subject: The Master Bedroom: Your New Sanctuary [print this page] Doing simple things like making your bed daily and keeping your lamp table uncluttered contributes to a more serene environment.
Your bedroom should be a soothing place. It is where you go to escape from the kids, work and other daily stresses, and there's nothing wrong with that. A few touches and quick, cheap fixes can make the master bedroom even more relaxing. You might consider adopting your son's penned warning, "No Parents Kids Allowed!" To make sure your room always remains a place of sanctuary, adopt these simple methods and enjoy a calmer, more serene escape.
Believe it or not, one of the simplest things you can do to transform your bedroom is making your bed. Not to sound like your mother here, but really. A made bed invokes order and beauty. Similar to the feeling you get when you walk into a hotel room, entering your bedroom after a long day's work to a made bed makes you feel a little more rested, a little more orderly and maybe like you just want to dive onto it. You probably think of making your bed as something you had to do when you were younger, or as the reason you can't sleep 5 minutes longer. Don't. Think of it as an easy way to make your room more beautiful. There really is something about a made bed that helps set a certain mood in your bedroom. It gets blankets and pillows (if you're like me you have about 15 decorative pillows) off of the ground which reduces clutter, increases the perceived size of your room and makes sure you won't hop back in it for "just five more minutes" before work. Try sticking to it for a week and see how you feel. It should only take about three minutes and it could make a world of difference in your room.
Painting the walls a soft, neutral color like ivory, light beige or a soft brown really warms up your space and injects a particular feeling of class. If you have room, throw a chair near your window and a small table. Stack your favorite books, add a few nice frames or keep your jewelry, perfume, or knickknacks over there. Cushioned chairs are often found in suites and make your room a bit more of a getaway. Clean up that clutter. I stress it a lot because it's true; clutter kills! It can absolutely destroy the mood of a room, not to mention throw off your feng shui! Cluttered spaces definitely add to that stress of an unkempt bedroom. Keep your essentials on your nightstand and reserve one drawer for miscellaneous junk you probably don't need but don't dare throw out. You people know who you are...
When it comes to lighting in your bedroom, use a softer light bulb. This will help set a relaxing mood, and your eyes wont be unpleasantly blasted by a high wattage bulb when you go to flip the switch. Touch lamps that dim are great, affordable touches. You can find many at consignment shops. They're typically reasonably priced, like-new and classic. The one I bought for my room was $16 at a consignment shop and was never used. Those are the kinds of deals that make a big difference.
