Interior Designer and Owner of The Private House Company Yvonne O’Brien is known for creating rooms that are understated yet elegant and timeless.
A bedroom Is where you want to feel relaxed when you walk through the door. It is not a room where you need to make a statement but should be a comfortable space for unwinding.
Here are her tips for turning your sleep zone into a serene sanctuary:
Keep it neutral
When choosing colours for a bedroom, you want to decide on the atmosphere you want to create. With a relaxed space in mind, keeping it neutral will help give the room a calming effect. Soft tones create a serene atmosphere.
Pro-tip: don’t use loud prints and bold colours that are going to shout at you.
Wallpaper do’s
When it comes to choosing wallpaper, you need to have an overall theme in mind. You want to select one to accent for a subtle statement. If applying wallpaper to all walls, use plain textured wallpaper in a muted colour. Adding wallpaper to the wall behind the bed draws one’s attention to the focal area of the room.
We often use light wallpaper to create a more spacious and fresher feel in the space.
Add texture
I love texture! A gentle textured finish can provide a touch of elegance without overwhelming a space. A textured wallpaper or scatter cushions add depth and visual interest to a room.
Other ways to add texture to your space are through your throws or with rattan accessories or baskets. Rattan baskets not only add texture but also provide very practical storage.
Let the light in
Lots of light is essential for a bedroom space as it allows the room to feel fresh, which can help to improve your mood and productivity for the day. Large windows maximise natural light and in addition, the use of lamps with soft lighting creates a cosy feeling in the evening.
Make it personal
Once you have accomplished a spacious and airy look, you will need a few pieces to add a cosy and curated touch. An upholstered headboard and bed base soften the corners of the bed, and a comfortable occasional chair or couch creates a space to curl up and read a book. Curtains, throws and rugs are a few more accessories that can be used to soften a room. Look for rugs made from natural materials to add warmth and comfort to the room. When selecting art for a bedroom space, you need to consider the colour palette of that room. People often use large desaturated photographic prints, neutral textured paintings or frame textured materials that suit the aesthetic and colours of the room.
Walking through a home is a journey and every room you create needs to speak to your sense of style. Keep in mind that there needs to be a golden thread linking each room to the other.
Written by Marian Volkwyn
Also see: ‘I wish thunder can strike that tummy of yours’ – to colleagues who stole food
