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Calming bedroom design ideas

By Jennifer Thoden

You probably already know that your bedroom should be your safe haven... your oasis... your special place. It makes sense... I mean, after all, it is the place you end your day with and begin your day with.

Shouldn't your bedroom make you smile and feel comforted?

Well, if you choose to not be in your bedroom until it's dark outside, here are some bedroom design ideas that will create a calming, relaxing space.

1. Paint your bedroom in your favourite colour.

Waking up to a colour you love is the perfect way to start your day.Don't get so wrapped up in what a bedroom should be or shouldn't be.

If you love orange, then paint your bedroom orange.

Or paint your bedroom in the complement of your favourite colour and then add accents in your favourite colour.The complement is the colour on the opposite side of the colour wheel.

Red's complement is Green.

Blue's complement is Orange.

Yellow's complement is Purple.

So, if you love purple, maybe paint your walls lavender and add yellow pillows and a vase of yellow tulips.

Just use colours you truly enjoy for a personal bedroom design.

2. Use one fabric, but use it everywhere.

Many people find it difficult to coordinate different fabric patterns successfully.

In fact, many bedroom design ideas become too busy with mixes of plaids and florals.

So, choose a fabric that matches your paint colour and use it in your drapes... in your bedding... and even in an upholstered chair.

If you're really worried that this is too much of one fabric, then choose a solid fabric to go along with your main fabric.

3. Add candles and mood lighting.

Lighting can enhance a bedroom design far more than you may realize.

Yes, you need lamps for task lighting, but to really create a bedroom that is glowing, soft and relaxing you need some mood lighting.

4. Add soft textures Keep in mind that the goal of your bedroom design idea is to calm and soothe.

So, choose fabrics that are soft and cozy. Select silks, cottons and suedes. Even terry cloth can add an unexpected luxury.

Use lots of pillows for comfort, and visual interest.

5. Don't forget privacy In the evenings, you shouldn't have to worry about privacy. Make sure your bedroom design ideas include window treatments that cover your windows at night. This will also close the room in and add to the coziness of the room.

Planning the perfect bedroom design idea doesn't have to be difficult.

Keep it personal, choose the colours and fabrics you like... select artwork that makes you smile and enjoy the decorating process.

Happy Decorating!

Colour trends for your decor

By Tracey Schabel

Decorating your home does not need to be trendy, but it should be current, comfortable, and totally you! Some colour choices work for one person, while others capture someone else's fancy. Many are experiencing an economic downturn and therefore we are trying to make home improvements without breaking the bank! But as with anything else, take these ideas loosely and work with what you have and what you like!

Strong colours. Strong colours like red should be used in the dinning area. It is very bold, and you do not live in your dining room - you only visit it - so the colour is not too overwhelming.

Soothing colours. The soothing colours of surf and sand (blues and browns) are still going very strong. Soft blues paired with stronger browns are used in bedrooms, living areas, and bathrooms. Soft blues can be incorporated even into the ceiling colour, thus evoking the feeling of a sky. These colours tend to slow us down, so use them in rooms where you want to relax and unwind. They are harder to use in kitchen/dining areas, but a strong blue and yellow scheme is still attractive in this area.

Natural colours. Take a step outside and enjoy the landscape. Look around and find inspiration in what you see in your garden, neighbouring park, and forests. The mixture of greens, browns, and vibrant flower tones work well together. Bring that look into your house. The fresh green of a blade of spring grass paired with the browns of a tree trunk and the golds of yellow twig dogwood are very striking and easy to live with.

Use natural fibers and organic items in this decor. It's a perfect mix for a great room or family area. In fact, most of your accessorizing can be found right outside your door!

Use these colour combinations to inspire your next project. Try a bold colour in a closet if a large space is too extreme.

Take a trendy turn in a guest bedroom where you can enjoy it on a limited basis. Or go all out, and re-do your living space-after all, its just paint!