Category Archives: Bedroom Design

Bedroom Design: How to Turn Your Child’s Bedroom into a Temporary Guest Room in a Flash

Post by Tracy Kaler.

We’ve all been hit with a last-minute house guest at some point in our adult lives, but what happens when Aunt Marie decides on Thursday that she’s coming to town for a visit on Friday? First of all, don’t panic! You got this, I promise. Here are six practical tips to help you turn your kid’s room into a temporary guest room in no time.

Put away the toys.
If you have a small child, you’ll want to make an attempt to eliminate the youthfulness in the room. Put away stuffed animals, dolls, and toys. Store in a trunk or neatly on a shelf in the closet. You’ll be amazed at how much less cluttered the space will feel immediately.

Change the bedding.
If the bedding has a “Paw Patrol” or “Despicable Me” theme, it’s best to change it to a more neutral design, or a pattern with a grown-up motif. That could be a white duvet cover or a solid-colored coverlet and crisp white sheets, or something basic like a check or stripe. Even a whimsical floral might work.

Create hanging space in the closet.
Temporarily, move some of your child’s clothing into your room, but leave some hangers. If the closet is large, you can simply push the garments to one side, leaving enough room for Auntie’s clothes.

Clear a drawer.
Clean out one drawer for personal items. Your guest might not unpack if it’s a short visit, but it sure will be nice for him or her to have the option and feel at home during the stay.

Add some adult amenities.
After the toys are gone, you should have a little space to add a few adult amenities. Bring in several books and magazines, as well as a small houseplant or vase with flowers. Have a notepad and pen by the bed or on a desk if there’s one in the room. Add a luggage rack or small bench if you have one handy, so your guest can have a proper place for a suitcase.

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Bedroom Design: 5 Ways to Define a Bedroom in a One-Room Living Space

Post by Tracy Kaler.

One-room living spaces come with advantages such as more floor space for entertaining and an open feel. However, creating a sleep space can prove challenging unless you implement one of these five suggestions to define the bedroom area.

Bookshelves
Tall bookshelves can easily separate the living room from the bedroom, and act as storage at the same time. If the bookcase is open from both sides, you’ll have a library feel in both spaces. If the case has a closed back on one side, be sure it’s finished and not raw wood. Consider painting the back of the bookcase a fun accent color to add interest.

Screen
A screen or freestanding room divider is the next best thing to constructing a wall, and it’s a lot less messy. Luckily, these accessories come in most every style and color, so you’re bound to find one that’s a match for your decorating style. If not, design a custom screen instead.

Fabric panels
Hanging curtains can create a cocoon type effect for your bedroom and add softness to your living room. Install hardware on your ceiling and hang away. Want light to pass through? Use unlined sheers rather than opaque panels.

Sliding wall
A temporary or sliding wall can turn your open studio space into a one-bedroom. This option is particularly appealing if you live with a roommate or even a significant other and sometimes desire privacy.

The right furniture arrangement
Arranging furnishings in the correct way can designate space. Place living room furniture –– such as a sofa and club chair or two loveseats –– on one side of your room, and place bedroom pieces on the other. Separate the two areas with a desk or credenza, and visually, you’ll feel as if you’re living in two rooms rather than one.

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Bedroom Design: Tips to Get Your Guest Bedroom Holiday-Ready

Post by Tracy Kaler.

Expecting guests over the Christmas holidays? Not only will you want to be sure the room is tidy and has all the basic conveniences to make your guests comfortable, but it won’t hurt to throw in a few extras to make their holiday stay more memorable.

Keep a snack waiting.
After traveling, guests might be slightly peckish or even completely famished. Leave a few snacks in the bedroom –– cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, and bottled water should satisfy. If you’re not available when your guests arrive, leave instructions in the room for food offerings in your pantry or fridge.

Have fresh bath towels.
If your guests had a long flight, they might want to shower as soon as they arrive. Have fresh towels (bath and hand, and wash cloths) as well as plush robes ready and waiting in the guest room.

Write down remote control instructions.
Remote controls can vary among networks. Write down detailed instructions for your guests, so they don’t have any questions when it comes to turning on the television, cable, and DVD player.

Make space
Guests can’t feel very welcome when they have no place to unpack and hang their clothing. Be sure your closets have ample hangers and hanging space, and clear a few drawers for foldable garments. Make certain that closets or under-bed storage guarantee adequate space to tuck luggage away.

Add a touch of evergreen.
Add a wreath, small tree, fresh pine branches, magnolia leaves, or some other scented greenery that evokes the holiday spirit.

Offer holiday music
Besides the obvious in-room television, a CD player cranking holiday tunes when guests arrive will put your overnight housemates in a jolly, festive mood, ready for December 25th.

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Bedroom Design: 2016 Colors – Pantone’s ‘Rose Quartz’ and ‘Serenity’

Post by Tracy Kaler.

Pink and blue aren’t exactly cutting edge, but Pantone is the go-to source when forecasting color trends for the upcoming year. According to the color management gurus, blending “Rose Quartz” and “Serenity” is bound to create loads of chatter over the next 12 months.

Since we’ll be seeing a lot of baby pink and blue throughout 2016, let’s get a head start and preview some delicious rooms using these two proper and poised pastel colors. Spoiler alert: Yumminess lies ahead.

Besides the blue in the throw pillow, this gorgeous bedroom by Jennifer Ott keeps things pink. Barely rosy, the walls and floor add a sophisticated quality to this room without being too feminine. Plus, the upholstered chair, lampshades, and accent pillows contribute the perfect amount of pattern.

Calming and tranquil in every way, this space uses baby blue with white and introduces a touch of pale pink in the bedside lamps. Somehow, it’s the perfect amount.

Soft blue paisley wall covering acts as a lovely backdrop for this London bedroom. Notice the vase of soft pink roses on the nightstand, as well as a dash of pink in the artwork.

This chic family home in the Netherlands uses pale pink in a whimsical little girl’s room. The designer brought other rosy tones and white into the space, keeping the overall feel light and airy. Built-in storage keeps clutter at bay. This bright, cheery space could transition into an adult guest room with a few easy tweaks.

How do you feel about Pantone’s “Rose Quartz” and “Serenity”?

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Bedroom Design: How to Winterize Your Bedroom

Post by Tracy Kaler.

The long, warm days of summer have vanished, and winter’s temperatures have begun to take hold. Now that December has arrived, there’s no better time to cozy up at home and prep for the months ahead. Here are five easy tips to ready your bedroom for winter and create a respite from the cold.

Switch to flannel sheets
Crawling into a warm bed can make all the difference in relaxing and drifting off to sleep sooner. If your bedroom is chilly and you don’t overheat when you sleep, flannel sheets could be just what you need. Not a fan of plaid flannels? No worries, now you can find myriad patterns in flannel.

Add a wool throw
A toasty wool throw at the foot of the bed can bring your bed into the winter season, keeping your feet toasty too.

Warm up with accent lighting
Shorter days mean less light than other times of the year. Try adding an extra table lamp or two to brighten an otherwise dark room, making the days feel longer. No additional surface space? Try a floor lamp instead.

Try a wintry scent
Bayberry, cinnamon, and pumpkin are all terrific scents for the winter months. A candle or room spray can introduce the right amount of fragrance to your bedroom.

Reverse the ceiling fan
A quick, simple adjustment can make all the difference in your room’s temperature. In summer, your fan should rotate counter-clockwise to create cool air. In the wintertime, reverse the blades to move clockwise to draw cold air out, and warm a chilly room.

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