4 Simple Tips to Make Your Bedroom A Haven
We spend our days giving, giving, giving. Our kids need us, our employees have questions, we pay bills, bandaid up skinned knees, cook food, solve problems, take the dog out, book dentist appointments, sort junk mail… and on and on it goes.
At the end of the day, it's so important to give yourself a calm space to rest. But for a lot of people, their bedroom is the opposite of restful (oh, the rooms I have seen in my days as an organizer!)
I’ve experienced the increase in energy, calm, and marital & family happiness that comes from making your bedroom a haven, and I know others can experience the same!
I firmly believe that even if you consider the rest of your home a ‘disaster,’ if your bedroom embodies these 4 elements, you will feel 10 times better!
Here are some ways you can start:
1) Choose colors with care
Different colors evoke emotions in us – pay attention to which colors make you feel calm and restful, and decorate with those. Calm blues and grays resonate with both me and my partner, as well as the warm browns of wood furniture. (Plus green plants, always!)
Look around your room and see if any colors glare out to you. Most could be easy things to remove, like wall art, throw pillows, or switching out your comforter. If it’s something harder to fix, like paint color or a furniture purchase, look at your calendar + budget and try to schedule a time to make it happen!
Check out this article if you want to learn more about the impact of different colors on your mood!
2) Consider natural elements
Fabric, wood, paper, pottery, metal, sun, plants – research shows that humans automatically relax when they are surrounded by these nurturing elements from the earth!
Add a few plants, open the blinds in the morning, keep a glass of water by your bed, burn beeswax or soy candles (paraffin wax comes from petroleum & burns toxic soot!), or add a comfy organic knit throw. Etsy has some great options, and you can support local makers!
You can also consider limiting plastic items in your bedroom and research what natural replacements for those could be.
3) Remove clutter
Many moms I work with let THEIR room be the place for stuff to accumulate, so it can be "hidden away." (I still slide back into that all the time!) Commit to your own rest by picking another place – any other place! – for the build-up. Your bedroom should be a sacred space!
Start by totally clearing off surfaces and floors. You’ll be amazed at the difference even just that step makes! Add back decor items sparingly.
Then beware of letting even one misplaced item migrate back onto a surface – clutter is so contagious! Items on surfaces draw other items to themselves. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about – try it, and you’ll watch the clutter multiply as if by magic.
But conversely, perfectly clear (and beautifully decorated!) spaces are usually more motivating to keep that way!
4) Make it personal
Be honest with yourself about what decor or sentimental items you truly want in your personal space. Many people hold onto items because of guilt or obligation, and display things all over their homes that they don’t even like!
Some things even remind them of something negative in their past, and yet the item is sitting there to be looked at every day, affecting them subconsciously.
Here’s a time when the “spark joy” idea can really shine: what photos make you smile every time you see them, or what art pieces warm your heart?
A wedding gift from my artist best friend has always hung over our bed, along with a handmade dream catcher. Elsewhere we decorate with antiques from my grandparents, furniture street finds that we restored together, books books books, and more pieces from artist friends.
This is such a simple way to bring more joy to your everyday existence in your home!
all photography © peace in place
So, now you have the professional organizer’s opinion! There are plenty of articles out there if you want design and decorating tips once you get started – here are a couple good ones from MyDomaine to start you out, on simple bedroom ideas or decorating mistakes to avoid.
Anything else you do that makes your bedroom a restful space?
Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation to see how we can help you get rid of chaos at home!