How to decorate and organise your bedroom

When redecorating your bedroom, first clear out all the furniture, except the bed and bedside table. Take the mirrors and pictures off the wall; remove all the clutter from table tops and shelves and take out the soft furnishings. This will give you an empty canvas to work on and allow you to prepare the room for new wall and floor treatments. It also helps you to commit to those items that will help to accomplish the desired look. Bring back only the things that will suit your new room.

Experiment with different furniture arrangements, wall grouping and accessories. You may decide that you prefer bare, uncluttered walls. Live with them for a while – you can always fill them in later when you find the perfect painting or object.

Bedrooms are about rest, relaxation and successful storage. A sensitive approach to decoration, with few soft furnishings, muted colours and clutter-free surfaces will ensure a healthy sleeping environment and will turn your dream of an intimate, private sanctuary into reality.

Start with the basics. Once you have built a solid foundation, for the room that is soothing and versatile you can personalise it with the finishing touches.

Choose a suitable room in the home for yourself. Ideally, your bedroom should be a multi-functional room where you relax, read, listen to music and exercise.

In many homes the bedrooms are located upstairs, close to bathrooms. This may not work for you if you like to sleep late or if the room overlooks a busy street. You might consider having your living quarters upstairs and your bedroom downstairs or at the back of the house, if this is located in a quieter position.

To insulate your bedroom from exterior and interior noise, consider double glazing your windows, or padding the walls with fabric. If you live in an apartment, build a false wall to dampen the sound of your neighbours. Place your cupboards along the connecting walls to absorb noise.

Any efforts to insulate the room from noise will also insulate it from the cold. A bedroom should be reasonably warm at all times, so fit wall to wall carpets with good thick underlay, which will also help with sound proofing. For the ultimate luxury, install under floor heating.

An adjoining bathroom, sitting area or dressing area allows the bedroom to be extended beyond the actual sleeping area. To demarcate the different zones, introduce a screen or sandblasted glass panel that offer privacy without blocking the light. For continuity, carry the same wall andtreatment throughout the space. If your large main bedroom is used only as a place to sleep, it may be more sensible to turn it into a bedroom/playroom for your children, and to take a smaller room for yourself.

At the planning stage, estimate the cost of a good quality bed and mattress. Factor in the furniture you would like, as well as efficient storage, flexible lighting and soft furnishings and accessories that will add the warmth, comfort and colour to create your finished look. Perhaps you can accommodate a small sofa or a hammock on the porch or balcony leading off the bedroom.

HIDEAWAYS

A window seat is still a great option in a seating area. All you need is a low unit or a generous width of plank padded with a thick foam seat and plenty of cushions. Alternatively, place an overstuffed ottoman and chair in an alcove to create a tranquil corner. Alcoves can also be turned into wardrobes or can be fitted with shelves enclosed by doors.

by Marcia Margolius

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