BEDROOM DESIGNS
Be gentle with your decorating scheme. Try cooling neutrals on bedroom walls, floors and windows to provide a backdrop on which to build a decorative look. Then bring in accessories, such as bed linen, cushions, rugs and wall art, that will introduce decorative themes or trends and colour and pattern.
Plan your bedroom look and layout
In a master bedroom, you will need to assess the space you have and work out a plan for positioning furniture. If you are lucky enough to have an en-suite bathroom or a dressing room you may be able to move some bedroom storage elements into those rooms, freeing up your bedroom to the simplest of layouts. Center the bed to allow you to have a bedside table and reading lamp on either side. Before placing other furniture think about how you will use the room. Keep in mind that you will need space for dressing and undressing. Will you and your partner be able to move around easily with full access to storage even when cupboard doors or drawers are open? Is there enough space to step back in front of a mirror? Balance storage needs against manoeuvrability and the feel of a room. Storage aplenty is fabulous, but if it makes the room unnecessarily cramped and difficult to move around it will neither function properly nor feel like a relaxing space. Keeping to neutrals and plains, rather than strong colour and pattern, will help open up the space, too. Go for a shade that you will both be happy with and one that will aid relaxation and sleep.
Sort your bedroom storage
If you have the space, there’s nothing like belt-and-braces storage in a bedroom. Go for the whole kit and caboodle: his and hers bedside cabinets, chests of drawers and freestanding wardrobes. However the reality for most of us is that we have to find a compromise between essential storage, a comfortable space and the practicalities of getting around the room. If your bedroom is small, bespoke built-in wardrobes make sense. They can incorporate hanging space for two people (hang one rail above another), shelves with pull-out drawers if you have no space for chests of drawers, and even perhaps a small built-in desk in lieu of a dressing table. Hide everything behind a run of sliding screens or mirrored doors and you will not need to allow space for hinged doors to open. If space is tight either side of a double bed, go for a chest of drawers/bedside cabinet hybrid. Lots of companies produce slimline units that are narrow enough to fit either side of a bed and function as bedside tables while being tall enough to house five or six drawers – ideal for smaller clothing items such as underwear or nightwear. Buy a bed with built-in storage. Try and avoid models with large pull-out drawers as any bedside tables sitting close to the bed will prevent them from opening. Choose designs with sliding doors instead. If your bedroom is short on tabletop space, think about adding a shelf above a picture rail. You can use it to store all those bits and bobs that would be in the way on bedside cabinets and also provides a neat solution for displaying decorative objects.
Essentials checklist for a guest bedroom
If you have a spare bedroom to redecorate, include a combination of furniture and furnishings that will be versatile enough to accommodate guests of all shapes and sizes - an older couple one week and two young children or teenage friends the next. Always go for twin beds rather than a double to keep your options open. Just as in a main bedroom, if you have the space, double up on bedside cabinets, table lamps and storage. Leave the space under the bed clear for storing visitors’ suitcases neatly out of view. Include a wall shelf and stock it full of favourite books and magazines for on-tap reading matter, fit hooks on the back of the bedroom door for hanging coats and bags and add a basket of luxury bath and shower toiletries – even slippers and dressing gowns – for a little touch of hotel style that will make your guests feel that extra bit pampered. Keep colour schemes and decorative elements simple and neutral so that, no matter who stays in your room, they will feel at home.
Plan your bedroom look and layout
In a master bedroom, you will need to assess the space you have and work out a plan for positioning furniture. If you are lucky enough to have an en-suite bathroom or a dressing room you may be able to move some bedroom storage elements into those rooms, freeing up your bedroom to the simplest of layouts. Center the bed to allow you to have a bedside table and reading lamp on either side. Before placing other furniture think about how you will use the room. Keep in mind that you will need space for dressing and undressing. Will you and your partner be able to move around easily with full access to storage even when cupboard doors or drawers are open? Is there enough space to step back in front of a mirror? Balance storage needs against manoeuvrability and the feel of a room. Storage aplenty is fabulous, but if it makes the room unnecessarily cramped and difficult to move around it will neither function properly nor feel like a relaxing space. Keeping to neutrals and plains, rather than strong colour and pattern, will help open up the space, too. Go for a shade that you will both be happy with and one that will aid relaxation and sleep.
Sort your bedroom storage
If you have the space, there’s nothing like belt-and-braces storage in a bedroom. Go for the whole kit and caboodle: his and hers bedside cabinets, chests of drawers and freestanding wardrobes. However the reality for most of us is that we have to find a compromise between essential storage, a comfortable space and the practicalities of getting around the room. If your bedroom is small, bespoke built-in wardrobes make sense. They can incorporate hanging space for two people (hang one rail above another), shelves with pull-out drawers if you have no space for chests of drawers, and even perhaps a small built-in desk in lieu of a dressing table. Hide everything behind a run of sliding screens or mirrored doors and you will not need to allow space for hinged doors to open. If space is tight either side of a double bed, go for a chest of drawers/bedside cabinet hybrid. Lots of companies produce slimline units that are narrow enough to fit either side of a bed and function as bedside tables while being tall enough to house five or six drawers – ideal for smaller clothing items such as underwear or nightwear. Buy a bed with built-in storage. Try and avoid models with large pull-out drawers as any bedside tables sitting close to the bed will prevent them from opening. Choose designs with sliding doors instead. If your bedroom is short on tabletop space, think about adding a shelf above a picture rail. You can use it to store all those bits and bobs that would be in the way on bedside cabinets and also provides a neat solution for displaying decorative objects.
Essentials checklist for a guest bedroom
If you have a spare bedroom to redecorate, include a combination of furniture and furnishings that will be versatile enough to accommodate guests of all shapes and sizes - an older couple one week and two young children or teenage friends the next. Always go for twin beds rather than a double to keep your options open. Just as in a main bedroom, if you have the space, double up on bedside cabinets, table lamps and storage. Leave the space under the bed clear for storing visitors’ suitcases neatly out of view. Include a wall shelf and stock it full of favourite books and magazines for on-tap reading matter, fit hooks on the back of the bedroom door for hanging coats and bags and add a basket of luxury bath and shower toiletries – even slippers and dressing gowns – for a little touch of hotel style that will make your guests feel that extra bit pampered. Keep colour schemes and decorative elements simple and neutral so that, no matter who stays in your room, they will feel at home.
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