by Susie Brown

Created on: December 11, 2008   Last Updated: December 15, 2008

Create a sanctuary in your bedroom

There are several ways you can assure that your bedroom suite is relaxing and calm. Calming atmosphere may mean many things to different people. For the most part you can use the same principles, to create the calming sanctuary.

Starting fresh, would be the ideal way to get the optimum calm, serene experience. Fabrics for the window or a soft plush duvet can be the start of your transformation to the sanctuary. Tropical colors, soft pastels, or earth tones (pulled from your duvet/curtain color) added to your color pallet can be your next step. From those items, pick a soft color, or a neutral tone for your wall color.

When you choose a tropical theme, you are able to focus on a relaxing, natural ambiance. Where possible, if you have a sky light or large windows; foliage (ferns, bamboo, palm) will help with the intimate and serene theme. Add a nature or soft themed styled fountain to a table, and perhaps another in your master bath. The bath tub with candles, and rose petals in your bath, will also help to create a restful place. Perhaps a small stereo to play one of your favorite, soft songs, CD or tape; placed near can also help to relax you after a stressful day.

Lighting is an important piece, to any room; it's very important to your retreat. You rarely need bright lighting in your bedroom. Use lower voltage bulbs in you recessed lighting. Rethink the lighting in your bathroom, again creating a soft, serene feel. If you are using the bathroom to put on make up, you could add additional lighting which would be your task lighting. This could include a brighter additional lamp or sconce. Your overall lighting should have the option to brighten, if needed. An additional soft mood lighting source for your bedroom suite is addressed below.

If you have a canopy bed, add very billowy sheers, in a natural soft color. (consider your color pallet, when choosing the sheer color; the beige/natural color will go with many color themes) If your bed doesn't have a canopy you are still able to add sheers to drape your bed. Take a bamboo pole, hang it from a natural rope or sisal; hung from the ceiling over the head of the bed, will soften the look. Drape your sheer over the bamboo, creating soft folds; it appears as if it belongs in the site.

Large tree trunk and limbs can be set in cement in a pail, put inside of a basket or a large planter and cover with moss or stones. One on each side of the bed will continue that natural theme. If you hang some small crystals on the limbs it will create soft movement and prisms. Two spot lights (lower voltage bulb) highlighting the trees,feature the prisms and limbs creating a soft, peaceful light.

Your bedding should be soft, silky and plush, with lots of over-stuffed decorative pillows, again being soft and plush. Follow the link to find an example of plush bedding. http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/templates/P8.jh tml?itemId=cat2440731&parentId=cat000003&masterId=cat000001&cmCat=&page=&view=all&filter1Type=&filter1Value=&filter2Type=&filter2Value=&filterOverride=&sort=&icid=viewall

You can carry on with extra soft and plush linens in your master bath. The color of the bath should compliment the color you have chosen for your bedroom.The following link shows additional ideas for a special, romantic experience.www.decoratingstudio.com/archives/rm_bedroom/romanti c_bedroom_design.html

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