Fall is in the air, and if you’re like me, your brain immediately goes into nesting mode. If you’re looking to take on a small home project this busy season, I suggest tackling the bedroom. Your sleep space should truly be a respite that meets all your needs for rest and relaxation. Read on for my top tips to make a bedroom feel one of a kind. Most importantly, you’ll want to pay attention to lighting, mood, and bedding.
Looking at Lighting
When considering lighting in your bedroom, you’ll of course want to take into account your sleep habits as well as the amount of natural light that flows in from outside. Before purchasing lamps, you’ll want to tackle your window coverings. Doing so is by no means an insignificant component of the design process. After all, the way in which you dress your windows will control both how much light comes in and shape your overall design scheme. The color and texture of fabric you select are factors that affect the mood within a space. Determine whether you require blackout curtains to sleep soundly, or if you will be happy with a standard fabric.
Then, you’ll also want to focus on accent lighting. Consider different lighting options and the functions they serve. For example, dimly lit sconces hung beside the bed are excellent for nighttime reading and can also cast a warm glow and create a beautiful mood. Floor lamps next to a corner chair create another opportunity to unwind with a book. If your bedroom is already equipped with an overhead fixture but it doesn’t suit your aesthetic, why not take it down and replace it with a beautiful pendant light or chandelier that does speak to you? These kinds of small upgrades can make all of the difference within a space.
Consider the Room’s Mood
Next up is thinking about the mood you would like your bedroom to evoke. Do traditional lines or clean lines suit you? Are you a minimalist or a maximalist? These answers will come in handy as you go on to select a headboard, reading chair, dresser, and more.
You’ll also want to look at your walls and determine if you are open to pattern. In a recent bedroom project I completed, we opted for a grasscloth mural on a prominent 17 foot wall. This was no small undertaking, but it was a choice that truly paved the way for the rest of the design scheme and led to a calming yet sophisticated bedroom.
To finish off your space, don’t forget to incorporate art, throw pillows and blankets, and small furnishings such as benches or armchairs. It can be fun—and affordable—to change out pillows and blankets on a seasonal basis too so that the look stays fresh all year.
Invest in Proper Bedding
Don’t skimp on bedding when designing your sleep space. The right bedding will add a touch of luxury to your room. After all, remember that your bedroom should nurture you and serve as a calming oasis to step into at the end of the day. It's a good idea to have seasonal bedding that you change at least twice per year to allow for comfortable sleep no matter the outdoor temperature. If you haven’t purchased a new mattress in many years, you may wish to tackle that, too—pros suggest parting with mattresses every 10 years. Given how critical sleep is to our daily wellbeing, it’s worth upgrading your essentials!