Tag Archives: Tips and tricks
Bedroom Design: Making the Most of a Small Bedroom
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Not all bedrooms are created equal, but remember, size and style have little in common. Sometimes, even the most compact spaces can feel chic and be brimming with personality. If you’ve been dreaming of a larger space but don’t have the square footage to work with, celebrate what you’ve got and make the most of your small bedroom.
This shabby chic bedroom might break the rules a bit (the bed is placed in front of the window), but everything about the room is sweet and seems comfortable. The full bed just fits, and the space is accessorized well considering the size (it doesn’t feel cluttered).
A bare bones London bedroom keeps to minimal furnishings, but has all that an occasional guest room needs. The credenza at the foot of the bed works for storage and adds a horizontal surface.
This adorable cottage bedroom sports a neutral color scheme. I want to crawl inside, read a chapter or two, fall sound asleep, and wake up to a croissant and cappuccino. That’s a great room.
Furnishings go modern in this farmhouse bedroom, but the original brick wall remains a backdrop for the beds. A graphic area rug gives the room an industrial edge.
A Scandinavian bedroom keeps things modern and practical with built-in bed storage and a white color palette.
Small space, big style rings true in this New York bedroom that resembles a walk-in closet more than a room. Notice the carefully merchandised shelves and antique chandelier.
How to Make a Bedroom Look and Feel Luxurious
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Is your bedroom feeling a bit too basic? Believe it or not, you won’t need to commit to a major overhaul to transform your bedroom into a luxurious sanctuary. With a few additions and edits, your bedroom can look and feel luxurious. Here’s what to do.
Layer your bed.
If you love how a hotel room exudes luxury and you want your bedroom to feel similar, you can do it by layering. Try adding a down topper to your mattress, then a down comforter inside a duvet cover. If you’re allergic to down, opt for a coverlet over a soft blanket. Several bed pillows, overstuffed decorative pillows, and a throw at the foot of the bed will complete the look. You’ll be anxious to crawl into your comfy cocoon every night.
Rethink your nightstand.
Nightstands without drawers don’t work for a lot of people. The truth is – even one drawer can help keep clutter at bay. An uncluttered bedroom is more likely to feel luxurious that one with tchotchkes strewn about. If you have a bedside table, considering switching it out for a nightstand with drawers and keep your belongings inside.
Use warm white light bulbs.
It’s no surprise that lighting creates ambiance, and in a bedroom, we need more mood than we do in other rooms. Switching bulbs to warm white can make all the difference in the overall feel of your bedroom, and even make you and your mate or guests look more attractive.
Aim for less.
Less furniture doesn’t need to make a room look sparse or empty. Place a few quality, key pieces –– a bed, dresser, nightstands, and perhaps a chair or chaise lounge, and let each item shine.
Bedroom Design: What Makes a Great Bedroom?
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Interior Design is often based on personal preferences, but great design is universal. Each successful space has specific elements that make the room function well and feel good at the same time, no matter the style. Let’s take a look at what makes a great bedroom.
A comfortable bed.
First and foremost, every bedroom needs a good mattress. Sure, a room can be attractive, if not alluring, but if the bed isn’t comfortable enough to provide restful sleep, then the space doesn’t function well. And comfort to one person isn’t necessarily the same for another person. Some people prefer a firm mattress, while others want a cushy pillow-top. And that’s okay. Find what works for you.
Quality bedding
You don’t have to spend a fortune on sheets, bed coverings, and pillows, but spend as much as your budget allows. Just remember that higher thread count isn’t always better, and 300-thread count sheets can do the job.
Good lighting.
Overall light is essential for basic tasks like waking up and getting dressed, but it’s also necessary for reading in bed. Natural light should be available, and if not, ceiling lights, floor, and table lamps can correct the amount of light in a room. Any way you introduce light, it’s crucial to a well-balanced interior, can enhance mood, and start the day off right.
Flow.
Clearances and traffic flow aren’t something we think about in any room, but if we don’t have enough space to open a drawer or walk out of a room without bumping into a piece of furniture, then we know that the layout isn’t working well. Too many items can crowd a space, and an inefficient floor plan will affect traffic flow. No one wants to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or get a glass of water, only to run into a side chair or bench.
A relaxing atmosphere.
Bedrooms are primarily for sleeping, so serene colors like pale blues and warm grays work well to create a tranquil, relaxing space. But even rooms with bolder colors can still be restful and become a sanctuary. You be the judge. What relaxes you? Just know that a place where you can get some much-needed downtime and catch good sleep should be the ultimate goal when designing any bedroom.
To Nap or Not to Nap?
Post by Tracy Kaler.
You woke up far too early this morning, or you’ve been burning the candle at both ends and you’re completely exhausted. Your meeting got canceled so you have an hour mid-day to rest, but should you take a nap?
Most experts will confirm that napping is good for your health, but if you find yourself napping regularly and for the wrong reasons, then that’s another story. If you have a need to nap even though you get a good night’s sleep, or if you’re suffering from chronic insomnia and end up catching shut-eye over your lunch hour, then naps might not be the best solution. You could have another health issue that you’re not aware of, so a doctor’s visit might be in order.
Are you overworked or do you have too much on your plate?
Stress and anxiety can cause fatigue at any hour of the day, prompting an afternoon slump which will lead to naps. Lack of sleep can cause mid-day sleepiness as well, and encourage naps even if you’re not a routine napper. If this sounds like your scenario, then napping would only be a temporary fix. You’ll need to get to the root of your stress or insomnia, and then you probably won’t feel the need to nap any longer.
Did your parents nap?
Apparently, the gene pool plays a role in whether we take naps or not. Chances are, if your mom and dad were nappers, you could very well be a napper too. If you are one of those natural nappers, catching a short snooze during the day could be essential to your well-being. A nap could last anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes, but even the shortest sleep could recharge your battery and boost productivity.
What if you’re not a habitual napper?
That’s okay because everyone’s body is different and you might have enough energy to make it through the day without putting your head down for 30 minutes. Don’t sweat it if you can’t sleep mid-afternoon. You’re not alone, and falling asleep during the work day could have the opposite effect on you. You could wake up more tired and even groggy after a short rest. Stick to your sleep schedule and however many hours you’re getting each night, and leave the napping to others.
Tips and Tricks: What to Do When You Can’t Sleep
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Insomnia. It happens to all of us. We have those nights when no matter what we try, we can’t get to sleep. Tossing. Turning. Stressing. Watching the minutes and hours pass, and nothing. Not even a light snooze. Feeling exhausted and not being able to drift off to sleep can be incredibly frustrating. Here’s what to do when you can’t sleep.
First, if you’ve tried to sleep for 20 or 30 minutes and you find that you’re not even close to dozing off, get out of bed. Staying horizontal will only create more stress, knowing that you can’t drift off.
Once you’re up, find something else to do that relaxes you and takes your mind off sleep. That could be different for everyone. You might like to read, meditate, or do some light stretching or yoga. Or, walking around the house might be therapeutic enough to make you tired.
Even though experts advise not to watch television or get in front of a computer around bedtime, if staring at a screen can cause enough relaxation to put you to sleep, then, by all means do, it. Do whatever works for you.
Still no luck? Try to rub your pulse points with lavender oil. The scent is calming and will help reduce the stress you’re feeling since you’re having trouble getting to sleep.
You could be hungry, or have low blood sugar, which might prevent you from sleeping. Try a light snack. A cup of warm milk, a few almonds or turkey (with tryptophan) could induce sleep.
Most of all, think happy thoughts. If you’re worried about what’s going to happen at work the next day, or you’re thinking about a disagreement you had with a friend earlier, chances are, you won’t get to sleep at all. Try to save the serious business for waking hours. Imagine yourself doing your favorite activity in your favorite place, until you unwind. Then, you should get to sleep in no time.
Sweet dreams!
