The private areas of a home, specifically bedrooms and bathrooms, deserve the royal treatment. After all, they are intended for someone important – you. Tailor them to your needs. Create havens where you can tune out the world, relax and recharge. Choose restful colors, and address privacy and light control with suitable window treatments. In addition, look for ways to keep clutter at bay. Whether it’s you, your children or a guest who will use this space, make it comfortable, convenient and personal.
Master Suites
Few places offer the privacy and quiet of a bedroom, and these are the qualities that make it an ideal personal retreat. Resist the temptation to make this a multipurpose room. It’s not the place for the computer or the home office, and taking work into the bedroom is not a restful concept.
Start with a feeling – the sense you get when you are in a calm, restful environment. Try to create this ambiance through your choice of colors, textures, furniture and accessories. Use color and theme to create a link between the master bedroom and bath. Special amenities, such as spa features, can add to your comfort and make the master suite truly a place to get away from it all.
Kids’ Bedrooms
Playful, happy themes can create fun rooms for kids, but resist the temptation to make the space too juvenile. Look for furniture and decorating themes that can last from young childhood through teen years, with perhaps a little tweaking along the way. It’s a good idea to avoid movie and toy inspired themes that quickly go in and out of fashion. Even when the room is small, you can find ways to contain kid stuff using colorful bins and baskets. Install a closet organizing system to stretch space, and don’t forget about wall shelves for display and storage.
A simple background, such as a neutral palette, is a practical choice for young kids’ rooms. Their accessories, wall art and toys can add colorful relief to any blank canvas and can change upon a whim.
Guest Rooms
Give guests a thoughtful place of their own to sleep, work, or just relax alone. Start with a quality bed, mattress, pillows and linens. Give special thought to furnishing the room with storage pieces, such as a chest of drawers. And don’t forget about function. A desk for working at their laptop, a comfortable chair for lounging, a TV and magazines will make them feel at home. So will closet space, even if it’s not an entire closet. Stock a basket with small amenities too: a toothbrush, shampoos, nice soaps and fresh towels. Keep clutter to a minimum so that the room feels and looks fresh.
Today’s Bath Trends
Today’s bathrooms are designed to pamper, whether the actual layout is large or small. Good-looking materials and finishes make it possible to add glamour, but not at the expense of function thanks to the sophisticated technology used in the latest bath and shower fixtures. When a bath is en suite, coordinate color motifs. The same or similar style and finish for bathroom cabinetry and bedroom furniture provides another link, as do lighting fixtures and hardware.
I hope this helps you make the most of your space. As always, comments are encouraged and sharing is appreciated.
About Barry BinghamBarry Bingham is the CEO of Image South Fine Art and the creator of www.imagesouthfineart.com. He blogs, he travels and he speaks. He loves good food, great wine, golf, his three golden retrievers and his wife Deneen.