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Guest author Tracey Clayton from High Style Life shares her secrets so you can style like your bedroom just like an Interior Designer.

When looking at the works of famous interior designers, many of us often wonder: How do they do it? Well, here’s a “secret” for you: it takes years of education, hard work, and an impeccable sense of style. However, you don’t have to do it all alone! With the right guidance, you too can style your bedroom like the cover of a magazine. In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know about styling your bedroom, from choosing the paint colour to selecting and arranging the furniture.

Start with the backdrop

What does every painting need (other than the artist, naturally)? A canvas, of course. In the world of interior design, the canvas comes in the form of walls, which set the backdrop for every other choice you’ll make thereafter. The colour of your walls will depend on many factors, including your personal preferences, the size of the room, and what look and feel you are planning to achieve. It is a common belief that smaller rooms should be painted in crisp white or light neutrals. Warm neutrals are considered to be an excellent choice for classic elegance, while cool neutral hues like grey give a more modern feel. Bolder shades are associated with larger rooms, or they are used as accents. In bedrooms, you should always aim for soothing mild tones.

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The crisp white walls of this industrial chic apartment are toned down by the warm timber floors and texture of the whitewashed brick feature wall. Image: decordots.com

Choose a style inspiration

Everything is easier when you have something to aspire to. While you don’t have to stick to a single design approach, you can draw inspiration from one of them. If you like minimalism, you can take some cues from Scandinavian design. If “less is more” is not your cup of tea, you can go with eclectic or Mediterranean. Maybe in the process of looking, you’ll find a new style, like Australiana, a trend threatening to dominate interiors all over the world.

Go for the high-end look

The thing about professionally designed bedrooms is that designers usually don’t restrain from splurging on luxurious items to enhance the design. While you may not afford to go all out with the luxury, you can splurge on some accent pieces, or choose items that look more expensive than they actually are. Some of the things that can trick the eye are metallic accents, a large chandelier above the bed, beautiful bedside lamps, and hardwood imitation flooring.

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The thick woven rug gives the room it’s textural foundation while the layering of the throws, linen and sheepskin provide further depth and warmth. Image: Miss Amara

Create texture

For designers, it is vital to see how the eye flows through a particular space. It’s supposed to do so freely, yet it should stop at some places to admire the beauty. Different textures introduce unique dynamics and create a cosy home-like feel. You can find beautiful woven rugs in Australia which are warm and hand-knotted (this helps with giving the room a high-end look too), and layer them one on top of another. This will give you a comfy spot to land on in the morning. Furthermore, opt for soft velvet throw pillows and create contrast with clean, smooth materials like silk, or pair it up with raw materials like reclaimed wood.

Add a statement furniture piece

While minimalism is all the rage right now, it doesn’t mean that you should keep nothing except the bed and the nightstand in your bedroom. Choose one statement furniture piece that will serve as a centrepiece and prevent the eye from wandering around. Think a large sofa (a nice spot to read before going to bed), a vintage armchair, patterned bench or an oriental-style ottoman.

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The natural light and abundance of plants give this room plenty of life while the hanging chair creates a focal point and an additional seating area to relax in. Image: oliviadaisy.com

Maximise the natural light

Natural light in the bedroom improves the mood of its occupants and has positive benefits to their health. It also adds life to the room and makes a space feel larger than it is. So, opt for window treatments that can be set aside during the day, and put back on during the night. As for artificial light, make sure you include all three layers that contribute to the overall atmosphere: ambiance lighting (ceiling fixture e.g., spots lights or pendants), accent lighting (enhancing architectural features or artwork e.g., spotlights or LED strip lighting), and task lights (aid in performing tasks, e.g., a reading lamp).

Finish up

Now all that ’s left is to scatter some details around the room without overwhelming the rest of the décor. Designers love using accents like decorative bowls and trays to arrange collections or stacks of books and magazines for colour and height. Make sure the colours you choose for the accessories are in accordance with the overall colour scheme of your bedroom. And remember,  the most beautiful accessories come from nature itself – like fresh flowers and houseplants.

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By sticking to a clean and consistent palette of white, grey and pale pink, this bedroom creates a cohesive look with plenty of texture and interest. Image: Miss Amara

Not all of us can afford to hire an interior designer to spruce up our homes, and for bedrooms, it is very important to induce a  feeling of elegance and chic. Fortunately, we can steal some tricks from the professionals, and bring our nest as close to the cover of a design magazine as it gets.

 

About the Guest Author:

Tracey Clayton is a working mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor, and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”