Decorate Your Bedroom in 5 Steps

People sleep about one third of their lives (usually in the bedroom). It is a room where you can reflect your personal style in the colors, fabrics, furnishings and atmosphere. Step-by-step instructions for transforming any bedroom.

Step 1: Remove clutter – Re-decorating (and even cleaning) a cluttered room is more difficult than necessary. Anything that doesn’t belong in your bedroom has to go. Clean up your room (put away clothes, jewelry, etc.). Clear plastic tubs and jewelry boxes. are good investments to help with this. Remember, a place for everything and everything in its place. Pick a place for each item.

Step 2: Furniture repair – When you look at your bedroom furniture, how does it look? If it is not in good repair, this is a good time to repair it. Touch-up furniture markers help hide scratches. Functional furniture is important so if it’s not working, toss it. If the room allows, re-arrange the furniture. Creativity and functionality can work together. The goal is a balanced look. The bed is the main attraction in the bedroom.

Step 3: Bedding – I recommend that you choose your bedding BEFORE choosing paint. Paint is available in all colors imaginable. Reduce headaches and save time. Choose the paint based on the bedding!

To give yourself options, choose TWO bedding sets you like. Buying bed in a bag sets makes decorating (or re-decorating) super easy. Most sets come with some kind of bed cover, sheets and pillow cases, and pillow shams. Let your bedroom have mood changes with a second set of bedding.

While serving the same purpose, duvets and comforters are different. They are alike in some ways. They keep heat in while you sleep. Duvets are usually white or off-white and should be used with a duvet cover. Think of a duvet cover as a big pillow case. Your duvet (or comforter) goes inside it so it’s protected. Duvets wear out more quickly when laundered frequently. Duvet covers are. Just slip the cover off for laundering so you don’t have to wash the whole duvet (filling and all) each time. 3-5 years between cleanings is all that a duvet needs.

Comforters are not just white. They are covered with the “pretty” fabric on the outside and don’t require a cover. Many comforters do better with dry cleaning rather than home washing machines. Dry cleaning a comforter gets costly. Old comforters can be re-purposed as duvets simply by putting them in a duvet cover.

Bed sizes are not standard. Internet stores offer much greater selection of fabrics, sizes, and colors. Know your measurements before ordering. You will need to know the length and width of your mattress as well as the depth or thickness. Fitted sheets are available in different mattress depths. The “drop” of a bed skirt is measured from the floor to the top of the box spring.

Step 4: Choosing Paint – For an inexpensive yet effective room transformation, be sure to paint the walls (and possibly the ceiling).

Staff at the paint store can help you better if you take both bedding sets with you. Don’t be shy to ask for help. Find a color that goes with both sets. Helpful staff can direct you to great paint color choices based on your bedding. In fact, it’s better if it doesn’t. Just find one that will compliment or contrast the colors nicely. Lighter colors on the ceiling are more pleasing to the eye.

Step 5: Complete the Look – After the paint is dry, hang pictures, paintings, and wall decoration if you desire. Mount curtain rod hardware, etc. and make your bed with the new bedding.

5 easy steps to a transformed bedroom: Remove clutter, repair and replace furniture, buy some new bedding, paint the walls, and add some finishing touches. You have the bedroom of your dreams.