How To Turn Your Bedroom Into The Sanctuary You Need Right Now – Forbes

Sherwin Williams' 2017 color of the year Poised Taupe SW 6039 covers the walls of a soothing ... [+] bedroom.

Many of us are going into a third month of lockdown, spending more time than ever getting to know every inch of our homes. Subsequently, were becoming ever more sensitive to how important it is to feel good in them. According to a Harris Poll conducted on behalf of Marvin, 92% of Americans agree that it is important they feel happy in their home right now. Nearly half (46%) plan to do renovations or projects to feel happier about their home in the next three months. The room in which we spend nearly a third of our lives, the bedroom, might be the most impactful place to start. Here are some of the easiest ways to turn your bedroom into a sanctuary.

A soothing, zen-ned out bedroom painted in Sherwin Williams' Mantra palette

Think soothing colors

According to Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin Williams, We spend about a third of our lives in our bedrooms. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, a place you can retreat to after a long day. A warm brown like Poised Taupe SW 6039 envelops you and sets the mood for a satisfying slumber. You can create the ultimate zen bedroom by playing off of the earth tones in this color and add greenery and wood tones. For those that prefer a cooler tone for the bedroom, I really love the color Silvermist SW 7621. The color is a beautiful silvery green and harmonizes well with browns, greenery and wood tones.

The Mantra palette by Sherwin Williams, specifically, seems to be having a moment with its contemporary neutral tones. According to Wadden, Mantra was inspired by the intersection between the East and West, particularly the ongoing desire for Scandinavian simplicity and elegantly efficient Japanese design. This palette features muted neutrals like Grayish SW 6001 and Software SW 7074 that effortlessly glide from warm to cool, embracing simplicity and versatility.

In terms of what to paint where, Wadden shares that, Pure White SW7005 is always a great choice for a ceiling, but if youd like a little bit of color above, Spatial White SW 6259 and Individual White SW 6008 are soft neutrals that, when used on a celling, would make the room seem lighter and airier.

Think symmetry when it comes to relaxing lighting

Harmonious, clutter-free lighting

Lesson one in lighting, according to Lamps Plus design expert John Barnes, is to free up bedside table space. He shares that, Nothing creates stress more than a messy, cluttered bedside nightstand. Free up table space and add zen calm with space-saving, wall-mounted swing-arm lamps. Install one on the wall on each side of the headboard. You free up a tabletop and add adjustable lighting that each bed partner can control as they wish. These designs offer easy DIY installation: just mount on the wall and plug in. Other suggestions include hanging mini chandeliers or swag chandeliers that do not require hard-wiring. Instead, these swag chandeliers hang from hooks that can be screwed into the ceiling and plugged into a wall outlet.

Lesson two, Barnes instructs, is to get symmetrical. You'll get harmony in the bedroom by decorating with pairs of lamps that create a symmetrical, balanced look. There are lamp sets for every style and price range. Buying in a set of two makes life easy. Finally, Barnes recommends, Putting all your lighting on dimmers gives you control over the lighting, helping you to adjust for the time of day and the activity at hand. Use wall dimmers to control ceiling lights. Lamps and wall lights can be used with line cord tabletop dimmers that plug into an outlet.

Ripple-fold drapery adds an element of being surrounded in a comforting cocoon

Minimal, nature-inspired window treatments

When thinking about what window treatments are right for a bedroom the most common goals are room darkening and adding privacy, shares The Shade Store Co-founder Ian Gibbs. The premium window treatments organization has recently launched a virtual service to help customers find how to best achieve these goals and find something that suits personal taste. As far as where to begin, Gibbs shares that, Our window design experts start all conversations in our showrooms and through our video design consultations with the window. There are a lot of things to take into consideration around the window, from the depth of casing to wall space for stacking.

When considering which styles can create the most serene atmosphere for the most sanctuary-like bedroom, Gibbs recommends, A ripple fold drapery from ceiling to floor cocoons a space with a soft, textured layer. In a bedroom, blackout lining allows for complete room darkening for the best sleep with very limited light gaps and this product easily opens and closes. For those with a preference for some natural light to filter through, Our zen-roller is a great option for those who want natural light in their bedroom. It mimics a shoji screen with rice paper-like material and dowels and lets in softly filtered light, while providing privacy.

Adding earthier elements can ground a space and add an element of nature, and for this Gibbs suggests adding a woven wood shade. Its a beautiful style that can be left unlined in natural, open material or you can select a black-out lining to provide the ability to completely darken the room when its time to sleep.

Play with scents you find calming, delivered by candle, diffuser or hourglass

Consider a soothing scent

Some of us swear by a signature home scent to strike the right mood. What better source to ask about curating the perfect zen-inspiring bedroom scent than luxury darling Diptyque Paris? The brands director of marketing Eduardo Valadez recommends considering diffusers or room sprays in addition to candles. He shares that scent can add a, decorative touch to any room. For the bedroom, the scent you choose can help create a restful and relaxing environment. Feuille de Lavande (lavender leaf), jasmine (jasmin), Vanille (vanilla), Santal (sandalwood), Roses, Geranium Rosa (rose geranium) can help promote relaxation. Ultimately the scent choice is very personal, so any scent that makes you feel good can add calm to any space.

Valadez also recommends the scent-sensitive among us try, an alternative scent diffusion product other than a candle, such as our Hourglass diffuser, which provides a more intimate scent, simply flip to diffuse the scent. You can also choose a spritz or two of room spray, which gives you a burst of scent and slowly dissipates. Both options are subtle and not overpowering.

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How To Turn Your Bedroom Into The Sanctuary You Need Right Now - Forbes