Another Bedroom Makeover

by: Yvonne Fanshawe

When I hear people say that bedroom décor doesn’t matter because you only sleep there, I have to wonder what whose people do. I must go into my bedroom about 40 times a day.

It’s also the place that you dress, and for most people if they feel comfortable in their surroundings they will take time and care in themselves.

For all you would be designers out there, I have a word of advice for you.

When watching all those makeover programmes, don’t get the idea that it is easy.

Designing your room to show your own unique personality and also be functional can take a lot of time and hard work.

Firstly you need to decide on colour, if everyone liked Magnolia what a dull world this would be.

The bigger the room the deeper colour you can apply. But mixing colours on different walls works well in either large or small spaces. Pastels generally work better in the bedroom, pale blue, light green or even sand colours.

Also take care not to fill every available space with clutter, light and airy are essential

for a good nights sleep.

When choosing furniture buy what you like but be practical, I’m sure an 8 foot bed would be wonderful, but not if your room space is only 9 foot square.

Take care not to obstruct doors and if possible give enough room to walk around the bed, this is a safety aspect as well as practical one.

Storage is one of the biggest mistakes people make when designing there bedrooms, without exception there is never enough for even the most minimalistic person.

Overhead storage or built-in cupboards are ideal, but they must be of good quality and in keeping with the room.

I as anyone who knows me will tell you am not a morning person, so for me when I open my eyes I don’t want to see the daylight till I have had my first cup of tea.

That is the beauty of blinds. The choice is endless, in styles and colours, from blackout to net blinds from Vertical to Venetian of Roman. When choosing window dressing think about where you live, you wouldn’t want the neighbours getting a free show every night.

We all know that lighting can change the whole ambiance of a room, so don’t cut corners. Down lighters or spotlights are fabulous for bathrooms or dressing rooms but be a little more subtle in the bedroom, sidelights or up lighters are ideal, and for all of us over thirty a lot more flattering.

The most dominate feature of any bedroom is usually the bed. You can be as extravagant as you like here, it is all about comfort, and what is more comfortable than really good Quality bedding.

A luxury Percale or Egyptian cotton would be my choice, anything with a thread count of 180 or above, it’s a natural fibre, soft, durable and crisp to the touch, it is the ultimate in bedroom style,

Its false economy to scrimp on bed linen, if you want sheer comfort that will last for years, longer than the poly/cotton sheets which bobble after one wash. I think that new bedding is a luxury that everyone should experience at least three times a year.

With Divan beds you will need a Valance, be it Base Valance or Valance sheet it just adds that finishing touch and can be matched with your curtains or blinds.

Valances come in Three styles, box pleat is the most practical, and looks the most expensive, and with a base Valance it doesn’t need to be changed every week, so less washing for us.

There is also frilled or inverted Pleat Valances; both will do the job of hiding the base of the bed.

You may have noticed that Beds come in a variety of sizes these days. Consider when you buy your new bed, that bed linen doesn’t come with the package, But in order for you to get the best from your bed you need to use bedding that fits perfectly, spend a bit of time getting great fitted sheets, I promise you will not regret it.

Throws and cushions are also a great addition for giving your room that finishing touch.

If you are lucky enough to have either an En-Suite or dressing room then keep it simple, extend the colour scheme through out and put in lots of storage for towels and toiletries.

I hope I have given you food for thought if you are starting out on revamping your bedroom or designing your room from scratch.

Remember only you know what makes you happy, so put as much of you as possible into that special place, and wake up every morning feeling a sense of pride.