Your bedroom is your refuge, an extension of your individuality. Make it sparsely furnished, essentially a quiet, relaxing space. A well-planned bedroom effectively enhances the space and colors; it can even alter the mood of people and rooms.
Turning on:
Initially seen simply as a light source, today it is an important design accessory. Proper lighting sets the mood and creates the necessary atmosphere. Recessed lighting, especially near the windows at either end of the room below the valances, lends a romantic touch to the curtains, creating a dramatic effect. Localized lighting creates small spaces for oneself, highlighting the use of color in the room and ensuring a romantic atmosphere at all times. Avoid tube lights. Not only are they hard, but they also lend an almost dull and unflattering uniformity to the room.
Use lamps – big, small, wall brackets, lanterns, antique looking pieces (good old Manish market, Lohar Chawl or Heera Panna, starting at Rs. 300 and up and try trading your skills here) or even convert a artifact, for example. a wood carving on a modern wall mount with a matching shade. Adjustable reading lamps come in various styles and metal finishes to complement your decor.
One suggestion for a soft and dreamy bedroom setting is the use of bedside lamps with a large shade that envelops you in its golden shades. Floor lamps and concealed spotlights strategically placed just above the dresser or closet are alternatives.
Dimmers:
The use of a dimmer responds to both functional and aesthetic considerations. Ceiling lights in wall-mounted fixtures serve as beautiful complements to other fixtures scattered throughout the bedroom. They are particularly efficient for lighting artistic effects or highlighting a precious corner. Use easy-to-maintain accessories: It is best to clean accessories with a soft, dry cloth to prevent dust buildup. A stylish glass wall mount creates a spacious effect. Use bright pillows, colors like peach and gray with chandeliers…
Mattress:
Use approved varieties and watch your back: coir or a combination of coir and foam, but definitely go for branded ones like Kurl-On – costing Rs 6000 and up, it’s well worth the investment. Want to splurge on a waterbed? Come on, feed your pleasures…
Curtains and drapes:
One has a wide range to choose from: white lace, sheer curtains, heavy curtains that keep out the sunlight during harsh afternoons or even your good old fashioned organza in vibrant colours. The thick layers of curtains help keep sounds low and soft. Fab India, Cotton Decor has a good option ranging from Rs.250 and up per piece.
Dress it up:
Quilts and duvets in bright colors and exotic designs. Patchwork, embroidered prints in shades of blue, green, stunning black and gold combinations, satin sheets, cotton sheets or even velvet for the royal touch… Explore Spaces – Bombay Dyeing, Zeba and Yamini at your leisure.
Train:
Most astrologers and space consultants will tell you that a mirror facing your bed is inauspicious. Therefore, the designers have eliminated the need for a single dresser and incorporated the full length mirror within the wardrobe.
Drawers:
A necessity to house your personal belongings that you need to access every day, a small pull-out cart to throw away used clothes for washing, cabinets for your daily use such as lingerie, towels and personal effects.
Side table and chairs:
A small glass table, with a couple of poofies or cushioned fashions in a cozy corner of your bedroom, preferably facing the blue sky and greens, could make this an ideal spot for your morning cup of Earl Gray tea.
Private photos:
Imagine not smiling to yourself while looking at your wedding or honeymoon photos or even snapshots of your toddler. Nostalgia immediately transports you to happier times and your mood is lifted for the night ahead! So while you may be possessive about not letting everyone who visits your house see your most intimate photos, the bedroom becomes the ideal setting for framing enlargements or placing photos in pretty frames next to your bed.
Books:
A small private collection, your favorite pages to lose yourself… You could house them in a simple glass holder on the wall, easily accessible.
Closet:
Choose between the metal cabinets or the built-in wooden cabinet. A young interior designer had inherited metal cabinets from her parents when she moved to Mumbai. She jazzed them up by painting abstracts in funky, whimsical colors and that have become the highlight of her one-bedroom apartment.
Air conditioning or heaters:
It is essential to maintain the right temperature. Keep air conditioner filters clean to avoid dust allergies and check them regularly.
green rule:
It is advisable to keep the plants out of your bedroom or move them at least during the last hours of the night. They release carbon dioxide that our systems can do without.
Electronics, forget it!:
Research has indicated that it is unhealthy to have devices like televisions or cell phones while you sleep.
Avoid clutter:
Don’t relegate your bedroom to a junkyard, just because it’s out of sight from visitors. Magazines should be placed on a coat rack, old newspapers should be thrown away, and clothes should never be thrown everywhere. Take care of the little things to make your bedroom pleasant.
Color schemes:
Pale colors like beige, pink, mauve, greens calm you down; while those at the other end of the palette, like reds, oranges, yellows, and purples, energize you. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of personal choice what you prefer.
cost:
When homemaker Beena and her husband Mathews of Goregaon W wanted to revamp their master bedroom, they approached their interior decorator with a clear idea for a simple and warm bedroom. The color would be light blue, Mathew’s favourite, huge bed, dresser cabinet with built in mirror, CD rack, end tables and drawers. At the end of a month’s work, they had their fantasy land ready, all for less than Rs 60,000.
Simplistic pleasures:
At the very least, try the Spartan look: a mattress on the floor, cotton sheets, fluffy pillows, music, dim lights, and indulge in life’s most basic delight: sound sleep!
