Bedding is Fashion for the Bed

Ladies, we spend a lot of time in the morning getting ready for the day. We take showers, put on makeup, blow dry our hair and put on just the right outfit we feel good in. Then we top it off with the hot colors of accessories from sunglasses to sandals - the details of what we wear matters in how we look and feel. Maybe it shouldn't be that way, but it is. You can think of your bedding as fashion for the bedroom because you dress your bed just as clothing and accessories dress your body. The little details we put in our bedrooms such as vintage rag rugs, beaded lampshades, hand crocheted pillowcases or satin sheets will make all the difference of how we feel as we spend time in our bedrooms.

A bedroom is a place to feel safe, comfortable and cocooned as we sleep at night. I like the bedroom to be an expression of who I am as well as that of my husband. I don't want it to be all cabbage rose, salmon pink and lace because that doesn't make my husband feel too comfortable. He isn't exactly the cabbage rose type. However, it also doesn't have to be golfing, fishing and rustic log furniture either. We can compromise on a majestic leaf pattern with just a small floral touch. I use deeper colors of blue and green mixed with a sophisticated plaid and stripe for the bed linen. I love to mix all the patterns together and it turns out great. If you have never done that before you might find it a little tricky, but you will be okay if you stick to the same hue in the same color families. We live in the north woods so our colors are stronger, rustic and outdoors. There is a nice blend and flow throughout the home. Doesn't it make sense to begin with colors inside that reflect the great outdoors, striking a balance between the two? I am surrounded by pine trees and a beautiful lake. I feel serene and happy when I take those same colors and make a beautiful room to spend my private time.

Take a cue from the great outdoors If you are confused about where to begin when it comes to decorating the bedroom or other parts of the house, take a cue from the outdoors. Stand at one of the windows from inside a room and look out. What do you see happening in your backyard? Do you have a blue swimming pool or is your garden filled with yellow marigolds? Does your lawn look like green velvet or do you have earthy shades from rocks and stone? Do you love the cold strength of black wrought iron patio furniture or do you prefer bold awning stripes? You can begin to get the idea of how the inside can reflect the outdoors or vise versa.

You want your whole family to feel as comfortable in their bedrooms as you do. If you pay attention to details of bed linens, color, furnishings and small personal touches for your kid's rooms, they will feel like they are special, and they may even clean the room a little more often. For example, your baby's bedding could look cute and cuddly, the colors and patterns for kids can be bright, fun and whimsical. It doesn't matter what size of mattress you or your kids have, the mattresses must all afford comfort. The goal of every bedroom is to have linens that are beautiful, easy to take care of, and mattresses that are comfortable to sleep on. If the room is dressed right, you will feel good while you are in it. You might consider just adding a duvet cover for a quick change over the tired comforter. I have taken old fitted sheets that were worn and placed them on the windows for an instant dramatic valance. Be creative when it comes to your personal style and get the kids involved. You don't have to be extremely crafty to just get some fabric paint and let them design their own sheets. Isn't it kind of boring to always buy what is shown to you in catalogs or retail stores? Place a table you had in the living room at your bedside and put a family quilt on it. Use solid velvet throw pillows that you haven't had out in a while and add a few baubles to them or stitch a lace handkerchief to the top.

Take what you already own and just put it somewhere else in a new way. Divide all of your little collectibles into piles by color. Never prejudge something that you think is strictly for the kitchen, or just for a bathroom. If you look at the small knickknacks with fresh eyes you might be surprised at how warm a room can be just by using the play of color. I love using things in an unexpected way. Don't limit these ideas to the bedroom. Your whole house can be spruced up with a quick change by just moving around the pieces you already own. Another trick is to keep the small items all together in one spot. Don't try to spread the small things out to cover space. You will make much more of a statement if you keep them together because there is strength in numbers.

Know your priorities before you buy

Do you prefer your bedding to be 450 thread count Egyptian cotton, or an easy no fuss fiber blend? Do the mattresses need to have a thick 100% cotton mattress pad? Are you looking for the most high tech mattress on the market? Do you want the baby's bedding to be the softest available or is the cute factor more important? Do you want to be surrounded by fancy luxury or casual chic? Have a good idea of what you are looking for before you start making buying decisions. You are dressing your bedrooms in fashion just as you would your body. Don't be afraid to experiment a little, and use the things you already own for a fresh look.

Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer Aromatherapist and Feng Shui consultant offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying bedding, mattresses, and baby bedding. Her many articles can be found at http://www.bedding-4u.com. She gives information and tips at http://www.bedding-4u.com/Duvet%20Covers.htm to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

---

Remodel Your Kitchen or Bathroom For The Best ROI!

Trying to decide which home improvement project to tackle next?... Read More

Shopping For Carpet

The allure of carpet lays not only its soft and... Read More

Home Inspection: A Doctor Visit for Your Home

Has your house had a check up yet?Home inspection is... Read More

How to Use Do-It-Yourself Toxic Mold Test Kits

VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many homeowners, landlords, renters, property managers, business owners,... Read More

Physiological Response to Window Coverings

Nothing soothes the brain like Mother Nature, whose intrinsic scenery... Read More

Used But Not Used Up

Some DIY Maintence will put Used tools back in Main... Read More

Bamboo Flooring Is Taking The Design World By Storm

Are you looking for something different for your house? Maybe... Read More

Bring Out the Comforters for Back to School

If the weather is turning chilly it must time for... Read More

Protecting Yourself from Miter Saw Hazards

A miter saw, also known as a "chop saw," is... Read More

Home Improvement Projects That Really Pay Off

Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous... Read More

Get Your Home Ready To Sell

Have you been considering selling your home in the near... Read More

Quick and Dirty Guide to Wood Flooring

If you've always longed for hardwood floors, you're in good... Read More

The Great American Dream

Are you ready to starting building your dream home. House... Read More

New Trends in Design & Comfortable Living

For the past several years I have seen the emergence... Read More

Choosing a Home Builder

So you've decided to build a new home. Like many... Read More

What Are Light Fixtures Used For?

Light fixtures are something not many of us think about.... Read More

Five Easy Ways to Give Your Kitchen Designer Wow!

A beautiful kitchen is the heart of any home (even... Read More

An Affordable Shortcut To Designing Your Dream Home

You have likely been making mental notes for years. Every... Read More

Building or Decorating Your Home Requires House Plans

There are some things to consider when creating plans for... Read More

Heres What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You

Jacuzzi's are a great recreational and health benefit for a... Read More

Clearing the Air on What to Look for in an Air Purifier

If you are dedicated to improving the indoor air quality... Read More

Successful Motor Protection Formulae

As we have discussed before, all overload relays have one... Read More

Replacing Aluminum Frame Single Pane Windows

In our past articles I talked about all the steps... Read More

At Last You Can Customize Your Pegboard As Much As You Want

Customizable metal pegboard is set to revolutionise utensil storage. For... Read More

Feng Shui Your Home, Work and Life For Balance and Harmony

Feng Shui describes the communication that takes place every day... Read More

Building a Home Addition

Besides providing your home with more living space, a home... Read More

How To Replace The Rollers On Your Patio Door

Have you noticed your patio door is getting harder and... Read More

Keeping Your Home Spa Clean

Purchasing a home spa is a great expense; which can... Read More

Home Automation Enhances Your Lifestyle and Saves Money - Exciting Home Automation Applications

Wouldn't it be nice to have your home take care... Read More

Buyers Guide To Heavy-Built Mailboxes

If you are tired of replacing your mailbox every few... Read More

Remodeling Your Kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best investments a... Read More

Removing Your Old Sliding Glass Door

Last week I explained how to measure your existing sliding... Read More

Choosing the Right House Plan

Now that you have made that bold decision to build... Read More