Bedroom

While sleep and rest are the primary activities, they aren’t the only things we get up to in the bedroom. From reading to lounging and getting ready and winding down, everything we do in our bedrooms requires different lighting. Because of this, it can be challenging to determine which light source best suits our many needs.

Read on for tips on the best lighting for the bedroom.

Layer light effectively

Layering your lighting is essential in any room, but especially the bedroom. Start with a primary light source, like an overhead option, and then you can add additional lighting for the different tasks you do in the room. For example, if you tend to read at night, a bedside lamp or sconce is ideal. You won’t have to get up and can read by soft light. If you have a work desk in your bedroom, a desk lamp is crucial, so you don’t strain your eyes. For those of us that like to get ready in the comfort of our bedrooms, a light that allows you to apply your makeup or skincare is a must-have.

Focus on your focal lighting

The primary light source in your bedroom can serve as a statement or be an afterthought. Consider if you would prefer recessed lights or a chandelier. For the former, you must determine if you want flush or semi-flush fixtures. For the latter, you can have fun with your light fixture and choose an antique or vintage chandelier or a modern pendant light. You also want to consider whether you prefer having a ceiling fan, as that will change the type of light fixture you are looking for, says a Mandevilla, LA, interior decorator.

Figure out the right temperature

The temperature of your lighting might not seem so important, but it plays a key role in the bedroom. You don’t want to use cool lights, such as the traditional LED bulbs, as the blueish light will look too harsh and can disrupt your natural circadian rhythm. Instead, opt for bulbs that emit a warmer tone. They will give your room a cozy feeling rather than a clinical one. Your eyes and sleep schedule will thank you.

Experiment with fun

Lighting is a design choice as much as anything, meaning you can really make it your own. Experiment with different, playful lighting, such as LED strips or fairy lights. LED lights can be set up to change colors and can also sync with music played, making them a novelty addition to any room. Fairy lights wrapped around a backboard or strung up throughout the room offer a warm, ethereal glow and can spark some child-like joy for those feeling nostalgic.

Think of the small things

It’s easy to only focus on your main lighting and lamps, but don’t forget the details. Nightlights are one such detail and can come in handy when you wake up in the middle of the night. Dimmers are another detail, and they are especially beneficial when you don’t want full brightness or want to set a certain mood. If you have a partner with a different sleep schedule, portable reading lamps will be your best friend.

Consider how you use the space when deciding what type of lighting you want in your bedroom. Apply the tips above, and you’ll be on your way to a well-lit, very relaxing bedroom.

For many people, the college dorm room presents the first opportunity to take the reins in decorating their own space for the first time. If you are headed to college and living in a dorm, decorating your space can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a roommate with whom to coordinate. Think of this exciting time as an opportunity to express yourself fully and create the space you have always wanted.

Read on to discover five ways you can elevate your dorm room decor.

Smarter Storage

Dorms are notoriously small, so storage is essential. First, if you can, don’t bring your out-of-season clothes with you, as they only take up much-needed space in your closet. An interior decorator in Northern Virginia recommends elevating your bed frame to create additional space for storage underneath. Bonus; what’s under there will also be out of sight. Hooks and temporary hangers are other terrific options, as they allow you to make use of empty wall space. Don’t forget your desk, either; look for desk organizers that keep your supplies in one place and allow you to focus on studying.

Lively Lighting

Lighting is crucial in any room, but dorm rooms often suffer from harsh, fluorescent lights. Fix this by bringing in your own lighting. Stringing up some twinkle lights might be a college stereotype, but that’s because it’s a fun and easy way to add light and decor to your dorm. Add a few floor lamps if your room is dim to prevent your space from looking drab and dreary. Improving your lighting will enhance the look of your entire space.

Cozier Conditions

Many dorms are functionally a slab of concrete and can feel physically and aesthetically cold. Adding some warmth back in will elevate your space and make it more cozy and comfortable. Putting a rug down can keep your feet from freezing and also add texture to your room. Utilize ample throw blankets and pillows for an extra cozy look that is sure to be difficult to part from for classes.

Beautiful Bedding

Your bed often acts as the focal point of your room, so give it the attention and thoughtfulness it deserves. When choosing your bedding, think about how you want to anchor your space. If you have a lot of colorful art or decor, try to keep your bedding neutral, so the art pops in contrast. If you have a more minimal style, a bright solid colored bedding will add visual interest and vibrancy without being too busy.

Delicate Decor

Arguably the most fun part of your dorm is decorating it how you please. Now is the time to really make your space your own. Consider finding art or prints that you like and create a gallery wall. Some online art shops even have curated collections of visually cohesive images, so it takes the guesswork out of creating a gallery wall. If you’re missing your family and friends from home, incorporate their photos in a photo gallery and hang them up above your bed or desk.

College is an exciting time filled with memories and new experiences. We hope the tips above help you create a dorm room that reflects your personality and makes you feel at home during this exciting time.

Guest rooms are often overlooked and relegated to acting as a dumping ground for excess stuff and unfinished projects. If you often feel a bit embarrassed by your guest room when friends and family come to visit, it may be time to undertake a makeover. Read on to discover tips and inspiration for decorating your guest room.

Clear out your clutter

Many of us are guilty of using our guest room as a convenient storage unit. An excellent first step when redoing your guest room is to get rid of accumulated clutter. If you still have items remaining after clearing out excess belongings, you can utilize many clever storage hacks. For example, consider putting your bed on risers to maximize space underneath for storage. Or, you could purchase a bed frame that includes storage drawers. Finally, be sure to remove any temporary clutter from the room before your guests’ arrival, such as laundry baskets.

Consider the quality of your linens

Just because it’s your spare bedroom doesn’t mean you have to give guests spare towels and sheets. When redecorating your guest room, it is a good idea to invest in separate, high-quality linens, bedspreads, and towels. Keep in theme with the colors and patterns of the room to create a cohesive look. Not only will your guests feel comfortable and taken care of, but you can rest easier knowing that your guests are happy.

Lighten things up

Lighting is critical in any room and often overlooked in underused spaces such as a guest room. If your overhead lighting isn’t cutting it, consider adding lamps at different places throughout the room to create a well-lit atmosphere. A bedside lamp is especially beneficial for late-night readers. If your room lacks natural lighting, an interior decorator in Richmond, VA, recommends the addition of a mirror. Not only will your guests appreciate the inclusion of a mirror, but it will reflect precious light and make your space feel larger and airier.

Furnish with purpose

Guest rooms are traditionally the smallest room in your home, which can make furnishing them extra challenging. If your place can fit a dresser, consider moving it beside the bed to act as a bedside table. Are dressers and nightstands too bulky? Installing a small shelf beside the bed is a great way to include a tabletop surface without taking up extra space. If you use your guest room as an office, a desk is a great addition. Not only will it provide space for you to do work, but it offers guests a spot to place their belongings and get ready for the day.

Add color and personality

A guest room doesn’t have to be white walls coupled with a white bedspread. If you tend towards neutrals in your home, a guest room could be a fun place to play with color. Paint all the walls (or an accent wall) in a bright color. Add patterned wallpaper. Decorate the walls with the artwork you have been meaning to hang. Include plants or fake flowers to add in color where necessary. Whatever your personality is, try to inject it into the room.

Guest rooms are often an overlooked place for artful decor. By following the tips above, you can create a space both you and your guests love.

A headboard is often the focal point of a bedroom. Choosing a headboard depends on your style and needs. If you are looking to replace your headboard or perhaps add one in altogether, read on to discover tips on how to choose a headboard style.

Keep size in mind

It is tempting to choose the most visually appealing headboard you see, but some assessments need to happen first. Before you go shopping for a new headboard, whip out the measuring tape and take a close look at your bedroom. How high are the ceilings? How long is the wall against which your bed rests? You don’t want a long headboard on a short wall or a tall headboard with a low ceiling; otherwise, your room will look unbalanced. Keep these measurements in mind to choose the best headboard for your space.

Stay on trend

If comfort and style are important to you, you can’t go wrong with an upholstered headboard. Though they went out of fashion for a bit in favor of more minimalist styles, an interior designer in Plantation, FL, says they are back on-trend in 2020. Upholstered headboards are any headboard with soft padding covered in fabric, so you can really make it your own. You can find headboards upholstered in a variety of materials, such as velvet or leather. Whatever you decide, you can be sure you’ll be stylish and comfortable while you sit in bed.

Consider contrasting

When deciding what type of headboard you want, look around your room. Contrasting your headboard with the rest of your room is a good way to draw attention to it and create visual interest. If your furniture is mostly dark wood, consider choosing a softer, upholstered headboard. If your furniture is mostly cushioned, introduce contrast with a wooden headboard. Besides texture, you can also use contrasting colors. If you have a light-colored room, a dark headboard will act as a stunning contrast, and vice versa.

Refinish what you have

If you don’t feel like investing in a new headboard or you have an old piece that needs some TLC, consider refurbishing it. A headboard can look entirely new and reflect your current taste with a fresh coat of paint or stain. Be sure to clean your headboard properly and sand it if necessary. House painters in Dunwoody, GA, recommend applying multiple, thin coats of primer before going in with paint on wood. Once you’re done painting or staining, you will have a fresh headboard at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new one.

Get unique

A headboard doesn’t have to be traditional wood or metal. You can make a headboard out of anything, and your individuality and interests will shine through. If you have any reclaimed wood, you could potentially make a headboard out of it. Other ideas include old door panels, collages, latticed wood, or picture frames. Pinterest has plenty of ideas, so don’t feel confined by traditional headboards.

A headboard can elevate the style of your room while providing functionality as back support while lounging. By following the tips above, you can choose the best headboard for your style and needs.

If you’re an adult still living at home (or an adult that’s had to move back home for one reason or another), returning to your childhood bedroom can be a bit haunting. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips and tricks you can use to make the once tired space your own. Here are a few tips on how to update your teenage bedroom for your adult lifestyle.

Choose the right color scheme: Change up the bright color on the walls with a neutral option like beige, cream, gray, or even a soft black. Think about whether you prefer a space that is light and airy, or dark and cozy. Choose an unconventional neutral like Sherwin Williams colors, Window Pane (SW 6210) and Anjou Pear (SW 6381), or make a statement with Black Magic (SW 6991).  The color of your bedroom, like the colors you love to wear, can make you feel a range of emotions: happy, excited, inspired or even serene. Keep in mind that a bedroom is a place of rest and relaxation so pick something that works for you and the kind of space you want to create.

Incorporate accents – they’re everything: Match your desired color scheme with a printed rug, chrome lamp, or funky bedspread. Mixing things up with a bold print or color will bring out the inner-child in you and give the room a fresh look. Another great way to make the room look bigger is creating an accent wall with a unique color behind the headboard. For a less traditional accent wall, try wallpaper with stripes, geometric shapes, or small patterns. Inject your grown-up personality into space further by adding artwork to the empty the walls. Whether it’s paintings of flowers or a scenic view, anything that reflects what you love will work. If you’re more of a minimalist, repurpose old frames by painting them a solid color, like black or white, and hang them all over the walls.

Creating a space of your own takes a bit of drive and creativity. Visualize your new space and go from there. It will take some time, but in the end, it will all be worth it to make the space yours. Nervous about taking the plunge? Contact the experts at CertaPro Painters of King of Prussia today.

Did you know that how you style our bedroom can actually affect your ability to have a good night’s sleep? Our quality of life is dependent on the quality of our interior spaces. It is important that we take care in designing our spaces thoughtfully, with an emphasis on our bedrooms. These 3 secrets will help you create a bedroom that promotes a better night’s sleep.

Allow Darkness. Lights communicate to your brain that it is time to wake up, so keeping your room dark is one of the main foundations to promoting better sleep. If you live in an area where there is a lot of light pollution or an area where your bedroom windows face the rising sun, invest in light-eliminating curtains to block out lights and activity that would otherwise cause anxiety and distraction. It’s important to eliminate as much light as possible in the bedroom. This includes the glow of our electronic devices. Many of us use our phones as our alarm clocks, but the light from our phones can also be disturbing to our sleep cycles. Try an analog or vintage alarm clock rather than your cell phone. Coming out of a deep sleep to the brightness of your phone can be damaging to your vision.

Similarly, televisions in the bedroom can be a distracting light source for your sleep cycle. Use an armoire to conceal your television while it is not being used. While it can be comforting to fall asleep with the TV on, the light from the monitor can disrupt your sleep pattern. If you absolutely need the television on to fall asleep, set a timer so it turns off automatically, or replace the habit completely with soothing music or a sleep meditation recording. In addition, use soft lighting in your bedroom. Try investing in bedside lamps with low wattage light bulbs to avoid the use of overhead lighting during the night. Bright lights remind the brain of wake time, and it is important to enhance and promote the feeling of sleep time.

Clear Clutter. Too much clutter can disturb your ability to have a good night’s sleep. Always keep your work out of the bedroom to promote relaxation and peace. The more your bedroom promotes a  feeling of leisure, the more it will actually feel like a luxurious place. Keep household items like your laundry basket in a closet or other enclosed area. Leaving clothes around the room can remind one of daily tasks and chores that need to be done. By neatly enclosing these items in a designated place, you’ll eliminate the look and feel of a clustered space. The same goes for all of your personal items. Clothing, jewelry, and accessories should all have a place. Keeping your items organize will promote a feeling of an organized life.

Color palette. Soothing colors can actually promote relaxation and enhance your ability to fall asleep and feel calm. Muted earth tones, such as blues, creams and greens, are ideal colors for bedrooms, according to the experts of Yorkville painters. Try to avoid bright and loud colors in your bedroom to create a more restful atmosphere. Pale gray is the perfect color for bedrooms. It creates a sense of balance in any kind of lighting, plus it plays well with accent colors like lavender, pale pink, and cool blue. Use these hues in your bedroom accessories like your comforter and wall art to create the ultimate relaxing space.

Sleep is an important and sacred part of our everyday life that benefits both our physical and mental health. The better sleep we get, the better we feel throughout our day. Simple design concepts, like light, color, and organization, create the foundation for the perfect night’s sleep. By utilizing these tips, you too can promote a better and healthier sleep for yourself. For more relaxing bedroom decorating tips, contact Angie Lowry, a Smithfield, VA interior designer.

As a homeowner, it’s safe to say that your master bedroom is your favorite part of your home. It’s your sanctuary, the space you rely on at the end of the day to just unwind and relax. Many times, people think a bedroom should be comfy, cozy, and inviting, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant, too!  If you consider your style comfortable yet chic, these design tips are perfect for you!

• Neutral color scheme. Neutral themes are anything but boring – they’re timeless and easy to match your décor and furnishings around. Experts suggest starting with fresh, neutral color like beige, gray or white as a base for your elegant bedroom design. From there, you have the freedom to incorporate pops of color in your décor. Working around a nude color palette allows you to play with furniture upholstery, wall decor, bedding and more.
• Add a statement piece. To create an elegant bedroom, include one or two pieces that will stand out and capture the attention. Lay down a captivating throw rug or install a dramatic painting. By limiting your number of statement furnishings, you avoid creating a bedroom that feels busy. For a smaller bedroom, play with your bedspread design and make that the statement piece in your room.
• Decorate your bed with pillows. Add some elegant drama to your room with lavish throw pillows. Avoid going overboard with decorative pillows. Instead, Mimi Wilson, a Gainesville interior decorator, recommends using the rule of odd numbers. Odd numbers are more visually appealing, so if you have two sleeping pillows, incorporate three accent pillows to create a balanced look.
• Include extra seating. The main piece of furniture in a bedroom is a bed, but that doesn’t mean that you are restricted to just that. For instance, you might also want a space where you can sit and read. Small arm chairs like this Milan wood accent chair or a bench at the foot of your bed are perfect for creating such a space. By incorporating additional seating into your bedroom, you add dimension and create an upscale feel.
• Install decorative lighting. The way a room is lit creates the ambiance, but a dramatic chandelier or lamp also adds style to a room. It’s important to consider the size of your bedroom before you settle on a light. For instance, if your bedroom has high ceilings, you can work a chandelier into the space. Work within the space to find a light fixture that creates a look of balanced elegance.

If your master bedroom isn’t already your favorite part of your home, or if you’re simply looking to upgrade, follow these easy tips and tricks for transforming your bedroom into a space of luxury and elegance.