Ways To Create A Relaxing Bedroom

Relaxing Bedroom - One thing is having a knack for decor and another to actually create an environment that evokes the right mood/feeling.

Hey Peeps,Hope you had a good “Spring Holiday” and by that I mean Easter, but call it The S. H. to be politically correct. Anyhow, no matter what you call the holiday we just celebrated on Sunday, April 16th, hope you had a good one. Don’t know about you, but for me, it’s all about family and the harmonious time we can spend together.Back to talking about feelings and how decor/design can contribute to producing a certain mood/feeling. When I am working with clients about what their desire is in a room/or space, among other things I ask them how is this room used? Or How will this room be used? Depending on the answer I will create a palette that is congruent with the use.From a personal perspective, I would not paint your relaxing bedroom bright yellow, or red for that matter. I wouldn’t suggest it and if a client asked for those colors (among) others I would ask why? At least to see if they have thought it through all the way. At the very least I feel it is my job to ask clients thought-provoking questions, not to convince them of my vision but to see if they are convinced- for the right reasons- of theirs.

PAINT COLOR

Choose a neutral color, it could be dark or light but let me tell you a bit about that. Some people need total darkness to sleep really well, so if that is you- then a dark color may work. If your bedroom is tiny or fairly small then choose a fairly light color or a white with a tint. For example, a nice soft warm white like a linen or muslin color, or a soft gray. If going the dark route a navy blue might be nice or a gray also. Again it depends on your preference, some folks hate cool colors and some are crazy about earth tones. You got to go with what you love, but think it through…

LINENS

I am pretty sure I wrote about this in another post when in doubt keep the linens white. In my opinion, they are easier to keep crisp, clean and I don’t know about you- but I love getting into an all-white linen bed.Pillows, even if you don’t use them all to sleep- the softness and the comfort pillows evoke is enough to have at least four of them. The people who live in minimalist spaces maybe, hide them in the closet and that is why most magazine shots show just a single pillow laid flat on each side. But if you are not a minimalist nor do you live in a tiny home, add pillows at least two on each side plus at least 2 or 3 decorative pillows. You could change the texture or color of the decorative pillows if you think that all white is too sterile.

FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES

This might be stating the obvious but make sure your bed is of utmost comfort. The mattress itself has to be the best mattress you cannot afford. Why? Because your rest and your sleep even when you are seating on the bed are key to promote relaxation. You deserve it, it is necessary for your rejuvenation, for your rest and for you to recharge.The headboard, I would say upholstered this will give you comfort if you sit up in bed to read or like me to work. (I don’t have an upholstered headboard but I have 6 pillows total that are mine, actually 7) I use at least 3 or 4 to prompt myself up.A suitable dresser or tall boy, a place to hang your clothes and somewhere you can lay your clothes from the night before or set out your clothes for the morning.Lamps, a few (less is more) accessories, a couple of books or even a sound machine. All the elements that inspire you to feel relaxed. Candles with aromatic scents, a pitcher for water if you are a night water drinker.Why are these contributors to relaxation?There are a number of reasons but to start to think about this, you are creating the space that will / OR should create the mood or feeling you are after. That is why at first I told you I ask clients what is the room used for? Since this room is for relaxing, it has to provide comfort- comfort will promote/provoke relaxation. Although most of us do more than just sleep in our bedrooms- especially if like me you have a small dwelling, its principal use is for relaxing so that you can then sleep.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

If you like the room to be in complete darkness to sleep then blackouts are a must. Blinds alone won’t cut it. A sheer and cotton or muslin panels won’t either, you need blinds hopefully ones that go with your style. Panels, make them at least 3 times the width of your window and take your time when closing them at night.Why?Have you ever got to a hotel room late? So exhausted that you just barely managed to change, brush your teeth and then close the blinds quickly so you could finally get into bed. You literally passed out from the number of hours you have been up and the jet lag only to discover really early in the morning that you left a little opening on the curtains/panels. Enough of an opening for the sunlight to hit right on your eye as you lay sleeping on your nice hotel bed and pillows.

A FEW MORE TIPS

• If you have hard surface flooring add a rug so that you when get up you don’t have to put your feet on the cold floor. If you have
• If you have space add a chair, perhaps you rather read sitting on the chair and just use the bed for sleeping.
• Rumor has it that it’s a good idea to practice this and to not have a TV in the bedroom either. This way your body will get used to a ritual of when in bed is to sleep. I don’t typically suggest one way or another because I have a TV in mine. Not good. A bad habit-A terrible habit... I use TV to fall asleep.
• If you are adding Art, use something that is soothing, calming something that inspires relaxation again. Depending on the client's style I use a lot of black and white photography or photos of calm-inducing scenes or objects.

Now some visuals, but remember what may be relaxing to me may not be relaxing to you. These are just examples, driven by my preferences or by what clients tend to ask for.So as usual, take what you need, leave the rest and let us know if you conquered the relaxing room task, and how did you accomplish it?These are some things that I would like in my room.Aside from the extra crown molding and perhaps the more elaborate shape of the headboard I like this room. I find it relaxing, it has a very soft palette, colors are muted and the patterns were kept also soft. I love the colors, the rug, the paneling on the window wall. This room also seems relaxing to me. Assuming that those blinds block out the light completely, I tend to like this serene minimal to an extent, simple space.Here is a link to one of my favorite websites where they have their version of relaxing bedrooms.White Relaxing BedroomsCheck out this very first picture, I love that space.Unassuming, relaxing and aside from that room perhaps not having air conditioning, it would be a pretty nice place to spend the night. The idea of having a cup of coffee or tea out on the courtyard in the morning just makes me smile. Anyhow, I think that you probably had a pretty good idea of what you wanted. I am sure you know what you like so go make your relaxing bedroom happen. I hope that reading this post at least got you determined to make it happen, sooner rather than later.