If you want to avoid clothes draped over chairs and piles of spare linen and pillows cramping your style, you need to think ahead. As with kitchen planning, it’s worth listing what you need to store and working out how much hanging and drawer space is required. Don’t forget shoes, bags and luggage, plus books, magazines, photograph albums and even CDs if you want your bedroom to be a bolt hole where you can escape to read or listen to music. If you are starting from scratch, you can opt for fitted furniture or freestanding designs, or a combination of the two. If there are already cupboards in place, a new paint finish and updated interior fittings will help improve the look.

Additional items – a bed-end chest or a multi-drawer cabinet, for example – can also provide crucial extra storage. Think laterally – you don’t have to restrict yourself to furniture specifically designed for bedrooms. If space is at a premium in your main living areas, the bedroom may be able to accommodate discreet bookshelves, or even a small desk area. This approach particularly suits guest bedrooms, which can double up as a study or home office.

Fully fitted and walk in wardrobes

Most bedrooms will benefit from fitted furniture – a good designer will be able to solve the problems of awkward angles, uneven alcoves and out-of-proportion walls to present a sleek, uniform appearance. Even if the fitted section is restricted to one wall, it will still provide generous hanging and shelf space. L-shaped bedrooms lend themselves to being split into sleeping and wardrobe areas: depending on the layout, you can either have a door leading to a walk-in wardrobe with open shelves and rails beyond, or just a separate space with a traditional wardrobe.

Whatever your layout, don’t stint on the interior fittings – try to include pull-down rails (look for those that work on a hydraulic system) to maximise hanging space, drawers for small items, rails for trousers and racks for shoes. Sliding or bi-folding doors intrude less upon floor space, and the combination of glass panels and interior lighting can create interesting effects.

If you like the look of fitted wardrobes but don’t have the budget required, there are several large freestanding versions that look like fitted designs (try Bo Concept or IKEA), which offer as much interior space but are less costly and can be taken with you if you move house.

Underbed storage

Never underestimate the value of the space beneath your bed. Even if your room has ample cupboards, shoes and bags seem to gravitate to that forgotten area, so it makes sense to use it properly. Standard bedsteads can be teamed with sturdy under-bed baskets, or even large drawers on castors. Habitat have Kalana under-bed drawers in a beautiful oak or wenge finish. They are intended for use with the matching bed, but would also look good with similar or contrasting materials. There’s always a place for a classic divan base with drawers, but choose one with a plain fabric cover so you don’t need to use a valance sheet and can reach the drawers easily. The latest idea is the lift-up bed, where the entire slatted base is raised, usually via a hydraulic system, to reveal a storage area the size of the bed. It’s more disruptive than drawers, but an excellent place to stow out-of-season quilts and blankets.

Guest rooms can be put to greater use if the beds incorporate storage ideas – consider high-level beds with integral drawers or even a single bed with another mattress stored underneath: this is a good way to extend a single bedroom occasionally to make a double.

Freestanding drawers and wardrobes

There’s currently a trend for low, horizontal chests of drawers, good news if you want to store bulky items such as blankets or big jumpers. Low, wide drawers could even be used for shoes and handbags. But if floor space is limited, consider tall, narrow chests with lots of drawers – perfect for smaller items such as T-shirts and lingerie. Freestanding wardrobes are less popular then they used to be, but they are still a good choice, especially in a period home with alcoves either side of a chimney breast. Here, a wardrobe positioned in each alcove with the bed opposite and a sturdy set of bedside drawers will cover most storage needs.

 

Is your bedroom a haven — a sanctuary where you can rest and rejuvenate? If not, here are some suggestions for making your bedroom into the room that provides peace of mind along with bodily comfort.

Your bedroom reflects who you are. So the first question is, how do you see yourself? Imagine yourself in different settings. Does traditional furniture — classic Queen Anne, Chippendale, 18th and 19th century European antique styles — give you a feeling of stability and continuity? A canopy or sleigh bed in rich cherry or mahogany, with Pachabel playing on the stereo hidden in your carved armoire, may be the perfect romantic touch you’ve been seeking.

Perhaps the setting that makes you feel warm and cozy comes from country furniture — the rough-hewn rustic look or the distressed finishes of cottage styles. Homey fabrics, like chintz, linen or denim, and accessories like handmade quilts, needlework pillows, rag rugs, and framed watercolors with outdoor themes may support your vision of the perfect place to relax and get a good night’s sleep.

The casual contemporary look leans towards light glowing woods like maple or dramatic pieces in dark stains like espresso. Clean lines on popular styles, such as Mission furniture, make for a sophisticated yet warm space. Japanese prints on the wall and flower arrangements in colored glass vases may make this your favorite room in the house.

One step beyond contemporary is the look of modern furniture for those who love the linear design of retro, Art Deco, or an eclectic mix of styles. Fabrics are simple, and leather pieces work well. A lacquered platform bed and low sleek pieces can mix well with bold colors and richly patterned rugs or bedding, or show off a collection of black-and-white photographs on the wall.

Whatever style calls your name, ambient lighting in a bedroom enhances the mood. Put a dimmer switch on the main light in the room, or think about lamps that goes on and off to a clap of your hands. Have at least one bright light if you have a “work” corner in the bedroom that hosts a computer or project table, and a good reading light near your armchair or by the bed if you like to read in bed.

To keep the peaceful atmosphere of the bedroom, hide TVs or computers in an armoire so they’re not in view except when being used. Scented candles, fresh flowers, and a beautiful decanter to hold your drinking water are wonderful touches for any bedroom.

The most important part of the bedroom is often ignored for too long. Is your mattress the right one for your back and for deep healthy sleep? Upgrade to a new pillowtop or possibly a larger size mattress for the ultimate in bedroom comfort.

And if your bedroom haven is just too wonderful to leave in the morning, how about installing a “morning bar” with a coffee maker and small refrigerator? Breakfast in bed, anyone?

We all know the statistics of how much of our lives we spend asleep, but the curious fact can be taken one step further. If we dress and prepare for our day — as well as end our day there — what percentage of our lives is spent in the bedroom? You would have to guess somewhere close to 40% overall, so it’s obvious that setting up a bedroom right is an essential part of your interior design. Whether big or small, hard wood-floored or carpeted, the bedroom must be handled with care. Here are the five big things to do in order to set up a perfect bedroom.

1. Get the bed right. Obviously, without the proper bed any planning you make in the bedroom will be nullified. Make sure it is up-to-date and allows you to sleep like royalty. Not only will your energy be affected by a poor sleep cycle: your entire demeanor can be damaged if you’re not sleeping soundly. Spend the majority of your budget on the mattress, with a balance between firmness and softness. The box spring, or foundation, is the place where the impact will be absorbed. Don’t undermine a great bed without the right foundation. As for placement, give access to sunlight but don’t drown yourself in it, unless you can block it out with blinds or curtains.

2. Identify and maximize storage space. If you have been blessed with many large closets, the majority of your bedroom furniture can serve a decorative purpose. However, if you need to store clothing, you’ll have to find the right pieces for space and design. A chest of draws with a mirror above it can serve as an ideal place for getting ready. An armoire will afford the luxury of hanging clothes where space in the closet ran out. Coordinating your pieces is essential.

3. Make sure your desk is usable. There is nothing like getting work done on a desk in the privacy of your own bedroom. Whether talking on the phone, sending an email, or just thinking things through, the desk is one of the most intimate places when it comes to self-reflection. If your windows overlook a busy street, move the desk back to keep that solid frame of mind.

4. Keep a chair and table space. No matter how small your bedroom may be the presence of a table and chair makes a huge difference. These pieces might have to be small, but it’s not something to overlook. Within the bedroom, there is going to be a desk and a bed to do your reading and thinking. They represent two extremes, one too rigid in some situations, the other too relaxed. With a cozy chair and side table, you will make your bedroom the ultimate comfort zone.

5. Get the lighting right. Don’t forget about lighting. It’s a room in which a dimmer switch is a must. Also, make sure turning off the lights at the end of the night is not a chore. You don’t have to clap your hands; just put the switch within reach of your bed.

Platform beds are fast becoming one of the most popular trends in interior design. Most of these sleek, understated beds employ a decidedly contemporary style that can add a modern flare to bedrooms with outdated bedroom furniture. If none of that grabs you, how about this—platform beds can save you some serious money. The reason for this is with a platform bed, there is no need for a box spring or foundation.

For those still in the dark about what is a platform bed exactly, here is a brief description: A platform bed consists of a raised, flat, horizontal surface, meant to support a mattress without a box spring. In most platform beds, multiple slats of wood or metal running the width of the bed provide the support. Oftentimes, a thin, flat surface such as masonite or plywood sits on the slats and the mattress, in turn, rests on this surface.

Many platform beds are very low profile, giving them a European or perhaps a Japanese aesthetic. This is one of the many perks of owning a platform bed, setting yourself and your bedroom décor apart from the millions of Americans with boring, old fashioned standard beds. Use your bedroom space to create a peaceful sanctuary where you can unwind with a book after a long day at work or sneak away for a much needed nap on a hectic weekend.

Box springs and foundations can cost upwards of $500. Save yourself this needless expense and join the millions of forward-thinking Americans who have chosen to modernize their bedrooms with a beautiful new platform bed.

When it comes to your bedroom and arranging your bedroom furniture, there are a lot of things to think about; this is the room in which you will be spending a significant portion of your life, after all. Of course, the way you arrange your furniture can mean the difference not only in a good night’s sleep, but also in the functionality and style of your room.

Probably the first piece of furniture to consider is the bed, as it is the center piece of the room and most likely the largest piece of furniture in the room. The bed is your focal point. One way to start off rearranging your furniture is by measuring your room with a tape measure. Draw your room to scale on a piece of graphing paper. Don’t forget to measure the distance between windows, heaters and other similar objects. Next measure your furniture and create cut outs. Using these you can arrange and rearrange your furniture without having to actually touch anything. It also gives you good grip on the layout of your room; using a scale model allows you to see what works and what doesn’t.

When it comes to the bed, usually this is placed against the first wall you see when entering your bedroom. The headboard should face you, as this is the main focal point. There are other things to consider when placing your bed. The bed should be arranged in such a way that it doesn’t create any obstructions. If your room is on the smaller side, try pushing it against a wall to save space. Also, be sure not to block any doors; you don’t want to make it difficult to get to your clothes, for instance. While placing your bed near a window may sound romantic, it can actually end up being a bad idea. You’re likely to catch a cold from drafts, and the extra noise and light you’ll experience may disturb your sleep.

Be sure to avoid odd angles or spacing, especially if your bedroom is on the smaller side. Leave room on either side for a nightstand. Dressers and bureaus should be placed on an adjoining or opposite wall, so as not to add to much weight to one side of the room. Consider how much storage you need. If you have a closet, try to maximize that so as to avoid too much furniture clutter. You can place smaller chests or storage boxes at the foot of your bed. Also consider storing seasonal clothing under the bed.

If you do have a TV, think about where to place it without adding to the clutter. TV sets can take up a significant amount of room, unless you have flat screen, which can easily be hung on the wall opposite your bed. Otherwise try placing the TV at an angle, or if you have a large armoire, consider placing in there, so you can store it when it’s not in use.

If you do have extra room, you can add a nice, comfy chair or two, in a corner or near a window. Remember, when it comes to bedroom furniture, you have to make sure that you avoid clutter. Leave yourself some space to relax and put your things.

If the term “metal beds” makes you think of youthful times spent in summer camp bunk beds, or some uncomfortable rack in a military barracks, it’s time to think again! Metal beds are trendy, sturdy, and beautiful and they work with any decor. From adult rooms to children’s, spare room to a den, there’s a perfect metal bed design for every taste and budget. Metal Beds Were Good for the Pharaoh and They’re Good For You, Too! History records tell us that the first metal beds appeared in the days of Ancient Egypt. Common people slept on hay, piles of leaves or wooden slats. However, Egypt’s ruling families opted for the strength, richness and prestige of metal beds. What Is A Metal Bed? Chances are you have a metal bed frame that holds your box spring and mattress. But it takes more than that to qualify as a metal bed. A true metal bed does have a metal frame, but it’s the addition of a metal headboard and, perhaps, a metal footboard that converts a bed from commoner’s style to one that’s fit for a Pharaoh and his Queen. Iron is the metal of choice for metal beds, followed by tubular steel. Both metals are strong and can be painted with a variety of scratch- and rust-resistant specialty coatings in a nearly endless array of colors. Wrought Iron in filigree patterns is frequently used to add a decorative touch to the headboard and footboard. However, posts and bars are popular choices as well. What About Workmanship? Metal beds get their sturdiness from both the actual metals used in their construction as well as from the way the bed is manufactured and assembled. Solid welds fuse portions of the bed together, while sturdy bolts typically attach head and footboards to the frame. And, of course, since metal is practically indestructible, you can expect years of solid service from most new metal beds. What If Your Tastes Change? Changed your color scheme? No problem. Metal beds can easily be repainted using materials available at any home center. If your new decor goes beyond a change in color palette, you can leverage the value of your existing metal bed by simply ordering replacement head and footboards in a design to match your new look. But Are Metal Beds Worth The Investment? According to the metal bed experts at ComfyZone.com, a leading online retailer of metal and traditional beds, furniture and accessories, “Metal beds hold their value for years thanks to their strength, durability and beauty.” Metal bed prices are in line with the prices you’ll find on other quality bedroom furniture but deliver a far greater return on your investment thanks to their unusually long lifespan and the fact that they adapt so easily to any decor. Beauty You Have To See To Believe It’s difficult to explain exactly how or why metal beds can easily become the focal point of any room. In fact, to appreciate the true beauty of metal beds, you need to see them for yourself.

Every woman wants to have the perfect bedroom, and as a single lady, you don’t have to worry about stripping your husband’s masculinity with your design. That means that it’s time to take control of that bedroom and bring it into spec for what makes you happy and cozy. Maybe you haven’t thought about the best way to do that, or perhaps you haven’t considered all the options. One way to make the bedroom your own is to create custom headboards to adorn your bed according to your mood. Another is to leave behind the traditional idea of a bed and create and entire haven and private getaway in your bedroom with daybeds.

If you choose to work with headboards, you need to explore your personal style. Are you the type of person who likes to be surrounded by all of her favorite things? Do you want to have anything you desire within easy reach from the center of your bed? One way to accomplish this is with bookcase headboards. This design serves dual purposes. First, it organizes the space and makes it look clean and well cared for. However, it also makes your bed the lazy space you want it to be; you can easily stow all your books, magazines, and other items in the shelves and drawers, as well as set up any drinks or snacks you bring with you to the room.

If you prefer, though, you can keep a clean, straight line with minimalistic overtones as the theme to your bedroom with a contemporary headboard. This will give you a blank slate against which you can create any theme design throughout the rest of the bedroom. It also allows you to have a basic central point in the room around which you can change the design, providing a plain background against which the d?r can revolve and evolve.

If you choose to try something more unique, you can opt for a daybed in your space, taking the opportunity as a single woman to indulge in a very feminine design. With a wrought iron daybed, you can keep things rustic or classical with an intricate design and the opportunity to add ruffles and lace all over the room. The real joy of a daybed for your bed is that it doubles as a couch that can be perfect during the day when you want to sit up and do some work in a relaxed fashion, watch television, or read a book.

For some, the classic style is no the way to go. Instead, you may again (as mentioned above) be a fan of clean lines and sharp right angles. A contemporary daybed can give you this appearance and comfort level. This design can also be the basis for a Feng Shui design theme that brings out your inner peace and allows you to meditate in the personal space you have created for yourself. Whatever choices you make, every single woman should take advantage of the opportunity to build her own personal woman’s lounge in her bedroom before she has to learn to do the unspeakable and share the space, sparing the feelings of her mate!

An iron bed has a lot of character in it, even when it is simply made. Many times, they are beautifully created by hand or other times they are designed with intricate details that are done through excellent craftsmanship. If you are considering the purchase of an iron bed, or you already have one, decorating the bedroom around it may pose difficult. Since most pieces of furniture are made for wood, they don’t easily match the bed’s iron work. Yet, you can create a stunning, beautiful and very modern looking room with an iron bed and all of the accessories you need in your bedroom. You just have to think creatively.

Selecting The Right Bed

The first thing that you should be doing is selecting the right iron bed for your room. If you enjoy the twisted look of black iron, then there are still many options for you to consider on the market. If you have the ability, take the time to look for handmade iron works, as these provide details and elegance that you simply can not get from mass manufactured products. Although there are many possible choices available to you, you should consider several, looking at the details to find one that truly feels wonderful.

Decorating The Room

In order to decorate the room behind what you’ve selected in the bed, you should consider the designs that inspire you. Take a look at the web for ideas. Search for contemporary, ultra modern, traditional, old world and even early American for design theme for a bedroom. Find the one that suits you the best. You may like the look of one, but it may not work for both you and your partner. Take the time to select one that works for both of you, so you both can enjoy the luxury that your bed will afford you.

Here are some great ideas for a decorating plan around an iron bed.

The first and foremost feature of the canopy bed has always been privacy. Canopy beds are intended to create a mini-room inside your master bedroom, which is why they often feature curtains you can draw to block prying eyes, dampen sound, retain heat and/or eliminate unwanted light. Canopies turn your bed into a tranquil retreat from the outside world, a useful property no matter what your sense of style entails.

Canopy beds typically come in a few distinct, easy-to-identify styles:

Four-poster canopy. This is the type of canopy bed you generally see in historical movies, looking swank and dramatic. The four-poster canopy may have a square frame, or even a detailed ceiling, supported on four high-rising bedposts at each corner of your bed. This is the most common style of canopy for the purpose of drawing curtains and cordoning off your sleeping area.

Crown canopies can be designed in several ways, but they all feature a central rise atop a triangular shape, looking much like the roof of a house. The ‘crown’ in question may refer to a decorative embellishment on this rise, or simply to the rise itself. A crown canopy bed might or might not have a four-poster structure (see below), but the name is dependent on that middle rise. Many crown canopy beds feature curtains, though some frames are purely decorative and will not accept much weight. If you’re unsure, ask your retailer.

A half-crown canopy refers to a similar central rise only on one side of the bed, usually above the headboard. A half-crown canopy is a decorative feature, and does not have the useful curtains of its full canopy cousin.

If you’re worried that it’s all too frilly, just relax. It’s true that the canopy bed is a staple image of fairytales and an enduringly popular design in the rooms of young girls, but that’s not the whole story. The modern canopy bed features a great number of design options that range from gothic and ornate to regal and dramatic to neutral and contemporary. Some newer models feature oval curtain tracks, interior lighting, and all kinds of classy features to perfectly accent your master bedroom.

For more information and a great variety of beds, canopy and otherwise, consider MoreBedroomFurniture.Com, a proud part of the Cymax Stores Inc. network of online furniture retailers.

Trundle beds make for an amazing choice for any child’s room or in a guest bedroom too. A trundle bed is a smaller sized bed that is easily fitted underneath the larger, standard style bed. They come in a wide range of styles and sizes, but most are the size of a small twin bed. When you need to access an additional sleeping area for someone, you easily pull out the trundle. When you don’t need it anymore, you can push it back under the bed and forget it is even there. Choosing a trundle bed can be a great choice for a number of reasons.

Consider the benefit of having a trundle bed when your child has friends spend the night. If your child is at that age, a trundle can be a great way to keep the kids in the same room but give them enough sleeping space. Since many are made with high quality mattresses and easy fitting, you’ll find that this is a great way to sleep especially for a child. When there’s no one sleeping over, you can tuck it under the bed and not have to put away the extra mattress or have to clean up the blankets in the living room. Its easy to do this!

Another benefit to having trundle bed can come from those that need to save space but need to have enough room for two children to sleep in one room. If your child will be sleeping on a trundle bed permanently, make sure that it is large enough and that the mattress on it is quite sturdy and comfortable. This is important to insure that the child has the support that he or she needs that many of these beds don’t provide.

Purchasing A Trundle Bed

Now that you know the benefits of trundle beds, you can head out and purchase them. But, wait, how do you do that? To find these beds, you don’t need to look far. Some of the best options are available right on the web. What’s more is that you can choose the type, style and size of the bed you want, including the mattress. That goes for even those special orders out there. Have a trundle bed made for your specifications.

You can purchase a trundle bed kit that will allow you to create a bed that pulls out from under the current bed that you own. This is what most people are looking for since they may have the bed already. If you are looking for something that’s a bit more put together, consider that of a bed that comes with a built in trundle. These are generally larger, wooden twin sized beds that have a neat little draw like pull on them that pulls out into a trundle bed.

If you are considering these beds, you will want to take into account the size of the room you have, the size of the bed you need and the style that you want. Shop around a bit to find the best possible choice for your needs. Luckily, with so many options available, you shouldn’t find it too hard to find the right bed for your needs.