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Homeowners don’t always have ample space to work with when it comes to their bedrooms. Space constraints are a reality, and it is up to the homemaker to properly layout the furniture and furnishings to make such a space as comfortable and habitable as possible. It can pose a challenge, but this is where creativity and practicality come into play. Small spaces provide an opportunity to create a space that’s not only stylish but projects an illusion of size.

Planning is a key component to pulling off such an idea. Homemakers need to seek inspiration from various sites to get their creative juices flowing. If you’re looking for savvy tips and input, you can check out My Fitted Bedrooms for the latest trends in various home concerns.

Here are some things to consider if you want to properly layout a small bedroom.

Sketch your Layout

One of the first things you need to do is sketch the layout. You know the room’s dimensions, and you need to make sure that you have the dimensions for the furniture. This will provide you with a starting point for your project. You can use paper and pencil, or several online applications can help you out quickly.

Start with the Bed

You can start the layout with the bed. You can anchor the bed on the most visible or most prominent wall available. It will give you symmetry, and you can work on filling the space accordingly with other furniture that you see fit.

Place your Rug Properly

An area rug shouldn’t be an afterthought as it provides personality and helps you tie up the design properly. It can introduce colour and softness to the room, and it will do wonders for your ambience.

Place your Cabinets 

Identify which cabinets will go where because they will serve several purposes. You can place your TV atop a dresser, or you can also anchor it on the wall. Storage is essential, so don’t forget to place them properly. You can avoid making the room look cramped by going for taller furniture.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

If you have access to natural light, don’t forget to take advantage of it. It will make the space feel much bigger than it is. You can also strategically place high-sheen décor to reflect natural light into your room.

Paint the Ceilings with a Vibrant Colour

Offset the feeling of a small space by training your eyes to look up towards a vibrantly painted ceiling. Choose a colour that will also help you relax at night.

Create the Illusion of Height

One way to create an illusion of height is to install curtains and window treatments closer to the ceiling. You can also use taller cabinets or thinner closets to create an upward trend.

Use Multi-Purpose Furniture

One of the secrets of properly utilising a small space is to use multi-purpose furniture. These can double as storage spaces without losing their original functions.

Takeaway

Properly laying out a small bedroom can prove challenging. Homemakers need to be creative to project an illusion of larger space and comfort.

Photos By: Unsplash

However, before you engage in a bedroom makeover, think about the things that you need first and reflect on your style. From there, the tips below on how you can reinvent your bedroom will prove to be beneficial.

1. Focus on Your Walls and Ceiling

One of the primary things that you can do to instantly reinvent your bedroom even without a significant remodeling effort is by focusing on your walls and ceiling. In this case, you can splash a new coat of paint or play around with different hues, depending on what suits your taste. There is also the option for you to hang wall art or leverage posters. If you have always been fascinated by outer space, then you can put up space posters on your walls. Otherwise, you can always count on wallpapers or wall stickers should you find no need to repaint your walls.

2. Play Around with Your Lights and Mirrors

Another thing that you can do to reinvent your bedroom is to play around with the lights and mirrors that you use. You can consider installing a dimmer to control the brightness of the lights in your room. This can even aid you in getting a good night’s rest. Alongside this, you can also put up lamps on each side of your bed in case you want to read a good book before you call it a night. There is also the option for you to install string lights to simulate a fairy tale or romantic kind of look.

The great thing about these lights is that you can easily take them out if you feel like they no longer serve your purpose or put them back again when you feel like they are appropriate for the season. Conversely, you can also make use of a hank suspension light that can instantly create an interesting look for your bedroom.

3. Select Appropriate Linens

Sometimes, all it takes is the appropriate linen to reinvent the look of your bedroom. Just keep in mind that in choosing the best linen to use, your primary consideration should be its comfort. The style of the linen comes right after. You can stick with simple colors and basic patterns that can easily complement any bedroom decor that you wish to place in your room. On the contrary, you can also be bold and eccentric when it comes to your linens.

To wrap things up, the tips listed above on how you can reinvent your bedroom are only some of the ways that can provide a new look to your space. There are lots of other things that you can do, such as considering window dressings or getting new furniture. The key is in getting your creative juices to work and remember that there is nothing wrong or right in designing your bedroom as long as you love what you see because, after all, it is your preferences that you need to satisfy.

Photos By: Unsplash

Most people spend about a third of their lives asleep. This means you spend about a third of your life in your bedroom. But have you ever considered how healthy your bedroom is? If you’re struggling to get enough rest or wake up feeling tired, sore, and grumpy, it might be time to give your sleeping space a health checkup.

Why A Healthy Bedroom Matters

Getting enough sleep is vital to your physical and emotional well-being. Multiple external factors can influence how much sleep you get, including stress, your diet, and medications you take. However, your sleep environment also influences your sleep quality. Everything from the room temperature to how much light comes into the comfort and cleanliness of your mattress can make a difference to your sleep patterns. Take, for example, the influence of light on sleep. Your internal clock, also known as your Circadian rhythm, is largely controlled by your exposure to light. Absorbing light through our eyes triggers the natural waking response, whereas darkness can trigger sleepiness. This is why doctors and sleep experts caution against using electronic devices before bed, or when you awaken in the night: Blue light, the kind emitted by electronics, is especially disruptive to Circadian rhythms and can keep you awake. Getting rid of the TV in your bedroom, putting your devices away before bed, and resisting the temptation to scroll Instagram when you can’t sleep, is just one step toward a healthier sleep space, though.

Creating a Healthy Sanctuary

So how can you make your bedroom more conducive to sleep? From your mattress to your decor, here’s how to create a healthy sleep sanctuary.

Your Mattress

If you’ve been sleeping on your mattress for longer than seven years, it’s time to start shopping for a new one. Not only are older mattresses less likely to be supportive, causing pain and discomfort, you might be surprised (or horrified) by what’s hiding under the covers. Dust mites (and their droppings), bacteria, pet dander, dust, and dried sweat are all hiding in your mattress, which can contribute to allergies and affect your breathing at night. While you’re shopping for a new bed, don’t overlook organic mattresses. Made from certified organic materials, including latex, cotton, and wool, these mattresses offer the same comfort and support as a traditional mattress without the harsh chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions or illness. Organic latex mattresses, for instance, are naturally resistant to dust mites and microbes, helping you breathe easier.

Your Bedding

Be honest … when was the last time you washed your bedding? Ideally, you should wash your sheets every 1-2 weeks, and other bedding (duvets, blankets, etc.) monthly. This helps keep dust mites and bacteria at bay, and it just feels better to sleep on clean sheets. Don’t forget to wash your pillows occasionally as well. Like your mattress, it may be better to choose pillows and blankets made of organic materials. You can find pillows filled with organic cotton or buckwheat hulls. If your sheets and blankets are scratchy or uncomfortable, it can keep you awake at night. Invest in the best quality sheets and bedding you can afford. Choose organic cotton or linen, which are naturally hypoallergenic and will help you better regulate your temperature while you sleep.

Some fabrics naturally wick moisture away from the body, which means they can easily absorb moisture to help keep you comfortable. These fabrics include bamboo, cotton, wool, and linen. While you don’t have to buy the most expensive bed sheet available, try something that feels great against your skin. If you live somewhere with changing seasons, use different bedding materials to keep you comfortable.

Ditch Electronics

Related to optimizing your sleeping environment and as mentioned earlier, you’d have to give up electronics that will hinder the quality of your sleep. For example, even if some people like to relax by watching TV, it’s best to avoid having a television in your bedroom. The sound and motion may stimulate the brain while the light coming from it may hinder your body’s biological clock from properly regulating sleep.

Place your television in the living room or if this isn’t possible, turn it off 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime. Instead of watching TV, you may choose other less stimulating activities such as light stretching, reading, or taking a bath, which can all promote relaxation.

Other electronics such as your phone, laptop, or tablet should also be treated the same. Activities such as checking social media or your emails may induce stress or trigger negative feelings. Thus, it’s best to keep devices out of reach during bedtime.

Sleep Environment

Speaking of temperature, the ideal temperature for sleep is about 65 degrees. If necessary, use a small fan to keep your room cool. A fan can also provide white noise that will help you sleep. A dark room is also vital to healthy sleep. Hang blackout curtains to block street lights and traffic. If you’re concerned about safety if you wake in the night, place a small, dim touch light next to your bed. Again, you want to avoid bright light in the middle of the night, so keep a dim light in the bathroom so you don’t turn on bright overhead lights when you use the bathroom at midnight.

Clean Your Room

Research indicates that a clean, uncluttered space is more conducive to sleep than one where you have to clear away books, clothing, and other detritus to make room for rest. In fact, among those diagnosed as hoarders, the prevalence of sleep disorder was much higher than average. A cluttered space can affect your sleep in multiple ways. For starters, skipping regular dusting and vacuuming can increase the prevalence of dust and allergens, causing unpleasant allergic reactions. But on a psychological level, a messy space can increase anxiety, leaving you feeling unsettled and worried before bed. Too much mess can also be a reminder of things you haven’t gotten done (like the clothing covering the workout equipment) and keep you awake with feelings of guilt or overwhelm.

The solution? Reorganize and tidy up. Remove items that don’t belong in your bedroom, clear out the clutter, and create a clean, neat and organized space. Not only will you sleep better, but you’ll be able to find things you need when you need them and feel more in control of your life overall. And that, ultimately, can help you rest well.

Photo By: Normandy Remodeling

Sleeping through the night with minimal discomfort helps keep us sharp, refreshed and ready to tackle any challenges the day ahead may throw our way. Unbeknownst to many people who experience sleep issues, the décor, design and general layout of one’s bedroom can have a profound impact on the quality of their slumber. While a quiet, comfortable space is conducive to a peaceful night’s rest, a cluttered, noisy space can have the opposite effect. Anyone looking to turn their bedroom into a place of relaxation can benefit from the following pointers.

Invest in a Comfortable Mattress

A comfortable mattress is a prerequisite for a good night’s sleep. So, if your current mattress is too hard, too soft or generally lumpy, any sleep issues you’re experiencing may be attributable to those defects. When it comes to mattresses, there’s nothing to gain from skimping on quality. Since your bed is arguably the most important piece of furniture in your home, it pays to put genuine effort into finding the right mattress. Investing in a dependable luxury mattress can help improve the quality of your sleep and ensure that you’re able to face each day with renewed vigor.

Aggressively Declutter

Clutter is conducive to neither peace nor relaxation. Unfortunately, bedrooms – which should be spaces in which people feel completely relaxed – are often prime spots for the accumulation of clutter. Dirty clothes, wayward remote controls and used dishes are just a few examples of the clutter that plagues a sizable percentage of bedrooms. Unsurprisingly, when many of us gaze upon cluttered bedrooms, relaxation is the absolute last thing on our minds.

If your bedroom is a breeding ground for clutter, take care to nip this problem in the bud with some aggressive decluttering. For example, if you have a tendency to throw dirty clothes on the floor, invest in a large laundry hamper and place it at the foot of your bed. Additionally, if you insist on eating in your bedroom, make a point of bringing any dirty dishes to the kitchen before you settle in for the night. Not only does keeping dishes in your bedroom create more clutter, but it’s also unsanitary and stands to attract insects. Furthermore, people who keep copious reading materials in their bedroom should consider investing in bookshelves to avoid cluttering up bedside tables and nightstands.

Photo By: Hallmark Interior Design LLC

Place a Ban on Stressors

If you want to turn your bedroom into a space for maximum relaxation, it stands to reason that you’d want to keep stressors as far away from this space as possible. With this in mind, make an effort to keep sources of stress out of your bedroom. For instance, if you regularly bring work into your bedroom, it’s in your best interest to break this habit posthaste. Bringing work home is stressful enough without turning your bedroom into an extension of your office. If there’s no clear distinction between your residence and your place of business, you’re liable to feel as if you’re perpetually at work. As such, if you have separate phones and/or computers for your job, you’d best check them at the door.

Minimize Bedroom-Based Electronics

These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t use an array of gadgets in the bedroom. Whether you’re texting with friends, surfing the web or catching up on your favorite shows, your bedroom is probably among your favorite spots to enjoy such creature comforts. However, while electronics may keep us entertained, enjoying your favorite devices right before bed generally isn’t the best way to relax your mind and prepare it for sleep. Instead, your bedroom should be a space in which to engage in relaxing activities, like meditation or reading.

Photo By: The Mine

In the absence of a good night’s sleep, getting through the day can be an arduous undertaking. Proper sleep is needed for an active mind, healthy outlook and a keen sense of problem-solving – among many other things. Although many factors determine the quality of one’s slumber, the choices you make with regard to your bedroom can have a significant impact on how well you sleep. So, if a better night’s rest is what you’re after, the pointers outlined above are sure to prove beneficial.

Photo: Eastern Accents

Make your bedroom look brilliant with a stylish duvet cover that enhances and amplifies the decor and theme of the room. Modern duvet covers come in a wide range of colors, sizes, patterns, and fabrics, you are sure to find something that is absolutely exquisite if you look hard enough.

A Duvet or a Blanket, which is Better?

The answer is a duvet. Duvets are a revolution in bedding. They conform to your body shape and insulate you from the air in the room. The tog of your duvet (how much filling it contains) will determine the level of insulation provided by the duvet.

For cold climates, a tog of between 9.5 and 13 is best. For warmer areas, a tog of 3.5 to 7 is optimal to ensure that you don’t wake up in the middle of the night sweating in the bed.

Photo: Urban Outfitters

Synthetic or Natural Filling?

Duvets come in with natural and synthetic fillings. Synthetic fillings should be avoided if you can. They tend to stay in their pre-cut, flat shape and do not contour to your body as well as a natural down and feather duvet.

Down and feather duvets may be a bit more expensive but when you climb under the sheets you will know where the extra money went.

Sizing up your Duvet

Your duvet should be 450 to 500 mm wider than your bed to allow the sides of the duvet to fall over the side of the bed. Duvet covers are made with this in mind and you will be able to find duvets and covers that provide the perfect fit.

Photo: PBteen

Tips for Selecting Sheets and Duvet Covers

Silk, satin and cotton sateen feel soft against the skin and offer a level of luxury that cannot be compared to regular cotton or polyester bedding. If you are decorating a guest bedroom, these types of sheets will make your guest bedroom look like an hotel suite. Or if you are searching for the ultimate in bedding luxury, consider sheets and duvet covers made from Egyptian cotton with a thread count of between 400 and 600. The thread count refers to the number of threads contained in a square inch of fabric. The higher the count, the softer the feel against your skin.

Some manufacturers advertise thread counts of up to 1200, however, these should be scrutinized as many manufacturers tend to count the individual fiber strands that make up a thread, instead of just counting the thread alone.

If you want a duvet cover that is colorful or features a pattern that will bring the beauty of nature into your home, then consider a cotton duvet. Cotton is easy to dye and manipulate, and it breathes very well. It’s also easy to find a pattern that matches if you are decorating with floral wallpaper.

To enhance the visual aspect of your room, consider a duvet cover with a pattern. There are so many different choices of designs and patterns available from many manufacturers. Floral and check designs are very popular, however, if you want something exquisite, consider a mandala duvet cover that carries a wonderful wildlife theme.

Photo: Urban Outfitters

The Final Thought

When selecting your bedding, try to purchase more than one set. If your have more than one set you can rotate them between washes and they will last longer. Looking for some bedroom decorating ideas? Check out these glamorous bedrooms for some weekend eye candy!