by Shell Martin

Created on: December 09, 2008   Last Updated: December 15, 2008

Here is an easy guide that explains how to create a sanctuary of relaxation in your bedroom.

Color

The color of your bedroom contributes to the overall feeling of the room. It may be very tempting to paint the room your favorite color but do not, unless your favorite color is blue, green, or lavender in muted hues. Research has shown these three colors to be more relaxing than other colors. Muted does not necessarily mean pastel. A muted can be a color on the warm scale, but muted is referring to the intensity of the color. A dark blue can be very intense and capture a lot of light contrast to a muted dark blue is dull and reflects a lot of light.

Once you choose a basic color, green, blue, or lavender figure out how many shades your room needs. If you have a small bedroom, purchase three different shades of paint. Decide on your muted color in a middle shade, a darker shade, and a lighter shade. Then paint the wall behind the bed the darkest shade. This will result in the bed looking more inviting and add depth to the room. Paint the ceiling the lightest shade. This results in the room feeling bigger. Then paint the rest of the walls with your original muted color. Avoid white and neutral colors like beiges and grays.

Your comforter needs to be all one color. If you stick to one color and avoid bold patterns, the result will be more relaxing. Choose a color that is different from the color that you painted. For example if you painted a muted green then choose a muted blue for your comforter. This will help draw the eyes towards the bed when first entering the room.

Lighting

Keep the light level lower and soft. Avoid overhead lighting. Lamps should have shades that are large enough to shield any harshness from the light bulbs. Have window coverings that are functional and block the light. The key here is to keep the light soft.

Simplicity

The TV needs to be in an entertainment center with doors. Having the doors shut and hiding the TV, the room will create a simple feel. Also, place the stereo in the cabinet with the TV behind closed doors. Speakers can be mounted the walls. Have a stereo with a remote so that you do not have to get out of bed.

Remove excess furniture. Clutter is not relaxing and if there is too many big pieces of furniture in the room then it feels cluttered. This includes exercise equipment. Keep it simple.

Do not forget about the closet. Invest in some closet organizers. If everything has a place behind closed doors then it cuts down on the clutter and helps keep the look simple and relaxing

Do not leave your walls bare. Choose pictures that are simple and have muted colors. If you have painted with cool blues and greens like the colors of water and trees, then a simple picture of a seashell on sand or a picture of a meadow.

Candles are a nice touch. Be sure to choose candles that are the appropriate color to go with the color scheme. Keep it simple.

Final Thoughts

When you stand in the doorway of your sanctuary, your eyes are drawn to the bed. The comforter is all one color and looks fluffy and inviting. The walls are a second color in three muted hues. Institutional stark white has been avoided. The furniture is simple and clutter is non-existent. The lighting is low and the bed beckons you to move out of the doorway

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