Dapper gent. As polished and tailored as a bespoke suit this look is based around handsome materials like wool wood and leather and traditional menswear patterns like a windowpane check and plaids. Furniture with clean lines and neatly tucked bedding keep things looking fresh and modern while a monogrammed accent injects a bit of personality.
The philosopher. If you find yourself yearning to discuss the ins and outs of surrealism or metaphysics but your friends are more into celebrity gossip or talking about sports use your “me” time in the bathroom to ponder the meaning of life. Take these out-of-the-ordinary cabinets as your inspiration to think along different lines.
Create a peaceful atmosphere. What would a peaceful bedroom look and feel like to you? Consider whether there's a certain color (like vivid turquoise) or object (like a vase of fresh flowers) that really brings to mind the mood you want to create. Only bring in objects with the intention of cultivating peaceful restorative feelings. Take action: Take some time to sit quietly in your refreshed space and list the colors objects and activities you'd like to invite more of into your room. Pick one item on your list and take a step toward making it a reality. For example if you'd like to paint your bedroom a more soothing hue take a trip to the paint store to pick up swatches. If you'd like to incorporate meditation into your nightly routine create a quiet corner with cushions where you can practice.
Warm modern. Keep a clean minimalist look from being too cold with a stroke of fiery red or orange. Here a wide striped bedcover echoes the color in an oversize painting. If a painting of this magnitude is beyond your current budget consider stretching a length of bold fabric on stretchers meant for canvas (find them in art stores). Choose a simple platform-style bed and slim task lamps then fill out the room with a healthy potted plant and a vase of flowers.
A nightstand is an essential piece of bedroom furniture at least for those of us who need a resting spot for a book glasses or that midnight drink of water. But finding space for a full-sized nightstand in a small bedroom can be a challenge.
Because the bedroom is one of the simplest rooms in the house it's often overlooked. One of the first steps to a great bedroom design is having an efficient and well-designed floor plan that gives you everything you want — no matter how much space you start with.
Savor and relax. Imagine doing a few gentle stretches or yoga poses before bed lighting a scented candle and sipping some chamomile tea while you write in your journal. There are no to-do lists or pinging phones vying for your attention. You can simply be. Imagine how easy it would be to gradually unwind release the tension of your day and ease into a restful deep restorative sleep in a space free of clutter and distractions. Once the busyness of the day is done make time to simply relax in your newly cleared space. Take action: Once your bedroom is clean and clutter-free pick and choose from the list below to enhance your space and get a better night's sleep: Use a linen spray or essential-oil diffuser with a relaxing scent like lavender or rose keep a small vase of fresh flowers on your nightstand do a few gentle stretches or yoga poses to help release the tensions of the day take a warm bath with essential oils before bed sip a cup of herbal tea and write in your journal gradually dim the lights in your bedroom an hour before bed ending with just a single candle before blowing it out and going to sleep.
Take your time. Great design takes a while and usually requires refining before you come up with the perfect plan for your lifestyle. Don't rush through the design — it's worth taking a little extra time up front to make sure you have a more efficient and functional plan in the end. The truth is great design doesn't necessarily mean a space that's overly complex and expensive to build. A space that functions better costs less to build is more efficient to run and is easier to maintain can be an outstanding example of great design.
The academic. Goofed off too much at school to get good marks? Stuck in a dead-end job with zero intellectual stimulation? Studying in your downtime might just provide the brain food you need.
The bold and the beautiful. Bright colors aren't for everyone but if you have a favorite what are you afraid of? Attention-getting tangerine orange in a powder room is sure to be a talking point and it will cheer up anyone who enters. When a shade of green is this juicy why not blanket your bathroom with it? The bank of mirrored cabinets amplifies the natural light coming into the space and there's just enough wood to prevent all that green from going into overload. Architect Scott Weston isn't shy when it comes to color. In fact Weston sees color as a powerful tool that can set a home apart. This all-blue bathroom is far from cookie-cutter. The frameless shower screen and minimalist sink allow the tiles to be the main event without competition. In the same project — an addition to an 1880s Victorian in Sydney — this bathroom delivers the same quirky twist through the use of another unexpected color.
