A bedroom is a place of comfort and relaxation. It is also the place where you can indulge in your dreams and fantasies whether sleeping or wide awake. There are many ways to accentuate bedrooms with decorating styles that emanate a relaxing ambiance and fulfill everyone's decorating fantasy. With a sufficient budget and creativity, anyone can virtually change anything from bedcovers, carpets and mattresses to window curtains and ceiling lights to fit your taste. There are many online guides on bedroom design ideas and styles for you to indulge. The design and style that you choose should reflect who you are and your tastes in life. There are a pros and cons of hiring a professional interior designer and a decorator to meet your needs. You might have to consider the following online guide to ideas and styles and think otherwise.
- Romantic style - A romantic bedroom is ideal for romantic dating relationships and newly-wed couples. A smart guide is hgtv.com. It has rich information of tips and suggestions to decorate your room in the most romantic style possible. This online guide transforms a casual bedroom into a welcoming and cozy atmosphere with a touch of exotic. You can get ideas from the people on this Web site featuring Top 10 Most Romantic Bedrooms and get to know what inspired them to make the design choices.
- Kiddie style - Disney themed bedrooms are ideal for little girls while Marvel or Hasbro characters can liven up a boy's bedroom. The cool-kid-bedrooms.com Web site is a great resource that gives a rich variety of ideas and tips such as methods to decorate beautifully on a frugal budget. They also showcase many cool theme designs and tremendous collections of kiddie decorating articles. For further ideas, you can subscribe to their newsletters to get the latest fads and tips for a bedroom makeover. Toddlers love cartoons and they are fond of bright colors.
- Teen girl's style - A baby girl can't live in nursery forever. Get a new makeover with the latest fads. In urban areas, teen girls love the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood actresses as well as the latest music fads and raves. You can get more of these ideas from raftertales.com and interiordec.about.com. Most of the time, adults may assume the choices without consulting their kids about the theme. In the long run, she will dislike your choice. It is important to include your daughter in theme choices. She will respond to your concern and will share her own ideas for the bedroom decor. Let her choose a theme and the styles that reflect her vibrant young personality.
- Bachelor style - Single men prefer rugged and neat rooms, spacious yet elegant. A contemporary decorating style should have a masculine appearance and metallic furniture accents with leather fabrics. According to home-interior-design-tips.com, a single guy has a subtle attraction to dark, geometric and angular designs. Spacious floor space, soft lights and soft large bedding complement the designs.
There are many bedroom themes to choose from. Enjoy while decorating the bedroom with designs of your choice. For more information, open any popular search engine and key in "bedroom themes."
The bedroom is the area of the house which should offer you a quiet place to retreat from the commotion of the day. It must be the most comfortable and cozy room in the house because it is the place where you retire at the end of the day. If your bedroom is not like this, then now is the occasion to convert it. Decorate your bedroom to show your personality.
Begin with three easy steps.
- Visualize and list down all the things or activities you wanted to do in your bedroom. You may be watching movies, knitting, reading, or writing in your diary.
- Gaze at your bedroom and determine whether all the activities that you would like to do can be accommodated.
- Lock in a color scheme.
Consider the following when you finally decide to convert your bedroom:
Part 1: Decorating rules can focus your planning
Plan your decoration carefully and consider the following:
- Sketch the floor plan and take it with you when you shop.
- Find out your individual style by reading periodicals, attending show houses, and browsing the internet.
- Distinguish the main points of the room; that is, where the bed should be located, the table, and so on.
- Pick one piece as the focal point of your room design. This could be a piece of pottery, a picture, an area rug, or a postcard. The item will be the starting point for the color scheme, style, and mood you would like to create.
- Synchronize your fabric choices before buying paint colors.
- Purchase large items first, i.e., furniture, drapes, and rugs; then coordinate the colors of smaller pieces with the exact colors and style of the larger items.
- Consider the uses and purpose of your room before buying furnishings.
- Use the rule of duplication when planning colors, shapes, fabrics and patterns.
- Procure the best quality furnishings you can afford.
Part 2: Focus Your Project
- Use contrasting colors to add attention to a space.
- Add coherence your bedroom by repeating fabrics, colors, and themes.
- Balance a bedroom’s decoration by placing a similar scale and visual weight on the opposite.
- Choose accessories which strengthen the style and color theme of the bedroom.
- Use pairs of items to emphasize evenness and stability.
- Use odd numbers of items when combining accents – high, medium, low – to add interest.
Part 3: Decorating Don'ts
- Don’t let anybody make your choices for you. Ask for suggestions but make the decisions.
- Don’t paint until you choose the upholstery, fabric and carpet.
- Don't make your perferred color the main color. A subtle shade will let your favorite color shine.
- Don’t build barriers. Leave room for easy movement.
- Don’t settle for cheap - using high-quality materials from the start will pay off in the long run.
- Don’t keep incompatible furniture.
- Don’t allow anything ugly anywhere in your bedroom.
Decorating is enjoyable. Decorating mistakes can be avoided. Keep in mind that you have a home, which you love to come home to. You will spend money and time but this investment will pay off in the future. Redecorating your bedroom will give you a bit more joy and will make you a little happier overall.
Turn your bedroom into romantic retreat full of the beauty and grace of a charming cottage garden. Classic cottage details, personal touches, mixes of garden inspired fabrics and patterns come together against a backdrop as fresh and inviting as a garden in spring to create a perfect cottage bedroom getaway. Take these tips and personalize them to make the space your own.
Step 1
Fresh and Informal
Create the perfect cottage background for your room with richly textured walls. Dappled cottage wallpaper, or wallpapers in broad pastel stripes or florals provide a patterned background. Or, try classic cottage wainscoting or beaded board painted in a creamy shade of white. Run it half-way or three-quarters of the way up the wall and top it with a chair rail or a narrow shelf. The shelf is a handy place to display garden themed plates, vases or other collectibles.
Step 2
Bed, Bedding & Furnishings
The bed will be the centerpiece of the room, whether it is made of antique white or wrought iron, natural or painted wood, or amorously covered in fabric trimmed with hammered upholstery tacks. A striped dust ruffle can be topped with a floral or a double wedding-ring quilt or a lacy coverlet. Mix up fabrics such as chenille, lace and cotton quilts and always layer patterns when building romantic cottage style. Of course you will want to use some floral patterns, but also mix in stripes, plaids and checks. Choosing colors with the same hue intensity will pull it all together. If your wall colors are white or pale, the colors in your bedding and accents will stand out. If you chose floral wall paper, striped and plaid patterns, gingham checks and solids will coordinate if accent colors are pulled in. You can even mix different floral patterns if they are linked by color and style.
Try a different look in the bedroom by angling the bed in a corner. Break out of the box and soften the lines of the room with a bed, furniture or mirror with graceful curved lines in the headboard, dresser or wall mirror.
Step 3
Garden Fresh Accents add Romance
- Make your vanity a one-of-a-kind personal statement by layering on nostalgic white table dressings. Add a pair of matching silver champagne glasses filled with roses, a collection of family photographs, silver jewelry box and an elegant glass base table lamp.
- Make a statement with a wall collection of straw garden hats and floral plates. Place a straw hat on a hat stand on a corner table and hang additional hats and plates behind it to make a multi-dimensional grouping. Add a tea pot or sugar bowl full of your favorite blooms.
- Details count. Hang a bunch of dried lavender from a glass knobbed closet door. Place a collection of floral and striped hat boxes on top of an armoire. Place topiary on a dresser. Add aromatherapy with candles and potpourri in floral scents.
- Add architectural pieces from yesteryear to add garden inspired touches: An antique wrought iron fence grating makes a unique focal point on a wall or as a headboard; perch old birdhouses atop work posts for a whimsical statement in a corner.
- Make the look distinctly individual by repurposing garden items in the bedroom. Include a plant stand in a reading nook to hold favorite books as well as a few plants. Top a large urn or garden pot with a piece of glass and use it as a night stand or side table.
- Bring in outdoor decor such as a statuary or a bird bath. A tabletop fountain can be placed in a birdbath to add the soothing sound of gently cascading water.
A bed canopy can be used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of interior and exterior spaces alike. These canopies can be used for beds, tents, and other outdoor furniture. For example, a canopy can be used for improving the look of a garden gazebo. The gazebo can be a good place to celebrate and party the night away. Many people like celebrating special occasions such as birthdays and weddings in their gazebos. On the other hand, a tent can also be used to liven up the festivities. Tents can be spruced up with a simple addition of a canopy here and there. Tents can be designed to fit in with the existing theme of the party. As you can see, canopies are very versatile. However, the most popular use for a canopy is as an accent item for a bed. In this guide, the focus will be on how to select a bed canopy.
- Browse through household shops. To get an idea of what kind of bed canopy you'd like to have, try going to shops carrying household items. These shops usually carry bed canopies, and you can even get some ideas on how to display the canopies properly.
- Choose the material for your bed canopy. The material you'd be using for your bed canopy should be made of comfortable or luxurious fabric. Make sure to buy enough material, since you'd need at least a couple of feet. The canopy should also fit well with the person who'd be using the bed. Some samples of material that can be used for bed canopies are heavy velvet and mosquito netting. However, homeowners should take note of the climate when it comes to choosing the fabric or material for their canopy.
- Hang a bed canopy. Once you've decided on the bed canopy you would like to use you can attach hooks and rods to secure it properly. Bed canopies should reach the floor in order to make the most of their design. It is important to take note of the actual measurements of the room and the bed when hanging a bed canopy.
- Accentuate bed canopies. The bed canopies can be custom-made according to different design requirements, such as in 10 x 10 sizes. Bed canopies can also be enhanced with the use of sconces, wall planters, and drapes. Different nets, colors and patterns can be used as well.
- Buy a bed canopy when selecting children's furniture. Bed canopies are a good choice when it comes to children's furniture. The bed canopies can be used even when children have come of age. A canopy can also be used to make any existing piece of furniture pop with color and style, especially with the use of beddings. The bed you'd be buying should also be well-built and durable enough to last for many years. Most canopy beds are made from wood.
Bed canopies can be used in a variety ways. Homeowners interested in selecting a bed canopy for their living space should take note of these steps when making their purchase.
Cottage Chic style is a decorating style that is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. It's easy to achieve, fun and stylish and, since it's all about reusing, repurposing and recycling, it's a very economical way of decorating. Cottage chic is big on comfort, so it's a great choice for a bedroom. Here's how to bring this trendy and stylish look to your bedroom.
Step 1
Pastels, Pales and Painted Furniture
Cottage chic style nearly always combines white with pastels in one of two ways: Either white painted furniture against pastel or light neutral walls, or, furniture painted in a deeper color than the walls. Whether you want to recycle furniture of your own or a bargain piece that you picked up at a garage sale or resale shop, here's how to make it cottage chic.
- If your furniture has a natural wood finish and you want to do it in a shade of white, start out by lightly sanding the original finish, and then wipe it down with a damp cloth. Apply your white satin latex paint and let it dry overnight. Then lightly sand the edges for a distressed look; wipe down again and apply satin polyurethane to seal the piece.
- Another option is to paint your furniture in two colors, such as a deeper color over white, or a shade of white over a deeper color. Again, sand and prep the piece, then apply your base coat. Let it dry, then apply your second coat with a rag and wipe off excess as desired. Let it dry and sand edges to let the base color show through; follow with polyurethane. If you want a special finish, such as crackling, apply the crackling medium after the base coat and before applying the second coat.
Step 2
Bringing the Look Together
- There are lots of options for creating a cottage chic bed. Vintage wood beds with curved, poster or simple headboards and footboards can be painted in your choice of color schemes. Or, try a headboard in white iron, old brass or wrought iron. A piece of wrought iron wall art can be hung on a wall and used as a headboard; even an old fence gate can be used as a headboard. Old wicker is another choice. To make it really cottage chic, paint the wicker and wipe off some of the paint while wet to create a worn and distressed look.
- Curvy wooden, metal or wicker wall shelves from the past make great wall accents where you can gather accessories like old photos, vases, tea cups and tea pots, books, or collectibles. Tuck a layer of lace or an embroidered hanky or doily underneath your collection for true cottage chic appeal.
- Old lamp bases in glass, porcelain, ceramic, wood or metal can be found at antique stores or garage sales. Add a scalloped vintage shade or one trimmed out in beads or fringe. Make a lamp out of a vase, ceramic urn or vintage planter with a lamp kit.
- Add glass knobs to a dresser or night stand. Whether the knobs are vintage or new, feel free to mix them up. Old porcelain knobs, painted metal, brass escutcheons and hardware are another way to add cottage chic style.
- Layered bedding in chenille, patch work quilts, and goose down comforters invite you to take a nap or curl up with a good book. Mix patterns and fabrics for composed hand-me-down cottage chic appeal.
- Lots of throw pillows in a mix of fabrics and patterns are a "must" for your cottage chic bed. Floral patterns, stripes, checks, buttoned up pillows, and plaids with trims in fringes and piping of every shape and size can be happily commingled.
- Repurpose items: An old stool or chair can be used as a nightstand or a place to stack books. Use an old glass-fronted china hutch to store and display your sweaters, woolens and quilts. Hang plates on a wall and bring in antique paintings, prints, photographs and mirrors to complete the look.
Silk is a great fiber, and its durability is exceptional. It is remarkably strong but very soft and sensual. That is why so much care should be given so that you can use it as your bedding in excellent condition for a long time. If you have a silk comforter and you would like to clean it, then this article can help you.
The first tip is to always use covers with your silk comforter, as this will prevent oils from the skin from setting into the silk cloth. You can also use duvets, which are traditionally filled with down or feathers as a cover in your bedding. Having a top sheet for your silk comforter is advised. You have to wash the top sheet very often. Cleaning can be done once a month. Having it cleaned too often can cause subtle damage.
Cleaning a silk comforter on your own can be tricky. You can call around and ask cleaners about their experience in cleaning silk and comforters. The best candidates are those who clean wedding gowns. Dry cleaning can be a possibility, however, trace amounts of excess chemicals might leave spots on your silk comforters. It could also harden the silk if done frequently.
The most preferred choice would be wet cleaning. This is the most common thing done to silk comforters. Use this technique only if it is absolutely important to clean your silk comforter and you are all set to do the cleaning yourself, with proper information on the process you should undertake.
There is another way—sun curing, which is the traditional way of cleaning your silk comforter. Whenever you feel that your silk comforter is starting to lose heat retention, you can use this technique. To do so, air out your silk comforter and then place it under the sun with the cover on to protect it from dirt. You can let it lie down outside for an hour or two. This process will dry out the silk comforter, since it easily absorbs moisture. Afterwards, you will feel that the silk comforter is now fluffier and slightly lighter. Placing the comforter in a dryer for thirty minutes and on an extra low heat can be an alternative to sun curing. You can do sun curing every two months.
If your silk comforter needs deeper cleaning, you can follow these steps:
- First, isolate the soiled area only.
- With cold water, wash your silk comforter very gently.
- Use a delicate washing agent—those that are specially designed for silk. Do not use strong detergents or bleach.
- The next thing you can do is to rinse it thoroughly and squeeze the water off from the comforter.
- You are now prepared to dry your comforter on a flat surface.
- Also, do not tumble dry or iron the comforter.
Sleep is the time when our body gets to recharge itself after a hard day's work. It is when the brain gets to rest and order the other body organs to heal themselves. For this reason, having a good night's sleep or even a power nap is important.
However, sleeping with ordinary bedding does not allow your body to fully recuperate. You may not see it clearly, but not all cotton bedding is made the same. Bedsheets sold in stores today are typically those that have a 50/50 blend. That means that the fabric only has 50% cotton and 50% polyester. A 50/50 blend bedding is a typical choice if you are the type who does not want to iron sheets. But consider that polyester is made from a petrochemical blend. Not to mention that the other half of the fabric is non-organic cotton.
There is a big difference between ordinary cotton and organic cotton. Commercially grown cotton is sprayed with pesticides on the farm. It is not only harmful to your health but also to the environment as well. Organic cotton is grown using natural methods that do not harm the environment. These methods increase soil fertility, therefore reducing the need for artificial growth enhancing chemicals and pesticides. You wouldn't want to be sleeping with bedding doused with chemicals, would you?
Organic cotton beddings are hypoallergenic, since they are not exposed to harmful chemicals. If you are sensitive to chemicals, using organic cotton bedding is a great choice. Organic cotton bedding also absorbs our body's moisture better compared to polyester bedding. This prevents night sweats, jock itch, athlete's foot, and other fungal infections.
Organic cotton bedding is also durable and long lasting. Being grown naturally, cotton fibers reach their full potential and become stronger than commercially grown cotton. Of course, the product's durability will still depend on how it is used and cared for. Buying organic cotton bedding will not only benefit your health, it will also give you a chance to contribute a more positive impact to the environment. Organic cotton farming lessens the chances of destroying the soil from pesticide use. The soil gets to retain its nutrients and soil erosion is reduced.
Organic cotton picking is also safer for cotton farmers' health. Although some highly developed countries already use machines for cotton picking, some smaller cotton farms still employ workers to manually pick the harvest. The farmers do not get exposed to harmful chemicals while being active in the field. They also need not worry over the thought of pesticides mixing with their water supply if they live nearby. They are assured of not harming their family members and livestock by passing on harmful chemicals through social contact.
Organic cotton bedding may be expensive and a little more time consuming on your part. Still, the benefits that you and your family will gain from using organic cotton bedding outweigh these little inconveniences. Think of it as your contribution in making this world a better place to live in.
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