A mural or print of an island instills a sense of calm in a bedroom.
An island-themed bedroom lends a sense of calm to the enclosed space. Palm trees, sandy beaches, clear water and blue skies transform a drab bedroom into a tropical haven that instantly lifts your spirits and soothes the nerves. Although you can hire a professional, updating the bedroom yourself allows you to personalize it while saving extra costs. With a little creativity, use a combination of natural and artificial items to create a private island in your home.
Instructions
1. Paint the walls in colors that instantly set the mood for a tropical or island theme. Look through paint swatches for shades of yellow, orange, blue and green you want to include in your themed bedroom. Depending on personal preference, paint all the walls of the room a solid color, or paint one wall bright and the other lighter. Alternatively, paste a mural or wallpaper of an island scene on one or all the walls. Apply the paint using brushes and rollers and leave to dry for two or more days.
2. Sketch or stencil drawings on the painted walls that complement the island setting and bring the theme together. Draw palm trees, sea shells, a sandy beach and a line of beach huts on the walls, and fill the outlines with color.
3. Pick out bedding that blends with the island theme and complements wall colors. For instance, offset a brightly colored wall with a lighter bedspread, or use a bold bedspread if the walls are lighter. Pastel shades are ideal for low-key bedding if the walls are brighter. Alternatively, use a printed bedspread that features seashells, tropical fish or palm trees to add a whimsical touch to the area.
4. Place furniture strategically in your bedroom to coordinate the island theme. Update old furniture with beach-inspired upholstery if you do not want to buy new pieces, or add a few pieces of wicker or bamboo furniture. Use straw, jute and suede in neutral colors to give the furniture an earthy tone. Replace the existing shades with those made from jute or straw and place on the lamps. Hang light, gauzy curtains to catch the subtle summer breeze. Install blinds under the curtains if you want privacy.
5. Place an indoor or artificial palm tree in a corner of your room to bring the theme together. Drape artificial leis on window frames or your bedposts. Cut open a grass skirt and staple to the end of a chair so it serves as a chair skirt. Glue small shells around the edges of a mirror, and mount it on a wall to add a tropical touch to the space.
Tags: island theme, bring theme, together, palm trees, sense calm, that instantly
