A bedroom that has been decorated in bold, rich colors is warm and inviting – and perfect for inducing sleep.  On the other hand, it can look as dark as a cave because of the colors you chose.  How can you retain the ambient, relaxed atmosphere of the room and still cast a little light on the subject?  This article offers some helpful tips and ideas that will allow you to put a few bright spots in your cozy bedroom.

Years ago, people wouldn’t dream of decorating a bedroom in warm shades of pumpkin, chocolate brown, rust, mahogany or dark blue.  Now, it’s all the rage.  Intense color for bedrooms is in, and the look is rich, elegant and appealing.

Be absolutely certain before you paint walls a dark color

If your bedroom is on the small side, it will look even smaller when you paint the walls a deep shade of burgundy or pumpkin.  While the look is beautiful, you may want to stick with a rich medium beige or gray tone for the walls.  Neutral colors tend to make deep, dramatic colors pop.

Flood the room with light, both natural and artificial

One of the easiest ways to let light in to the room is to use window treatments that are light in texture and color.  Dark colored curtains will block some of the natural light so you may want to consider shades or blinds which you can open fully during daylight hours.

The artificial lighting you choose is important as well.  Bedside reading lamps on a nightstand, accent lighting to showcase wall art, and strategically placed floor lamps help add to the ambience while lightening up the mood a bit.  Keep in mind that dark colors absorb light, so it will take more light to compensate for the dark colors in the decor.

Even small accents can make an impact

If you do have dark burgundy walls or for that matter any dark shade, why not display that hip artwork you love so much?  A dark wall is the perfect backdrop for wall art consisting of bright, bold colors.  Abstract paintings, geometric designs, even bold, brightly colored floral prints look amazing against a dark background.

While it may seem minor, removing the clutter from a room will make it appear brighter, simply because it is more open and spacious.  Take away all of the small knick-knacks, and remove tables or other items that aren’t necessary.  The more open you keep the floor, the more spacious and airy the room will appear.

Hang a mirror framed with wood, brass or a gold finish on the wall for additional light.  The mirror will reflect not only the natural and artificial light, but the room itself, making it appear brighter and more open.

Even when you love deep, rich shades for the bedroom don’t be afraid to use small touches of lighter, complimentary or contrasting shades occasionally for an added pop.

These ideas will help you lighten up the overall appearance, while keeping the rich, romantic and elegant look intact.

Are you tired of your bedroom decor?  No matter how beautiful it was when you first decorated, we all tend to grow tired of any look after a good deal of time has passed.  If you want to give your bedroom a completely new look in a minimal amount of time, you will find the tips and ideas below helpful.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or purchase all new furniture to spruce up your bedroom!

Change up the walls

The walls are the easiest part of the room to change; updating the look of the walls will give your bedroom a completely new look.

Paint the walls a fresh new color, or consider texturing techniques to add a new dimension to the walls.  Sponging, rag rolling and stenciling are simple to do, and give the room a unique look.  Textured wallpaper is also available that is meant for painting over.

To really liven up the look, paint the walls of your bedroom two different shades; opposite facing walls may be cream or taupe, while the other two can be soft blue, golden pumpkin or any colors that complement the decor.

Rearrange the furniture

Most people have their bed placed flat up against a wall.  Why not do something a bit original?  Place your bed at a diagonal, so that the head of the bed is across one corner of the room.

If room allows, bring in a love seat or two chairs flanking a table with reading lamp.  Creating a relaxing space for reading or watching television can add a whole new dimension to the bedroom.

Change out your accents or accessories

Sometimes all it takes to completely makeover the look of a bedroom is a few well-chosen accents!

Consider new throw rugs for the side of the bed, boldly colored and full of texture.  New thrown pillows for the bed will add an additional splash of color.

Change out the prints on the walls, add new curtains and consider painting your lamp shade or buying a new one.

Add an old cracked pitcher filled with fresh flowers to the dresser; new candles, doilies, and other small accents can dress up the room.

Consider color

Dark colors make a room recede, while lighter colors visually expand the size.  If your bedroom is very small, consider brightening it up with paint, a new comforter or duvet, and light, breezy curtains.

A large bedroom is beautiful and relaxing when filled with cool colors that soothe such as soft blue, mint green, silver and lavender shades.  As long as you avoid bold colors such as bright red, neon green and royal purple, your bedroom will be a relaxing sanctuary that induces sleep.

Be creative and try different things; move the furniture around several times, look at the color scheme you now use and decide what different colors may complement the look.

Have fun redecorating your bedroom!  It’s easy to make it uniquely yours, a place where you will enjoy reading, watching television or simply sleeping after a long hard day.

Do you have a little girl who dearly loves cowgirl and western things?  Perhaps you live in the country and your daughter’s favorite hobby is riding horses.  If it’s time to update the decor in her room, why not incorporate a feminine western theme?  The look will be rustic yet feminine, and oh-so appealing – and you will enjoy spending time working on the project together!

When you think western; think stars, horseshoes, beads, spurs, rope and cowhides.  For the feminine touch, add lace and feminine colors.  Denim is another fabric that adds to the western atmosphere and appeal.

Surround the room with western inspired walls

Most girls love the colors pink or purple; paint the walls and consider using a few sponging techniques or stencils to add stars randomly throughout the room.  Rhinestones are a staple in country western, so add rhinestone touches to the walls as well for a stunning and unique look.

To add rustic color to the room, color in the stars on the walls with a sepia or chocolate brown toned paint.  Run a length of rope around the top of the wall next to the ceiling for a look that is definitely western!

Furnishings

Wood furniture is perfect for a country western themed room; choose furnishings that have a worn or rugged look and then top the bed with a cotton-candy pink comforter paired with caramel or tan sheets.  A bed skirt dotted with rhinestone stars and edged with lace is adorable and further enhances the western appeal.

If you already have a white wooden headboard and footboard along with dresser and nightstand, think about playing them up with random splotches of brown or black paint to mimic a cowhide!

Now for feminine accents

When decorating in a cowgirl theme, you want to make sure to achieve a good balance of country western and feminine appeal.  Lace panel curtains for the windows add a girlish touch; pull them back with plastic beads strung on crafting wire for a truly original look.  Horseshoe accents are perfect when used as artwork for the walls, and also work as tie-back holders for the curtains!

You may even consider using pale purple or pastel pink bandanas as a valance for the windows.  Throw pillows for the bed can be rustic colors of denim or brown surrounded by lace trim to incorporate a look that is rugged yet feminine.

A denim comforter tossed casually over an antique-looking trunk placed at the foot of the bed adds further to the western appeal; add a few cowboy hats on wall shelves, mixed with candles and other accents or knick-knacks that lean toward the girlish side.  A jewelry stand for necklaces and bracelets is a nice touch when adorned with turquoise and beaded jewelry.

There are many ways you can achieve a country western theme in your daughter’s bedroom that is rugged while at the same time feminine.  The look is cute and original – and your daughter will love inviting her friends over to spend time listening to music, watching movies or playing games in her newly decorated room!

As your child approaches their teenage years, they will want a change in the way their bedroom is decorated.  Teenagers don’t want a theme that looks childish; boys often enjoy sports themes or something a bit on the masculine side, while girls love exotic animal-print themes or a look that is a bit more feminine.

By changing the look of your teens’ room you not only have fun, you can spend quality time with your child by letting them choose much of the decor, and making the decorating a joint effort.  Teenagers have their own opinions, and want to express themselves through the bedroom decor.  This can be a fun project for both of you!

Share ideas and compromise

Always share ideas when redecorating your teen’s room; teenagers have very specific ideas, so the two of you can come to a compromise on how the room should be decorated.  By including your teen in choosing the theme for the room, accessories and other decor, they will be happy with the results.  Ask questions regarding study space, furniture, wall decor and other accents.  Storage is often a problem during the teenage years, as they have so many things they have collected over the years.  Consider placing budget-friendly storage containers under the bed to keep the room clean and uncluttered.

Creative ideas transform furnishings

If you don’t have a budget that allows for all new furniture, you can make dramatic changes yourself.  Remove old paint or stain if you have wood furnishings, then re-paint and sand edges for a worn look.  If your teen would rather have something a bit more modern looking, you can paint the furniture in bold colors and even stencil modern or abstract patterns on the furnishings.  Consider the intended colors for the walls, window treatments and other accessories before completing the furniture.

Bold or subtle walls?

For the walls, anything goes!  From dramatic, bold shades of red and orange to neutral tones like sand, black and beige.  Talk to your teen about their preferences.  Colors evoke feelings and affect mood; orange and bright green are energetic, while shades of soft blue and lavender are relaxing.  Consider your teen’s personality, and whether they are a quiet type who enjoys a subtle atmosphere or a more outgoing type who prefers bold and dynamic surroundings.  You and your teen will enjoy painting the room together; if they choose a color of paint that you feel is too overwhelming for the entire room, compromise by painting a single wall in the color and adding the shade to other more subtly colored walls through a rag-rolling or sponging technique.

You and your teen can be satisfied with the results of your efforts.  While your teen may want the entire room from floor to ceiling done in a leopard or soccer theme which can be too much, you can still compromise.  Carry the theme through the room with bedding, accent rugs and throw pillows that are designed with prints, and keep window treatments and walls a bit more on the subtle side.  Or, go all out with the walls, lamps, and wall accessories, and keep bedding and accent rugs in solid colors.  A good mix will make the teen happy – and you won’t be crazy every time you enter the room by a look that is overwhelming!

Think more about bonding and spending quality time with your teen than you do about the theme they have chosen.  As with many other things in life, this too shall pass; you won’t have to spend the rest of your life looking at cheetah prints and soccer balls.

Victorian style furnishings and décor are a touch on the feminine side, and oh-so romantic.  Are you ready to trade your modern bedroom, or perhaps one that just needs a little something to make it come alive, for one that offers a romantic, antique look?  You can easily make the changes yourself, and transform your bedroom into one that is relaxing, beautiful and perfect for those nights when you just want to cuddle up with that special someone.

The Perfect Bed

In Victorian style décor, you want a bed that is constructed of wood but one that includes intricate details.  Wrought iron or brass also work well and add a romantic ambiance.  Instead of blending into the background, a Victorian bed should be a bit on the showy side.  Period type quilts that look as though they were crafted in the 1800′s are a perfect topping, but you can use any materials that are frilly or flouncy.  Canopies, drapes and fluffy pillows outlined in ribbon and flourishes finish off the look.

Include the Perfect Furnishings

Tables are a must in the Victorian style of decorating, but not just any old table.  Nightstands are often square and to put it bluntly, lacking in style.  In this type of décor, you want round nightstands topped with marble or made of wicker or bamboo.  A delicate skirting that flows to the floor adds further to the feminine appeal.  You can often find tables like these in a local junk store or at flea markets.

Dressers and chests of drawers are typically made from dark woods such as mahogany, and are adorned with intricate carvings.  Embellishments may include fancy brass drawer pulls or intricately carved wooden pulls.  If you can find an antique looking dresser topped with a round tilting mirror, all the better!

Accessories Make the Room

Some decorating styles require a minimum of accessories; with Victorian décor, the beautiful accessories that you add complete the room and add dimension.  Consider including period style art for the walls.  Baroque and brushed brass frames are perfect, and add to the elegant appeal.  Place old-style vases around the room and fill them with fresh flowers.  Old or antique figurines, china and other Victorian style collectibles fill the room with character.

For the floors, oriental rugs and wicker mats are perfect.  Place a large oval rug at the foot of the bed, or two smaller rugs, one at each side.  Wood floors work well with Victorian decorating, but if you have carpeting the accent rugs will pull the look together.  Window treatments should be elaborate as well; velvet or brocade can be used to dress the windows, while a lace sheer can line the underside.  Delicate florals, braids, and lace all work to make the windows an intricate part of the room.

You can definitely see that the Victorian style of decorating is not for those who prefer simple, basic lines!  If you love rooms that offer the atmosphere of years gone by, touched with a little romance, Victorian décor will make the bedroom your favorite room in the house.

This is it, you have finally found your dream home; it seems perfect, everything is in place, at least until you get to the master bedroom. This is something that occurs all too often. The rest of the home is exactly what you have been searching for, even though the master bedroom is a bit small. The living room and kitchen are perfect. What can you do to make the master bedroom look and feel larger? This article offers many tips and ideas that will assist in visually opening space in your room. Most of these tips may be used in any small room.

The appearance of space can be a simply accomplished feat. You don’t need to sacrifice personality and style when making your room look open, all that is necessary are a few small changes. These ideas will help you create a larger looking master bedroom. However, they aren’t exclusive to that area of the house, they can be used anywhere!

Use Mirrors!
You have probably heard of this trick millions of times before, but it works. A mirror should be hung on your bedroom wall, opposite a window. A perfect place to hang a mirror is on your bedroom wall, just opposite a of a window. The window’s reflection, especially with light colored curtains, makes the room appear spacious and sun filled. You can use this trick in a bathroom or living room as well.

Paint – The Solution for Many Problems
You can do many things in your home with the help of paint. The walls of a small room should be painted with light colors. Cream, off-white and soft pastel shades of peach and yellow are great colors to use in a small room. White paint for the ceiling will add a lighter look to the room. Light shades make an area feel more open, darker shades will diminish it.

Floors Should Be Light as Well
Small rooms should have lightly colored floors to visually add space to the room. If you are more inclined towards using carpet, using carpet with light hues such as sand and cream also works. In the case you use wood flooring good choices are light colors and natural woods. If you do not have the means for replacing a dark colored carpet, light colored rugs can always be added to each side, and the foot, of the bed.

Headboards usually look bulky. Solving this problem is as easy as taking the headboard out and replacing it with a tapestry or rug hung on the wall behind the bed. This can really open up the area, adding a more spacious feel to the room. To open up space on your night table hang swing arm lamps on the walls instead of using lamps.

Here is a cool tip: Use light colored curtains that are higher and wider than your windows in order to visually open up space in the room! This will make it appear as if you have larger windows, adding to the openness and airiness of the room. If you have the room, opening up the floor area can be as easy are moving a chest or drawer into a closet.

Keeping comforters, curtains and throw pillows light colored is always a good idea. Always keep in mind that darker colors tend to absorb light causing the area to recede and diminish; this is not something you want. Things should be kept as light and as open as possible in your master bedroom; this will keep things looking large and spacious.

Lighting can make a huge difference in the look and atmosphere of a home. Most people have ordinary lighting in their home, such as lamps, overhead lights, and so on. But many people don’t realize that a home’s lighting can completely change the feeling and the mood. You can create a warm ambiance instantly, without changing any of your décor. Certain types of lighting will not only add to the look of your home but can serve differing purposes as well.

Light Up Your Living Area
What type of lighting does your living or family room have? You probably have a few lamps sitting on a wood end table in there, maybe some overhead lights-perhaps even a lighted ceiling fan. Lamps can be gorgeous and should always be included as part of the home decorating scheme. If you can find the right ones, lamps can really enhance the beauty of any room.

Look at your living area. Do you have any particular areas that deserve special attention? With some small spotlights, you can make a trophy, a plant, or a beautiful antique collectible the focal point of the room. Just place the lights on a surface surrounding the area. Another option is dimming overhead lights, which allow you to occasionally set a romantic mood.

Other Areas That Deserve Special Lighting
The kitchen has long been a favorite place for everyone to gather. There are always friends, family, and guest congregating around the table for tea and coffee or to simply visit and enjoy each other’s company. Since a great deal of cooking and cleaning up are done in this room, the kitchen is one place that should be brightly lit.

For the dining room, a great touch is to place small decorative lamps on a side buffet. You also might want to install a dimmer switch that allows you to adjust the lighting. This will help you create the perfect romantic dinner just for the two of you. When you dim the lights and light a few candles, you can generate that intimate atmosphere you desire.

Another area where you want several lighting sources is the bedroom. You’ll definitely need good overhead lighting that lets you see clearly into all the drawers of your wood dresser, closets, and so on. Then for those of you who read before turning in for the night, you’ll also want a lamp on your bedside table. You might also include a very small candle lamp that creates an amber glow-the perfect touch on those cold winter nights when you want to cuddle up with your significant other.

What About the Bathroom?
You definitely want to include a source of bright light in the bathroom. After all, this is the place where men shave and women apply their makeup, so you need to be able to see clearly in here. Set a few candles around and consider a dimmer switch as well. This is an especially great feature if you happen to have a large garden tub in the room. Nothing is more relaxing than soaking in an oversized tub, particularly when you have delicate lighting helping to float away the stresses of the day. The scent from the candles can help ease away that anxiety and stress as well, adding a luscious fragrance to the room.

Lighting is not only an essential feature of a room, but it can completely transform the atmosphere of that space. Light can be used to highlight special areas in your rooms and, when used properly, will create a warm and welcoming ambiance in your home.

The bedroom is one of the most popular rooms in which people like to practice feng shui. With feng shui, you can create a bedroom that’s a peaceful retreat and the ideal place in which to get restful sleep every night. When you practice feng shui, you can design and decorate a balanced room filled with positive energy.

When it comes to decorating with feng shui, there are several guidelines, but some are more important than others. If you’re looking to create a balanced and peaceful bedroom, here are some feng shui tips that can help get you on your way.

1. Your bed should be the main feng shui element in the room.
Above all, wood beds are the primary source of intimate, personal energy in the room. It’s hard to get restful sleep at night if you have an uncomfortable bed.

2. By placing the bed in a feng shui position, you can create optimal positive energy and love.
For instance, you should be able to see the doorway from the bed, but you shouldn’t be directly in line with the door. Choose a strong supporting wall against which to place the bed.

3. You should have balanced energy on both sides of your bed in feng shui.
This means you have the choice of placing side tables on both sides of the bed or on neither side. You also don’t want to have any sharp angles from the tables or other furniture in the room facing the bed.

4. When you remove the television, you maintain balance in the room.
The less electricity flowing through your bedroom the better, as removing as many electrical appliances as possible is a key part of feng shui. By removing electrical flow from the room, your body won’t take in those harmful EMFs that can cause an internal imbalance. The distraction of a television or computer can also keep you from getting good sleep at night.

5. When designing your bedroom, don’t get obsessed with the rules of feng shui.
For instance, your bedroom may be too small for you to follow all the correct guidelines of feng shui. This attitude can cause you to feel stressed out, creating disappointment. It’s important to remember that feng shui is all about creating positive energy. Concentrate in making the room comfortable for you by doing what you can with the space that you have.

Some people may not believe in feng shui or find it too difficult, but its goal is to create the most comfortable, healthiest room you can. Feng shui has been born from a long philosophical tradition that demonstrates how these decorating principles can improve your sense of being and life. Start with these tips to improve your bedroom and fine-tune your feng shui.

When it comes to decorating, it’s not uncommon for people to leave the bedroom for last since no one else really sees it. It’s hard to know what to do with that dull and boring bedroom when you don’t have a lot of time or money left for decorating. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to spruce up that dull bedroom.

Paint the Walls
The easiest way by far to spruce up a boring bedroom is to paint the walls. Nothing adds style and color to a room more quickly than adding a coat of paint or two to the walls. Although it’s important to choose a color you like, it’s also important that it adds some interest to the room. Be sure the paint color accents or matches the accessories you have in the room, as that will make the décor look more cohesive.

Add an Interesting or Colorful Bed Set
Since the bed tends to be the largest item in the bedroom, it usually serves as a focal point for the space. Therefore, by adding color to the mission bed, you can instantly add interest to the room. You want a bed set that’s interestingly patterned or colorful but also coordinates with the other items in the room. Add a few decorative pillows to the new comforter or bedspread. If you’d prefer to stay away from a patterned bed set, then get a set that’s a single color and add accent pillows in a contrasting color to add interest to the area.

Hang Photographs on the Walls
If part of what is keeping your bedroom dull is empty walls, then you need to hang up some items to add some style and pizzazz to the décor. An easy way to cover your walls is to hang up framed photographs of you and your family. You might also consider hanging photographs of nature scenes such as ocean shots or pictures of flowers. Or if you like, go with some old black-and-white photographs.

Perhaps photographs just aren’t your thing or you’re looking for something a little different. Then consider hanging a large piece of artwork that’s caught your eye. You might even make the artwork yourself, if you’re feeling creative. If you like, you can base your entire bedroom scheme off that one piece of art. This approach to decorating can be very inspiring when it comes to design.

Add a New Piece of Furniture
If you have the space, consider adding a new piece of furniture to your bedroom to make things more interesting. Replace your old or out-of-style furniture with new pieces, as this will lend more style to the room as well. You might get a new oak dresser, a chest or bench for the end of the bed, or a new bed if you can afford it.

You want your bedroom to be a place where you can relax and enjoy hanging out. If your bedroom is dull and boring, that can certainly be a drag. So follow these simple ideas to create a stylish and interesting retreat in no time at all.

Most people want their bedroom to be a relaxing retreat from the craziness of the world, but many time it doesn’t end up that way. Sometimes trouble relaxing and sleeping at night can be traced to the way the bedroom is decorated and organized. If you want to create a peaceful and relaxing environment in your bedroom, here are some things to keep in mind.

Get Rid of the Television
The number-one distraction in the bedroom that keeps people from relaxing and even falling asleep at night is the television. One room in the home that a television definitely doesn’t belong in is the bedroom. Although some people swear by falling asleep to the television at night, many experts believe that having a television on before you go to sleep does more harm than good. So when planning out your bedroom, skip the television, because you absolutely don’t need it.

Choose Relaxing Colors for the Walls
If the colors in your bedroom are either too bold or too dark, that can also be a distraction. Be sure the colors on the walls are relaxing and peaceful, which will result in a more serene environment. Stick with neutral or pastel colors in your décor. Colors such as tan, cream, light pink, and light yellow work great in a bedroom. Harsh colors such as red, black, and dark green can actually affect your mood in a negative way and thus you want to avoid them in the bedroom.

Get a Comfortable Bed and Mattress
While it’s nice to have a wood bed that matches your bedroom’s décor, it’s much more important to be sure that it’s comfortable. It’s not easy to fall asleep at night if your bed and mattress are uncomfortable. If you absolutely must have a certain type of design for your bed, than be sure to buy a really comfortable mattress in order to compensate for any awkwardness.

Include a Water Feature in the Bedroom
When creating a relaxing bedroom atmosphere, consider adding a water feature such as a small fountain. Many people really enjoy falling asleep at night to the soft trickle of water. For many, the sound helps clear and calm the mind, allowing them to fall asleep much faster. If you’re considering putting a water feature in your bedroom, just be sure that the sound is soothing to you, and not annoying.

Buy the Proper Window Treatments to Block Out the Light
In the bedroom, window treatments have double duty. They need to be functional, as well as adding some character and style to the décor of the room. Your bedroom’s window treatments should be able to block out the light. That way, you’re not having to wake up at 5:00 a.m. with the sun. A great option is to choose a great curtain or valance with which to dress the window and then add a pair of functional blinds as well.

Before you start to decorate your bedroom, consider what items most help you to relax. These are the things you’re going to want to incorporate into the room’s design. No matter how perfectly a décor item fits with the theme of the bedroom, that doesn’t necessarily mean it belongs there.