A Master Bedroom Goes Hygge

Shannon and Marcos McQueen are new parents. While Marcos is at work (he's a firefighter + paramedic), Shannon works for Denver Public Schools and stays at home with their 18-month-old son, Fitz. They both wanted a quiet and comfortable bedroom to retreat to and unwind in at the end of a long day-where they'd actually look forward to going to sleep.

"As new parents, our bedroom had become a landing place for laundry and things that need to be put away," Shannon says.

Their needs:

• Brighten things up. The bedroom's dark taupe carpet and gray-blue walls were more drab than fab.
• Go baby-friendly. Since Fitzgerald is often with them, they needed the space to be conducive to family time.
• Add personality. Between work and a new baby, Shannon and Marcos hadn't had time to truly nest in their bedroom, so the space felt bland. They needed help styling and tying it together.

"We wanted a bedroom we could look forward to going to bed in-one that feels like an adult space but is also kid-friendly so we could curl up with Fitz and read books."

Enter Molly Lennan, Lead Designer of west elm Design Crew, Denver.

before

after

"When I first met with Shannon, she brought up the word 'hygge,'" says Molly, referring to the Danish term for coziness. "That was my biggest inspiration for the project-making it feel comfortable, warm and inviting."

Molly brought the hygge big-time with an airy palette, soft textures, natural woods and warm lighting. Her 3 key solves:

• Lighter walls make the small room feel bigger and more open.
• Window treatments like sheer curtains paired with streamlined modern hardware help finish the space, while keeping it light and airy.
• Tonal textures + natural materials, from linen to leather and reclaimed woods, create a layered look-a key ingredient to hygge.