By Anita Winter
What if you could turn your bedroom into a five star hotel? Five star hotel bedrooms capture a calm, serene atmosphere using lighting, rich fabrics and high-end furniture. If you want to update your bedroom, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Color on your walls is where the magic begins. Paint color is extremely important. You'll want to stick with soothing, calming colors. For example, paint walls neutral with a sage green accent wall. Accent walls are an inexpensive way of highlighting a wall or particular space in a room. Just be sure to choose an accent color that complements the primary color. Stay away from bright, bold colors like cherry red, neon greens and canary yellows, they can be over stimulating. Ultimately, you want the bedroom to be a sanctuary.
Window treatments add warmth and height to a bedroom. Choose heavy panels to give a cozier surrounding. Choose lighter sheers to create a billowy effect. If you have sage green walls with beige accents, any one of these colors will work as window treatments. Remember, similar shading throughout the room will bring cohesiveness and sophistication to a bedroom.
Bedding is the show stopper. Think high thread count, down comforters and pillows -- comfort at its finest! Don't skimp on your bedding. Luxurious bedding is essential.You want your bedroom to feel like an expensive hotel, not a cheap motel! Remember that the color of bedding you choose should make sense in the room. When you walk into a bedroom, the bed should be the focal point, not an eye sore.
Furniture pieces in your room need to have a sense of purpose and presence. Hotels give you lots of places to sit and relax. Likewise, your bedroom should allow for immediate seating. You don't want overwhelming pieces that take too much space or small insignificant pieces. Find a balance. Having a bench at the end of your bed is functional as well as a great anchor to your bed frame. A simple wooden head board is nice, but a quilted, upholstered head board can be more spectacular. Lounge chairs are a great addition near windows. Wing back chairs with ottomans can create a cozy nook for reading. Televisions can be hidden inside armoires to remove distraction from the room's beauty. Nightstands and chests of drawers are a necessity for storage. Don't worry if your furniture doesn't match. In fact, similar colored furniture can give your room more personality than matching furniture.
Flooring can create a warm an inviting space. A hardwood floor is beautiful on its own, however, a cold floor benefits from a large throw rug, preferably a dense and thick one. If you plan to install wall-to-wall carpeting, choose a neutral color. Don't be afraid to layer a rug on top of your carpet. These will look great beside or in front of a bed.
Lighting creates ambiance in a room. Having mood lighting that's functional is important. Layered lighting gives drama to a room. Reading lamps on either side of the bed are great for reading. Add recessed lighting to highlight artwork. A chandelier over a bed provides sophistication. Wall sconces that hold pillar candles illuminate romance. A standing lamp or hanging ceiling lamp over a chaise lounge or reading nook is functional and elegant. Remember to use soft lighting, as harsh fluorescent lighting in a bedroom is never relaxing.
Accessories are all the extra items that make your bedroom complete. Throw pillows, candles, flowers and lovely artwork make your room special. Surround yourself with things that make you happy: a candy dish full of chocolates, travel books or photos, exotic plants set in garden urns, stacks of books that you love to read or a family heirloom. These are all part of the accessories that make a bedroom peaceful and serene. Remember to avoid clutter. Too much of a good thing can be bad, especially on the eyes. Simple accents will make a bigger impact.
