7 ways to make your bedroom a no-stress zone right this minute
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Loading... - Levi Wilson
- 31 May 2022
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You spend nearly one-third of your life in your bedroom—shouldn’t it be a place that dreams are made of? While you likely have the basics covered (comfortable mattress, appropriately dim lighting, sumptuous rug to sink your feet into each morning), there are plenty of next-level upgrades to transform your sleeping space into an even cozier area.
We turned to six top designers from Decorating Den Interiors, a network of individually owned and operated interior design franchises throughout the U.S. and Canada, for their advice on how to cultivate calm in your most personal of spaces. From piling on the throw pillows to finding pieces that spark joy, their thoughtful tips will set the stage for better sleep.
PAINT THE CEILING A CALMING HUE
Give your eyes a restful respite when lying in bed by coating the ceiling, rather than the walls, a soothing blue-green like Sherwin-Williams’s Rainwashed. “It’s really relaxing and subtle,” says designer Lynne Lawson of the pleasing mint hue she and Laura Outland used on this tray ceiling. The choice, she notes, is “reminiscent of the ceilings on New England outdoor porches.”
The partners at Maryland’s Lawson Dream Team are also fond of the brand’s Serenely, a pale blue-gray. It’s a “chameleon that seems to morph to match almost any decor,” notes Lawson.
When going colorful up top, they suggest staying neutral with the rest of the space. “To keep things calm and serene in a bedroom, we like to use light cool or warm grays on the walls—or, of course, white,” says Lawson.
KEEP IT SOFT AND SERENE
Remaining on neutral territory with natural elements and soft shades “allows for a calming and clean base to rotate out accent elements according to preference or season,” notes Michelle Jett, owner of Michelle Jett Decorating Den Interiors.
With a more muted palette, adding depth with luxe fabrics is key, explains the California-based decorator, who pulled in a faux fur blanket and accent pillow “to add a soft, yet thicker texture.” She also included a tufted blanket and beaded pillows for “a polished edge.” Another trick? Use softer diffused lighting. Says Jett, “It helps a person wind down from a stressful day.”
SIMPLIFY THE COLOR PALETTE
Consider this the design equivalent of cleaning out your closet. “When accents are placed in a room that are opposites on the color spectrum like green and red, the eye stops to notice the difference,” explains Angela Palmer, founder of Georgia-based Palmer Kay Design. “However, when the palette is simplified and colors are complimentary, the eye sort of meanders and it creates a more relaxed feeling.”
Selecting shades that complement the landscaping outside the window in this space, she commissioned a custom faux silk-covered headboard, crushed velvet bench, and luxe poly-cotton blend curtains in a saturated cerulean. The color plays well with the dark woods and tonal green of the walls, painted Benjamin Moore’s Camouflage.
ADD A SEATING AREA TO UNWIND
“A sitting area makes the room feel like an oasis by giving the homeowner a place to relax without actually being in the bed," says designer Barbara Elliott.
She and Jennifer Ward-Woods, the Atlanta-based duo behind The Sisters and Company, relied on a velvet chaise and two bronze nailhead-studded ottomans to create this bedroom spot. In a smaller room, says Elliott, “a space next to a window or corner can work.” While a piece of art and an area rug will help delineate a lounge area from the rest of the room, really all you need, she notes, is “a place to sit, a place to put a drink, and a light source.” Read More...
