Caged Birdie

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Bedrooms: Blah to Beautiful in 5 Steps!

First, before we start talking about the top five easiest ways to dramatically change your bedroom, I have to introduce the newest member to the Change of Space team, Terra Gonzales! She is an experienced interior designer who has experienced the different design cultures around the country and has even designed room displays for IKEA. We are so excited to have her and stay tuned for some blogs written by her in the future!

Now let’s get back to business and start with the biggest piece of furniture in the room (hopefully); the bed. A common mistake is to throw some sheets and a comforter on the bed and call it good. Yes, this method will functionally get the job done, but aesthetically, it doesn’t do much for your eye. We can easily solve this problem with a technique called layering. Start with the sheets and invest in some cozy ones with a higher thread count or different material such as bamboo. Next, add a soft blanket such as a microfiber or even a faux fur one in the winter – there is nothing cozier than faux fur in cold weather! Next is the comforter or duvet, whichever you prefer. You may think that you are done and your bed is sufficiently layered, but don’t forget the throw blanket at the end of the bed to accent the space! Not only does this add more color or pattern to the bed, but the colder it gets, the more you’ll want that extra blanket.


No, I didn’t forget about the pillows, these are so important that they get their own category! I have heard many debates about how many pillows should be on your bed. I won’t tell you to put twelve pillows on your bed, but you should definitely think about having more than two. It’s mostly a personal preference, but there is a happy medium between twelve and two. I am never opposed to having a longer bolster pillow at the foot of the bed; in fact, adding more vertical height to that end helps to balance everything out. At the head of the bed, I personally like to go with over-sized pillows so I need less of them. Think about using Euro pillows mixed with standard or king size ones to get the job done. Also, try fluffing your pillow to bring some life back into it; if it doesn’t make much of a difference, consider replacing them. There is nothing like a flat lifeless pillow to make your space seem drab.


Another way to spruce up your bedroom is to think about adding a seating area if at all possible. Maybe your space is large enough to have an accent chair and an ottoman to kick up your feet at the end of the day? For those of you with smaller bedrooms, try having a bench at the end of the bed. Many benches come with built in storage where you place extra blankets, pillows, or even clothes if need be. Not interested in a bench? Check out vendors like Pottery Barn who make “mini sofas” that work perfectly at the foot of a bed. By adding a seating area to your space, not only is the bedroom the place where you end up at the end of the day, but it then becomes an area that you can relax in without feeling like it’s time to fall asleep.


Next up, we have window coverings. Window coverings are like pieces of jewelry for our walls. We can go with the classic and timeless choice of solid white, or trendy and fresh picks that involve patterns. Either way, once you add drapes, you will notice a dramatic difference if you are currently only using blinds. Make sure you measure your window and buy enough drapery panels that when you pull them shut; they cover your entire window. Window coverings tend to look better full than sparse. Don’t forget about the different accessories that come with coverings, such as the curtain rod or rings that can attach to your curtains. There are so many ways to make your windows shine, explore the options!


Lastly, I like to suggest to my clients that they add a rug into the space. Yes, even those of you with carpet in your bedroom can benefit from the layered look of a rug! Rugs help to define areas, bring some pattern and texture down to floor and accent furniture pieces. Try it out and see how your bedroom benefits!


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