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Monday Motivation: Creating a Relaxing Bedroom Retreat

Now that you're bedroom is decluttered and organized, it's time to look around and make it a relaxing retreat that you can enjoy. 


Here are some ideas to help you create the room you've always wanted (or never knew you wanted):

1.  Choose a calming color palette.  Neutral tones are more relaxing than bright colors.  Choose colors that you are naturally drawn to.  Flip through magazines and catalogs and collect pictures of rooms that you like. 

2.  Choose gender neutral colors and patterns to appeal  to everyone who uses the room.

3.  Choose simple patterns for your bedding and window treatments.  Simple patterns are calming.  Busy patterns are energizing.

4.  Provide ample lighting.  Overhead lighting can be functional but it certainly isn't pretty - or calming.  Place lighting around the room where it is needed for tasks such as near beds, dressers, desks (if necessary). 

5.  Make sure every item in the room has it's own home to cut down on visual clutter.  Visual clutter is not calming.

6.  Choose comfortable bedding.  Do you avoid using certain pillowcases or blankets because they are rough or scratchy?  Get rid of uncomfortable linens and search for better quality items that you can enjoy.  My favorite place to find good quality linens at a discount is the clearance isle at TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls.  Look for a high thread count and Egyptian Pima cotton.  If you can, unzip the package and feel the fabric with your hand.  You'll be able to tell a difference right away.  Good quality sheets get softer with each washing.  Poor quality sheets simply pill up and feel scratchy.  Don't worry about matching all of your linens.  If you stick with a neutral palette, your linens can all "go together" without having to match.

7.  Enjoy the simple pleasures.  A  scented candle, special hand lotion, linen spray, a good book, or a magazine by the bedside can help your room feel like the retreat you want.  You probably already have them in your home - just add them to the bedside table to enjoy.

8.  Drown out the noise.  If you are bothered by the noise outside (or next door), keep a fan going or use a white-noise machine to mask the bothersome sounds.

9.  Keep technology out of the bedroom retreat.  Televisions and computers are retreat busters.  Studies have shown that these devices can keep us from sleeping or sleeping well.  A better choice to help you unwind is a book (but not a book that you can't put down). 

10.  Not able to sleep?  Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when that little bit of shut-eye eludes you.
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