It must be a practical place to cater to all those inevitable short bursts of activity, from getting dressed or exercising before work to sorting the laundry or post-bath pampering.  Above all, it is a room that must deliver ultimate peace and comfort, so that a good night's rest is assured. An ideal bedroom should relax, soothe, and reinvigorate its occupant.

This week we talk about a traditional house that was designed with simple and minimalist bedrooms. For users of rooms such as this, it is always advisable to de-clutter and create more free spaces before redoing the room. Effective ways to increase space include giving away old clothes, storing suitcases in an attic if you have one or overhead storage compartments, repatriating some books to the living room and so on. In keeping with the minimalist theme of the house, we redesigned the bedroom to be sparsely furnished with a bed, bedside tables, two chairs and a wardrobe for clothes. 

Colour dramatically affects the mood of a room, but address it only after space planning. Think of it as an overall statement - encompassing walls, flooring, curtains and bedding. Aim for a bedroom suffused with just one shade, or several gently overlapping tones, rather than for a cleverly decorated room with well-defined areas of colour.

The owner of this house chose light blue for her bedroom. Blue has a quiet, peaceful spirit, a thoughtful and dignified quality that is invaluable in a noisy, busy world. The curtains, bedcovers and cushions in this room were selected in varying shades of blue, for example, darker shades of blue complemented by white sheers, along with bed covers and matching cushion covers.

To finish your bedroom's design, apply the same principles you use when dressing. Any accessory should increase the oomph factor without overpowering the look. Using your accessories and favourite finds to bring in your personality will make the space even more meaningful.

Once you establish the look you want to create, consider the complementary accents that draw you in. Glass jars filled with shells evoke simplicity and calm. A colourful stack of quality note cards in a box is both elegant and playful. True collectors treat their possessions with high esteem and are on the lookout in shops, at flea markets, and at online auctions for treasures to add to their lair. Place the taller pieces in the back and winnow down to smaller collectibles. Fewer items thoughtfully displayed are more calming to the eye than a mishmash of items competing for a limited display area. 

Small rugs are low-maintenance and can warm up a space or add just the right amount of colour or patterns to pull together a theme. Mirrors are a common design feature that add an instant luxurious touch, giving depth to a room. 

A room should be a place to adorn. Art is what makes a room distinctive. When hanging artwork, do not place it higher than five to eight inches above a bed's headboard. Group pictures so they all form a clean grid, even if the frames differ in size. Two small square pictures can be stacked beside a long vertical one to create an even look. Emphasise each item's colour and pattern so the whole collection can contribute to your room's overall theme.

NAZNEEN HAQUE MIMI
Interior Consultant
JOURNEYMAN
E-mail: journeyman.interiors@gmail.com
Photo Credit: Shahrear Kabir Heemel
Special Thanks: Monami Haque