Friday, April 10, 2009

Bedroom Decor

A bedroom is a personal sanctuary, a place to retreat, rest, read and renew. More than any other place in the house, the bedroom should be an expression of your personal preferences in color, furnishings and style. When you first open your eyes in the morning, and when you finally close them at night, you should feel surrounded by things that give you comfort and peace. Your bedroom is not open to the public; entrance is by invitation only. So throw away all those lists of dos and don'ts, and enjoy the process of creating your very own dream room.


Color


Choosing the ideal paint color for the bedroom is the key to a successful design. Because bedrooms are intended sleeping spaces, soothing colors contribute to a quiet mood that promotes relaxation. Cooler, less intense tones of blue, green and violet work well, yet neutral grays, beiges and ivory whites are effective in bedrooms too. A soft yellow bedroom evokes a sunny perspective that lifts the spirits, even on a cloudy day. The ultimate test is if love the color. Ceilings tinted in a very pale tone of the wall color create a unified effect.


Furnishings


The bed is always the featured piece of furniture in a bedroom. Your selection of a headboard and optional foot board will establish the decorative style of the room. An upholstered headboard is a stylish option for both comfort and economy. A chest of drawers for storing clothes and accessories is essential, nightstands on each side of the bed to hold reading lamps and clocks and at least one chair completes the list of basic furnishings. However, many additional pieces may be added, providing there is space. For example, pieces such as bookshelves, a writing desk, a bench at the foot of the bed and additional chests or seating frequently amend the basics.


Fabrics


Dressing the bed involves a lot of fabric, so the choice of this fabric is a key design decision. Whether you decide on ready-made or custom bedding, the color, pattern and texture of the fabric will greatly influence the mood and style of the room. This fabric must harmonize with the chosen paint color to unify the space. In addition to the bed covering, a coordinating dust ruffle and pillow shams often complete the bedding package. Windows in the room require even more fabric. Using the same fabric used for the bed coverings creates instant unity; however, a different, but complementary fabric is also effective. Using custom window shades constructed from the same fabric used on the bedding, or from a coordinating fabric, is a clever way to cut down on fabric costs.








Lighting


Do away with center ceiling lights, if possible, but install a fan to circulate fresh air. Put rheostats on recessed fixtures to control lighting mood. Insert three-way bulbs in table lamps. Celebrate natural light with sheer curtains, or use plantation shutters that can tilt to allow more or less light into the space.


Floors


Whether bare wood or carpet, the bedroom floors are a color statement not to be overlooked. Use area rugs on wood floors to soften noise and lighten color tone. If carpet or wood floors are dark, use lighter color values on the walls and ceiling.


Accessories








All decorative accessories in your bedroom are expressions of you, giving clues to your interests, the things and people you love. Select paintings, photographs and trophies that mean something to you and that you will enjoy seeing when you open your eyes in the morning. Plan storage for reading materials and other articles you want to keep close at hand. Keep clutter under control to preserve a peaceful, nonstressful atmosphere. If possible, include at least one live plant to freshen the air.

Tags: eyes morning, fabric used, open your, open your eyes, paint color