The heart of the home may be the kitchen, but the bedroom is certainly its soul. Some homeowners treat their bedrooms as the inner sanctum that it should be, decorating and maintaining this private space with great care. Others treat the bedroom as just another room in the house with no personal touches or hint of personal preferences. Who do you think sleeps better at night?
It’s more than the Bed
The bed anchors the entire bedroom. It is the reason the bedroom is a bedroom. However, the choice of bedding makes the bed inviting and appealing, for a bare bed never beckoned as well as one with soft sheets and fluffy pillows.
When choosing beddings, consider the following information:
• Thread count – Higher thread count means softer sheets but not necessarily better ones. Standard sheets have thread counts of 180 up to 300, and the price rises as the thread count increases. Be wary of overly high thread counts such as 800 or 1,200: A study sponsored by Consumer Reports found that is not possible to fit that many threads in one square inch.
• Weave – The term refers to the way threads are woven together, ultimately affecting softness. Most cotton sheets are percale weave. Sateen weave, which is softer on the skin than percale, involves weaving four threads over and one thread under while satin is produced using the same pattern applied to silk thread.
• Fabric – Bed linens are not actually linen anymore; most are made of cotton of which there are various types and grades. Cotton blends, flannel and silk are also used to make today’s bedding, and the right choice boils down to personal preference.
Bedroom Lighting Creates Mood
The atmosphere in your bedroom affects how well you like spending time in this space. A bedroom should be a restful place where you can allow yourself to relax and get much needed rest. As such, it is important to create a place of harmony, using well-thought out bedroom furnishings and décor.
Don’t underestimate the importance of lighting in a bedroom. Natural light sources should be showcased at the right hours while artificial lighting should provide the right illumination to reflect the mood.
Blinds and shades provide a way to filter natural light as needed, and they should be chosen to match the mood, and even the external factors like energy saved.
Creating Harmony with Matching Beddings and Window Coverings
A busy design doesn’t quite cut it in the bedroom but neither does bland. The concept of matching design elements does not mean wrapping the bed and windows in the same floral pattern rendered in different fabrics as if the room was meant to be a giant “Where’s Waldo?” artwork.
The design elements complement each other when a distinctive part of one is picked up in the other. For instance, the duvet and pillow shams are gray with a bold red braid accenting the seams. The complementary window covering would pick up the gray, perhaps in a darker tone to enhance the room darkening effect. Red tones can be used on the valance or on the decorative window shade pulls.
Choose upholstery to reflect the gray background with red accents theme, and the result will be a well-thought out design that creates a harmonious atmosphere in this private space.
Inspiration for the Design-challenged
Many homeowners can visualize their ideal bedroom design, but turning a vision into reality is a different matter altogether. Don’t let this frustrate you: This is why professional designers exist, and they don’t have to cost you a bundle. Businesses who supply home goods and home furnishings such as beddings and window coverings, usually have in-house designers who can answer customer questions.
If you want a more thorough redesign of your bedroom, consider hiring the services of a local designer recommended by friends.
