Posts filed under 'Bedroom Decor Ideas'
Dear Sara Beth,Â
In a recent attempt to assert her independence, my 16 year old daughter moved downstairs into the spare room. It’s a small unfinished room with very little space, but she insists on making this her new bedroom. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on this (since she has a whole bedroom upstairs filled with nice furniture), but I’d like to make her more comfortable down there. The room is literally 6.25′x15′. It has a dark brown carpet, and two walls covered with wood paneling (see picture). The built-in closet is across from the windows. Can you help?
Carolyn, WV
Dear Carolyn,
Ahhh teenagers! Aren’t they a barrel of monkeys. While raising them is your own challenge, we can help with a few decorating ideas.
You can actually use the different wall textures to your advantage by introducing two slightly different styles. This will give the room a larger appearance and visual appeal.
Put the bed in the corner where the two wood panel walls meet. Wood is calming and makes a good backdrop for sleep. Wood also lends itself to a rustic theme, and that’s what I’d suggest for this half of the room. Use linens, a scenic poster or an authentic log nightstand to complete the look. This one is the perfect addition, though you may want a drawer for a smaller room.On the other half of the room, an almost contemporary-lite style will transition well with the wood. I would recommend painting the walls a hazelnut color. This will give light to the deep wood and dark carpet without being washed out. A computer desk or small table can go against the opposite wall from the bed. A full length or large wide mirror will also create a larger room image. Hang on the door or on the wall opposite the bed. If there is room next to the bed, a full length mirror will go nicely there as well.With such little floor space, you have to make use of the other space options, including walls, corners and ceiling. Corner shelving has always been a fabulous space saver. Since these shelves fit snuggly into the corner, you are maximizing whatever little space you have. Secure a shelf to the wall a few feet below the ceiling. This shelf can be used to mount a TV or entertainment system so a large table will not take up your precious floor space. If the walk in closet is enough for all your daughters belongs, great! If not, under bed drawers are the best space savers ever invented. They also keep your belongings fairly well organized. If this is not an option, how about putting a quilt chest at the foot of the bed and covering it with cushioning? This doubles as a seat for company. For smaller items, I say shelves, shelves, shelves. Anything you can put on the wall is off the floor, leaving more room for moving around.Finally, use a nice soft material in a cream or champaign color for the window treatments. Maybe drapes or honeycomb blinds. These window coverings should soften the entire look of the room, and filter light and sun.
Good luck, and thanks for writing in!
November 11th, 2007
Every aspect of a room can be used to enhance an effect and create a mood. The ceiling is no exception to this rule. Even something as simple as an attractive border can dress up a boring ceiling. But if you are looking for something more unique, I’ve got your ticket. Here are a few novel ceiling design ideas that you can use to dress up that dome.
1. Turn that world upside down: Take room-themed items (ex. a pipe for a study, some utensils or a set of mugs for a kitchen), and glue them to your ceiling. Paint additional items and furniture around them (ex. a table for the pipe to sit on, a bar or countertop for the utensils). If you really want to go all out, adhere actual pieces of furniture to the ceiling. Rugs, lamps, and small tables (with their legs cut short) work great for this effect.
2. Murals are the latest craze in room décor. Create a new world on your ceiling, or open up a small space with a visually expanding ceiling mural. Starry skies and vortexes are popular, but you can paint whatever world suits your fancy. This project only takes a little bit of paint and a weekend’s worth of work. Then you can lie back, and let your imagination do the rest.
3. Lights. You would not believe the amazing things that can be done with ceiling lights. Built in ceiling fixtures (recessed lighting) are gaining popularity quickly. The naturally discreet nature of these lights adds sophistication and style to your home. But if built-in is not for you, there are so many attractive ceiling fixtures that you can use to enhance your ceiling space. Chandeliers, flush-mounted, or pendant lights are just a few examples of the trendy-to-classy variety in ceiling options.
4. Mirrored ceilings or vinyl panels: this is a great way to enjoy those furniture pieces you love even more. Mirrored or vinyl ceiling panels reflect the furnishings below, multiplying the effect of your stylish sofa or trendy tabletop. When done properly, this idea can be both beautiful and romantic. If you have a lot of crystal in a room, this will only enhance the reflective power of the mirrored panels.
5. Tin ceilings: Pressed tin panels are a modern trend with a traditional feel. Enjoy the unique style of the natural tin color, or paint them (after installation) with an oil-based paint in the color of your choice.
6. Medallions: Medallions transform an ordinary dining room into a grand ballroom, a quiet living room into a regal lounge area. If you are an antique fanatic, you can scour the vintage shops for the real deal. Otherwise, inexpensive and lightweight pieces are available. Simply apply adhesive urethane to the medallion, and fasten in place. (Tip: You can use screws or nails for extra assurance.) Medallions can be painted a number of textures and colors to fit the theme and color of your room.
7. Try this dreamy design: Sponge paint natural fluffy clouds on the ceiling, and float away into dreamland. This is along the same lines as mural painting, but easy enough for even the artistically challenged among us to attempt. Sponge painting yields beautiful and unique results that are different each time you paint. Try various shades of the same color for added effect. (Sponge painting can be done in any color or pattern, not just clouds.)
8. Choose your colors: For high ceilings, use dark colors to create a more personal, cozy atmosphere. Low ceilings, on the other hand, should be coated with light colors to expand and widen the close proximity.
9. For continuity, try wallpapering your ceiling with the same paper that is on your walls. If you are doing the entire job, walls and ceiling, do the ceiling first. Then overlap the walls’ wallpaper (appx. ½”) onto the ceiling for a seamless look.
10. Suspended ceilings: This is a great way to cover up an expensive fix up job that you just can’t afford. Panels are suspended from metal rods and tracks to conceal your original ceiling. The old ceiling is usually very accessible in case wiring or repairs need to be made in the future, and suspended ceilings come in nearly every material out there. Not a DIY project, but a nice alternative to that ugly mess of paint chips.
September 6th, 2007
Decorating my boys’ room was our next hurdle. Who knew that a five year old had so much to say about it! After lots of research, including many consultations with Sean (the five year old Fezzini), we came up with these boys’ bedroom decorating ideas. Hope they help somebody, and if you have more ideas, send them on over!
- Keep it simple. The more specialized pieces of linen, furniture, and accessories there are the harder it will be to maintain that magazine look. Laundry piles up, furniture breaks, and accessories wear down or get lost, and you will see how quickly the picture perfect setup is disrupted. With a general theme or color, a mismatched pillowcase can blend in, and a warped garbage can easily replaced.
- Do I really have to say this? All right. No pink! One thing that will send any little boy into a panic is the presence of…that color…in, around, or anywhere near his room. Avoid the headache, stick to blues, grays, greens, but be careful. The popular favorite, red, if mixed improperly, can be quickly transformed into the enemy.
- A wooden chest is indispensable in my book (but you all know that from my previous posts)!
- Don’t live vicariously. Just because you’ve always dreamed of playing college football doesn’t mean your son has to sleep in a bed with helmets flanking it. And even if you are a diehard Yankees fan, lining the walls with those pinstripes and pennants is not necessary. When kids have a hand in the decision process, they are much less likely to lose interest or change their minds about it. And, most of all, it will make them feel important. At the same time . . .
- Don’t let them make all the decisions (unless you’re really ready for that). There is a delicate balance between allowing them to have input and letting them run the show. It’s a hard balancing act, but their little esteems depend on it!
- Disposable wallpaper to color on. I haven’t figured out yet if this is a great idea or terribly bad education. Part of me thinks it’s a creative and fun outlet to let children do something that is very natural for them (that is, to color on the walls). The other side of me says that I’m teaching my kids to write on the walls, and that’s a big no no. I guess the answer depends on whether the child will be able to make a distinction between this wall and another. If yes, it’s a go. If not, hold off. I’ll let you know how it goes.
- Nameplates on the door are fun and give a feeling of importance. Just make sure it’s on there tight so it doesn’t fall off even after repeated door slammings.
- Oh yeah, and leave plenty of floor space for them to play on when they’ve been sent to their room! (If you really want to be nice, put in a soft floor rug too. Even if you don’t want to be nice, a solid color rug is a good decorating piece.)
Finally, we realized that boys bedroom decorating is a very subjective task, one that depends heavily upon the personality of your child. Take your children into consideration at all times. Whether its cleanliness, convenience, safety, or style, remember that this is a kid’s room, and that kids will be kids!
July 29th, 2007
I recently learned about an interesting method of interior design. It’s called feng shui, and it is derived from the ancient Chinese. Literally translated as wind-water, feng shui takes into consideration every aspect of exterior and interior design including architecture, space, weather, and astronomy! Feng shui is said to have tremendously beneficial effects on a person’s physical health, financial position, and interpersonal relationships. Wall hangings, furniture position, even color play an integral part in creating feng shui harmony. Every aspect from the doorway to the staircase has its own science to design and decorating.
Feng shui interior design involves looking for places with good qi (chi), which is loosely translated as a flow of energy. Animals also play a large part in feng shui decorating. Turtles (stability, support and longevity), dogs (protection), birds (new opportunities), as well as all the animals that symbolize the calendar (year). Feng shui has five basic elements, which correspond to various colors and shades. The element of fire, for example, correlates to red, strong yellow, orange, and purple, while wood works best with green and brown. The other elements are metal, water and earth.
As bizarre as it all sounds, feng shui can actually be viewed as a geographically sound form of architecture and design. Consulting feng shui is just the same as building your house upwind, down stream or off a fault line to avoid natural catastrophes and to cull ecological benefits. It is simply stacking your cards according to the environment. Make sense, right?
Other aspects of feng shui seem a bit more abstract and contrived, (though I’m not one to criticize other ways of life- different strokes for different folks). I struggle with concepts such as a winding staircase is a bad omen, and red apples suppress anger in the world of feng shui. The direction in which you sleep can bring you prosperity or shame depending on the alignment. These certainly don’t speak to the pragmatic skeptic within me.
Putting aside the seemingly arbitrary notions found in this interior design approach, the main goal of feng shui is harmony between man and nature. Which brings us to another completely logical notion founded in feng shui. Our surroundings have an enormous effect on our emotional state. If we surround ourselves with dark rooms, drab colors, and ornaments of death, naturally we will feel depressed and will physically be unproductive. If, on the other hand, we occupy our living space with light, air, and symbols of prosperity and hope, both our emotional and physical states will follow suit.
I wouldn’t start remodeling your house based on this slightly superstitious form of interior design. However, there are several practical aspects that anyone can use to enhance their living space.
- Natural air purifiers: Feng shui strongly believes in the energy powers of plants, especially as natural air purifiers. Fill creative furniture items made from pleasant wood such as a wishing well or planter boxes with all sorts of palms including bamboo palm, English ivy, and Boston fern, to name a few, to infuse your home with fresh energy and life.
- Dark corners and cramped spaces- It is said that within these pockets that dormant qi will gather, creating countless ailments and other negative repercussions. Cramped spaces are symbolic of an unsmooth flow of life. In our own lives we know that dark and cramped areas are unappealing and can upset our schedule.
- Hang a mirror on either side of a long & tight staircase to give it light and space.
- Use light-colored furniture in smaller rooms.
- Hang wind chimes to revitalize a stale corner.
- Paint walls a light color or white to expand the room.
- Lights, lights, and more lights.
- Get rid of clutter in those cramped areas.
- Hang pretty pictures and mirrors to visually enlarge a space and add color and vibrance to a room.
No one will argue the importance of a pleasant living area. Colors, furnishings, and wall hangings can certainly enhance or stifle a mood. We can take advantage of human nature when decorating, and interior design ourselves into a healthier frame of mind.
July 15th, 2007
When you’re decorating for space, you have to look at every angle and every possibility. As you all know, I’m always trying to fit as much sleeping room into my home without creating a cramped or cluttered feeling. So before I started shopping (online, of course) I pulled down my pad and pen to make a list called futons vs. bunk beds. Since these were the two pieces that offered the most of what I wanted, I narrowed my wider list down to these final contestants. So here is what came of my futons vs. bunk beds comparison shopping.
Futons vs. Bunk beds
Futons
Versatility: Futons and futon mattresses are comfortable and flexible. Frequently used as a relaxing couch, futons are easily converted into a bed in no time. Futon mattresses come in a variety of patterns and firmnesses, and accenting pillows can brighten up an entire room. Futons come in delightful finishes ranging from light-shaded Beachwood, walnut, log (natural white cedar) or medium oak, to deeper more sophisticated teak, mahogany, and black.
Some people find the arm rests a pleasure, and others view them as a curse. I’ve heard people grumbling that their feet got caught up on the armrest of a futon (is this really a common problem?), and I’ve seen others using it as a comfortable pillow rest. Regardless, futons come with or without arm rests, so this is only a matter of personal taste.
Futons are longer and wider than the average bunk bed. As such futons are suitable for tall adults or for sleeping several children at a time.
Styles range from modern to classic, from contemporary to rustic, and even playful.
Futons come with a variety of features. Add extendable side panels for additional arm support or drink/snack table, underside drawers for storage, and a magazine rack for the latest issue or novel you are reading. Guests will appreciate many of these fun extras.
Bunk beds
Bunk beds give you two beds in one. That is, you can sleep two people while only taking up the floor space of one bed.
Bunk beds are exceptionally fun for children because they offer the diversity of top and bottom bunks. Some people choose to give preference to the eldest child, while others consider it a given that the older one will want the top bunk. The top bunker is allowed a certain level of privacy that the bottom bunker lacks, but the bottom is certainly easier to fall into.
Bunk beds are made from ¾ inch thick aspen boards that are strong and sturdy. Once they’ve landed, they’re not going anywhere!
Bunk beds offer additional features. They can have side shelves for books, pictures and games; underside drawers for clothing, shoes and storage; and drawer chest for clothing and storage and an additional bench or work surface.
In addition, bunk beds come with the option of a full-sized bottom bed, giving you additional bed spaces.
Summary
In closing, my futons vs. bunk beds review seems to suggest that futons are good for bedrooms, living rooms, and dens. Bunk beds provide a more permanent sleeping arrangement for two people. It’s a tough decision, I know! Let me know how it works out.
July 1st, 2007
I went to an out of town boarding school for the last two years of high school, and it was there that I first encountered bunk beds. I mean, I had seen them before, of course, but I’d never actually used them until this time. The school and I went through a lot of changes together, so I had plenty of opportunity to experience the bunk bed from every angle. First I was bound to the bottom bunk by my inexplicable fear of the top bunk (not a fear of heights, just of the top bunk?)
When I switched rooms, I was forced into a top bunk out of necessity. I found this to be a delightful haven, a secret get away (almost) in a life of precious little privacy (such is dormitory life). But I also missed the ease of the bottom bunk. Coming home after a trying day at school (ha, those were the days to remember, weren’t they, Billy Joel!) the biggest relief was collapsing onto my bed, just letting all the day’s stress melt out of me and away through the mattress. When living in a top bunk, this is not possible. The mere idea of climbing a ladder (or even taking a running jump as we liked to do sometimes) was hardly worth the time it took to laugh at such a proposal.
And so, back in my latter years of high school I had already tallied up the pros and cons of bunk beds. Top bunk means privacy, quiet, and a greater chance that you will be forgotten in morning wake up rush. However, it comes at the price of some inconvenience, as the key to such freedom requires effort. Bottom bunk, on the other hand, is the hot spot, for better or for worse. Bottom bunk means easy access, constant action, and lots of comings and goings.
Which location is best for you and your kids’ will depend largely upon necessity and personality. One thing is for sure, though. Bunk beds are terrific space savers, and are easily matched up with complementary furniture pieces and accessories like dressers, chairs, and desks. Give your kids a fun experience. If nothing else, they’ll have a memory to blog about in a few decades- or will blogging be old hat by then?
June 10th, 2007
The next option for optimizing your living space is the futon. Futons are wonderful pieces of furniture because they have a dual purpose (read my blog on multi-purpose items). Futons make comfortable and beautiful couches, and can be transformed into a sleeping space in a pinch.
A futon’s prime function is to serve as a comfortable piece of lounge furniture. They are both easy and fun to decorate. Futon covers can be bought or sewn in a variety of light and whimsical or stylish colors and patterns. Choosing various-sized pillows in different shades or designs will also be fun. After much consternation over the hundreds of choices, I went with a pair of 24″ square natural color pillows, and a set of 30″ pillows with pale green (almost sea foam, but not quite) floral pattern, each pulling out a subtle shade from the carpet, futon, and drapes. If you are handy with the needle, make a few lightweight futon covers so you can change your bedding with your mood.
And now for the multi-functionality of the futon. Aside from being a snazzy piece of living room furniture, futons convert into a comfortable bed instantly. If you already use a futon cover, open your futon and you are ready to go. Otherwise, a sheet and pillowcase is all it takes to effortlessly arrange this sleeping area for a child. In the morning, remove the sheet, and poof, you’ve got your regularly scheduled living space organized once again. Fluff those pillows, and no one will ever be the wiser. What’s more, a can get a futon with a built-in magazine rack or floor level drawers perfect for shoes, extra linens, unfinished projects (what’s that?), you name it!
Even if you aren’t a crazy baby lady like me (see last week’s post for explanation), there are other uses for futons. For example, I enjoy having sleep over guests. Before the kids came along, I loved having our friends from afar spend a weekend, inviting my sister over for a night away from the ‘rents, or any other excuse to throw a mini slumber party. Now that I have little ones, sleep-over friends are a blast for the kids (though never on a school night. . .usually). Summer slumber parties are a frequent occurrence around here as well. My affiliations with a local boarding school have also led to numerous occasions for housing the student who didn’t fit into the dorm, or needed some extra personal attention.
There is no end to the possibilities when you use this fantastic piece of furniture to open up your living space. With futons, the idea is the more the merrier!
June 3rd, 2007
A funny thing about my new house is the shape and layout of all the rooms. The living room and dining room are separated by a staircase, bathroom and downstairs bedroom (which we’ve designated as a guest room). There are five bedrooms varying in size from large to almost closet-size, and the kitchen has frighteningly little room. Sometimes I wish I could just pick up the wall and move it over a few feet to balance out the room situation. Instead, I’m using and buying furniture that works with the space that I have.
My next project is sleeping space. I’m always looking into the future. My goal is to have a million kids before I die (well maybe not a million, but enough for a baseball team!) It’s not so much the kids, but the babies that I love. I’m working on some sort of exchange program for when they get to a certain age we trade them in for a new model. Until then, I’m going to need a lot of bedroom space. I’m going to accomplish this in a few ways, namely loft beds, bunk beds and futons. First, let’s talk about loft beds.
It seems as if loft beds were literally designed just for me. And you will say the same thing. That’s because of the tremendous versatility of the loft bed’s design. There is a model to fit every individual need. Some come with a single bed raised high up off the floor with room for furniture, storage or recreational space underneath. Others have a second bed tucked under the first at various angles to provide optimum space. For the maximum bed and floor space, I thought the triple bed frame was great. This has two raised beds, and a single bed under one, with open room under the other.
At first, I was a little overwhelmed by all the choices there were for this one piece of furniture. I had to decide my need, and then it would be easy choosing which pieces would be right for me. The various models ranged from lounge style loft beds, to the college dorm room type. I wanted a lot of beds, and I was also looking for a decent area for my older kids to do their homework, study or do some recreational writing (hey, I can dream). In addition to all that, I needed there to be some floor space left in the room to throw down a rug (a room is just not cozy without one!) After flipping through the different models (some had a double raised bunk bed with a desk below it, others had bookshelves, night tables, and even couches to match), I decided to go with (get this) triple bunk loft beds (two raised up high, and a single resting on the floor) with matching dresser drawers and a computer desk to fit. Whew! Talk about customized furniture!
With my new find, I got the bed and floor space I wanted, and even had room to create a “lounge area” for tykes with a throw rug and pillows all around. Loft beds are flexible, and meant to cater to your specific living space. You know, this house is really starting to feel like home!
May 27th, 2007
If you want to find out a person’s true nature, look at their bedroom. Unlike a living room, dining room, salon, or the like, a bedroom is set back from the public’s view. For this reason, you can feel safe to really open up and be yourself when decorating one. A teenager’s very identity is often wrapped up in his or her bedroom décor. Those who dorm away from home try their hardest to infuse their bedrooms with a little piece of themselves. Adults also enjoy expressing their own unique personality within the private walls of the bedroom. And what do most people notice when they first walk into a bedroom? The bed! After all, isn’t it called a ‘bed’room? A bed is often the largest piece of furniture in a room. Even a smaller bed draws the attention of an onlooker. The material a bed is made of, the style in which it was crafted, and, of course, the linens that you choose all establish an ambiance that becomes your room’s essence. With the hundreds of combination options out there, it can get overwhelming. Here are a few ideas that you can use to create the perfect room.
The Material:
Wooden furniture encompasses two worlds: class and friendly comfort. A nice honey Pine wood bed is tasteful, and yet familiar enough to allow you to feel relaxed, as well. For the rustic, out-doorsy type, authentic log furniture is the only way to go. Log beds create a cozy atmosphere and a homey feeling all around.
Wrought-iron bed frames are also very popular. These pieces invite a more stylish look than the wooden items. Intricate designs and ornate extras often adorn these fashionable beds. Wrought iron comes in a variety of styles and colors to allow you more versatility in your decorating.
The Style:
A canopy bed adds dimensions to your room. It can create a magical, almost royal, atmosphere that exudes privacy and serenity. A canopy is a great way to shut out the rest of the world, and meditate on your own thoughts.
A loft bed is an excellent idea for a dormitory or other small bedroom areas. Loft beds are smart, neat, and practical because they are constructed so the bed is raised up high above the ground, allowing you maximum floor space for living, furniture, and storage room.
If you have more than one child in a room, a bunk bed creates a fun and practical bedroom layout (just don’t let them fight over who gets top bunk!) This is the ultimate in stackable furniture!
For studio apartments, a day bed or futon would fit right into the artsy motif. These comfortable beds double as couches! At night, remove the back pillows, and you’re ready for bed. When not in use, simply return the pillows to their side and backboard positions, and voila! A hassle-free bed and couch all in one!
Once you’ve decided on a bed, the curtains, dressers, night tables etc. will all fall into place easily. The focal point will give you the starting place that you need to choose all the other details. So next time you’re redecorating a bedroom, make your life simple, and start in the right place!
January 15th, 2007