How to Make the Master Bedroom of Your Dreams

The master bedroom holds a special place in a homeowner’s heart; shouldn’t its design too? With our top five tips, we hope to help you create the master bedroom of your dreams. Let’s get started!

Five Ways to Make The Master Bedroom of Your Dreams:

Start Fresh.

Before you begin designing, we want you to step into your room with a fresh pair of eyes. Come into the bedroom as if it was your first time entering it. With a fresh outlook, you may be able to see things that you have never noticed. This is a fantastic opportunity to rethink your current design and try something new.

Rearrange.

After you have taken a good look at your room, you may have noticed some things that you want to change. Rearranging your furniture can be a great first step. With a rearrangement, you always want to be aware of the room’s “focal point.” What piece of the room are you trying to bring attention to in the design? Once you have decided on your focal point, you will want to build the design from there. If you feel like you are struggling, it may help to remove all of your furniture from the room and bring it back in one by one.

Embrace a New Color.

Seasons are changing and so is your design. Now is the time to embrace a new color choice for your room. It may be something as simple as your accent color, but it is time to change. If you need inspiration, take a look at some color swatches from a local paint store. Experiment with different hues, shades, and values before you commit.

Simplicity is Key.

A master bedroom is a place for relaxation and tranquility, and an overwhelming design will not accomplish this concept. To help make sure your focus stays on track, we recommend keeping it simple. The simplicity of your bedroom’s design can help to establish a clean working board and a stress-free environment.

Dress it up.

Lastly, it is time to accessorize. A few light decor pieces can transform your master bedroom into the oasis of your dreams. Try to go light with the decor at first then slowly build from there. You can always add more accessories later. 

5 Ways to Tidy Up Your Bedroom

Timber Cove Model

A clean, tidy bedroom makes for a happy homeowner. Along with making your bed each morning, we have created five simple ways you can tidy up your bedroom. Let’s take a look!

Double-Duty

Let your nightstand do some work in your bedroom by using a small dresser as a stand. The dresser creates a great solution for keeping your room tidy and neat. You can store all of your necessities right next to your bed, and you will have easy access. Be sure to purchase a small dresser that will work well as a nightstand. You want to still be able to reach your alarm clock and cell phone on the top of the dresser. Also, if you are looking for a consistent look, you will want to buy identical dressers for each side of your bed. This will help tie the look together and gives you extra storage.

The Purge

The best way to “tidy up” a space is by going through everything you own. Now, this process may take a couple of days or even weeks. Once you have gone through everything, you will want to sort it into different piles. The general rule of thumb is that if you have not used it in a year, you do not need it. Try and keep this in mind while going through your items that you need to purge. Odds are that you will find a bunch of things that you do not remember owning. Once you have sorted through everything, be sure to donate your gently-used items.

Clear off Countertops

Surface tops can be one of the leading causes of clutter. To eliminate clutter and tidy up, remove everything from your surface tops. Try and limit yourself to three items per top. For example, your television stand may have a television, a remote, and a DVD player. Your nightstand dresser may have a vase of flowers, your alarm clock, and a picture. By displaying less items, you will feel begin to feel less cluttered.

The Great Divide

Drawer dividers can be an excellent solution for organizing your space. Try adding them inside of your dressers for extra organization and less clutter.

Stick to a Schedule

After you have organized your room, you will want to stick to a cleaning schedule. This will set you up for success. Be sure to make your bed each morning so that you come home to a clean room each day. Also, you will want to make a weekly cleaning and laundry schedule to help you stay tidy!

End your cleaning on a fresh note by adding a couple drops of your favorite essential oil into a diffuser. The refreshing scents will help promote a healthy and happy lifestyle and mood.

Creating a Focal Wall Behind the Bed

Do you want your bedroom to make a statement? In a bedroom the focus should be on the bed as it is the feature of the room.  When designing a master bedroom, builders often create one long wall to accommodate a king size bed and nightstands. If you tour older homes there may not be such an obvious place for a bed in the room. This is also the case for standard bedrooms.  Creating a focal wall in a bedroom will anchor the bed in the room.

This bedroom has a decorative wall of wallpaper behind the bed. This creates visual interest for your eye to focus on. The pattern in the wallpaper behind the bed adds a design element that gives the room some interest and personality. Neutral bedding and carpeted floors keep the eye on the feature wall.

When it’s time to change the look and feel of the room, changing out the focal wall can be a lot less expensive than replacing the furniture in the room. If wallpaper is too strong of a design statement for you, consider using paint to create a focal wall behind the bed. You can coordinate the wall and linen colors or use a contrasting color for the walls to help it really stand out. Pattern, color, and texture can all be used to create a fantastic feature wall.

Sometimes the best place for a bed in a room is in front of a window. The old rules of design said you should put a bed in front of a window, but today’s design rules are more adaptable.  If you do put a bed in front of a window, use the curtains to frame out the bed and window to create a focal wall.

Decorating a Home Office/Spare Bedroom

The term spare room is kind of a misnomer. For most homeowners, any extra space is a luxury that is quickly gobbled up and turned into something: a playroom for the kids; a guest room; a home office.  There are ways to combine a home office and a guest room into one stylish space.  Home office/bedroom doesn’t mean shoving a desk in the corner of the guest room or squeezing a queen size bed into the office.  Create a room that is a true multifunctional room that is the best of both.

Rather than having a big bed in a small room use a convertible day bed/sofa.  While this won’t accommodate two guests, it will work for a single guest.  During the day or when the room is not being used as a guest room, the sofa provides a comfortable place to lounge and relax.

Place a stylish desk in the room. Choose one that can be cleared of work papers and laptop for a guest’s visit. Having a few file cabinets or a bookshelf with doors to hide work and home finance paperwork would optimize the storage in this space. Consider a storage ottoman as a coffee table because they are portable and easily moved around the space.

Use neutral colors to make this space guest-friendly.  A patterned area rug could add interest and coziness.  A few pieces of art on the walls would help warm up the space and keep it from feeling too sterile. Even personal family photos would be nice hung as a gallery wall.

Revamp Your Bedroom

As the weather turns hotter, most people will find themselves spending more time indoors.  Make sure your bedroom is ready for you to retreat!  Sprucing up your bedroom doesn’t need to mean making major changes. There are several items within a bedroom that can be revitalized to make it feel cozier and ready for you to feel like a new sanctuary.

Reupholster the headboard. This can be done with minimal effort and material. Doing this makes your bed appear to be brand new. Upholstered headboards can be re-covered as many times as you want, whether you change your style or simply want a fresh look.

Change out the artwork over the bed. You can mix up the artwork around the room and find new homes for the pieces to live. Get a few new pieces to spice up the look of your bedroom. Three dimensional or sculpted art can be hung on the wall to add interest and a pop to your decor. Keep an open mind and eye for sculptural pieces throughout your home – however, make sure the pieces are not too heavy to hang on the wall!

Nothing helps a bedroom like switching out your bedding, especially if it looks dull or tired. The season change is a perfect time for this!  Put a light blanket at the foot of your bed, change your sheets or replace your comforter with a lighter material.  Your bedroom will look freshly designed!

Revive the floors by adding a new rug. A cushy rug adds warmth and comfort to the bedroom floor and creates a nice layered look.

Paint or wallpaper an accent wall. Doing so will transform the room with minimal effort and material. If you do not want to redo an entire wall, consider adding a wall decal. Decals are very easy to install and do not damage the wall when removed. A decal or a painted accent wall has the ability to set the tone for the whole room.

You can decide to tackle one or all of the ideas in this article. Before doing so, take a long look at your bedroom and decide what areas really need your attention! 

Bringing the Bed & Breakfast to Your Home

Duncan’s Cove Bedroom

Who doesn’t love a getaway? When guests come stay at your home, making your guest room feel like a bed and breakfast is easier than you think! Bringing the bed and breakfast feel to your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

Here are simple and affordable ways you can get started.

  1. One of the best parts of a bed and breakfast is getting to relax in a fresh and clean room that’s free of clutter. So the first order of business is to declutter and declutter some more. That means all those old magazines in the corner and the storage bins filled with old clothes taking up space needs to go. There’s nothing that will kill the experience and relaxation faster than junk. You’ll want to make sure the room is cleaned every day and that the bed is made up.
  2. Quality bedding is a must-have to simulate the feel of a bed and breakfast. There’s no way your guests will feel totally relaxed on cheap scratchy sheets. Therefore, you’ll want to invest in quality sheets and comforters or duvets with a high thread count. Purchase pretty sheets with a nice pattern that you will love to look at, and will bring your guests joy.
  3. Don’t forget the layers of warmth which will include the fluffy decorator pillows and a blanket or quilt folded at the end of the bed. There’s nothing like sinking into a bunch of comfy pillows at the end of the night. Having a blanket or quilt at the end of the bed will not only add texture, but your guests will appreciate not having to look or ask for additional bedding if they are cold natured. Set the mood by setting up candles, investing up to a faux fireplace or purchasing glowing lampshades.
  4. You’ll want the bedroom to smell really good. Try using a linen spray to freshen up the sheets and the air in the room. Candles can also contribute to a nice smelling guest room. Also, give some thought to the colors that you use to decorate the space because colors can contribute to the mood.
  5. Create a basket filled with essentials your guests may have forgotten at home. This can include toiletries like toothpaste, deodorant, floss and tissue. Think of those things that are too bulky for your guests to travel with, but would be convenient to have during their stay.
  6. Add a decorative tray to the guest bedroom that includes flowers, a bottle of wine and two glasses or whatever treat you’d like to welcome your guests with.

Having a nice guest room will make your guests have a more enjoyable time while visiting. Any personalized touches you choose to add will only make the guest experience even better! That means you’ll want to be surrounded by beauty, peace and quiet.

Creating a Designated Sick Room for Cold & Flu Season

Being sick can be a total drag on your daily routines. It not only affects us physically, but it can be emotionally disheartening as well. Fortunately, we can take some precautions to avoid illness; however, sometimes the inevitable catches up with us and bed-bounds us for weeks. Besides exercise, nutrition, and health habits, we can take other defenses to prepare us for these miserable times. If you have a spare room in your home, consider creating your very own sick room. You can stock this room with some medicines and other elements to help make your sick experience a little better. Here are some essentials to consider adding to your sick room to help speed up recovery and comfort during this time of need.

Bedroom Essentials

This bedroom should be more focused on functionality than design. All white sheets would be ideal so you can bleach them after each use of the room. You should have tissues readily available and a nearby trashcan with a lid. You may even want to include a bin in case someone gets sick and needs to vomit. Other additions to consider adding to the room would be a humidifier. Moist air can keep bacteria in it longer and keep the airborne virus alive longer. You may also want to have facemasks and hand sanitizer readily available. These can be worn by the “caregiver” who enters the room to help whoever is sick in the room. Do not forget to add standard bedroom essentials like a clock and nightstands as well. This room should provide superior comfort to help aid whoever is in the room ill.

Bathroom Essentials

Ideally, it would be best if you could have a sick room bathroom attached to the room. This bathroom can be used by the sick person in your household during this time. Stock this bathroom with a thermometer, trashcan with lid and garbage bag, and some common over-the-counter medicines. Make sure these medicines are out of reach of children and pets. Also, include cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, latex gloves, and measuring units to dose medicine. Generic medicine you may want to include would be Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, or some Electrolyte solutions like Pedialyte or other brands. Remember to stay hydrated while sick. You may also want to have a unisex robe and slippers on hand.

It can be hard to want to drink or eat when under the weather, but it can help pass the illness. Being sick is no fun, so get plenty of rest to help you recover. By preparing a sick room, you can be better prepared for the tough times before they happen.

What to Do with Your Spare Room

As we get older, our needs and lifestyle change. Maybe the home that you have been in for ten years now has a spare room available. Whether you are a new empty-nester or you have additional bedrooms from the get-go, there are plenty of ways to tailor this space to your needs. In fact, your spare room is a blanket canvas ready to be molded into whatever you desire. However, not every spare room will serve the same purpose for every homeowner. To help you narrow down the decision, here are some great ideas for modifying your spare room:

Guest Room

If you know that you will be hosting guests, you can make your spare room into a guest room. Simply add a bed and some nightstands to furnish the room. You can also add some of your favorite décor pieces to help spruce the space up and help it feel homey for your company.

Office or Study

A home office or study is another perfect idea. In fact, you can make this the quiet room of your home. Simply load this space up with a desk, computer, printer, and internet access. You can use this room to slip away to read, study, do homework, or get work done. This option is a great renovation for scholars and book lovers.

Home Gym

Getting time to go to the gym can be quite a hassle. However, you can eliminate the commute to the local gym by creating your own home gym. Simply add some rubber flooring and the exercise equipment that you use the most. For instance, you may want to look into buying a universal home gym that can allow you to accomplish multiple and full-body workouts in the comfort of your own home.

Studio

Do you like videography, singing, playing an instrument, or even painting? Make your own tailor-made studio for your creative passions. This idea can be a great outlet for getting away from everyday distractions and gives you time for the hobby you love.

Man/Woman Cave

Another great personal option is creating your very own man or woman cave. Create a getaway with whatever your personal passions are with a room dedicated to you. Just remember it is your cave = your rules.

Kids’ Playroom

Children can make a mess with their toys scattered around your home. Confine their play area to a playroom. Have cubby-hole to tuck away their belongings and toys in order to help give structure to the room. Plus, playrooms can be a great and fun room in the home that your kids will love!

Home Theater

Lastly, a home theater is a fantastic home luxury that you can create in your spare room. Simply invest in dark wall paint, a projector, seating, and surround sound. You can quickly turn a boring, mundane room to the most entertaining room in your home.

These are just some fun ideas to consider in your own home. We recommend customizing your spare room to your home’s desires and needs. What do you want to do with your spare room in your house? Stop letting that room be wasted square footage. Try renovating your extra room to become your new favorite room in your home.

Choosing the Right Mattress for a Good Night’s Sleep

Did you know that the average person spends 1/3 of their life sleeping? Since we spend so much time sleeping, it is essential to invest in a quality mattress. If you have not been sleeping well lately or you are waking up with aches and pains, it may be a sign that it is time to replace your mattress. Of course, shopping for a new mattress is no easy task – what may be considered a luxury mattress to one person can be a backache waiting to happen for someone else. So, how can you choose the best mattress for you? We are here to help!

What Is Your Budget?

Start by first determining how much you can afford to spend a mattress. Remember that you are probably going to be sleeping on this mattress for the next five to ten years; therefore, you will want to purchase a mattress of quality, so consider it an investment. Also, what many people do not know is that you should never pay full price for a mattress. Look for sales and see if the sales associates are open to negotiation.

Test out the Mattress

Perhaps the best way to determine whether a mattress might be good for your body is to test it out in the store. When shopping in-store, do not be afraid to lay down on the mattress for a minute to see how it feels. Let the salesperson know that you need a minute so that you do not feel pressured while taking it for a test run. Make sure you spend a few minutes laying in different positions to get a true feel for the support and comfort of the mattress.

What Is the Return Policy?

Sometimes the mattress buying process can be a trial and error. You may get a mattress home and realize that it is not for you. That is why it is essential to inquire about the store’s return policy. This is especially critical if you are mattress shopping online. Only purchase from a store that offers a full refund or credit towards another mattress. Additionally, some retailers may charge a restocking fee.

Did You Read the Warranty?

Before you leave the store, make sure you understand the warranty on the mattress. Some warranties range from ten to twenty-five years and can only cover production defects.

In the end, deciding on a mattress comes down to your budget, the comfort of the mattress and the return policy. If you are comfortable with all of these factors, you probably have found the right mattress for you.

Four Feng Shui Decor Ideas for the Bedroom

Is it time to refresh your bedroom design? If so, you might want to consider implementing Feng Shui design principles. With the weather breaking, now is the perfect time to improve the overall appearance and comfort of your bedroom. Whether you are simply seeking a better night’s rest, looking to nurture existing relationships, or bring a sense of balance into the room, you can achieve that with some of these Feng Shui decor ideas. Let’s take a look!

Select the Right Place to Put Your Bed

Troubled sleep and romantic relationships are often correlated to the placement of the bed according to Feng Shui principles. Experts recommend anchoring the bed against a wall or a headboard as opposed to the window. A floating bed that is installed in the middle of the room has no stability, which makes the room feel groundless. As a result, sleep becomes challenging. Additionally, avoid placing the bed in a corner. While this is ideal for a kid’s bedroom, this is not the case for an adult’s room. There should be enough space for each person to get in and out of bed.

Symmetry is Key

Go for a symmetrical look when designing your bedroom with Feng Shui principles in mind. When using furniture around the bed, be sure to create balance by thinking in pairs. That means the bedside tables, lamps, and other accessories should all be of the same size and equal quality.

Inspiring Artwork

When looking for artwork to hang on your bedroom walls, choose something that inspires positive emotions. In Feng Shui, sha is an element that can evoke negative feelings. Artwork can be a sha if it inspires a feeling of sadness, anger, or pain. If you want your bedroom to feel like a comfortable, safe haven, it is encouraged that you definitely invest in furniture that moves your emotion in a positive way.

If you share your bedroom with a significant other, you should exercise caution when selecting a couple of pictures to showcase. Be sure to have at least one picture that depicts a happy moment with your loved one.

Cut the Clutter and Electronics

When creating a space that is truly calm and serene, you will definitely need to cut the clutter and remove the electronics. According to Feng Shui, a messy area can symbolize unfinished business which in turn can make you feel anxious; therefore, throw away things you do not need and find new places to store odds and ends.

Do you use any of these practices currently in your bedroom design? If so, we would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section. Thanks for reading!