There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sinking into the sheets after a long or hectic day. Our bedrooms should be tranquil havens, which promote peace and serenity, but often, they become dumping grounds or they are relegated to the bottom of a renovation list that prioritizes kitchens and bathrooms. If your boudoir is more bland than beautiful, or you’re keen to create a more relaxing, calming space, this guide will help you design your dream bedroom.
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Decluttering
Before you think about choosing paint colors or ordering cushion covers, it’s hugely beneficial to free your bedroom from clutter and to maximize the space you have available. If you tend to chuck the clothes you’ve been wearing on the back of a chair, or you’ve got a pile of stuff collecting by the side of the bed, getting rid of clutter will create more usable space and help to set the right tone. Clutter can cause stress, and it detracts from the aesthetic of the room. The first thing to do if your bedroom is packed to the rafters is to go through drawers, cupboards, shelving units and closets and decide what you want to keep. If there are items you don’t need or want anymore, make separate piles for things you’d like to donate or sell and a mound for stuff you can throw away. Once you have the possessions you want to keep hold of, find a home for them. Store clothing, shoes and accessories in a closet, chest of drawers or wardrobe, and use storage boxes and shelving to keep papers and books tidy and display ornaments, photographs and frames.
If you’re short on storage, and this is contributing to clutter issues, there are myriad options available. You could invest in more storage tubs or hang shelves on the wall, or you could browse discounted bedroom sets and increase storage space with a wardrobe, chests, bedside tables and freestanding units. It’s also a great idea to make the most of the space you have by utilizing innovative tricks like hanging pegs on the closet wall to keep scarves and hats tidy, using racks for shoes, and storing bedding, throws and blankets in a drawer beneath the mattress.
If you have a pile of belongings you want to sell after your decluttering operation, you could host a yard sale or list your items online. For items you’d like to donate, research local nonprofits or take your stuff to a thrift store.
Once your bedroom is clean and tidy and clutter-free, make a concerted effort to keep on top of tidying. Putting clothes and shoes away at the end of the day and making sure towels, bed linen and books have a home can make all the difference. Regular tidying will save you time and effort in the long-run, and it will also make the room look more appealing and inviting.
Changing your colorways
Altering the color of your bedroom is one of the simplest but most effective ways to spruce up the interior and create a beautiful, relaxing room. Colors have an incredible aesthetic appeal and impact, but crucially, they also affect our moods. When you’re decorating your bedroom, think carefully before you decide which colors to go for. You want your haven to be calming, and you want to feel your shoulders drop as soon as you walk through the door. Colors that are proven to have a relaxing effect include pastel shades, tones of blue and green and neutrals. There’s nothing wrong with adding a subtle splash of color, but resist the temptation to go crazy with bright colors in bedrooms or add clashing or garish prints. Shades like lavender and lilac, duck-egg blue, blush pink, white, light gray, sage green, mocha and beige work brilliantly in bedrooms. If you love color, or you’re keen to add interest with patterns or prints, you can use accessories and accents, such as wall art, soft furnishings, lamps and potted plants.
Before you make a final decision on the colors you want for your walls, get some testers and try them out on your wall. Sometimes, the shade can look very different in the natural light, and you may find that you prefer different colors to those you initially selected on a paint chart. It’s worth painting a stripe of the tones you like on the same wall and then making your choice once the paint has dried fully. If you’re painting your bedroom yourself, make sure you have all the kit you need before you start. Move furniture out of the room or cover beds and chests in dust sheets to prevent them from getting covered in paint. You should also lay a protective cover on the floor to catch any stray splashes. You can use old bed sheets or curtains if you don’t have dust sheets. Sand the wall and wipe it clean with soapy water before you start painting. If you’re covering a colored wall, you may need to apply at least two coats, so make sure you have enough paint. Use a brush for intricate parts and a roller for larger spaces. Wait for the first coat to dry before starting the second paint layer.
Creating a focal point
When you walk into your bedroom, what do you see? Where are your eyes drawn to? Most of us associate our bedrooms with enjoying a good night’s sleep. If you don’t already have a focal point, it’s an excellent idea to draw the eyes to your bed. You can bring your room to life and induce calm and serenity by making your bed look alluring, cozy and enticing. If you’re not a fan of your current bed frame or headboard, you can either buy a new one or use your creative skills to upcycle or revamp existing furniture. Match your furniture to the theme and style of the room. For a rustic look with a modern twist, for example, you can use everything from pallets and stable doors to industrial filing cabinets to make bed frames, headboards and bedside tables. You can also hang a mirror, a framed print or wall lettering or lighting over your bed to make a statement.
Accessories and soft furnishings
Once you’ve painted your walls, organized your furniture and de-cluttered, the next step is to finish the aesthetic with accessories. You can use a diverse range of finishing touches and accents to personalize bedrooms and create that homely, lived-in look. Depending on the theme you’ve chosen and the feel of the room, you can use everything from framed prints and photos, plants and rugs to mirrors, decorative shelving and ornaments to elevate your design to the next level, embrace different trends and really put your stamp on the room. For romantic, vintage-style rooms, add an ornate mirror, a chandelier and vases of fresh flowers. For an industrial vibe, team solid wood furniture with string lights with over-sized bulbs, bulky-framed wooden mirrors and shelving units featuring metal hooks and rails. If you’re opting for a minimalist look, you can lift white walls with graphic monochrome cushions and rugs, plants and simple floating shelves. Use texture to add coziness with cushions, blankets, throws and rugs. Opt for heavy, sumptuous fabrics, such as velvet, wool and faux fur for winter and switch to cotton and linen in the warm summer months. If your bedroom is small, you can use mirrors to reflect and bounce light around the room to create the illusion of a larger, brighter space.
Lighting
Lighting can have an impact in any room, but it’s particularly influential when designing a tranquil bedroom. The lighting you choose can affect your mood and the tone and ambiance of the space. While you need a lot of light in kitchens and living rooms, your bedroom should be a relaxing, soothing room, which makes you feel at peace. Opt for soft lighting using wall lights or lamps, or fit a dimmer switch to adjust the level of light when you’re ready to hit the hay. There is a vast selection of bedside and floor lamps, pendants and wall lights available, and you can choose styles that complement your furniture, your color palette and the overall look you want to create. From fairy lights for whimsical retreats and chandeliers for opulent boudoirs to oversized drum pendants for modern loft-style bedrooms and clusters of hanging vintage-style bulbs for a cool, contemporary space, there’s something for everyone.
Do you feel relaxed when you walk through your bedroom door, or are you greeted with drab walls, old curtains and rugs or piles of clutter? If your boudoir isn’t quite the heavenly haven you crave, there are some very simple ways to create a beautiful new space. Start by decluttering and using storage solutions to tidy up and free up space. Spruce up your room with a fresh coat of paint on the walls, using accessories and finishing touches to carry themes and inject colors and patterns. Opt for soothing, calming tones that create a tranquil atmosphere. Add lamps or wall or ceiling lights to enhance the aesthetic and add ambiance. Soft lighting is ideal for bedrooms.
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