Room For Decor

A bedroom should hold more than a bed and a messy closet. The day has come.

Fold your clothes and break out the paint—it’s time for some sprucing up. There’s no need to knock down walls and go crazy. A few small changes here and there can make all the difference.

Color Counts

First things first, choose a color theme that suits you. Here’s what the pros use to decipher between swatches.

RED: If you are prone to stress, this is not the color for you. Red, an exciting and stimulating color, is usually associated with passion and vigor.

BLUE : If you like peace and tranquility, go for a blue hue.

PINK: Touted to promote a healthy balance of energy, no wonder we are advised to “think pink.”

YELLOW : You’ll always be in good spirits with this sunny shade. This cheerful tone is used by many to combat stress.

GREEN : Soothing and quiet, green, in shades of sage, moss or grassy, assists in fighting anxiety.

WHITE : Symbolic of clarity and pureness, a new coat of bright white paint will give you that fresh start just when you need it.

ORANGE : In addition to red, orange has similar effects, promoting stress. It can, however, help invigorate you when you’re feeling down.

Be A DIY Diva

Why spend your hard-earned dollars on something you can make yourself? Here are some DIY projects you’ll want to move to the top of your to-do list.

Personalize your space with decorative letters. Hide the letter (usually wood, cardboard or Styrofoam), with faux flowers or other crafty cutouts and spell out words or place initials above

Spray paint, spray paint, spray paint. Buy frames of varying sizes from yard sales or thrift stores and go crazy. Try out a glossy gold or a matte black. Maybe a classic white arrangement? The fun part is choosing pictures from your camera roll to display. Another option is to hang the empty frames sans the glass for an

3. STORE IT. Mason jars and other glass containers are perfect for easy storage. Whether they hold your makeup brushes, art supplies or paper clips, we don’t doubt they’ll be put to good use. These too can be painted to match whatever theme you choose to live with.

4. PAINT IT. Pick some of your favorite wildflowers and use them as paint brushes. Dip the tips in watercolor and use them to stamp a fresh canvas. Once it’s dry, hang it on the wall for a bold statement. Have an empty vase? Grab some sticks from the yard and some river rocks for a great spa look.

One pillow and one pillowcase—a faux pas of extreme proportions. Pile on the pillows. No bedroom is complete without a fluffy bed to snuggle on. And don’t shy away from mixing prints and patterns. Combine florals and geometrics. Whether your style is bohemian or shabby chic, pillows are not optional. A printed bedspread is where it’s at. Say sayonara to those boring solid comforters. A distinctive design by way of duvet, quilt or spread will add some life to a not-happening room.

PRINT IS NOT LIMITED TO BEDDING. If you can’t part with your solid bed covers just yet, pick a decorative rug that you can’t help but admire. A pop of color in the middle of the floor is hard to miss.

Décor On Display

Your personality is your best attribute. Don’t be afraid to show it. What kind of things do you want to wake up to? Put those same things out on display. If you enjoy photography, hang a display shelf with vintage cameras on it. What about black and white prints of the kids or nature? If gardening is your calling, mini succulents are easy and chic enough to disperse around the bedroom in cute pots. Here are some other fun ideas.

› LET THERE BE LIGHT. A wall lamp will free up space on nightstands and dressers. Multi-watt bulbs are ideal to finetune lighting for reading or relaxing. Your area will look less cluttered and offer more space for things you need.

› LIKE BOOKS? As much as we all love sleeping, your bedroom may also double as a hideout to read, write or study. Place a comfy chair in the corner with some blankets or a cute desk where you can store a laptop.

› CLEAN SWEEP. Although it’s easier to wad clothes in balls and slam dunk them into the abyss that’s affectionately known as your closet, it’s nicer to fold them. It’s a small task, but the difference will be huge.

› MAKE A SWITCH. Rearranging furniture is the perfect way to revamp an area. The best part? It’s completely free. Scoot the bed, lift the desk and in no time at all your room will have a whole new look and feel. While you’re at it, choose a piece of furniture to paint an accent color. Chalk paint is the way to go.