Bedroom

Many of us look forward to crashing onto a comfy bed at the end of a long, busy day. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary to which you can retreat to wind down and put your feet up. The last thing you want when you’re ready to hit the hay is to be confronted with a floor filled with shoes or chairs draped in clothes. If storage is an issue, clutter is taking over, or you’re trying to make the most of a compact space, here are some tips to create a more spacious, serene bedroom.

Opt for neutral walls

If you haven’t got a large bedroom, paying attention to colour is key. If you have a small space, opting for dark shades and prints can make the room look smaller. To create the illusion of a more spacious boudoir, stick to neutral tones, and use accessories or accents to add colour.

Dove grey, beige, and white work really well. If you do want to add interest, you can use cushions, lamps, vases and plant pots, candle holders, bed linen, curtains, rugs and frames to carry a theme and introduce new tones.

Invest in clever storage solutions

If you’ve become accustomed to a ‘floordrobe,’ now is the time to make some changes. Clutter can contribute to stress, and it detracts from the harmony and peace of the room, as well as affecting the aesthetic.

If you don’t have space for chests and wardrobes, don’t worry. Make use of wall space, and look into clever storage solutions, such as an Ottoman divan bed from The Sleep Station. With this kind of bed, you can store clothes, bedding, and towels underneath the mattress.

It’s also a good idea to have a clear out periodically, and to store clothes you’re not going to use in the months ahead in a loft or basement. If your drawers are full of jumpers and coats, and summer is approaching, for example, you can free up room by boxing them up until cooler climes arrive once more.

Maximise natural light

Light always makes rooms look more spacious, so make the most of every drop of natural light. Open the curtains wide, use mirrors to bounce light around the room, and opt for light walls and floors.

Embrace the minimalist vibe

Nothing eats up space like clutter. If you have a bijou bedroom, consider embracing the popular minimalist vibe, and keeping things simple. Don’t cover every inch of the walls in prints or frames or hide every metre of floor space under rugs.

Choose a basic colour palette and don’t go too crazy with accessories. Opt for understated patterns and prints like spots or graphic lines if you’re adding a couple of cushions to the bed, and use simple touches like plants and mirrors to add a homely feel.

If you long for more space in the bedroom, but you don’t have the option of extending or converting an attic, hopefully, these simple solutions will make all the difference. Freshen up the room with light tones, innovative storage options and effortless, chic decorative touches.

At the end of the day, everyone wants a bedroom that allows them to leave stress outside the door. Your bedroom’s interior design can and should support the main purpose of the room – sleep. One of the simplest ways to enhance your sleep is to incorporate plants and natural design elements into your design.

1. Houseplants

This is, of course, the obvious choice if you’re looking for a quick way to bring nature indoors. Luckily, houseplants come in all shapes and sizes so you’re sure to find a variety you like. However, you have to consider more than looks. Some plants require frequent watering and very specific light conditions while others can survive just about anywhere. Take into consideration how much maintenance you’re willing to do and your climate. After that, it’s about finding a plant you love.

If you’re not sure where to start your search, NASA conducted a study to find plants that remove biotoxins from indoor air. Their list included the bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, English ivy, and Gerbera daisy to name a few. Plants on this list can remove biotoxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Fresh, clean air contributes to deeper sleep and helps you feel more alert the next day. The spider plant and snake plant, both of which made NASA’s list, release oxygen at night, providing clean air when you need it most.

2. Artwork and Display Pieces

If houseplants aren’t your thing, you definitely have other options. The goal is to create the same feeling you get when taking a walk outside. Nature walks have been shown to decrease rumination, a habit of negative thinking, and signs of depression. Hospitals incorporate green spaces and use nature-themed artwork because they shorten recovery times. Who doesn’t want that in their bedroom?

Leaves, trees, mountains, and landscapes all have the power to bring your heart rate and blood pressure down for better sleep.

3. Nature-Themed Furniture and Accent Pieces

While nature-themed furniture and accents may sound a little too log cabin to you, that’s not what we’re talking about here. Organic shapes and motifs on throw pillows, curtains, and/or side chairs have a natural feel that harkens back to the outdoors too.

One or two small accent pieces with a branch or shell pattern don’t scream nature but rather provide a subtle reminder of down to earth places. Themes and pieces sourced from local artisans or that use local vegetation as inspiration can really make it feel like you’ve integrated with your natural environment.

4. Hard Textures

Most of the time when you think ‘natural elements’ you think of wood, leaves, and sky. But, there are other natural elements that can add interest and depth such as stone and brick. The texture of stone and brick, especially when locally quarried, bring a Zen-like feel to the bedroom.

Stone may seem a little harsh for the bedroom but when used as the base for a lamp or display piece, it can provide excellent contrast with the softness of a mattress covered with cotton or linen bedding (remember we’re going natural here). The two can balance one another out so you have the comfort of cotton and rugged strength of stone and both feel amazing.

When incorporating natural elements, look for pieces that speak to you. A few thoughtfully chosen purchases put nature in your life where and when you need it.

In the winter, sneaking up to bed a bit early to snuggle under the covers or read that book you have had for ages feels wonderful. There is something special about having a nice cosy bedroom. It is like having your own little retreat. A space you feel warm and comfortable in. If you have not had time to update your bedroom for the winter months, just read on. As you will see it is not hard to do, you can easily do it over a weekend.

Sort out your floors

If your flooring has seen better days, you could simply put down some rugs to cover the worst issues and make it look cosier. Or, you could bite the bullet and buy some new flooring.

Laying a new laminate floor in an average sized bedroom does not take long. Provided you are organised and get all of your tools out the night before you can easily do it over the course of a long morning. If you are going to do be using cordless power tools, remember to charge them the night before.

Giving the walls a fresh new look the easy way

Usually, there is no need to completely redecorate. Simply swapping your artwork for something that has a cosier and warmer vibe could be all that is necessary.

If you decide that your wall décor does need updating, consider taking the easy approach. You could perhaps just paint or wallpaper one wall, which is much faster than doing them all. Using stencils or wall stickers is also a quick and easy way to give your bedroom a startling new look.

Update your bedding

A bedroom always looks nicer if you have crisp new bedding to use. Adding a throw or eiderdown adds a touch of luxury as well as making the room feel cosier. Plus, of course, on colder nights you can always leave it on to keep you warmer.

Add a few extra touches

If you do not already have a chair and footrest set up in your bedroom consider adding one. You will be surprised by how much you will use it. Provided you set it up in the corner it will not take up a lot of space. Yet the room will look a lot nicer and help to create a cosier atmosphere.

Deal with any draughts

It is also a good idea to check the room for draughts. If you find any just go online to learn how to sort them out. Often, it is as simple as sticking some draught excluding tape along the edges of your door or window frames.

Do it on the cheap

If you are on a tight budget do not worry. You can usually pick up everything you need from your local charity shop. The fact that lots of people update their bedrooms and bedding at this time of the year means that there is usually plenty of choice available. Or, if you are quick you can take advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and grab yourself a bargain.