How to Accessorize a Bedroom

The decorating scheme in a bedroom shouldn't bore you to sleep every night. Choose accessories that are attractive as well as functional, but avoid clutter.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Alarm Clocks
• Curtains
• Dust Ruffles
• Picture Frames
• Pictures
• Reading Lamps
• Throw Pillows
• Flashlights
• Flashlights
• Pictures

1. Select a bedside lamp that will take a bright bulb if you read at night. A lamp that accepts a three-way bulb (50-100-150 watts) is a solid choice.

2. Avoid overloading the bedside table. Consider a wall-mounted swing-arm lamp to free up tabletop space if necessary.

3. Use pillows for decorating and function. They can support your back if you want to sit up and watch television or read.

4. Coordinate the décor by using the same print two or three times in window treatments, pillows, dust ruffle and/or bedspread.

5. Place a clock where you can view it easily. If you're worried about oversleeping, put your alarm clock where you can't turn it off without getting out of bed. Once you're up, you're likely to keep moving.

6. Hang something decorative on the wall above the head of the bed. A framed picture is a typical choice, but a beautiful textile such as a handmade rug or tapestry, an oversize Asian fan or a collection of pretty plates can work beautifully, too.

7. Display family photos in well-chosen frames atop dressers and chests of drawers. A collection usually looks best if the frames are made of identical materials, such as walnut-stained wood, white-painted wood or brass.

Tips & Warnings

• A decorative box is a great hiding place for a remote control, eyeglasses, tissues and other typical bedside paraphernalia.
• Place a telephone and a flashlight within reach of the bed. These items can be life savers during an emergency.
• If you live in earthquake country, don't hang anything heavy or breakable over your bed.

on 8/8/2006 1. If you can't afford the best window blinds, you can buy the cheap ones at Home Depot ($4.00 or so), and spray paint them which ever color matches your room. I did brown to look like faux bamboo.
2. Ikea sells cheap wooden picture frames, you can paint them or mosaic them, glue string to them so they hang together, maybe string beads on the string. Find your home photographs and you have a pretty series.
3. You can also mosaic a boring mirror around the edges.
4. If your lampshade is too white, you can dye it with tea. Just make the tea (it shouldn't be hot) and brush it on with a sponge.

on 8/8/2006 Colored light bulbs installed in your lamp can be very pleasing to the senses, especially at night. My personal choices are purple and blue, the ambiance is cool and inviting. If you don't want bright lights at the moment, colored light bulbs work great.

on 6/30/2006 Believe me, colored light bulbs installed in your lamp can be very pleasing to the senses, especially at night. My personal choices are purple and blue, the ambiance is cool and inviting if you don't want bright lights at the moment.

on 6/30/2006 1. If you can't afford the best window blinds, you can buy the cheap ones at home depot ($4.00 or so), and spray paint them which ever color matches your room. I did brown to look like faux bamboo.
2. Ikea sells cheap wooden picture frames, you can paint them or mosaic them, glue string to them so they hang together, maybe string beads on the string. Find your home photographs and you have a pretty series.
3. You can also mosaic a boring mirror around the edges.
4. If your lampshade is too white, you can dye it with tea. Just make the tea (it shouldn't be hot) and brush it on with a sponge.

on 12/19/2005 To give it a more soothing effect for the evenings, hang a lamp from the ceiling (preferably colored) so in the evenings one can switch it on. However, a bright light, like a tube-light is a must when one needs to read or do any other work.