Colour - A Bedroom’s Best Friend

So your bedroom’s seen better days, the carpet’s looking threadbare, the curtains faded and the walls could definitely do with a lick of paint. But the $64,000 question is where do you start?

Surprisingly the answer lies not in your bedroom but with you!

Simply ask yourself the question ‘Is this bedroom for me, or, is it for a prospective buyer, as I’m selling the house in the near future?’

You see, even though the basics of the bedroom can be the same, the overall effect will probably be totally different.

Which Colour?

O.K. So let’s look at the basic foundation of any redecoration (and the most important decision of all) Colour.

Now it’s a well-known psychological fact that certain colours have different effects on the human mind. Vibrant colours, like reds and oranges excite. While cooler colours such as blues and greens tend to soothe. So the conventional wisdom would seem to point to a more neutrally coloured bedroom.

Yes I know you’ve set your heart on dramatic red walls with a ‘Hawaiian Sunset’ orange ceiling. But believe me, if you want a bedroom to relax in, that washes away the cares of the day then look towards more subtle mellowing tones. (In other words stick with the pastel greens and blues you’ll feel better for it)

Carpet and Curtains!

Next up, choose a light coloured carpet, one that doesn’t show the foot traffic around the bed, but also generates a feeling of space within the room. And in then same vane of mind, don’t choose busy patterned curtains, they can drive you insane when you’re lying awake in bed.

Personalisation

This really is where the main difference in a bedroom lies. If you’re sleeping in your bedroom then personalisation is all-important. Photos, mementos, things that make the bedroom personal to you, will engender a feeling of relaxation and security. And try and get rid of any excess electrical clutter like computers and mobile phones, as they tend to make your area of relaxation feel more like a work zone.

Conversely if you’ve decorated your bedroom because you’re going to sell the house, keep the bedroom as clutter free as possible. That even means putting your collection of antique teddy bears (that everybody’s got to love!) in a cupboard or storage. Remember when a prospective buyer sees your home they want to imagine it’s theirs. So let them see a blank canvas they where they can imagine their precious porcelain cats smiling at them first thing in the morning.

In short if you’re redecorating your bedroom, think light colours, make it an area of relaxation and wherever possible reduce the clutter. (Not only does it look good, it also saves on the dusting.)