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Sometimes your home setting needs readjustment, realignment or just simple purging. First, determine what you want this particular room to be used for. Will you work here? Do you plan to eat in this room? Or is this the ultimate bedroom--somewhere you can come to relax and shut out the world? If so, how will you do that? Will you read here? A bedroom is somewhere to sleep, that's a given, but do you really want to watch TV here? Maybe not, if you want a quiet sanctuary. Once you know the function of the room, you can set about to establish the foundation needed to make that happen.
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Let's use the bedroom sanctuary as an example. You will need to know the basics, so begin with size. Measure the length and width of the room and ceiling height. If you have a bed that you are not going to replace, note its dimensions, too. Measurements are the best way to get an idea of "space planning." It will also help when you need to figure how much carpet to order and how many cans of paint or how much wallpaper you will need.
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Does your room have architectural features such as a window seat? Think about what types of effects your room already has or what kind of features you'd like to build in. Make some sketches of what you would like to achieve. If you'd like an armoire to store sweaters, determine in a "blueprint sketch" where you could place that armoire and, since you've done your measuring, how much space you can allot toward it.
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Think about backdrops (just as if you were designing a scene in a play). What mood would you like to convey? If you do indeed want this bedroom to be a sanctuary, you might want soft carpeting, lush drapes to block the noise and soothing colors in neutral or pale hues. Work toward that goal of peace in your room planning. You can always do some searches online for room design and try to emulate something you find. Another alternative is to visit showroom displays. Design magazines are a great source of inspiration. Discover what you want in your soothing bedroom.
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You've gone through the earlier steps and decided your tranquil bedroom will require khaki background paint (you can try small samples on the wall first), a sage wool loop carpet to feel soft underfoot. Now you can shop for that armoire and find a comfortable armchair and table and lamp for reading. Check your blueprint sketch to move pieces around on paper first, determine a focal point (maybe that window seat) and then place your furniture order.
Once the foundation is set and placement of furniture is laid out, you can move on to drapes, bedspread and other fabric or texture choices. Make a kind of sample board. Put your paint chip on there, a carpet sample and a photo of your furniture. Armed with this background, choose drapes and other linens. Just pick colors you love that go with your earlier choices. You can stay in the same family for a monotone look and then just add small pops of richer color in pillows or small accessories. -
The true excitement toward the finalization of a planned, decorated room is in the details. Wonderful glass lamps, gold sconces, rattan storage baskets, gilded mirrors, art landscapes, potted plants, a soft chenille throw--it's these types of items that help to individualize and make your room seem cozy.
- Don't be afraid to edit. For sanity and tranquility---our original bedroom goal---it's probably best to go more minimal than cluttered.
