For many people, it’s axiomatic that the bedroom should be a calm place. But for a lot of folks, this room is not as calm as it could be. In modern times it’s become a place where people watch TV, text, talk on the phone, work and socialize. The good news is that the trend is to return the bedroom to an area of calm. Here are some design tips to do just that.
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Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains are curtains hung over the windows to block out the light. They do not need to be black nor merely utilitarian. Modern blackout curtains can be light colored and stylish, but they all have a lining that stops light from getting into the room when they are pulled over the windows. Homeowners who use them are amazed at how deep and restful a sleep they achieve when their bedroom is completely dark at night.
Lack of Clutter
Few things destroy the natural calm of a bedroom better than clutter. Though a person would think that it doesn’t matter what’s in the bedroom as long as it doesn’t impede the way to the bed, a lot of unsorted stuff in the room seems to sap whatever peaceful energy there is. The homeowner should take time, and make sure that there’s a place for everything and that everything has a place. Many people living in smaller spaces take a minimalist approach to help clear their mind of clutter and needless “stuff.”
Unfussy Decor
Though everyone’s seen celebrity bedrooms that look like they were imported from Versailles, simpler is better when it comes to the bedroom. Though a homeowner doesn’t have to go absolutely minimalist, for too little can bring a sense of deprivation, the fewer things there are to distract the mind in the bedroom, the better.
Curves
As with clutter or furniture that is too ornate, sharp edges and angles dispel notions of comfort. This is also true of the mild trend toward furniture made of concrete, such as bed platforms. A calm bedroom is full of gentle curves.
Soft Colors
Soft colors are not the same as neutrals, though a color palette dominated by neutrals also makes for a calm bedroom. Soft colors include pastel shades of green, yellow, blue and violet. Some homeowners use pink even in adult bedrooms, though this can be an acquired taste. Neutrals include soothing shades of white, gray and brown, often with a hint of another color such as green or lavender.
Different Textures
If the room is going to be done up in shades of the same color, adding different textures creates interest. The homeowner can complement soft cotton sheets with a chenille bedspread. The bed itself can sit on a coir area rug, bedside tables can be made of wood, and chair seats made of woven rush or velvet.
Personality
Finally, a calming bedroom shouldn’t resemble every bedroom found in just about every motel. The bedroom should reflect the personality of the person who sleeps in it every night. This can include displaying cherished pieces of artwork, a shelf full of neatly arranged books, a plant or two or three or a vase of fresh flowers. How the lighting is arranged should also reflect the homeowner’s personality.
