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5 Tips That’ll Turn Your Bedroom Into a Retreat Space

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A place for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation, your bedroom should feel like a private sanctuary; a place where you can escape from the world and feel totally calm and comfortable.

Despite being the room you spend the most time in, the bedroom is often the most neglected when it comes to decorating. Because this room is not typically on show, many people fail to give it the attention it needs.

From layering luxurious bed linen to incorporating ambient lighting, promote a restful environment with these dreamy bedroom decorating tips.

Choose Color Wisely

A bedroom’s main purpose is for rest and sleep, so choose colors that promote this such as cooler tones of blues, greens, and lilacs, or dark, moodier colors such as charcoals, navy blue, and soft greys.

Both light and airy or dark and dramatic schemes can be warmed up and made cozy with lots of textured bed linen, a great rug or comfortable floor covering and billowy curtains.

Layering Bed Linen

“Textiles are key to create a welcoming and relaxing sanctuary,” says Rebecca Burnard, head designer at Sheridan.

“Use bedding layers like blankets, bedcovers, and cushions or throws for different textures to indulge yourself. Adding beautiful silk pillowcase to an existing look can create a total sleep upgrade,” she adds.

“Also, think about all the layers you can’t ‘see’ that make up a luxurious sleep – from the mattress topper all the way to the quilt, sheets, blankets, and pillow choice.”

Keep Furnishings To a Minimum

Too much clutter does not promote good sleeping patterns. Obviously clothing storage is essential in a bedroom, but try to keep it all behind closed doors. 

A large built-in cupboard with solid paneled doors or a wardrobe behind a floating wall is ideal – make the clothes disappear to give your eyes some rest.

Consider replacing mirrored sliding doors on wardrobes with solid varieties or hinged doors; the reflection doubles everything in the room, which is not always a good thing.

Have a bed custom-made with storage underneath or buy one with built-in drawers or a base that flips up with a storage cavity underneath. 

If you need a chest of drawers, keep the tops clear or limited to a few favorite items.

TIP: The old saying “a place for everything and everything in its place” should be your golden rule.

Make it a Place to Retreat To

If you have a large space, consider carving out a corner as a parents’ retreat with a sofa or armchair and a lamp for reading or meditating. Place it away from the bed so it’s not invading your rest space.

A bedroom is often a popular option for a little workspace or extra TV (even though most designers and sleep experts will disagree with you!).

If this is something you want to do, find a way to incorporate it into space as naturally as possible so as to not interfere with the room’s main purpose.

Make Comfort a Priority

Plush carpeting or a great rug over floorboards will go a long way towards making a bedroom feel cozy, but comfort can be created by functional aspects, too. 

Have the electrician place a switch for the main light next to your bed so you don’t have to get out of bed to turn it off; choose windows that can be locked open (such as sliders) for airflow without the security worries; have dimmer switches placed on the main light and also reading lamps that flank your bed to control light and minimize arguments about who wants to sleep or read.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Homes to Love

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