Transform Your Bedroom Into Your Paradise
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A bedroom can be many things, but it should always be an extension of you. Your space, brought to life by your vision. It can be the most intimate space of the Fairie Queen or King. It can be a reproduction of your favorite space from Game of Thrones, or your own little Hobbit-hole. Harry Potter fans might want to bring a bit of the Gryffindor common room aesthetic into their bedroom. Perhaps your tastes run more toward a tropical island, or youโre a huge Steampunk fan. All of these passions and fandoms and more can transform a bedroom from blah to mind-blowing. And donโt let anyone tell you that adult rooms canโt be fun.
Spend time considering what you want your fantasy bedroom to recreate. A weekend at a spa? A bedroom high in a hidden castle, overflowing with plants and flowers? Maybe your vision is more of a cool forest glen. Or perhaps you want to try and bring an underwater theme to your room. Your bedroom should be your space to unwind and relax, whether that takes the form of reading, meditating, or staring at a lovely wall. So really give the planning stage time and attention.
Once youโve decided what look you want for your bedroom, spend time with resources that will inspire you. Pinterest is a wonderful rabbit hole and can be a mind-blowing source of ideas. Design websites, blogs, and magazines are also helpful. Consider, and write down if you wish, what textures you want to bring into your room. What overall feel or you aiming for? A room that reproduces life under the waves will have a different vibe than a florist clearing. To that end, think about colors, too. Lighting can also help make the mood. So really think about these things.ย
Compile a vision scrapbook. Keeping a room makeover journal or scrapbook with snippets of colors, prints, theme images, and textures can help you stay true to your vision, and is a fun pastime, too! Look for images that will help capture the feelings you want the room to express. Cool and soothing, rugged and raw, fresh and natural, or whimsical and mysterious.ย
Even if you donโt have much of a budget, or none at all, to transform your bedroom into a fantasy dream, it is still possible to give it a makeover.
First, declutter & organize. I completely understand that you might be groaning at the very thought. I am too. But the thing all those beautiful bedrooms in designer and lifestyle magazines have in common is a lack of stuff. So decluttering is important. Or at the very least, find a way to hide it. For the things you absolutely must have, creative storage is the key. While this can be challenging, it can also be rewarding. A nautical-themed room can use seaman chests, or pirate chests, as storage. Medieval-themed rooms could also utilize this storage tool. Drop in a couple of small cedar balls to protect your treasures and help preserve them, no matter if they are heirloom quilts or your photograph collection. More than just looking neater though, a decluttered room will bring you increased peace of mind. Once the cleaning is done, that is. The initial pain of cleaning up will eventually bring rewards, I promise.
Wandering through design magazines, Pinterest, Amazon, and even the Ikea website can bring a plethora of organizing ideas, and you might find storage solutions you hadnโt thought of before. Many of which could fit into your decorating scheme without a lot of modification, but making storage solutions your own can be fun too.ย
Choose bedding you love. Themed bedding can be fun, whether thatโs superhero-themed sheets or a duvet with botanical prints at home in a flower-lovers room. But consider too, how the bedding will feel. Are you a fan of flannel sheets and want to feel cozy and warm, or does the coolness of microfiber appeal more? Budget too, can be a consideration. Does your vision of a perfect bedroom need printed bedding, or would less expensive solids achieve the look you want? A bedroom in a Queen or Kingโs palace would be awash in rich reds, regal golds, and royal purples. A Fae-themed room would be calming decorated with soft colors like white, lavender, and pale blues. Donโt forget the pillows. If youโre aiming for a Moorish/caravan look, a bed set very low to the floor, or completely on the floor covered in brightly-hued pillows and a colorful bedspread can really make the look. Like mattresses, pillow preferences are a personal thing. Some like firm support, while others want to feel as if theyโre sleeping on a cloud. Itโs all up to you.ย
Window coverings can help make the mood. What window treatments fit best with your vision? Blackout blinds or gauzy, sheer draperies? Not sure? Consider these questionsโฆdo you want increased privacy? Do you want window treatments that help muffle sound from outside? Do you need a darker bedroom? Do you want to be able to see the stars at night from your bed? Does your window face a view youโd rather not see, or would you like to frame a pleasing view? Or perhaps you donโt even have a window in your room and youโd like to have the illusion of one? For this option, wall decals and murals are invaluable. (I live in a basement apartment, so I understand this challenge very well)
Add lighting. Lighting can go a long way toward setting a mood in your room, and the range of choices available is staggering. A ceiling fan & light combo with wooden blades shaped like leaves will fit nicely into a forest-themed room. A string of fairie-style lights is a charming source of illumination in the Fae Queenโs bedroom. A small stained glass reading lamp can really add to a Steampunk-themed room. Even if your budget is tiny, sometimes the slow acquisition of themed accessories can go a long way. (This is where your dreaming and planning stage really pays off!) You can seek out smaller lights designed to look like flickering candles or even lanterns for the pirate-themed room.ย
Add a seating area. If your room is large enough, consider adding a seating area. In a Moorish-themed room, that might be an oriental rug with a pile of large cushions that all come together to make a comfortable place to read. In a Steampunk-themed space, that might be a leather (or even faux-leather) sofa, loveseat, or wing-backed chair you inherited, with a travelerโs chest to serve as a table. Flea market or yard sale discoveries can really help out here, too. Houseplants, real or manmade, depending on the light and your level of proficiency with plants, can add a sense of charm and detail to your nook as well. Even if you arenโt much of a reader, but more of a daydreamer, incorporating a relaxing nook can make your bedroom even more of an oasis.
In closing:
Decide what kind of space you want your bedroom to be. Pull out all the stops. Dream big, go wild! Build a scrapbook to build a collection of inspiring images, colors you like, and the feelings you want your bedroom to convey.
Declutter and organize. Research & acquire storage options that will add to the overall look you want to achieve.
Look for bedding and drapery options that will help you achieve your goals for your room, whether thatโs increased privacy, a whimsical space that enables your daydreaming, or a space that reflects your passions and nerdery.
Find lighting options that accent the look youโre aiming for.
Always be on the lookout for accessories that add to your vision of your room.
The most important thing is to have fun transforming your bedroom into your own personal oasis!
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