5 Washington Craftsman Bedrooms With Built-In Warmth
Craftsman-style homes in Washington state offer more than just shelter – they showcase architectural heritage with distinctive warmth and character. In the rainy Pacific Northwest, these bedrooms serve as cozy retreats from the elements, combining natural materials with thoughtful design.
Let’s explore five Washington Craftsman bedrooms where built-in features create spaces that feel both timeless and deeply comforting.
1. River Rock Fireplace in Bellingham Bungalow
Gathered from nearby Nooksack River, the stones in this bedroom fireplace tell a geological story unique to the Pacific Northwest. Each rock was hand-selected and meticulously placed by Lummi craftsmen in the 1920s, creating a one-of-a-kind focal point that anchors the room.
Unlike modern gas inserts, this working wood fireplace provides both physical and psychological warmth. The mantel – a single massive fir beam salvaged from an old lumber mill – offers display space for personal treasures while connecting to the region’s industrial past.
2. Custom Built-In Wardrobes in Tacoma Heritage Home
Before walk-in closets became standard, Craftsman homes solved storage needs with these ingenious built-in wardrobes. Quarter-sawn oak doors swing wide on original brass hinges, revealing cedar-lined interiors that naturally repel moths and impart a subtle fragrance to clothing.
Designed to appear as furniture rather than mere storage, these wardrobes feature hand-carved drawer pulls and decorative inlays. The current owners discovered the cabinetmaker’s signature hidden inside when renovating, a fourth-generation Tacoma woodworker whose family still operates a small shop downtown.
3. Handcrafted Mission-Style Bed Frame in Olympia
Straight lines and honest construction define this substantial bed frame, built by a local furniture maker using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery – no nails or screws needed. The headboard rises like a small architectural facade, with three panels of figured maple surrounded by darker walnut borders.
Low-profile side tables attach directly to the frame, a space-saving feature popular in early 20th-century designs. Small reading lamps mount directly to the headboard, eliminating the need for table lamps and freeing up surface space for books and midnight water glasses.
4. Stained Glass Transom Windows in Port Townsend
Jewel-toned light dances across this bedroom as sunlight filters through original stained glass transoms above the doorway and windows. The artisan who created these glass panels took inspiration from native rhododendron blooms, incorporating deep pinks and greens that complement the room’s earth-toned palette. B
eyond their artistic merit, these transoms serve a practical purpose – allowing light to flow between rooms while maintaining privacy. During the home’s recent restoration, preservationists carefully removed each panel, cleaned a century of grime, and repaired broken pieces using traditional leading techniques.
5. Inglenook Reading Nook in Walla Walla Farmhouse
Carved from what was once an oversized chimney chase, this intimate reading alcove creates a room-within-a-room perfect for escaping into a good book. Copper reading sconces provide directed light without disturbing a sleeping partner, while built-in bookshelves keep favorite titles within arm’s reach.
The cushioned bench conceals blanket storage underneath. Original fir wainscoting wraps the nook in warm wood tones that have deepened over decades. The current owners – both professors at the local college – joke that they fought over who would get the master bedroom solely because of this cozy feature.
