During this challenging time in our economy, I think everyone is working more and looking for ways to save money. With that being said, we all end up a little more stressed and in need of a place to unwind and relax.
So, I would like to share with you five tips for giving your bedroom that spa aaah feeling. There is no reason why we can’t feel pampered just because we are watching our pennies ….
1) Keep your bedroom neat and uncluttered - I have a tendency to pile things on a chair or stack them on my dresser. I have learned that by taking a moment to put things away immediately I can keep my agitation at bay. At least my agitation over clutter! LOL
With all of the beautiful baskets and containers available now, it is much easier to take a space from chaos to calm. Just give things a home and make sure they find their way back there.
2) Lots of pillows - This one is my favorite! I believe that a bed can’t have too many pillows. They provide a place to curl up with a good book, or just get away for a few minutes of quiet with your favorite music.
3) Pillow nests - I believe this is the most comfortable pillow position for a great night’s sleep. Whether you are a back, side, or stomach sleeper, the pillow nest will work. I take three pillows of slightly different weights and density, so that I can adjust them as needed. Usually the heavier pillows go on the bottom in an upside down V position, and the softer lighter pillow lays across the point.
One reason this works for me is there is always a place for my arms. It may sound crazy, but I never quite knew what to do with my arms. Sleep shouldn’t be this much work!! I can’t explain it, but my dh has put has stamp of approval on this arrangement, too. So, if you give it a try, let me know what you think.
4) Candles - I like lavender scented ones in the bedroom. Lavender is a very calming scent, and is supposed to help with rest. Just don’t fall asleep or leave the room with them burning, fire damage is not soothing.
5) A soft cuddly throw or lush soft towels - We have uncluttered our space, made our bed comfy; we’ve got soft music playing, and a lavender scented candle to calm us. Now we just need that velvety touch to complete our spa experience. There are so many beautiful throws and towels available that are plush and luxurious, it is easy to give our homes five star appeal.
I would love it if you would add your thoughts for making your bedroom a sanctuary. Loving our homes and making them a place to escape the business of life is good for us. We need a sanctuary that is calming and prepares us to get out there and do it all again tomorrow!
1. Deb-
This is so timely for me as I am just beginning to give thought to decorating my bedroom after 5 years in this house. I found that decluttering was a great first step. Also I love to spray my pillows with linen spray before I go to sleep. Serenity now. Hugs, Jen
by Jen@thecottagenest — 1/21/09 at 9:38 am #
2. Jen, Spraying pillows with linen spray and giving them a lovely scent. Now that is a spa aaah! Can’t wait to hear all of the updates on the bedroom redo. Hugs back at ya!
by Deb — 1/21/09 at 5:43 pm #
3. I would like to know what can I put on an entry “wall shelf”.. any suggestions would be appreciated!!
by Ann — 1/22/09 at 7:52 pm #
4. I would love to know the width and depth of your shelf, but will try to give you a couple of ideas. If the shelf is on the small side, you could use a framed mirror and lean it against the wall. I like to use mirrors because they add depth to the room. A piece of framed art or a welcome plaque would work as well. Another possibility would be to use a bud vase with a single flower, or a stemmed glass with a votive or tealight. I hjope these ideas are helpful. If you want to give the dimensions of your shelf, I will try to come up with a few more possiibilities. Thanks for stopping by and adding your question.
by Deb — 1/23/09 at 5:59 pm #
5. My bedroom always seems to come last. Although we inherited a bed, several dressers and a van ity from my mother in law, they are very old expensive and ugly as sin. How could I make a headboard which I really don’t have and how could I change the dressers? Big task, but thanks
by pam — 1/31/09 at 10:53 pm #
6. Hi Pam, What a blessing to be given your bedroom furniture, that gives you the freedom of being able to put your dollars to work on the finishing touches.
A couple of possibilities for a headboard that I like. I have seen them made from a sheet of plywood the width of the bed. In fact a great link with all of the instructions is at Blissful Begonia - http://blissfulbegonia.wordpress.com/2007/11/04/how-to-make-a-fabric-covered-headboard/ I think you will find it very helpful.
Another one of my favorites that I just found, is to hang a curtain rod on the ceiling the width of your bed, and hang beautiful fabric from it. The picture I saw also added a short arm on each side of the bed which matched, framing the entire pillow area with color. I googled curtain headboard and up popped pages of ideas.
Finally, I am a huge fan of paint to update and restore old furniture. If you like a colonial look like I do, there are many colonial colors that would work. Distressed black is hugely popular and goes with almost any other accents you would add. If you like a more modern look, choose a bright enamel and give it a pop. There again I googled update furniture with paint, and the ideas were endless.
I think my first suggestion would be to do a little web surfing both for articles and for images. Print off your favorites and you are ready to get started. We would love to see before and after pictures when you are done. Have fun!!
by Deb — 2/2/09 at 11:22 am #
7. I loved the bedroom ideas. I would love it if someone would tell me how to dress the bed, i.e. top sheet and duvet only (what weight for down comforter) or top sheet, blanket (what kind) and comforter. I have a sleigh bed with footboard, am willing to spend a little money to get it all right. I would love a winter and summer weight set. Does anyone have any suggestions
by marge — 2/3/09 at 1:26 pm #
8. Hi Marge,
I don’t know much about comforters, but I did find a great link which I think might help. I thought the suggestions were very informative: http://interiordec.about.com/od/shopping/bb/downcomforter.htm
The comforter in the photo is my Winter comforter it is very heavy and warm, when the weather changes I will store this and use a quilt all Summer. Hopefully doing some web surfing will answer many of your questions, and maybe we will get some additional help here from some of the others.
Thanks for stopping by, and let us know what you decide.
by Deb — 2/3/09 at 3:40 pm #
9. Hi Marge:
There’s no “right/wrong” way to dress a bed but a good question to ask yourself is do you like the feel of “weight” on you when you sleep or do you prefer being enveloped in warmth without feeling anything heavy on top? If you don’t mind the weight, then layers are great as you can add more/less to go with the seasons. A sheet, blanket, and a quilt will ive you plenty of layers to play with. Penny wrote a great post last month for those who like to “layer” their bedding.
I prefer nothing more than my sheet set and a soft downy comforter. Since I’m allergic to down, however, I have a synthetic version of the down comforter. It’s light and yet keeps us SO warm in the winter. We have a duvet cover on it with complimentary sheets/pillows/shams and we have the whole thing dry cleaned each spring. It’s an easy bed to make too as you simply have to pull up your sheet, fluff the duvet, pull the top of the sheet out and fold it down over the duvet and voila, you are done!! We use it even in the summertime (although you may opt for more summery looking sheets/duvet cover) because we sleep with the a/c on and find we need it. On the odd in-between night we just fold it down to the end of the bed and sleep with a cotton sheet only, but those nights are few and far between. I would say that if you have a down or synthetic comforter of good quality you should not need any additional blankets and cotton sheets will be just fine even in winter. Have fun planning “your” perfect bed. joan
by Joan — 2/3/09 at 4:46 pm #
10. Thanks Joan, You’re the best!! I know so little about comforters and duvet covers, but I knew at least one of you girls would come through and help. Good suggestions! Thanks again!
by Deb — 2/3/09 at 5:10 pm #
11. My husband is in the Army and he just moved into a new house but I cannot live with him for a couple more months but he wants a romantic but yet manly bedroom, any ideas?
by Brittany — 2/6/09 at 6:13 pm #
12. Hi Brittany, What a great question. It made me think of a funny story - at least I think it’s funny now. Years ago our home was part of a local house tour. At the time I collected teddy bears, and I also had our bedroom done in pastels. It is my understanding that many of the visitors spent time looking for the master bedroom because our room looked so “girlie.” LOL
So, one thought I have is that you choose a color that is more masculine, and if you want to use a pastel combine it with a rich contrasting color like brown. You may even ask your husband about his favorite colors. For romance I like to add throw pillows, candles, a blanket throw in a soft fabric, and look for artwork that is soothinig rather than energizing.
Stay tuned for a future post I am writing about a friend who transformed her master bedroom suite from Victorian Lace to Safari Get Away. It looks fabulous.
Thanks for stopping by, I will keep your question in mind as I work on future posts.
Deb
by Deb — 2/11/09 at 4:53 pm #
13. My bedroom only has a huge headboard/footboard and large chest. Right now my tube tv is sitting on a stand but I will buying a flat screen. Where would you suggest putting the flat screen tv? On a stand or wall?
by Valencia — 3/10/09 at 7:31 pm #
14. Hi Valencia,
That is a good question. I think I would start by asking myself where I am most likely to settle as I watch TV. You didn’t mention a chair, so I am thinking that you will primarily be relaxing on the bed when the TV is on. Since you have a footboard, you want to make sure that your TV is high enough to be able to see it clearly over the footboard.
I personally like the flat screen TVs hung like art work on the wall; however, installation is a little more involved. To get a clean finished look it requires fishing the cords through the wall. You might want to consider some other pieces of furniture to use as a TV stand. I am currently using a buffet in my living room, and a coffee table in my office instead of traditional media furniture.
I hope that gives you a few ideas. Let us know what you decide.
by Deb — 3/11/09 at 12:55 pm #
15. Absolutely no television should be allowed in the bedroom… a place for sleeping does not require one.
by Mary — 6/22/09 at 3:13 pm #
16. I have a king size bed (pillow top mattress and the two box frames). However, I don’t have the metal frame or a head board for it. I think I can try to create a headboard, but the bed is too low and I need a frame to make it higher. Any suggestions?
by Alaimoana — 7/16/09 at 7:17 pm #
17. my favourite scent is lavender, and a few drops of lavender essential oil spritzed on your pillow and sheets makes for a fabulous sleep - essential oils are better to use in your sleeping area than synthetic sprays as there are no chemicals that you will be inhaling while getting that perfect nights sleep. I also love to wash my bedding and hang it on the line to dry, there is nothing more wonderful than climbing into bed at night surround by the fragrance of sheets that have been hung outdoors - if you’ve never tried this, you will be pleasantly surprised. I can also be a very disorganized person, I am a country casual if that tells you anything and I love to clean up quick which means a lot of things get shoved - to help counteract my problem I keep two laundry baskets in our room, one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom, so that clothes and towels don’t end up in a pile on the floor!!
Bethany (Joan’s country sister!!)
by Bethany — 7/22/09 at 12:03 pm #
18. What I love is a Great looking Bed!!! Pillows are the key to me. Along with great fabrics etc…On changing a duvet cover.. look at consignment shops for great fabric ( that’s the top) then get a sheet of a coordinate, then attache it to the back of that duvet. You can then cover any old blanket and have a new look!!! If you have sewing machine just sew thre sides, velco the other and WOW!! Easy to change and/or clean. Also Sheets are a great way to also change your shower curtains to match your decor. If you don’t have a sewing machine a dry cleaner usually has alterations person that can sew straight seams for that duvet. Then take the extra fabric and make pillows from that.. and so, and so on. One last remark.. buy white towels for every day use. Why.. you can bleach them, they are inexpensive to replace, and then spend your money on really GREAT looking towels to show!!!!
by Maria — 7/24/09 at 12:51 am #
19. Hi Bethany, It’s great to hear from you! I love the scent of lavender as well - very soothing and relaxing. I do wish more communities allowed us to hang our laundry outside. I remember my mom making the bed with sheets that dried out in the fresh air. Mmmmmm! Great suggestion with your laundry baskets. I keep an open clothes sorter in my laundery room, that way I can see at a glance when it is time to run a load through the machine. However, that is one of my few organization tips. Maybe Joan could come and organize both of our homes for us.
by Deb — 7/24/09 at 12:38 pm #
20. Maria, I LOVE your tips! I do have a question. How do you keep your duvet from sliding around inside the cover? I think they are so beautiful, and I love to change my look often, so duvets would be perfect . . . however, my comforter always seems to slide to one side or the other. I like your white towel suggestion, too. Way to keep things simple! Thank you so much for sharing your helpful ideas!!!!!!!
by Deb — 7/24/09 at 12:43 pm #
21. Dear deb,
In response to your comment about the lavender candle not being left to burn unattended, I have found that candle warmers are great for candles and they don’t cause soot and if you happen to fall asleep in your sanctuary they wont catch on fire. Not recommended to warm candles all night but if it does then it will work and not cause a fire. I know this for a fact because I would use them after I came home from work at 4:00 am and sometimes if I was really tired and fell asleep the warmer would still warm the candles 6 hours later when I woke up. I also found these cute little fake flames to put in votive jars. They look like a tea candle but they also look just like a candle flame and they flicker just like a candle flame and again they can be alternated in with your candles and give the flicker affect of candles without the worry of real candles. I love the idea of lots of pillows on a bed. Done right they are practicle and decorative to any bed ensemble.
by Bridget — 8/24/09 at 3:57 am #
22. I would like to know what you think of putting a bookcase in my bedroom. I have an empty space just crying out for a piece of furniture. I use to put a lounge chair in the space, but find I never use it. Also how should I decorate it? Thanks for your help.
by Diana — 8/29/09 at 1:28 am #
23. Hi Diana,
Good job thinking outside the box! I think you have several possibilities for that space. I don’t see any problem putting a book shelf in your bedroom - just don’t pack it full of books. You could take the shelves our and line the back with fabric to match your bedding, or paint the back a coordinating color, to jazz it up a little. This article from Decorate - Redecorate: http://www.decorate-redecorate.com/arranging-tips.html , gives some good tips on item placement.
I also think that a reading table and lamp next to your lounge chair might encourage you to use that space a little more. A beautiful piece of art on the wall, might finish your empty space equally well.
A couple of possibilities . . . let us know what you decide.
by Deb — 8/31/09 at 1:22 pm #
24. Hi! I’ve never been on this site before, but it surely is fun! Diana and Deb, when I was single and living in my apartment, I had a bookcase in my bedroom… what was its purpose? Well, I had a small closet, so my everyday shoes, boots, tennis shoes, etc. went in there… but the 12 PRIZED pairs of FABULOUS stilletos were always being displayed! At one point I even put some rope lighting around the outer edges of the case while decorating for Christmas… I’m serious about my stilletos!!! HAHAHA
I just wanted to share this when I saw your intentions lol Of course, my husband won’t let me set this up in our bedroom now… =)
by Elizabeth — 9/12/09 at 3:29 am #
25. Way to go Elizabeth! I love it!! We are so glad that you have joined the fun! We’ll look forward to hearing from you again soon. Enjoy those shoes!
by Deb — 9/14/09 at 12:51 pm #
26. Hello Homegoods Ahoppers,
I have always been a high end shopper, shopping at Pier 1, Pottery Barn and the likes. My husband and I stopped in homegoods just to browse (smile).
I thought I had died and gone to home decor heaven. On my first visit I spent $150.00, the next week I spent andther $125.00 and I am looking forward to what I will fnd this week. We purchased a new home 2 years ago and I have just begun to decorate it. I am loving all of my treasures from Homegoods. Happy Shopping!!
by Therea — 9/20/09 at 2:01 pm #
27. Therea,
Welcome to the world of HG fans! I am so glad to hear you had such a happy shopping experience. Please let us know about all of your fun finds. We love to see photos, and get ideas from your HG friends. You are right to go back regularly. HG stores get new merchandise regularly and there is usually some new treasure to delight the decorator in each of us.
by Deb — 9/21/09 at 7:30 pm #
28. My first time on this site. Its been a treat.I have a small master bed/room. The room does NOT have a wall that isn’t broken up by a door or window Problem : no place large enough to put bed without shoving it against the wall or putting it with part of it intruding on the window. Well, I made a fake window with a 3X5 foot mirror 18 1/2 inches apart and hung draperies on both the window and the fake window. I centered the bed on that wall. Its ok but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Keep in mind that I can’t move a door or a window. HELP. Loved Home Goods and thus site.
by Florey — 10/3/09 at 1:21 am #
29. Florey, We are so glad that you have enjoyed HG Openhouse. I like your idea of using a mirror to duplicate the a window. Don’t be afraid to try angles with your furniture. That may give you a little more walking around space. Another possiblity if you use a corner for the head of the bed is to hang a canopy from the ceiling. I wrote a post in February about Headboards: http://openhouse.homegoods.com/index.php/2009/02/06/ten-inexpensive-headboard-options/
You might find some ideas there. Hope this helps a little. Feel free to ask more questions - sometimes rooms like this just become a bit of try and try again, until you find what you love.
Thanks for stopping by. So, glad you found us and that you have become a fan.
by Deb — 10/5/09 at 4:03 pm #