Tweak Your Bedroom Decor to Make it More Functional and Serene
The bedroom: It’s your mental and physical oasis, which is why it has to be super relaxing, And, while it shouldn’t’ be filled with lots of distractions like electronics and clutter, the immediate area around your bed has to have some basic things to support winding down and going to sleep. At a minimum, you need a bedside light source for reading and to turn on when it’s time to get up. A functional bed area also needs at least some type of surface nearby to set down a book, cup, your glasses, or other nighttime necessity. Beyond that, the style and form of these bedrooms “musts” will vary according to your design and sleep style. If you’re looking to change up your bed area, check out these ideas:
A Nightstand and a Lamp
A nightstand and a lamp are the basic route for bedside function. It’s also the most convenient option if you live in an apartment or move often because there are no built-ins. A typical nightstand has at least one drawer to stash some things and it has enough room on the surface for the lamp and anything else you want to keep close at hand. These particular lamps are not suitable for reading in bed, but the spotlight in the ceiling takes care of that.
Minimalist Chic
Even minimalists want to be comfortable when it’s time for bed. If that’s your style, this headboard with built-in reading lights is just the ticket because it means that other lamps are not totally necessary. This setup, however, has matching lighted elements on the bedside tables, more for atmosphere than pure function. The bedside table themselves have the look of a classic parson’s table but incorporate two slide sides instead of four separate legs.
Luxe Coordinates
If you’re all about coordination and matching, a luxuriously matched bed and headboard are a good choice. Even though it’s got a lot of textures going on, it’s still a very clean and coordinated look. Smaller nightstands still offer up plenty of space for a bedside lamp with enough room to spare for overnight necessities. These more compact nightstands also feature a drawer to stash away clutter and keep the vibe serene.
Wall Mounted Sconces
For those who don’t like having a lamp on the bedside table, wall sconces that flank the bed can serve the same purpose. This provides the lighting you need and preserves the clutter-free look that you want. Options for this type of lighting fixture are plentiful and you can find some to match any style of bedroom decor. Bedside sconces look especially great alongside a tall headboard!
Bedside Pendants
A relatively novel bedside lighting option that is gaining traction is the use of a pendant that hangs low, over a small table or nightstand. Large or small, these pendants let you choose a smaller bedside table because no other lamp is required. Here, the pendants are paired with elegant round tables that take up very little space. These also have a small drawer for stowing away anything you want to keep out of sight.
Curtained Corner
Often, the layout of a bedroom might mean that you have to push the bed into the corner. When this happens, you might want to consider jazzing up the corner so that it doesn’t feel like you actually are stick in a corner. Adding some floor to ceiling drapes in the corner softens the space and hives the illusion that there’s something more. Or, curtain the entire area behind the bed to insinuate that there might be a window behind there.
Add A Bench
Another very useful item in the bed area is a bench, and it’s typically placed at the foot of the bed. Having a bench in this location gives you somewhere to put a folded bedspread or extra blanket, while also providing a place to sit while putting on your socks and shoes. In fact, mattress experts say that you should not repeatedly sit on the edge of the mattress to do these things because it can affect the structure. If you have the space, a bench is a fabulous addition.
Add a Sitting Area
While it’s not technically part of the immediate area around the bed like the bedside table is, a seating area is very desirable in a bedroom. Whether that includes a sofa, as this arrangement does, or a chair or two, it’s a private, quiet place to sit and talk or read and relax. Some people prefer to read in a chair and then go to bed so this is the perfect arrangement. You can even relax in a sitting area with your morning coffee before the day’s rush.
Swap the Bench for a Loveseat
If you don’t have room for a seating area but can still manage space for a bench, a low-backed loveseat could do double duty. This very smart-looking loveseat in navy suede is an ideal match for the bed, also upholstered in the same navy suede. It’s a really good option for a long and narrow bedroom that doesn’t have quite enough space for a truly separate seating area.
Upgrade the Bedding
Assuming that your mattress is comfortable and supportive, everything else is just embellishment, right? Not when it comes to your bedding. Sure, you want it to look good, as this coordinated set does, but you also want the bedding to be comfortable for you. What kind of sheets make you most comfortable? Do you prefer a lofty down comforter or do you like the weight of something more substantial? It’s important to figure out what relaxes you so that you can have the best sleep possible.
Create an Environment
If atmosphere is important to you, try creating a more dramatic one in your bedroom. This striking wall mural adds an immeasurable amount of “wow” to the bedroom but it’s still very serene. The addition of a suspension light fixture on one side of the bed makes it look like the lights are actually in the tree. There was a day when this type of wall decor would cost a fortune because it would have to be hand-painted, but with the wide range of wallpaper murals now available, something similar is within reach of most decorating budgets.
Asymmetrical Arrangements
Symmetrical design is the easy route in bedroom decor: A matching light and table on each side of the bed and maybe something hanging in the middle above the headboard. that can also be a little boring sometimes. One way to mix it up is to have something different on each side of the bed. This can be as dramatic or subtle as you like. Here, the nightstands are the same style but different models. The lighting is two pendants on one side of the bed only, and one side of the bed is flanked by a large leaning mirror. It’s coordinated…but not entirely.
Up on a Pedestal
Even in the bedroom, a seating area can sometimes become a distraction, especially if there’s a television involved. One way to subtly separate the bed area from the sitting area and still all be in the same room is to put the actual sleeping are up on a platform as in this bedroom. The bed, nightstands and a single chair are in a way removed from the area that has a loveseat lounge.
Serene Colors
Whatever furniture you choose, the best way to ensure you have a serene bedroom is to stick to a quiet color palette. This typically means whites, creams or pale pastels. Even if you like bold colors, the bedroom is typically not the place you want to go all out on bold colors. It can be far too energetic an environment for a good night’s sleep. If pastels are not your thing and you still want to add some color, a couple of bright cushions are usually enough to liven things up.
Go Grand
For those who love formality and the twists and turns of baroque decor, adding some of these details to the bedroom will make it very grand. The key is restraint, as in this bedroom, where the ornate headboard is the focal point. While the nightstands have the same general style, they are less ornate. The lamps are a little more modest and other embellishments around the room are also less exuberant.
Whatever your style is, you can create a bedroom sanctuary that will help you fall asleep in style. The key is to make sure that you have the required elements, along with any that you desire and can comfortably fit in the bedroom. As they always say, you spend a third of your life sleeping so you should invest in making it the most comfortable and functional space possible.