Your bedroom is your private personal room in your home. It is where you want to escape and enjoy some peace and quiet away from the world.
Because it is your personal sanctuary you will want to style it to your personal tastes and ideas.
A couple of clever decorating tricks can turn your ordinary bedroom into a visually delightful retreat
The perfect bedroom relies on simple decorating tricks, from inviting paint colours and stylish headboards to statement lighting and window treatments. And if you're up for putting a few interior design trends to the test, there's room for that too.
You can consider weaving in elements like graphic wallpaper or non-traditional pieces of furniture (try using a console table as a nightstand, for instance) to infuse your space with personality.
Learn how to style a bedroom that will be a personal getaway and sanctuary—plus how to incorporate your favourite colours, feelings, and collections.
The best place to start is to decide on the overall style you want to go for.
Being clear about this will help to make decisions on color schemes, furniture choice (if you are buying new), decor and accessories much easier and more straightforward as you already have a clear idea of what look you are after.
But certain elements might help you make a start too. You might fall for a statement bed frame that will be the jumping-off point, or you know you want a wall of a certain colour that will lend itself to a certain style.
There really is no right starting point but we will talk you through everything you can consider while planning your bedroom style.
How to pick your style?
The best way is to go old school with a mood board.
Have a look at Pinterest and pin bedrooms you like the look of, flick through magazines and start following Instagram accounts whose homes you like the style of.
You'll quickly start to see some themes arising, and even if you notice you are loving more than one style, don't worry, there are no rules against mixing styles, in fact, that's what is going to make your bedroom decor feel personal to you.
If you are decorating a bedroom for the first time, it is likely that your tastes will change.
But until you have a clear idea of what you love avoid investing in anything that is very clearly suited to one style, and instead use smaller, more affordable ways to bring that style into your space.
Essentially, keep your more expensive pieces like your bed and any larger storage pieces, neutral so they can work with any look you throw at them.
Instead of using bold primary colours in your bedroom, choose soothing shades and a restful palette of monochromatic tones.
Gentle hues of blue, lavender, or green are considered calm and serene, while rich jewel-toned hues help set the mood of coziness and comfort.
You can also use toned-down versions of your favourite colours in the bedroom, like selecting a blush instead of bright pink or copper instead of tangerine.
Colour affects your mood.
Think about how you want to feel rather than colour trends when picking your palette.
People shy away from darker tones for fear they will make a room look small, but they also make space feel intimate and sophisticated both desirable bedroom qualities.
Or if you'd rather have a space that's loftier and bright then call for lighter colours with colour pops in accessories to bring a fun element.
Colour doesn't have to stop at paint so white walls don't always mean a white room. Linens, rugs, art and other decorations are very important tools for layering colour just like an oil painting.
Light also affects how we perceive colour. A south-facing room usually has a warm light making colours appear yellower whereas a north-facing room has a cooler blue hue. But remember it's never ‘just grey'. Using warmer tones for something north-facing will balance out the blue and stop it from becoming icy cold.
Consider your bed as the focal point of your room. It's the largest and most important item.
Look at giving it pride of place by positioning it along the largest solid wall and diagonally across from the door. This way the bed is in a commanding position with a view of the door whilst it's not wholly visible from the outside looking in.
An external wall or window can be prone to draughts and chills which you may want to avoid. And if you have paid a premium for that beautiful view you don't want to be turning your back on it by putting your bed against it.
It may sound obvious but if you are sharing make sure you can get in from both sides of the bed. If it's all yours then feel free to push it into a corner and create a cosy nook.
To complement the style of your bed it's important to choose the correct mattress. It goes without saying you want a good mattress but it's also important to have a mattress that suits you.
Mattresses aren't one size fits all! The best way to find one for you is to try a number out and don't hesitate to read reviews and use sleep trials to your advantage.
With a shortage of space, underbed storage is a must.
There are many options to choose from when it comes to selecting well-proportioned storage, some of which are open completely from one side and will look seamless from the outside.
Freestanding beds are no exception when it comes to storage, well proportioned baskets, trunks or crates can be sourced that will slide neatly underneath to be hidden from view. Bed skirts or valances can help hide the mess under your bed.
The ceiling is often referred to as the fifth wall in a room, but it becomes especially important in a bedroom where you stare at it while laying in bed.
Adding a subtle pattern or soft colour can go a long way in making the room feel more stylish and considered. You can also try painting the ceiling a slightly lighter version of the wall color, which will help to visually lower the ceiling and give the space a feeling of comfort and intimacy.
Other solutions would be to stencil or wallpaper the ceiling, add architectural elements in the form of beams or mouldings or use a decorative paint treatment.
For an added touch of luxury, add a moulded medallion and chandelier of crystal or delicate shades bringing colour, pattern, and texture to the "fifth wall" above you.
A bedroom should look cozy, sophisticated, and elegant, regardless of what style of decorating you choose.
For ease of movement, leave a minimum of 1 metre (3 feet) between the bed and side walls or large pieces of furniture, and at least 0.6 metres (2 feet) between the bed and low furniture, like tables and dressers.
If you have to walk around the bed to get from the closet or the bathroom, think of how you can move the bed to make things more streamlined.
Beyond that, furnish your bedroom with only what you need. A bed, a bedside table or two, a dresser, and a chair are necessities.
Anything else may be considered clutter and can easily add to the feeling of chaos or business in your space. Accessories should also be kept to a minimum.
Choose a beautiful piece of artwork, arrange some family photos, add flowers and candles, and let the rest breathe.
When you're ready to buy bedroom furniture, start out with a floor plan and a measured drawing of the space.
Furniture should fit the room it lives in—this is particularly true for bedroom furniture.
Don't choose a heavy, large bed and dresser for a small bedroom.
If the ceiling is high, a tall headboard will help to visibly bring it down to size. If your bedroom is large, choose furniture that suits a larger space, too.
Add a chair and ottoman or place a piece of furniture at the end of the bed to help fill extra square footage. Furniture and accessories that are too small will look lost in a large room.
To add to the serene feeling of a bedroom, store things out of sight.
This will help the room appear more calm and roomy.
Choose a bedside table with drawers or doors behind which you can hide books, lotion, and reading glasses within reach but out of sight. For more storage, a skirted table or a small dresser with drawers is a great option.
A trunk or a storage bench at the foot of the bed is a great way to store extra sheets, blankets, and pillows. Use a headboard with built-in shelves or sliding panels for easy-to-reach books and accessories.
Place shallow boxes underneath the bed to hold smaller accessories or out-of-season clothes, hiding them with a beautiful bed skirt.
Finally, a custom-designed organization system can also help you make maximum use of your existing closet space.
Give yourself a special treat with a quiet place to sit and read.
All it takes to create an intimate reading or lounging area is a comfortable chair and footstool at the end of your bed or in a corner.
If you have the room, build a window seat under the bedroom window to enjoy the view and natural light.
Outfitting your bedroom with beautiful and luxurious fabrics is a great way to up the comfort factor of your space.
As a rule of thumb, don't buy sheets that are less than 100 per cent cotton or linen with high thread counts of 350 or more.
For sheets that feel like they came from a 5-star hotel, send them to the dry cleaner for professional washing and pressing, which doesn't cost much, but creates a crisp smoothness worthy of the Ritz.
You can also add other sensual-feeling fabrics throughout the bedroom, like a soft mohair or cashmere throw on the arm of a reading chair, textured wall coverings, luxe drapes, and a breezy bed canopy, or a plush rug.
Artwork is a great way to bring some personality into your bedroom decor.
The gallery wall trend has stood the test of time, and they always look beautiful displayed above a bed or to spruce up a boring wall. And you can really tailor them to suit your tastes – if you like a minimal look pick a symmetrical layout and pick a clear color theme, and a more laid-back look don't stick to such a rigid format and mismatch your frames.
You could alternatively choose a single, oversized print to hang on your main wall. You could even use it as the basis for your whole bedroom, weaving the same colors throughout the room and really making the artwork the focus.
It works well to have multiple lights, think about the power of three, two bedside (lamp pendant or otherwise) and a floor.
Keep things visually interesting and team up your floor lamps and bedside lights where one light should be functional when the other is ambient.
If you're planning on reading before you drift off, then your bedside lights will need to be directional task lighting leaving your floor standing lamp to provide an ambient glow.
On the other hand, your reading nook floor lamp can be partnered with ambient bedside lamps.
Your bedside light should be at eye level when sitting so that the bottom of the shade stops the bulb being exposed and blinding at night.
Curtains will instantaneously add to a feeling of cosiness in the bedroom.
In order to create the illusion that your windows are wider than they actually are, you should consider extending the curtain rod past each side of the glass and above the top of the frame.
If you have the space, make sure the curtains clear the window to let in as much light as possible. You can get double (or even triple) curtain rods that allow you to play with lighting levels depending on the time of year and how you are feeling.
Mix a thin curtain with a black-out alternative so you can let the summer sun stream in the windows but shut out those cold winter nights.
While curtains add character and style to a room, they are expensive and cumbersome to maintain. Blinds are a good cheaper and easier alternative. Blinds should always be well fitted, and there are some really good blackout options out there to help you get a good night's sleep.
There are a fair few decisions to make for your walls.
Wallpaper is a quick and easy way to add complex patterns and colours. The downside is that they are far more expensive than paint. Paint is usually the cheaper option overall and the range of colours available is immense.
The good news is that your bedroom is full of design potential. All that's required is a little creativity to make the most of your space and turn your layout into a dreamy retreat.
Now you are ready to style your bedroom.
Other Reading
https://www.mydomaine.com/bedroom-design-tips
https://www.countryliving.com/home-design/g1192/bedroom-designs-gallery/
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