About Master Bedrooms
The master bedroom is, as it states, for the head honchos, the masters, in the household. Namely, mom and dad. Parents are generally so absorbed and consumed with bringing home the bacon, and tending to the never-ending needs of their children, that their time alone is limited. The adults need one room that is off limits to the tribe. They need a space where they can relax and have some privacy or where they can get some uninterrupted sleep. Your master bedroom should be conducive to rest and intimacy and that can be done by picking the right colors, lighting, accessories and furnishings. Does this Spark an idea?
Decide on a Style
Determine what the general style and decor is going to be in your master bedroom. According to Home-Decorating-Made-Easy.com, "theme" options include modern, English or French Country, Mediterranean, Victorian, traditional, southwestern and traditional. If you choose Victorian, your master bedroom is going to be more feminine than masculine. Consider whether your husband will like this. If you go with a sleek modern design, per your husband's preference, decide, before you actually execute the design, if you can live with the minimalistic, stark design. You and your spouse may have to compromise.
Accessories
Better Homes and Garden.com provides a wealth of ideas for anyone who is anticipating redecorating their master bedroom or any room in their home. Better Homes and Garden suggests that a gender neutral bedroom can be achieved, that will please both wife and husband, by incorporating a leather headboard, for example, with silky linens and curvy armchairs. The linens and softness of the chair lines will lessen the masculine tone of the room. Other recommendations include attaching reading lights to your headboard and using unusual objects, such as two single-window panes, as your headboard. Better Homes and Garden points out that headboards do not necessarily have to be functional and it breaks down the various styles into the following categories--Cottage, classic, romantic, urban, exotic and glamorous. You should select your furniture and accessories based on whichever style is prevalent in your bedroom. Bed-side tables, for example, come in various styles. These are functional and provide storage but are also a great place to display your photographs. Better Homes and Garden suggests putting muted glass in your bedroom windows because this will afford you privacy while allowing access to natural sunlight. Floating shelves, attached to the bedroom walls, provide an excellent way to display pictures and other trinkets. Consider using a movable and non-permanent partition in your bedroom to create privacy and a division of space within the room.
Focal Point
The bed is generally the focal point in the bedroom. Whatever your focal point is it should be architecturally strong, visually pleasing and make an impact. Beds come in various sizes and shapes. Some have elaborate headboards, while some do not. You may prefer a tufted and upholstered feminine headboard or, conversely, opt for a mission-style wood bed that is minimal but beautiful. Brass beds are exquisite and reflect light. A heavily ornate wooden headboard would be effective in a large bedroom that is more masculine than feminine. You might want to put your bed on a platform or cover it with a canopy. Drape sheer material over the posts of a high poster bed, like mosquito netting. Make sure that you select bed clothing--sheets, blankets, bedspreads, quilts, comforter, throws, pillows and shams--that complement the theme of your room. Consider color, design, texture and function. If you're going to be lolly-gagging on your bed, you don't want materials that are going to be scratchy or wrinkle or stain easily. Think of comfort and how the fabrics feel against your skin.
Lighting
Lighting is an important element in any room but particularly in the bedroom where you may want to read while lying in bed, according to Home-Decorating-Room-By-Room.com. There are other considerations as well. How much natural light is there in your bedroom? If it's dingy you may want to liberally use lights, including overhead, walls sconces, bedside lamps and recessed lighting which can be dimmed and add to the "atmosphere" of your master bedroom. If you work at night, and sleep during the day, consider using dark shades on your windows. Ideally, pick the kind of shade that is white on the exterior side and dark on the interior side so that you can't see the black shades from the outside when the shades are drawn. If you put your make-up on in your bedroom, you will need task lighting for that purpose. Accent lighting can be used to focus on specific areas in the room that you want highlighted, such as the bed or a tall plant or photo collection.
Fragrance
Something that many of us may overlook, or never think about, is how our master bedroom smells. If it stinks it's certainly not going to be be very romantic. Home-Decorating-Room-By-Room.com recommends that potpourri be placed around the room and in closets. Use scented candles. Fresh flowers will make your master bedroom smell delightful. Another tip is to place fabric softener sheets in between the sheets of your bed when you go on vacation. When you return, your bed will smell fresh, clean and inviting. Fragrance does play an important role, especially when it comes to romance.
What To Avoid
Garish colors aren't the best choice for the room that you sleep in. Colors do alter and impact mood. Using bright and intense colors in the kitchen or bathroom may be appropriate, because they're energizing, but you might opt to choose something more soothing and less loud for your master bedroom. The colors of the ocean--greens, blues, turquoise, pale aqua--would be conducive to rest and romance. A pale rose or creamy yellow would be relaxing. Neutrals--taupe, beige, off whites, gray-greens--would also be a nice backdrop for your respite. Colors can be altered by adding white or black or gray so if you're absolutely determined to use orange paint on your bedroom walls consider toning it down so it won't keep you awake at night.
Tags: master bedroom, your bedroom, Better Homes, Better Homes Garden, Homes Garden, your master bedroom