CONSIDER THIS BEFORE DECORATING/DESIGNING A BEDROOM

 

PLANNING

 

 

PLAN THE BEST BEDROOM LAYOUT

Deciding on the layout of your bedroom furniture is a vital step in bedroom design. You may have little flexibility,

but it’s worth drawing a layout on graph paper, paying attention to the direction natural light is coming from.

Start with the position of your bed, organizing all other furniture around it. It is best to position your bed

lengthways in a rectangular room, while larger bedrooms will allow for more creativity, and you may

well want to position the bed in the center of the room. When planning the layout for small bedrooms, consider

moving the bed into a corner to save floor space all round.

Now consider how much room (and budget) you have for bedroom storage. Fitted bedroom furniture tends

to be more expensive and formal-looking but will offer a more efficient use of space, especially in a

small bedroom, or an awkwardly-shaped one, such as a loft bedroom. Unfitted furniture needn’t match,

but you should aim, at the least, for a dressing table and bedside tables. And if you don’t have a separate

closet, you’ll need to add in something for clothes storage too.

 

 

INVEST IN ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING TOO

While natural light is important when designing a bedroom, most of us will spend more time in our

bedroom when it is dark, so maximizing the potential of artificial bedroom light with a clever

bedroom lighting scheme is crucial to creating a cozy and relaxing space. 

Think soft, diffused light from dimmable bedside lamps or wall lights, or even a string of fairy

lights arranged along your headboard. You may find that a ceiling light is unnecessary if you have integrated

lighting in a wardrobe and good task lighting around your dressing table, for example, but in a high-ceilinged

room, a chandelier or over-sized lampshade will create a focal decorative point. 

 

 

FURNISHING

 

INVEST IN PRACTICAL BEDROOM FURNITURE

The first consideration in choosing bedroom furniture is whether to go for fitted units or freestanding units. The choice

will partly be dictated by the shape of your bedroom: awkwardly shaped rooms (often the case in period properties)

will benefit from a bespoke fitted solution.  More standardized spaces in newer properties will work best with well-chosen

furniture sets or an eclectic mix of bedside tables, bedroom storage units, and a freestanding wardrobe.

Freestanding options can be considerably cheaper than fitted units, and can be replaced every few years if you like

to switch up your bedroom design. If you only have to follow one rule when choosing your bedroom furniture, pick pieces

that double up as bedroom storage. Choosing items that have delicate or light-colored frames will avoid overloading

the space visually, and should make the bedroom feel larger, less formal and brighter, too.

If you are designing a bedroom that’s tight on space, a mirrored wardrobe is probably the best trick for visually enhancing

the size of the room.

 

 

 

BRING IN SMALL STORAGE PIECES

Bedroom storage options should be easy on the eye as well as functional. Consider mixing and matching your bedroom storage,

especially if you have a lot of stuff that needs sorting and tidying – and sufficient space for a variety of storage units.

You can also choose a bedroom storage set, too, matching your bedside cabinets to your wardrobe and bed frame, and

adding a bedroom storage bench or bedroom storage chest for maximum storage options.

 

 

CHOOSE THE BEST BED FOR YOUR BEDROOM DESIGN

Choosing a bed isn’t just about buying a good-looking bed frame. Rather, pick a bed frame that best suits your needs.

For example, are you short on bedroom storage and would benefit from a divan with built-in drawers, or a

bed that lifts up to reveal hidden storage in the base, or a bed with a storage headboard? Do you really need

a king-sized bed frame, or could you save space with double bed instead?

What about the bed’s style? It should complement your overall scheme but can be used to dictate it, too.

For example, if your preference is for a streamlined, minimalist look with a Scandi edge, go for a simple,

white-washed wooden frame; if you want to add a feeling of luxury or an injection of pattern or color, a bed

with an upholstered, padded headboard will be perfect.

 

 

PICK THE BEST BEDDING TOO

‘Never underestimate the incredible difference the right mattress, pillow, super light duvet and super comfy topper

will make. It can transform how comfortable we feel, eradicate neck and back pain, alleviate allergies, improve how well

we sleep and as a result, how well we feel.  It’s also widely recognized that if you sleep on a pillow every night it should

also

be changed every 2-3 years.’ says Chrissie Rucker founder of The White Company.

Crisp, good quality bed linen is key too. Make sure that your bedlinen lasts, choose a high thread count (at least 300)

if your preference is cotton, and linen bedding that fully discloses its manufacturing source. Linen is also great if you

have

no time, or don’t want to iron your bed linen, as it has a naturally distressed look.

 

 

DÉCOR

DON’T FORGET BEDROOM FLOORING

Choosing bedroom flooring is all about maximizing comfort and warmth. Unsurprisingly, carpet is the most popular flooring

option for most bedroom designs, but solid wood flooring is another great option, as it can still be warm underfoot, especially

if you add a rug.

Solid wood is an expensive option, however, so consider an engineered wood flooring instead, which will be durable

and virtually indistinguishable from solid wood, although slightly more affordable in most cases. If you are on a tight

budget, consider laminate flooring or vinyl flooring, with higher quality options replicating the appearance of wood quite

convincingly, or paint pine floorboards.

And if you aren’t totally redesigning your bedroom but want to give your floor a refresh, a new rug can go a long way.

In any bedroom design, large or small, a few finishing touches can make all the difference. How to choose accessories

for the bedroom entirely depends on your tastes and budget: invest in a quality rug and see your bedroom instantly look

more elegant; layer cushions and throws to up the comfort factor; create a gallery wall to add interest and color; display

photos and pictures to personalize the bedroom; and use house plants to promote a healthy atmosphere.

Style your accessories to create an attractive color scheme and a variety of textures. Sheepskin, cotton, and satin do wonder

for softening up the look and feel of the space.

 

 

GET YOUR DRAPES RIGHT 

You want to maximize the natural light coming into your bedroom during the day so it feels bigger

and brighter. But then of course at night you want the room to be as dark as possible – it’s a tricky balance.

Shutters are a great option as you can adjust how much light comes into the room, however, they can be

expensive, so our top choice for a bedroom is a light, floaty curtain, combined with a black-out blind.

You want to think about curtain length too, for a more luxurious look we’d recommend going full length,

and hang them slightly higher than the window. ‘Gone are the days of shorter curtains, they feel dated and

can make a window feel small and boxed in. Instead opt for floor to ceiling curtains, ensuring there are no gaps.

 

MAKE YOUR SPACE YOUR OWN WITH PERSONAL DECOR

In any bedroom design, large or small, a few finishing touches can make all the difference. How to choose accessories

for the bedroom entirely depends on your tastes and budget: invest in a quality rug and see your bedroom instantly look more

elegant; layer cushions and throws to up the comfort factor; create a gallery wall to add interest and color; display photos and

pictures to personalize the bedroom; and use house plants to promote a healthy atmosphere.

Style your accessories to create an attractive color scheme and a variety of textures. Sheepskin, cotton, and satin do wonder for

softening up the look and feel of the space.

 

(Text Source: Real Homes)