Solid colors or soft nature patterns like a simple leaf shape are best.
- Wooden Blinds or Shutters: Solid wood blinds or inside shutters (plantation shutters with wide slats are nice) give great light control and privacy. They also match the wood in the room. They look clean and classic.
- Roman Shades: These cloth shades give a neat look and come in many natural cloths. When raised, they fold softly and do not block the view.
- Stained Glass Panels (Revisited): As said, stained glass inserts give privacy and beauty, mainly in bathroom windows or busy spots, with no need for heavy curtains.
Think about layering your window covers. Try a thin inner curtain for daytime privacy and a heavier drape for night dark and warmth. Make sure they suit the window shape and let sunlight fill the room when you want it.
Idea 12: Integrate Architectural Details and Trim Work
Many Arts and Crafts homes have lovely big trim and details. If yours has them, show them off! If not, you can add pieces that fit the style and give your big master bedroom a custom built in feel.
Common Arts and Crafts Architectural Elements
- Wide Baseboards and Door/Window Casings: Arts and Crafts trim is wider and chunkier than modern trim. It often has a plain straight shape or a very soft curve. Stain it to match your other wood pieces.
- Picture Rails: This is a wood strip that runs around the room, about 12 to 18 inches below the ceiling. Long ago, art hung from these rails, so the plaster stayed whole. They also split two tone walls nicely.
- Plate Rails: Like picture rails, but with a small ledge. Use them to show pretty plates or small things.
- Wainscoting or Paneling: Wood panels on the lower walls add great warmth, texture, and an old feel. Beadboard or flat panel wainscoting are good picks. Stain or paint them in a matching color.
- Exposed Beams: If your big master bedroom has open ceiling beams, show them off! They show the honest construction rule. If not, you can add fake beams, but make them look strong and real.
- Archways: Plain archways between parts of a big master suite are also common. Think of one leading to a dressing spot or bathroom.
Adding these details can change how your big master bedroom feels a lot. They give shape, charm, and a strong Arts and Crafts link, so your big room feels planned and pretty.
Bringing It All Together: Designing Your Dream Arts and Crafts Master Bedroom
So we have covered a lot, right? From strong wood furniture to snug reading nooks, stained glass, and good light, these 12 ideas will help you make a real and comfy big master bedroom in your Arts and Crafts home.
Remember, this style shines because it feels handmade, calm, and close to nature. You do not need to use every idea. Pick the ones you love most and that fit your home.
A Few Final Tips for Your Large Space:
- Scale is Key: A big room can hold big furniture and chunky details. Do not go too small, or your room will feel empty.
- Layer, Layer, Layer: Use different cloths, colors, and lights to add depth and warmth. This is extra key in a big room, so it does not feel bare.
- Personalize: Follow the style, but let the room show you. Show your best books, art, and loved things. This is your own rest spot!
- Quality over Quantity: Arts and Crafts is about loving well made things. Buy fewer, better pieces that last and make you glad.
- Flow and Harmony: Make sure all parts work well together. The colors, stuff, and patterns should match each other and give a calm, even feel.
Making a big master bedroom in an Arts and Crafts home is a fun journey. It is your chance to build a room that is not just pretty, but also deeply comfy, useful, and true to a timeless style. Focus on good craft, natural stuff, and a bit of planning, and your master bedroom will become a true haven, a place where you will love to rest, refresh, and just be.
Happy decorating!
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