What Gives Your Bedroom The Factor?

If you have a fairly sleek bedroom and want to give it more of the 'wow' factor, consider one piece of furniture or a wall decoration that makes heads turn. An armchair that is an unusual shape and with a chosen accent colour. Taking one wall and giving it new life with a daring wallpaper print would also be a good option.

If you insist on having neutral colours in the bedroom then why not warm things up by choosing a monochrome scheme in shades of black and white. With the right choice of fabrics and black and white bedding you can make a relaxing retreat - go with all things soft to touch such as cashmere or Chinese silk. A simple graphic print on bedding will add more depth and interest to the final look.

Perhaps you need more space? It can be that you are looking to re-decorate with new colours and fabrics or even update furniture and/or the flooring.

You could also install spotlights above the bed for extra light on the evening. Try to choose colours and patterns that are not too dark, demanding or 'busy'. Neutrals and pastels in block colours or with a fine pattern will be the best option to give the appearance of more light and space.

Image: Decorology

Pretty Summer Pastels

Pastels colours are rather like Marmite, you either love them or hate them! However, the newest sherbet colours bridge the gap between the palest of pastels and the more intense colours of bright bolds rather effectively and of course sherbets are right on-trend!

There will be rooms within the home that can carry off a completely pastel or sherbet palette such as the bedroom and the bathroom. These spaces should be easy on the eye and relaxing - something that a pastel can achieve in an instant. Duck egg blue bedding works well when teamed with cream or ivory for a chic refined look which is up market and more formal.

More livable rooms such as the lounge and dining space may work better when you add a punch of neon colour such as lime green curtains to a pastel backdrop.

Pretty pastels can be used in the bathroom to create a soft and relaxing place to relax and de-stress. For a coastal look experiment with light shades of blues and greens that will look all the more crisp when paired with white wood and fixtures. Choose accessories carefully, as your don't want the style to vie for attention with the colours; peaceful tranquillity is desired look.

Image: Delight By Design

Choosing Blue For Beautiful Bedrooms

Blue is one of the most calming of all colours and can be very easy to work with. Modern and contemporary homes are looking more and more to the qualities of blues such as navy, teal, azure and cobalt.

Like green, the colour blue reminds us of outdoor spaces and nature - specifically our skies and various bodies of water. This connection can also give answers as to why blue is so calming - dreamy blue skies and soothing water therapies. Our contemporary blues do have a tendency to steer towards ocean and aquatic blues that have a gentle shimmer to them.

The many different shades of blue can carry various colours but to stay on trend you should keep things simple with cool neutrals such as a light grey or a pale pink which will lighten darker blues.

Smoky and blue-grey tones are so very now and the best colour for a sophisticated bedroom. Go with a few different shades and give the bedspread or curtains a sheen fabric for added depth and interest. On the contrary, young adults or teens might prefer a more fun approach with bold blues. Make the most of it by adding an accent colour such as hot pink curtains and accessories.

Turquoise is this year's most trendy colour choice and is a blue-green shade. In fact, we are seeing a lot of natural blue-green shades right now and they are definitely the way forward for an ultra modern bedroom interior. Bright and subtle tones are equally on trend and smoky blues are favoured for a more sophisticated edge - well matched with cool neutrals.

Image: House of Turquoise

Ideas For Decorating Children's Bedrooms: A Beach Theme

First, you will need to pry open the door and assess the storage situation. Most of the time, it is the ever-growing pile of toys and books that make us shudder on entering our child's bedrooms. It is this clutter and chaos that makes us realise that something needs to be done and it wouldn't be harmful to give the whole room a makeover!

Buying some extra storage would be a good move in the right direction. The cheaper options are plastic boxes with clip on lids - choose them in bright colours to add eye-candy for kids or even consider normal waste bins in bright colours for storing anything from toys, school supplies and hats. You will feel a lot better knowing that all of their possessions have a given space and they will like the bright colour additions!

Children absolutely love the beach so they will be fascinated to see their own bedroom transform into their very own private beach cove! Strongly linked with summer holidays, the beach theme will play on light and bright colours to have that sunshine feeling. Choose bedding and curtain sets in colours inspired by the sea. Involve your children with the decorating process - they will give lots of hints at to what they love about the beach and how you can incorporate their ideas into the room or even as a focal point.
Image: On Interior Design

Beautiful Bright Bedrooms

If we can be honest for a moment, bright colours in the bedroom can't possibly prevent us from having a good night's sleep, if we are happy and comfortable with our choices. This is why it is important to use the colours that you have a natural attraction to - whether it be hot pink or acid yellow. If you are not convinced, stick with neutral walls to begin with and then bring in a cool colour such as blue, green or lavender to window treatments and duvet covers bedding. The third colour will be used as an accent - bright and contrasting to your other colour.

A good example would be a soft cornflower blue that offers a tranquil atmosphere, then given a fun twist by splashing bold orange to pillow covers and lampshades. In the same way, a zesty yellow will pick up lavender and a shot of red can give green a fresh look. It is all about little surprises!


Hot pink is a winning colour in feminine bedrooms. For a crisp and contemporary look, choose a hot pink floor rug under the bed and a unique piece of pink art on the back wall. You could also get a similar look by choosing a headboard in hot pink - try one with a floral pattern and leave the rest of your bedding in pure white or a subtle cream.

Image: A Life's Design

3 Interior Design Ideas To Ponder

1. Using Patterns:
One style that really comes into its own with pattern would be country - use lots of different patterns but similar colours to tie everything together. Try a pretty gingham, toile fabric and perhaps a larger check in classic blue and white. Use these patterns for bedding, window treatments, wallpaper and even to upholster a sitting chair. Do use large blocks of a single colour (either white or blue) elsewhere in the room such as the headboard and bedside tables.


2. Romantic Bathrooms:
Don't forget the bathroom when you wish to redecorate in a feminine and romantic style. We love the little mosaic tiles that can be used as a back-splash in a mix of shimmery oyster and ivory. For a unique look, take the tiles up the wall with horizontal stripes on a feature wall (white or light grey paint between the stripes). Another wall could be painted in a pastel colour such as a soft lavender or powdery blue. Give it the girlie stamp with hot pink accents - towels, candles, fresh flowers and pink ready made blinds.


3: Using Green:
Green was popular for home decorating long before we even thought about picking up a paintbrush. You might not have seen lime green curtains or bright aqua in the traditional home, but pea greens, hunter greens and a variety of pastel shades have worked well in the past. If you are working with a period home and want to enhance natural features - try adding in a period green! Choose two or three different shades in the lounge with a cream and some antique gold accents. Dark flooring and/or furniture will be this palette and style's perfect partner.

Image: Belle Maison

Beautiful and Luxury Bedding for Kids

We believe there are two things worth splurging on in life. One is shoes. Nothing beats well-made, expensive shoes. The other is bedding. After all, we spend 1/3 of our life in it, don't you agree?

When it comes to kids bedding, we find that it's really hard to find nice ones though. They are usually too cutesy or too frou-frou.

We found some that we really like at Legacy at the last High Point show. They are washable and very comfortable. Most importantly, Legacy Linens does fantastic bedding--they really know how to put patterns and colors together.

The bedding is sold by individual pieces--coverlet, shams, bedskirt etc. They are a little expensive (about $400-500 for a duvet cover for example, and the total ensemble probably will run about $1500-2000). Although this seems expensive, it's quite typical with bedding...