Hi everyone! I am so excited you have clicked on this video to find out about some of my most tried and true ways to cozy up a bedroom.

You don’t need to break the bank or cause serious distress in your marriage to implement any of these ideas – so don’t be intimidated. I want you to feel real success and be super excited about your end result, so I am ONLY going to give you tips that you can easily implement to get really dramatic results.

At this point, after so many years working with clients to create the spaces of their dreams, I have worked on more bedrooms than I can count. And to be totally honest, some I loved and some I didn’t. But, what that has taught me, this many years into my business, is what the amazing bedrooms had in spades, over the not so amazing ones. And, yes, sometimes a good healthy budget can make a project go a long way, but that isn’t always the most important factor.

We recently conducted a survey with all of our past clients, and this topic of cozying up our bedrooms was a common question, so I know it’s something you are all desperately trying to figure out, and maybe some of you have tried already, (maybe even a few times?) and you just haven’t been able to pull everything together so it feels done. I totally get it and I’m here for you, so let’s dive in to what you can do today to be well on your way to the bedroom of your dreams.

Ok, I have 7 areas that I want you to examine in your current space to see if these are areas your bedroom needs improvements in. You may have some things that are already working for you, so let’s keep those and add onto them. If you are starting from scratch or there is currently nothing you are happy with in your bedroom, we got you covered.

Finding Inspiration Images

I would suggest you begin your process by finding some images of bedrooms that speak to you. Don’t think too hard about the why’s, just save a bunch of images and then go back through them and look for common threads. You should start to see a theme or style emerge that will point you in the direction of the style of pieces or finishes you want to have in your new bedroom.

Select an Area Rug

Now it might seem strange, but we want to start with the floor. Whether you currently have wall to wall carpet or wood floors, I would make your first selection an area rug. Either an 8 x 10 or 9 x 12 rug will work great under a queen or king bed. Which way you go will depend on your budget and size of your room. I tend to look for rugs that have multiple colours and bold patterns so I have multiple options when looking for other items to coordinate, but a solid colour may work best depending on the feel you are after.

Select Your Bed and Side Tables

Next comes selecting your headboard and side tables. You don’t have to break the bank. You can get creative here. A cool side chair can make a statement as your side table, or maybe a simple floating shelf is all you need. I have even used desks and step stools as side tables – have fun here creating some functional style.

Pick a Paint Colour

Next, you aren’t going to be surprised to find paint on this list. I know a lot of you are scared of dark colours, but please! Go bold! Using dark rich colours in a matte finish will create instant drama and a real intimate feel. You now have that area rug that might have a perfect colour to pull out as your paint colour. Ooorr…go bold in the opposite direction with an all white bedroom. Just don’t let your pets or children in..ever…

Bedroom Window Treatments

Ok, so we can have the most beautiful bedroom ever, but if we do not control the natural light, we won’t be able to get a good nights sleep. So let’s address your windows with the right window treatments. Here, you need options. You want a layer that will black out light – so this is achieved most easily through some type of blind. I like to use blinds that do not collect a lot of dust or require a ton of cleaning – cuz, hey, who has time to clean blinds right? So a simple roller shade or cell shade in a beautiful fabric that ties into either my window trim colour or flooring, something more permanent in the room.

Bedroom Draperies

Then comes your soft drapery treatment. Don’t let me lose you here…these are not the draperies of your grandmothers living room….unless that was the theme that jumped out at you in exercise one. These can be modern, simple panels, that add another layer of warmth, texture and maybe colour to your bedroom. Without them, most bedrooms will feel incomplete. Again, we can use that rug as our jumping off point for the colour we want these to be.

I hope you are still with me – I know this can feel daunting, but just approach it one task at a time – this is not a race to the finish. Just breath…..

Bedroom Lighting

Ok, this next one is super important – lighting. We need options in a bedroom. We need lots of light for dressing and getting ready. We need focused task lighting for reading in bed. We need some dim romantic lighting for…well, you know…. So give yourself some options. You may want a few pot lights or one beautiful ceiling light for your general lighting. Then add in some side table lamps or wall sconces for reading or watching TV in bed and make sure ALL your lighting in your bedroom is on dimmers so you can set the mood to your liking. Also, remember to pay attention to the colour temperature of your light bulbs as they pertain to the style or feel you are after. If you are creating a more traditional warm space, you may want a bulb with a Kelvin temperature of 2700, which is the colour of a traditional incandescent bulb. If you want a slightly more contemporary feel, go for a Kelvin temperature of 3000. This one is my personal favourite as it seems to work with almost any space. But if you are going for a super ultra modern bedroom, go for a 3500 kelvin temp or higher for that cool almost blue white.

Bedroom Bedding

Next, no bedroom can be complete without bedding that makes you want to stay in bed all day. This is entirely personal, as what one person finds comfortable for sleeping, another person finds torture. I find the two BEST options are either a duvet and duvet cover or a duvet with a coverlet. It really boils down to comfort, how often you are ok washing your duvet and how annoyingly frustrating you find getting your duvet back into those dumb covers! You can probably guess which way I lean….

Cotton is the most breathable fabric and tends to be soft, which is why most bedding is made of it. It can tend however, to fade over time, so consider that when selecting your colours. I like to use a neutral colour like white or grey for my duvet cover or coverlet and then I add pops of colour in pillows or throws. I can’t count the number of colourful duvet covers I have bought from that big box store we all know and love for the great prices and things you have to put together, than several washes later they looked like they were ready to be cut into rags. Don’t go there. Look at places like Crate and Barrel or Restoration Hardware – because this is one area where you get what you pay for really rings true. And don’t forget what’s under your duvet – the sheets. Aim for a nice cotton with a thread count around 300-400, again in a name brand.

Bedroom Accessorizing

Then, if you have room and energy left in the tank – get accessorising. Keep it to a minimum with just a bit of art, some greenery and couple of personal touches. Putting these last items together takes some extra thought. Only use pieces you love and if you try something and it doesn’t feel right, return it or take it away. Again, this is not a process you need to rush through.

Now you have all the steps you need to create the bedroom of your dreams. But..if there is something still holding you back from getting started, then check out our blog to get more videos and articles like this one and maybe, we give you the solution you need there. And if you have a burning design question you need answered, chat with me on social media and tell me what you need to know!  I am here for ya!

I can’t wait for you to get started. I will see you all soon!