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Design Center - Bedroom Thoughts

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Bedroom: Make your Spare Bedrooms Multi-task! . Not everyone has an entire room to dedicate as a full-time spare bedroom, but it doesn't mean you don't want overnight guests to feel welcome and wanted. Whether you're having guests stay in your office, game room or bonus room, the trick is to create a room where the furnishings provide multiple functions ­ both for you and the occasional visitor. Here are a few key pieces that will make your room functional and inviting at the same time. · A daybed or sofa-sleeper can serve as extra seating while you aren't entertaining guests but can also double as a guest bed when the need arises. · An office desk should have drawers to keep your papers and other things organized, or at least have a basket or box on top of the desk to easily pick up your belonging when you have guests. Your desk can then serve as a place for guests to put on makeup or jewelry, or to set their smaller items during their stay. · A couple of tall bookshelves are perfect for a room that serves dual purposes. Bookshelves are great for containing clutter and for displaying decorations. Use a few magazines holders to contain all your magazines, catalogs and loose papers, and add a few baskets on the bottom shelves to store CDs, games, toys, etc. Guests will appreciate the tidiness and the reading material, plus it offers you an opportunity to show your personality with your collection of books, magazines, and perhaps a few framed photos on the bookshelves as well. · A chest of drawers is a great addition to a multitasking room. You can use the bottom couple of drawers to store winter clothes, extra blankets and spare linens, and your guest will welcome some storage space in the top few drawers. It is a great convenience for guests to be able to store items, and the top is also handy for placing their personal belongings. · Keep a luggage rack handy. Even if you cannot provide a piece of furniture for storage, a luggage rack will allow guests to get their bags off the floor and find things easily. Plus, luggage racks can be folded and put away when your guests have left. · Have several types of lighting in the room. There should be some lighting directly by the bed, and guests should be able to turn on a light upon entering the room. Every good multitasking room should have several types of lighting to accommodate a variety of activities. In addition to an overhead light, add a couple of lamps for other tasks such as reading or getting ready for bed. · As older children move out of your home, consider buying new linens for the room and limiting your child's old belongings to one area of the room to make other guests feel welcome in the space. A few reminders Before guests arrive, remove any unnecessary furniture or clutter that makes the room feel crowded, even if you just have to move it until your guests leave. No one likes to stay in a room where they can barely make a path to the bed or unpack a suitcase. Also, don't forget to vacuum and dust the room to make sure it looks and smells fresh for your guests. To freshen a musty mattress, sprinkle baking soda all over the mattress. Let it sit overnight, then vacuum it up the next day. Throw already-washed sheets back into the dryer to freshen them up. Freshen pillows by air-drying them in the dryer with a fabric softener sheet. Other items to provide in the room include a clock radio, a notepad and pen, wastebasket, sewing kit, window treatments or shades for privacy, and facial tissues. It's always the little touches that transform an ordinary room into something special. With a few pieces of multitasking furniture and some finishing touches, you can transform any room in your house into a welcoming space for all of your guests.

Bedroom: Create A Romantic Bedroom that He Can Live With . The master bedroom is often one of the most neglected rooms in the house, usually because the woman of the house tends to focus on the common spaces for her family and guests first. But at the end of the day, busy parents need a place to wind down, reconnect and recharge - and for some couples, it's the only alone-time that they share during the day. That's why it's important to create a bedroom that is both relaxing and romantic for both of you. The idea is to have your bedroom reflect who you are as a couple and make you both feel at home. Doing so is all about paying attention to your senses and treating that room as a refuge from the stresses of the day. Here are a few tips to help you create a romantic room that he can live with, too: 1. Create the mood with color One of the most dramatic and inexpensive ways to enhance the mood of the bedroom is to use paint to add color. Don't be afraid of it! The paint choice is a matter of color preference - you might want to choose relaxing colors, such as softer hues of blue or green, or you may want something bold and sassy, like reds and oranges. Just avoid overuse one particular color in the room. Darker wall colors can make a room seem smaller, while lighter colors tend to open up the space. A safe bet is to put a color that is a bit softer on the walls and then introduce the more vibrant, complementary colors in the bed linens, pillows, curtains, and decorating accessories and wall art. 2. Make the bed the focal point of the room The most important piece of bedroom furniture is the bed, so don't tuck it away in a corner. Position it in a location that allows it to be the focal point of the room, and incorporate other pieces around it. Depending on the size of your room, you can consider adding one small table for each side of the bed, a chair for another corner of the room, a dresser or armoire, and a bench or square ottomans to use as additional seating/storage. Layer the bed with soft bedding and coordinating pillows. Bedroom linens don't have to cost a fortune, and don't just go by thread count. Compare the way different brands feel and go with the one that is the most comfortable and inviting to the touch. For added romance, hang a canopy above the bed or drape a long curtain on the wall behind the headboard to attract greater focus to the bed. 3. Clean up the clutter - Seriously A messy room is not a romantic room. There is nothing appealing or relaxing about retiring to the bedroom with your spouse, only to shuffle through dirty (or clean) clothes and climb into bed with three cats. Don't allow this room to become a dumping ground for items that belong elsewhere. Make full use of storage options such as closets, bedside stands and decorative baskets to contain and hide the clutter. The following things should not be welcome in your bedroom after bedtime: pictures of mom, electric bills, the television, pets, laundry baskets, stray socks and children! 4. Use romantic lighting Consider installing a dimmer for your overhead lights in your bedroom so that you have better control over the mood you wish to create. Small light sources add intimate shadows and enhance the feeling of love and romance in the bedroom. Fresh-scented candles are also great for setting a romantic mood. When using bedside lamps, change out light bulbs with low-wattage or colored bulbs (rose or amber colors work well) to offer dim and romantic lighting. You might also try a lamp shade or paper lantern that's decorated to cast lovely shapes and shadows around the room. 5. Accessorize for the senses The human senses can greatly affect our emotions and actions. Add romance to the bedroom by incorporating elements in the area that appeal to and heighten all of the senses. The previous tips will meet some of those needs. For instance, the bedding enhances our sense of touch, and candles please the senses of sight and smell. Also add in a natural element like a few plants or flowers. Turn on some soft-playing music or other relaxing sounds as soon as you go into the bedroom for the night to set the mood. Think of what pleases your senses about upscale vacation resorts or get-away retreats. What is it about those places that makes couples feel relaxed and romantic - and which elements suit you best? Choose furnishings and specific accessories that incorporate those elements into your bedroom environment. You might not be able to change the view from your window, but with a little effort, you can create the same indoor environment to spark the romantic nature of those places. 6. Get him involved At least some collaboration from your partner will not only helps you get the most from selecting and shopping for your bedroom home furnishings, but also ensures you arrive at the best results for both of you. When you're both involved in choosing things that makes you happy, the result will be much more rewarding and satisfying. Men and women traditionally don't look for the same things in furniture - men seek comfort and function when it comes to furniture, while women make style a higher priority. Today, with such a variety of furniture and accessories available in all price ranges, couples can combine comfort, function and style that will suit them both.

Bedroom: Today's Master Bedroom . Far removed from the hubbub of family rooms and busy kitchens, the bedroom is the place where your day begins and ends. Trends come and go, and even how we use the master bedroom is evolving. The his-and-her wave that's sweeping closet space and bathrooms is even extending to separate bedrooms. Bedrooms aren't just for sleeping anymore. With larger master suites being built in today's homes, bedrooms have evolved into comfortable getaways for people to relax and unwind from their hectic schedules. The extra square footage leaves room for many decorating possibilities in this personal retreat. Eclectic blends of sleek, contemporary styles and opulent, classic details are being combined not only to create the perfect romantic escape, but also to create optional living spaces for the home. The current trend in bedroom furnishings is leaning away from the standard set of a bed, two nightstands and a few dressers all of the same style and collection, towards a more romanced and eclectic combination of pieces to create a personal refuge or escape. People are adding romantic elements to their bedrooms in their furniture, wall colors, fabrics and accessories. Trend: Bedrooms Become Grand With larger master suites being built in new homes, more opportunities exist for additional furniture pieces in bedroom collections. People are looking for pieces that are both stylish and functional because they are spending more time in their bedrooms. Armoires for televisions, wardrobes, trunks, lingerie chests and seven- or nine-drawer dressers are very popular choices because they take up more space in larger rooms and provide needed storage. Even nightstands are larger, providing more storage space with drawers and shelves. Another new trend in bedroom furniture is higher headboards and lower footboards on platform beds. These updated proportions work in today's larger bedrooms and allow for easy late night television watching. Accessories that Set the Stage Luxurious pillows, throws, duvets and other accessories can help create a livable and comfortable room. When choosing fabrics, paint and accessories use shades of color that depict your personal style. Think about colors that look good on you or colors of clothing you typically have in your closet. If you choose colors you typically like to wear in clothing, you'll probably also enjoy incorporating that color palette into your bedroom décor. Trend: Multiple Master Bedrooms Multiple master bedrooms, some that even include their own private baths, are growing in popularity and appear to be the wave of the future. Why? There are several reasons. The most obvious answer is consolidating of households. As time goes by, children's parents may want to move in with their children and share a home. The multiple master bedrooms concept gives them the privacy and convenience of having their own facilities without the possible intrusion that can occur in a shared living space. Additional reasons include wanting to plan for the future for the current homeowner having a master bedroom on the main level first floor, as well as a master bedroom in the upstairs space of the home. This gives them the flexibility to use whichever master they prefer. This trend is also formed among persons wanting to be able to get away from their snoring spouses and still be in master bedroom for their own use. Reading Rooms If you're one of the many people who love to read in their master bedrooms, you might consider designing your main bedroom with lounging and reading books in mind. Since eye experts warn that it's bad for a person's eyes to read while lying down (because we tend to hold the book too close), you might begin by enabling proper reading posture by installing a padded headboard. Squishy pillows, luxurious Afghans or throws, landscape paintings with distant horizons, and mirrors for private reflections add feelings of indulgence and add much warmth to your master bedroom. A great lounge chair with a floor lamp and nearby tea table completes the additions to a perfect reading room. Private Sanctuary Perhaps you'd rather turn your master bedroom into a personal retreat, where you can escape and unwind from a busy day. Surround yourself with photos of friends, family, and places you love, as well as your favorite artwork and meaningful mementos. Under-furnished private sanctuaries can also give you the space to contemplate and daydream. Good colors for private sanctuaries include dark Forest Greens, deep Chocolates, Mochas, Navy or Cobalt Blues, and Eggplant. Darker colors create a womb-like feeling and aid deep sleep. A writing desk, accompanied by a comfortable chair, induces journal and letter writing. A small refrigerator will make you feel as if you can enjoy your time in the bedroom without interruption, and a television offers the opportunity to watch your favorite movies and shows. Room-darkening window coverings also encourage deep sleep and aid in the restoration of your soul. Living Room Furniture in Master Bedrooms Bedrooms can truly become living rooms when they're furnished luxuriously, like a private suite. Adding furniture usually considered living room pieces automatically upscales the importance of your bedroom. Sofas, rocking chairs, or matching overstuffed chairs help create the feeling of an oasis. Only you can decide the best bedroom setting for your personal preferences and lifestyle, but if you want to make a dramatic change for the better in your life, there's no better way to accomplish that than redecorating your master bedroom! Fun Fact! Just a little food for thought. Traditionally, the "master bedroom" has always been the largest bedroom in the home. Well, besides trends evolving for the use and layout of this large bedroom, there is a new trend emerging as to what we shall call it! Dr. Jeanette Fisher, a well-known design psychology professor, has been at the forefront of a trend that says, "The word master is an antiquated term that suggests control, domination, and inequality." She feels that in today's cooperative partner and/or single parent household, the label "master suite" has become obsolete. In that light, master bedrooms would more properly be called "main bedrooms" in today's society.

Bedroom: Stylish Organization Solutions: The Armoire . An essential part of keeping a stylish home is having a place for everything. Most of us know this is easier said than done! This month we will focus on the armoire, just one of the many ways to organize your home; in fact, it's not only a way to organize with style, but with decorative flair. Whether you want to keep things out of view or showcase them in the spotlight, the armoire might be the answer. As you develop storage and organization solutions, look for options with a decorative flair. Today's armoires are available in dozens of styles, designs, colors and sizes. An armoire is a large, often ornately carved cabinet. It might be tall or short, wide or narrow. An armoire normally stands alone as opposed to being built into the wall, thus making it easy to reposition when redecorating. Armoires can depict excellent carving or have a wide range of ornamented pieces. Various abstract patterns, tribal patterns, retro patterns, and traditional patterns can also be carved onto the furniture. A little history for you: Originating in France, the earliest armoires were created to store, not surprisingly, suits of armor. Fast forward a few centuries and we find a dramatic decrease in the armor space requirement. Thank goodness this resourceful cabinet continues to reinvent itself! Far more flexible than the wardrobes of old, today's stylish armoires house any number of unique items, while serving as beautiful and functional focal points in the home. Need a place to store clothing and linens? How about the ideal spot to showcase collectibles or dinnerware? During this electronic age, today's armoires often accommodate a complete home entertainment system or even conceal a home office. You can get rid of the clutter in a moment's notice by simply closing the doors. From clean-line contemporary styles to 18th century traditional, today's armoires are crafted of materials as diverse as formal cherry and mahogany to relaxed whitewashed and painted pine. So go ahead and imagine the armoire of your dreams. No doubt, it's out there just waiting to serve all your storage and organizational needs. In fact, an armoire is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can purchase.   Here are just a few of the many uses of an armoire: · In a Family Room or Living Room · Hide a Television · House your Stereo and Video Equipment · Store Games and Activity Kits and Hobby Equipment · File your Music and Instruments · Archive your Memories · In a Bedroom · Clothing Storage · Accessory Organizer · Make-Up Center · Entertainment Center · In a Bathroom · Store Linens · Store Cleaning Supplies · In a Guest Room · Add an Extra Closet · In a Home Office · Hide a computer, printer, fax machine, and files · In a Child's Room · Store Baby Clothes · Stash the Toys · Homework Help Center · In the Kitchen · Conceal Pots, Pans, and Dishes · In the Dining Room · China Storage · Flat Storage for Linens · In the Entry Hall or Foyer · Storage for Backpacks, Shoes, and Jackets This Is Not Your Father's TV Cart! A plasma TV armoire is a great idea for living rooms that need something more than a plasma TV stand, but something less than a full-blown plasma entertainment center. A plasma TV armoire makes a style statement, yet has plenty of room for all your entertainment equipment. Today's television armoires hold the plasma TV, Direct TV receiver, home theater unit, DVD's and more. On top, you can easily decorate it with vases, greenery, or decorative plates on stands. Your armoire can be a very classic style or totally contemporary. Either way, it will pull the room together. The plasma TV armoire can be your most elegant piece of furniture. Things You Need to Know About a Plasma TV Armoire First thing is to know where you are going to put it before you buy it. This is mainly because armoire doors can work in a variety of ways. Some open 180 degrees, some 270, while some open 90 degrees and slide on tracks into the back of the unit. Also remember, there are corner armoires. Second, make sure your shelves are versatile. Being able to accommodate different sizes and different pieces of equipment is essential. You'll want your armoire significantly longer than your home theater system so all the entertainment components will fit properly. Do you need drawers or do you want swing out doors on the top and bottom? If you like having drawers to use as catch-alls for remotes, gaming system components, and whatever else you find laying around, then definitely look for an armoire with drawers on the bottom.