enjoy your cheeky weekend

Since the Covid19 pandemic, bedrooms have become increasingly functional. No longer is a bedroom a sanctuary retreat to sleep soundly because, for many, it’s now transformed into a multi-function room with a practical space to work from home or a make shift yoga studio to perfect your downward dog.

During times of unease and unrest, we always like to snuggle up in our bedrooms because it’s a private safe space. But, at the moment, your safe space has been invaded. How can you sleep, let alone enjoy romantic passion, when you’re facing a pile of work stuff or a Peloton bike?

Your bedroom is no longer a hideaway to retreat from anxiety and exhaustion because this stuff has sabotaged your calm and peacefulness. Your mind is distracted so it’s difficult to rest.

To take back control of your bedroom, let’s think about BREAKFAST IN BED. Is it a luxury or a necessity?

I think, at the moment, it’s a necessity because it embraces fun and frolics in the bedroom. This weekend, put away your work, and that endless list of jobs, to enjoy a relaxing morning snuggled in your own comfort. Embrace your bed and take a moment to nourish your mind, body and soul. Instead of piling up the work, pile up the pancakes.

If you’d like to make your bedroom to feel more sumptuous, here are my top tips to create a bed with a hug:

• SNUGGLE IN COMFORT

Adding soft textures to your bedroom will create a luxury sensation and help to slow down energy, promoting a calming and relaxing space. Choose velvet headboards, bamboo or silk sheets, and wooden furniture. If you really want to be snuggled, you could even wrap yourself in Teddy fleece sheets.

• CALM THE SENSES

Sound and smell are two senses that are often overlooked when designing a bedroom, but they can both help or hinder your sleep.

Too much noise, or the wrong type of noise, can be disturbing. You can’t always control the noise level from your environment, particularly if it’s a dog yapping outside or a child crying next door, so it’s important to consider the sounds in your space. Maybe put on your music or a podcast to listen to. Focusing on your favourite sounds will help to drown out the disturbing noises from your consciousness.

Having a pleasant smell in your bedroom can evoke happy memories and encourage a restful night’s sleep. There are several small and inexpensive diffusers that, when used with aromatherapy oils, create a wonderful scent in your room. You could have a relaxing Lavender or Cedarwood scent to help you relax and a Mint (Peppermint, Sage, Rosemary) or Eucalyptus scent that’s energising. You don’t always want to be calm and tranquil because you also need that get up and go energy in the morning.

• ENRICH YOUR MIND

A good bedtime routine encourages a healthy night’s sleep whilst your morning routine is important to brighten your day. In the book The Miracle Morning part of the daily morning routine focuses on making time for self development. When I wake up in the morning, whilst still snuggled in bed, I like to read a chapter of a business book that will enrich my mind or give me new skills to try out in the week. At the moment I’m reading Top of Mind: Use Content to Unleash Your Influence and Engage Those Who Matter To You

My bedside table is styled with items, including a few books and my kindle, that enrich my life. I don’t have to get out of bed or think about how to start my day because it’s become automatic to reach over and read on waking. Surrounding yourself with positivity will start your day on a high. If you don’t like to read, you could look at a favourite photo or an award that encourages a sense of achievement.

• LIGHT YOUR DAY

The lighting in your bedroom can encourage or disturb your sleep. I like to sleep with the curtains open, so that my body is in timing with natural light, but my husband like complete darkness. If I sleep in darkness, I find that I feel drowsy the next morning, so we’ve compromised with partially opened curtains. It’s a balance between light and dark. Recognising the light levels you need for a restful sleep will enable you to choose the most suitable window treatments (curtains, blinds, shutters or a combination of these).

With modern artificial lighting you could bring a sense of fun into your bedroom. Setting up various colour schemes with your smart lighting allows you to change the mood in your room, and you don’t even have to get out of bed to switch the light off.

I hope you have an amazing weekend and enjoy the luxury of breakfast in bed. Maybe watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s, enjoying a stack of banana pancakes. Have a wonderful time and rekindle the love for your bedroom.

With endless possibilities when designing your stylish bedroom, the choices can often feel daunting, so I’m always here to help and guide you. I can recommend high street or handmade to suit every budget and personal style.

Whether you need a total redesign with a new bedroom layout, a style refresh or guidance choosing products, I’ll advise you on the best way forwards.

Gwendoline

BIID Interior Designer & Bathroom Designer

M: 07841 519802