How to Choose a Decorating Style for Your Bedroom

Your bedroom is one of the rooms where you probably spend most of your time, if you include sleep time. So, you want it to be pleasing.

But, many find themselves stuck as to how to go about decorating this room. After all, you don't want to make a mistake in this room - it's your personal sanctuary. Following are some guidelines to follow to help you create the bedroom of your dreams.

Style Guidelines for Decorating Your Bedroom

1) Personality: As in, what do you like. Forget about what others have told you your style is, what you think your style is and/or what's "in" right now.

When you look through magazines and/or watch decorating shows, what causes you to pause? Which pictures do you dog ear in the magazine? What are you drawn to at the neighborhood flea market? What would you buy if money were no limitation?

There are so many styles that it's easy to get overwhelmed. I think a lot of people get overwhelmed because they don't know exactly what their style is. And, if they finally figure it out, they overdo it.

There's no rule against combining styles. If you like the minimalist look, yet are drawn to curvy, French couture-style furniture, there's nothing to say these can't be combined. You just have to know how to make it work for you.

2) Color: Once you've got a style down, now it's time to think color.

Some styles will lend themselves to certain colors, but there's nothing to say you have to be married to it. As walls are the largest open space, start with wall color. Whether it's paint, wallpaper or fabric, choose wisely here.

If you choose to paint, dab a bit on and wait at least 24 hours so that you can see it in every light. What looks great at noon may look dour at 7pm.

Color Guidelines

Cooler colors - eg, blues and greens - invite tranquility, while warm colors - eg, reds and yellows - invite activity.

That's why you'll find a lot of bedrooms and bathrooms in shades of greens, lite blues, pale purples, etc. And, living rooms, salons, dining rooms, etc. tend to be done in shades of reds, yellows and oranges.

For more on this, see my article, Decorate for Happiness: How Color Affects Mood.