Archive for August, 2010
Kids bedroom designs can be much more varied now than they were years ago. Here are some suggestions on how to design a room that is aesthetically pleasing and also functional.
Space Issues
If the room is small, get a bunk bed so a desk can be placed below it. Other basic furniture includes a table, a beanbag or chair. A bookshelf and containers for toys are necessary. To maximize space usage, set the furniture in the corners. This won’t be an issue in large rooms of course.
Adding Room Colors
The walls can be decorated with paint, a mural, wallpapers or a border. Any of these can be used with the room’s theme. A dinosaur themed room can have walls painted sky blue or green. You can also place a mural with dinosaurs and plants on the walls. Colors can be multicolored or plain. Plain walls can be livened up with artwork or wallpaper.
There is no limit to the colors you can use. Some kids will prefer pink, while others may opt for khaki. The theme you select will determine what type of colors to use. Young children will prefer bright colors.
Organization is Key
An essential part of kids bedroom designs is keeping it clutter free. Place the toy storage bins within easy reach. Shelves, plastic containers and baskets may be used. These should be separate from the shelves holding books and study materials.
Using Themes
Whether it is pirate, princess castle or sports, the look can be completed by adding the right accessories. Use pillows, linen and rugs that match the theme used in the room. The curtains should also match the colors of the room.
Matching furniture will be easier to do with bedroom sets. With the furniture corresponding, you’ll just have to focus on arranging the pieces.
Tips and Warnings
Don’t let the child enter the room until the paint has completely dried. Make sure the furniture doesn’t have any sharp corners. Don’t use glass in a small child’s bedroom. Ensure the rug is set below the table so there is no accidental slippage. Do not let small children walk about the room when you are moving large furniture.
When assessing the kids bedroom designs, get input from the child. Letting the child in on it does two things: it will get them excited about the project and second, you can be sure they’ll appreciate the design.
Using romantic bedroom paint colors is one definite way to keep the fire burning between you and your special someone. Below are some popular choices, but make sure to consult your partner so you’ll both be happy with the result.
Using Blue Colors
Blues are used in traditional bedroom styles, but they can also be used to add a touch of romance as well. If you prefer deep blue, indigo, sapphire, navy, azure or cobalt would be good choices. If you are more inclined for lighter hues, aqua marine, sky blue, pale blue or baby blue would be appropriate.
Blue has many shades, and you can look at color charts to see which are most suitable. You can add some highlights by putting in some red or white. If you’re using deep blue, add deep red; if light blue, add light red.
Browns and Similar Shades
The various shades of brown also make for romantic bedroom paint colors. Some of the brown shades you can use are amber, taupe, fawn, light brown, mushroom and tan. For something darker, go for dark mahogany or wood brown.
Light brown shades can be complemented with soft blacks. This will make your bedroom not just romantic, but also chic. Cream can be used in conjunction with browns too. If the colors are too masculine, add some lavender, mauve or lilac. Mixing cream, dark browns and light purple can make for a romantic atmosphere.
The Many Shades of Green
To give the room a natural hue, select a green shade and combine it with some earth colors like mushroom or brown. Bits of red will also look great. You may also combine greens with sky blue. Pale green can be used with deep or light blues.
Gray
Gray isn’t typically used in romantic bedrooms, but they can work provided it is matched with more vivid colors like red and blue. Amber and ocher also work with grays. This isn’t for everyone, but for those who find excitement in unusual color combinations, these are worth a try.
Other Colors
Other colors you can use are hazel and violet. Purples are also romantic. They come in light and dark shades. The deep shades are particularly attractive. They look great with touches of black, white, blue or gold.
After choosing the romantic bedroom paint colors that suit your taste, you can add the accents. Don’t forget about the accessories. They are as important as the colors of the room.
There is no limit to the number of bedroom paint colors you can use, but it’s best to stick to a specific theme. Studies have shown that colors have a psychological effect on people, so the combinations must be carefully mulled over.
Warm Colors
These include the different shades of yellow, red and orange. These are best for those who want a vibrant, energetic bedroom. Although they have a stimulating effect, too much of it may prove stressful to the eyes.
It is much better to use these colors as accents. For example, you can use these on pillows and draperies. It’s best not to use them as the main color scheme, but instead be a major part of it.
Cool and Passive Hues
These include light and deep shades of green and blue. Using any of these colors will generate an aura of calmness and tranquility. Purple can also be a soothing bedroom paint color; it can also make the room appear more sophisticated. Pink is often used in babies’ rooms, but it can be used in bedrooms for its soothing effect.
Neutral Colors
These include beige, gray, white and brown. There are many advantages to using this color. The first is that it will work well with other colors and designs. A neutral shade will also offset strong accents. Another benefit is that wall paintings will not cause a conflict.
Using Other Colors
There are other colors you can use of course. What’s important is you choose the color combination that appeal to you. Remember too that color intensity will influence the room’s mood. If the colors appear dull, paint a brighter color.
If the colors are too bright, paint a darker shade or use a neutral color to offset it. If you want a simple design, you can just use neutral colors with minimal highlights and accents.
Other Considerations
The room colors will also be affected by the configuration and style of the furniture. When choosing colors, visualize how they will affect the furniture. The arrangement, the lighting, both artificial and natural, will also affect the room ambience. Remember too that light shades make a room appear larger, while dark colors have the opposite effect.
Take your time when studying these options. Rushing into the paint job will lead to unacceptable results.
There is no end to the ways you can use bedroom paint colors. You can have fun choosing the different colors and experimenting with the various shades.
Choosing the right bedroom color scheme isn’t as difficult as it seems. If you have a favorite, you can just use that color. If you are still looking at the different options, here are some color combos worth considering.
Classic Colors
White, cream and beige are considered classic colors. They are used widely because they can be compatible with other shades and decors. These are also called neutral colors because paintings and wall decors of all kinds can be used without fear of mismatched colors.
Green and Blue
This color combination makes your bedroom feel tranquil and serene. For an even more relaxing atmosphere, use them with whites, a little of gray or some earth tones. Even a few touches of black will promote that soothing feeling.
For this bedroom color scheme to work, use as little color as possible. Apply as little contrast as possible. Choose solids for the fabrics rather than patterns or prints.
Cream and Browns
This combo evokes images of coffee and cream, and a cozy atmosphere. This color scheme is very effective with cottons, beaded accents or velvet fabrics. Use cream and other light colors to compensate for dark carpets or linens. Wood furniture will work with this color set.
Purple
Filling the room with plum, lavender, violet and other similar shades will make the room more attractive. Used with silky and velvet fabrics, your bedroom will have a luxurious feel to it. For a low lit style, pick medium shades for the wall. You can also use a monotone pattern.
Peach and Pink
These are attractive colors that add a sense of fun to the bedroom. Unlike red or orange, they don’t have that vividness that can be overpowering sometimes. The walls can be a peach or soft pink.
The comforter can be a pattern with the wall color as the dominant shade. For accent, yellow or light blue lamps may be used. Other small colors may be used on the pillows.
Green and Red
Use a subdued red with mossy green and light browns to give the room a rustic feel. For that classic European look, place old photographs, frames and other antiques in the room.
Deciding what bedroom color scheme to use can be very exciting. Whichever you choose, make sure that the furniture and the trappings match the wall paint. When everything is set up, you can take a step back and admire the results.
Effective Feng Shui bedroom design isn’t just reserved for the expert designers. Here are some suggestions on how to balance your chi and preserve the tranquility in your bedroom.
Lighting
The light from ordinary fluorescent lighting is too harsh. Install dimmers so you can control the intensity. Candles may be used to add ambience and atmosphere. Make sure there is nothing blocking the windows so sunshine and chi can get in. During the evenings however, the curtains should be closed down.
Fresh Air
Adding an air purifier will consistently produce fresh air and prevent staleness. Plants can perform the same function; however Feng Shui principles state that only small plants should be used.
Decors
Always display figurines and collectibles in pairs. A solitary figure is not conducive to good chi. Displaying items in pairs is particularly good for those who are seeking romance. Display artwork, paintings and pictures that bring happy memories and infuse good cheer.
Colors
No aspect of Feng Shui bedroom design will be complete without discussing colors. Light hues like yellow, violet, blue, white and green work best. Light colors make the room seem spacious. Other colors you can use are light red, orange and bits of gray.
Positioning the Bed
The ideal bed position is at a diagonal at the room’s opposite end from the door. Make certain the bed can be reached at either side. Do not position the bed against the wall. This is symbolic of a closed opportunity or relationship.
Don’t put the bed opposite the door. The feet should not be opposite the door either. Beams over the bed are also not recommended. If this cannot be avoided, place a fabric over the beam.
Other Tips
The bedroom should be used for sleeping and resting. Do not let it double as a TV room or study room. If space limitations do not allow it, keep them in another part of the room away from the bed.
Don’t use the space below the bed for storage. Allow air to flow under the bed. This will generate good chi and lead to good sleep. Put the mirrors next to the bed, not opposite it. Soft drapes are also recommended.
One of the things you have to remember with Feng Shui bedroom design is that arched or octagonal windows work best. Also, the lampshades can be placed close to the bed, but make sure the light is subdued.
Here are some of the more popular bedroom painting ideas and colors in use today. The color you will choose depends on your objective. Some hues are meant to convey serenity, while others are more neutral.
Earth Tones
These include browns, tan, fawn, taupe and greenish brown. You can use one shade as the dominant color and the others as complementary colors. Painting bedrooms this way will evoke feelings of the outdoors and nature. It brings about a feeling of tranquility as well.
Greens
Forest greens, sea green and the other soft shades will sooth the mind and body. You can paint exclusively in greens or add a soft blue accent. Deep emeralds can also be used. Greens may also be combined with earth tones.
Blue
This is one of the all time favorites and works well for the traditional bedroom. A good bedroom painting idea is to combine it with bark brown or white. Deep blues will produce a more luxurious effect. Red, pink, green and dashes of gold can be applied as secondary colors.
Pink and Lavender
Pink is no longer just a color for young girls; hot pinks can be used to add a touch of class and sophistication. Used with white and some pastel colors, the result will be a cheery, airy atmosphere.
This can be perfect for small rooms as light colors make the room appear bigger. Lavender is a soothing color that works well with pink and white.
Red
Red is the choice of those who want a romantic bedroom. For the feminine touch, use rose red. If you prefer a more gender neutral look, ruby red with chocolate brown may be used. Adding a touch of gold will produce a more opulent appearance.
Gold
Use vibrant gold so the room will have that lush feeling. Add touches of deep purple or deep blue to complete the effect. The other accessories like pillows, comforters etc. should have touches of gold as well.
Gray
This color is becoming known as the new neutral. Modern designs now use this color to produce a sophisticated look. The drab look may be avoided by pairing gray with warm accent colors. White may also be used with gray.
These bedroom painting ideas are not set in stone of course; you may pick one and make any modifications that are necessary. Don’t forget the furniture color and style should complement the walls.
There are many romantic bedroom ideas you can try, and choosing from the many available can be a challenging task in itself. Here are basic guidelines you may want to consider.
Selecting Colors
Colors can be bright like red, orange, yellow and certain shades of pink and green. Softer colors are pale green, creams, blues and pastels. Some couples prefer the warm colors as they are exciting. Others like the cooler mint colors because they are more soothing. The choice is up to you; what’s important is that you know the color schemes so you can make a choice.
Choosing Accessories
Place items and accessories that matter to you. These may include photographs, music recordings, love letters etc. You can put these in shelves and other containers. However, you need to ensure the room doesn’t get cluttered.
It’s nice to have all those special items, but a cluttered appearance can be distracting. This might also make the room feel tight. Just place enough of those items so it brings back fond memories.
Other accessories you may add are soft throw pillows, scents and potpourri. Consider adding some fluffy comforters; this will entice more cuddling. Some couples prefer comforters with light colored fabrics, while others favor rich textures.
Dressing up the Windows
Avoid using plain plastic blinds because they’ll look out of place. Here are some romantic bedroom ideas for the windows: add a beautiful curtain rod or silk sash. Another good option would be sheer curtains; they look great when the breeze is blowing.
Shutters can be placed on the windows. This will give the room a cottage-like atmosphere. If you will use this, make sure there is some shade so you have some privacy.
Other Tips
Do away with the TV. They are a distraction, and you’ll end up focusing on the TV than each other. If you can’t do without the TV, conceal it in an armoire. You can also add a mirror; this has the effect of making the room appear bigger.
Adding a mirror or two in a small room will create the illusion of more space. Lighting plays an important role; experiment with various kinds of lighting until you find the setting you like.
These romantic bedroom ideas can be implemented just as they are. Or you may opt for something different. You can also use some of these concepts as starting points to try different ideas.
Romantic bedroom colors don’t have to be cheesy as these examples show. The colors mentioned here can be used for the walls, furniture and accessories.
Striking Colors
Dramatic colors can take the form of jewel tones like blue, eggplant and green. The deeper the shade, the more dramatic the color will be. However, take care not to overuse them. The jewel tones look great on furniture pieces, bedding, drapes, wainscoting and chair rails.
It becomes even more romantic if the colors are used for throw pillows and drapes. Other suggestions: combine soft green shades with vivid eggplant or subdued plum shades on sumptuous emerald green. Using greens and blues together will conjure images of forests and meadows. You can also use floral patterns.
Pastel Colors
When deciding on what romantic bedroom colors to use, avoid using all pastels. Instead, you can pair up plum, blue, yellow, green or pink pastels with a jewel tone. This will prevent the area from appearing like a teenage girl’s room.
Another romantic color combination is chocolate brown and a soft peach or pink. Actually, brown is a good match with other pastel colors. Using brown will balance the room and give it a masculine touch.
Neutral Colors
If you don’t want to experiment with colors, you can always stick with more neutral colors. There are many neutral colors like white, beige and tan. However, you should add hues like red, pink or purple.
Colors and Furniture
Whether you use beige, white or other colors, add some romance via the furnishings. For example, add a lampshade with gold and reddish jewel tones. You can also use deep green and deep eggplant colors
for the throw pillows.
You can decorate the room in other ways. You can add a blue toned chair and other furniture with cherry or mahogany colors. Other accessories you can add are candles and floral arrangements. The flowers can match the colors of the room or be more varied.
Tips
Other colors you can use are pink, lavender and light blues. If you want the traditional romantic colors, you can still go for soft pink and red. You can also add touches of white to the setting. The other accessories like the candles and pillows should be color coordinated as well.
Using romantic bedroom colors can be the perfect getaway for couples. By simply adding the right colors, it will be the perfect place to spend quality time with your special someone.
Using Feng Shui bedroom colors won’t just make the room attractive. It will also attract positive energy. Two points have to be remembered first though: don’t put beams over the bed and the bed cannot be directly opposite the door.
Choosing Colors
The colors will depend on the direction the room is facing. The south, east, west and north symbolize different elements, so the colors will differ.
Bedrooms Facing South
A room that is oriented to the south symbolizes summer. The element is fire and the symbol is the phoenix. The dominant colors should be orange, yellow and red. If you can display figurines of the phoenix, all the better.
Bedrooms Facing West
If your bedroom is facing the west, the appropriate color would be white. Other colors that can be used are gold, silver with some metallic sheen. The element is metal, so the room can have plenty of those.
The animal is the white tiger. It is autumn. Other colors may be used, but the overriding Feng Shui bedroom colors have to be white, gold and silver.
Bedrooms Facing East
In Feng Shui, the east is representative of the spring. The favored colors are various shades of blues, browns and greens. You can use any of the shades of those three colors. The room can be divided between the three colors.
Or you may choose one of the three to dominate and the others as complementary. The eastern element is wood and the animal is the dragon. Having some dragon figures and wood furniture is recommended too.
Bedrooms Facing North
The north direction is symbolical of the tortoise and winter. Its colors are charcoal, dark shades of blue and black. The element it is associated with is water. You can use dark blues for the linen, draperies, carpets and curtains.
Other Design Tips
Regardless of the bedroom direction, the room has to be clutter free. There should not be any object blocking the doorway. This is to ensure that good chi is not hindered. Furniture should have rounded corners.
Do not put a mirror opposite of the bed. According to the Chinese, the mirror reflections will rob you off energy when asleep. If there is one, put a cover over it when you sleep.
By using these Feng Shui bedroom colors, good energy will flow more freely in your room. The negative energy will be removed and revitalizing energy will come through unimpeded.
Romantic bedroom designs are always popular, regardless of the era or place. Here are some suggestions you can use without making he room too cloying.
Beautiful Views
If you’re still designing the house, go for large windows where you can gaze at the lovely sunset or wake up to a beautiful sunrise. Doors that open to patios or balconies are also preferred. Waking up to a lovely view out of the patio is something couples will definitely appreciate.
Decorating the Bed
Get a styled headboard with wood or leather coverings. You can also buy custom colored covers for the headboards. Romantic colors don’t always have to be red. If you love traditional bedrooms, the Victorian style look is something you ought to consider.
One of the easiest ways to add a touch of romance is to put a wall curtain over the bed. A canopy for the bed will also evoke images of old fashioned romance.
Curtains and Lace
Many romantic bedroom designs can be attained with curtains. Use transparent curtains on the canopy to make it look even more romantic. White curtains can be applied on the windows. Lace and fringes can be set on the door, chairs or sofa. In other words, lace, beads and fringes can be used in various parts of the bedroom.
Other Accessories
Candlesticks, elegant picture frames, nightstands and mirrors will add grace and beauty to the bedroom. For a more majestic look, hang large paintings or framed photographs on the wall. The paintings should have appropriate subject matters of course.
Scented candles also help produce a relaxing atmosphere and heighten the romantic atmosphere. Lighting of course, plays an important role. Install some dimmers so you can control the lighting intensity. Try different lighting options and see which best suits the situation.
Colors
Red will almost always be there, but it can be mixed with white and dark yellow. Use pastel colors for something more delicate. These colors work well for rooms with lace trimmings. Creams, whites and chocolate browns can be used with jewel tone red.
Flowers and Plants
Red roses are still the most popular, but white roses and other variants are gaining popularity as well. Exotic plants will add a whole new dimension to the room as well.
These romantic bedroom designs will surely keep the fire burning among couples. Aside from the styles mentioned here, you can incorporate other colors and themes.