Life can be crazy busy at times, and hectic schedules may keep us in high gear until late into the evening. Even once we’re home, the house is active with meals, chores, and activities.
That’s why we all need a dedicated space that we can count on to wind down and relax.
Enter – the master bedroom. Here are some ideas for making it, and keeping it, a restful retreat:
Soothing Color Palette.
There are those that believe color can affect your ability to sleep. For example, a study conducted by Travelodge involving 2,000 homes in the U.K., indicated that those who slept in blue bedrooms got the best night’s sleep. Possibly because blue is associated with a feeling of calmness and reduced blood pressure/heart rate.
And whether or not you believe the study, we can all agree that color does have the ability to completely set the tone of a space, and that some colors feel more restful than others.
Choose colors that calm you and, if you’re not sure, neutrals are a great option. You won’t tire of them and you’ll always be able to swap accent colors in and out.
A Place to Sit.
Whatever your space situation, try to sneak in a place to sit. Create a cozy corner with a chair and ottoman, place two chairs in a bay window, or position a bench at the foot of the bed.
SHOP: Austin Falcon Pointe Bench
No Distractions.
If there isn’t a TV in the bedroom, there’s still most likely a phone, laptop, or tablet close at hand. Or maybe it’s the kids’ homework, that basket of laundry that needs to be folded, or…
Electronics: As hard as it is to break the electronics habit, we would be smart to try since there is significant scientific data highlighting how their use in the bedroom disrupts sleep.
And what about the other stuff? Make a habit of addressing it somewhere else in the house so that it never makes it to the master bedroom.
A Cozy, Comfy Bed.
Since the majority of your time in the master bedroom will be spent sleeping, it’s really important to have a mattress that helps you to get a good night’s rest. (If you’re in need of a new one, this post has good tips on how to make sure you find the best one for your needs.)
And have you ever had sheets that you’ve used until they were embarrassingly worn , but they were so comfortable you just couldn’t bear to part with them? That’s how you should feel about the sheets in your retreat. (Southern Living has some tips for buying sheets here.)
Leverage Layers.
Layers are a key element in creating an irresistible master retreat.
Case in point – the bedroom below. The architectural detail on the wall, art, the distressed texture of the furniture, layered not-too-perfectly bedding and rugs, and a variety of textures in pillows and accessories. All of these layers are working together to create a homey, welcoming feel.
SHOP: Chesapeake Queen Storage Bedroom
Make the Bed.
Making the bed takes virtually no time at all in the morning, and a made bed is so much more welcoming to come home to at the end of a long day.
Clear the Clutter.
Organized spaces are usually calmer spaces, so making an effort to keep your retreat clutter-free will go a long way in making it feel restful as well.
Use closets, dressers, chests, and decorative items – like baskets and jewelry boxes – to create a system of organization that will help you consistently declutter.
Decorate.
You may have already gotten this point when we were talking about layers, but it bears repeating.
Sometimes we go as far as furnishing our bedroom and making the bed, but then we just never really get around to finishing the space.
You may be surprised how adding simple things like a rug, art, and a few accessories can completely finish off your space. And make it a room you actually look forward to retreating to!
What could you do this week to make your master bedroom a more restful and inviting space?
More design tips.
Browse more design tips, decorating ideas, and room inspiration on our Design Tips page!
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