Bedrooms are the most important rooms in any house. We spend at least 6 or 7 hours in these rooms every day and probably a lot longer on the weekend! With so much time spent in them it should be self-evident that one should choose furniture with extreme care. Failing to do this can lead to rooms that don’t provide the right atmosphere and feeling to promote good sleeping habits. So what tips are there for creating a great bedroom?
1. Understand your Own Sleep Patterns
a. Are you a light or a heavy sleeper? Light sleepers will need to prevent light and sound from disturbing them as much as possible. This can be done by using heavy-lined curtains or blackout blinds and by employing carpets and rugs rather than hardwood floors.
b. Do you prefer and hard or a soft bed? Those of you who prefer soft beds should choose mattresses and beds very carefully, you will need to pay particular attention to the type of mattress you buy – perhaps choosing a memory foam over spring coils. Also, the bed itself should have enough “give” in the slats section or on top of the divan so as not to provide a rigid base.
2. Utilize the Vertical Space
Many people ignore the vertical space in their rooms and instead try to fit pieces of furniture into every nook and cranny. By buying tall wardrobes and chests of drawers you can help maximise storage while not taking up valuable floor space. In addition, you can also consider midsleeper and highsleeper units to combine storage or desk space with your bed.
3. Choose a Light Colour Scheme
Nothing makes a room less welcoming than a very dark or overbearing colour scheme. Think about it, how many hotels rooms have you stayed in with black or brown décor? Light blue or crisp white bedding, duvets, sheets and blankets with matching lampshades and rugs will give your bedroom a clean, relaxing feel. Even the lighting should be chosen carefully to illuminate and accentuate certain parts of the room. Choose bedside lamps with lampshades over a central lighting unit.
4. Understand your Storage Requirements
How much stuff do you need to store in your bedroom? If the answer is “a lot” then can any of it be moved into the loft or attic? Removing clutter is always the first thing to do when addressing storage issues. Once you have a minimum requirement you can determine how much storage needs to be hanging (i.e. a wardrobe) or drawer storage. Drawer storage is much more versatile as it can come in the form of chests of drawers, bedside tables, dressing tables, divan drawers units or even shelving.
5. Make the Most of Mirrors
Every single room in your house should have a mirror. Not only do they add a fantastic decorative feature to bland walls, but they also provide additional light and the illusion of space. The key is to choose the right mirror for your room. If you have the wall area, then go for a full-length mirror but if space is more limited try a round one.