Renovation Resort Episode 1: Designing a Primary Bedroom and Bathroom That Actually Feels Like a Retreat
If you watched Renovation Resort Episode 1, you already know the stakes were high. The primary bedroom and bathroom set the tone for the entire home. This space is not just another room. It is where your day begins and ends, and it needs to feel intentional, calming, and elevated.
In Episode 1, we tackled one of the most common renovation challenges homeowners face when reimagining their primary suite: how to create a space that feels luxurious and cohesive without overcomplicating the design.
Let’s break down the biggest problems people run into and how we approached solving them on Renovation Resort.
The Most Common Problem: A Primary Suite That Feels Disconnected
One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make when renovating a primary bedroom and bathroom is treating them as two separate projects.
The bedroom feels cozy and layered.
The bathroom feels cold, sterile, or overly trendy.
When these spaces do not visually or emotionally connect, the entire suite loses its sense of retreat.
On Renovation Resort, our goal was to design the primary bedroom and bathroom as one continuous experience. Think boutique hotel, not piecemeal renovation.
Start With a Unified Design Story
Before selecting a single product, we established a clear design direction that flowed from the bedroom into the bathroom.
That meant:
A consistent color palette rooted in warm neutrals
Materials that felt timeless rather than trendy
Textures layered thoughtfully so the space felt rich, not busy
This approach instantly elevates the space and prevents that “we renovated in phases” look that so many homeowners regret later.
Prioritize Comfort in the Bedroom
In Episode 1, the primary bedroom was designed to feel restful first and beautiful second. Comfort is the true luxury.
We focused on:
Upholstered and layered bedding that invites you to slow down.
Soft lighting at multiple levels instead of a single overhead fixture. We hung the Roscoe chandelier by Arhaus over the bed to add a touch of sophistication and glamour.
Furniture that feels substantial but not heavy, like this boucle swivel chair for the bedroom.
Many homeowners underestimate how much lighting and scale impact how a bedroom feels. Proper bedside lighting and correctly sized nightstands alone can completely change the experience of the room.
You’ll find the exact bedding, lighting, and accent pieces we used linked through my LTK for this episode so you can recreate the look at home.
Design the Bathroom Like a Spa, Not a Showroom
Another common issue is designing a bathroom that looks great in photos but does not feel good to live in.
For the primary bathroom, we focused on:
Warm finishes instead of stark white everywhere
Thoughtful storage so countertops stay clean
Fixtures that feel elevated but are still functional for everyday use
Lighting played a huge role here. A mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting creates a bathroom that feels calming in the morning and relaxing at night.
This is where many renovations fall short. Great bathrooms are not about more features. They are about better planning.
Invest Where It Matters Most
Renovating a primary suite can get expensive quickly, so knowing where to invest makes all the difference.
Our priorities in Episode 1 were:
Lighting that sets the mood
Plumbing fixtures that feel substantial and timeless
Key furniture and finishes that anchor the space visually
These are the elements you touch and see every single day. They are worth the investment. Decorative accents can always be layered in over time.
All of the shoppable pieces from this episode are linked through my LTK so you can source similar items at different price points.
Your Primary Suite Should Work for You
The primary bedroom and bathroom should feel like a personal retreat, not a collection of random design decisions.
Episode 1 of Renovation Resort was all about proving that when you:
Design the bedroom and bathroom together
Focus on comfort and function first
Layer in warmth through materials, lighting, and texture
You end up with a space that feels elevated, intentional, and livable.
If you are planning your own primary suite renovation, take this episode as your reminder that luxury is not about excess. It is about thoughtful design choices that make everyday life feel better.
Be sure to explore the LTK links from this episode to shop the exact products and get inspired to bring this look into your own home
Ready to Create Your Primary Bedroom & Bathroom?
If you’re considering a bathroom renovation and want expert design paired with top-tier fixtures, let’s chat! We’d love to help you create a space that’s as functional as it is stunning.
