bedroom Archives - Page 18 of 20

How to measure for the right bedroom furniture

Louis de Poortere Atlantic Ocean Waves Rug

The bedroom is an important room – it is the place where you end the day, falling into a restful sleep and the place where you rise and shine, refreshed and ready to face another day.

What is not a great end or start to your day is stubbing your toe as you trip over things to try and reach the bed.

And this is why you need to measure the bedroom and choose bedroom sets, bed and décor that suit the dimension of the room.

The Bed

Clearly, being a bedroom, the main item of furniture should be the bed. From single to bunk beds, double beds to super king size, the bed should be the focal point of the room.

You can give the illusion of space by playing with colour, choosing bedroom furniture that compliments the space.

A low bed is great for any bedroom but the lower level of the bed gives the illusion of swallowing more floor space.

But as soon as items of bedroom furniture have notable gaps between the underside and the floor, it can help to give more illusion of space in the room. Higher beds can also be made to look sumptuous too, with oversized duvets and plump pillows.

How else can you arrange furniture in the bedroom for maximum space?

Storage is clearly a priority in the bedroom too and we have some great ideas;

With a higher bed, use under-the-bed storage drawers for a neat look and ample storage
A wooden blanket box is also ideal and if you have the space, place it at the end of the bed – this is ideal for framing the bed as well as being easily accessible. Choose a simpler design so that the overall style is not too cluttered, such as the Savannah blanket box.
Chests of drawers provide valuable storage space in terms of drawers but also a surface for essential items and accessories. Taller drawer sets can swamp a smaller room and too broad and they will take up too much floor space. Look for a bedroom chest of drawers that has a smaller footprint and in term of height, always make it is in keeping with the rest of the room. Whilst a small chest of drawers can seem like the logical alternative, ‘small’ furniture can completely throw out the dimensions of a room.
Bedside tables are also essential and can be useful not only in terms of practical storage but also in framing the bed. Choose bedside tables that are slightly lower or the same height as your bed – too tall and they will make the bed seem smaller than it is. Again, keep the design of the bedside table simple yet stylish and light.

Other bedroom ideas for increasing the sense of space is to choose bedroom décor that is light and reflective.

Also helpful is the correct bedroom rug placement. Again, use a rug to frame the room or an item of furniture. A large rug under the bed that leaves a collar of rug around the bed is great for opening up the floor. Or use smaller rugs on each side of the bed.

Your bedroom may not have acres of space, but it will certainly feel spacious, yet restful with these great ideas.

The small bedroom and how to decorate it

The smaller bedroom always presents a conundrum when it comes to decorating – do you opt for the cosy feel with reclaimed furniture or try to expand its walls and space with clever tricks on the eye?

What complicates the situation is when the small bedroom is occupied by a young person. Complete with a raft of GCSEs under their belt, they ‘lodge’ at home as they complete A Levels or an apprenticeship. They may still be ‘lodging’ at home whilst completing their degree too.

Thus, decorating the small bedroom is not just about a pot of beige paint, but about injecting character, warmth, style and texture that the ‘student lodger’ will love for years to come.

Here are top tips to decorate and style the small bedroom into a fitting place for the maturing student…

Nest of Tables

Ring the changes (and introduce a note of stylish functionality) with a nest of tables instead of a bedside table. It may be an item you associate with the 1970s lounge, but for the modern student, extra surfaces are ideal when you have phones, tablets and laptops to charge.

Console Table

We are tempted in a smaller room to add ‘smaller’ furniture. This can have the opposite effect to what we want and so rather than considering the dimensions of the piece, look at its footprint.

Even though a wooden side table may be small, it may not be the ideal fit next to the bed and if the nest of tables doesn’t add the storage you want, consider the humble console table instead.

Available in single or double drawer style they are a stylish and ‘grown-up’ piece of any bedroom. (Better still, a console table doesn’t subscribe to being a piece of either a boy’s or girls’ bedroom furniture!)

Customise the headboard

In a small bedroom, adding details can be difficult as there is a fine line between detail and clutter. But anything that adds light and sparkle is welcome. A simple trick is to customise the headboard with fairy lights, of which there is now an amazing range.

Why not artistically drape fairy lights around the frame of a reclaimed wood mirror?

Storage solutions

Clearly, a smaller bedroom may not have the space for a gargantuan reclaimed wood wardrobe and so you need to be creative about storage solutions. Adding too much ‘stuff’ on top of wardrobes and over the bed can shorten the room, making it look and feel smaller.

Instead, opt for custom made under the bed storage drawers. Made to contrast and complement the rest of the bedroom, they are ideal for storing all kinds of bits and bobs, clothes included.

Substitute the bedside table for a small chest of drawers if you want to combine ample storage with surface space too.

The Remainder of the Room…

Ditch the clutter of a sidelight with a dimmable central pendant light that also acts the wow factor in the room
This reclaimed wood wardrobe with its small footprint is ideal as it won’t dominate the room but place it where it can be easily accessed (no excuse not to put clean clothes away…)
And don’t forget that the working space needs to be in good light so that when they are studying, they are not doing so in shadow.

How will you decorate your small bedroom to give the illusion of space?

Easily get your farmhouse inspired bedroom

You don’t have to live on a farm or in a rural location to enjoy the whimsical romance on the farmhouse inspired bedroom.

By using key elements of this popular interior design style, you too can enjoy a stunning farmhouse bedroom…

Mix the old and the new…

The farmhouse bedroom is an informal, relaxed space but make sure you retain a few nods to the traditions of yesteryear. The easiest way of doing this is to mix the old with the new.

One of the easiest and fool proof ways of achieving this is with reclaimed wood furniture. Each grain, dip and pattern tell a story, perfect for injecting uniqueness and a slightly modern edgy without ditching the past completely.

Our Tip

Make the bed the key feature. Don’t be frightened of it ‘imposing’ on the room as in essence, the bed was the main character of the play that is the farmhouse styled bedroom. This reclaimed wood high framed bed is ideal. Or, if you prefer the painted look, consider the Marlow grey painted bed.

The Blanket Box

As well as the wardrobe and the chest of drawers, along with the quaint side tables, there was another piece of farmhouse furniture that was essential ‘back in the day’.

The bedroom fire heated the room in the hours before bed but with the prospect of a cold night, once the fire had gone out, the wooden blanket box was the place where extra blankets and feather-filled eiderdowns were kept.

You may not have masses of either but the wooden blanket box is practical and functional, but ideal for adding a nod to tradition.

Our Tip

This mix of painted and reclaimed wood is ideal and a white blanket box is a great nod to the farmhouse style. Complete the look with matching bedside tables.

Pastel Colours

The farmhouse style is not devoid of colour but think lighter pastel shades. Stick with white and mix with pretty, flowered linens or opt for buttery yellow or a warm beige. Darker colours were rarely used on the walls as farmhouse bedroom furniture would often be dark wood, and lighter colours help to lift the room.

Steer clear of stripes and geometric patterns, and stick with florals although you can be as modern in your choice as you like.

Our Tip

Not keen on dark furniture? You are in luck because white bedroom furniture is ideal for the farmhouse bedroom look. White when teamed with exposed or reclaimed wood stops white furniture looking too ‘young’, modern and misplaced in a farmhouse bedroom.

Natural Materials

Although there are some examples of metal being used in a farmhouse styled bedroom, the overriding material was wood. But if you find this too much, opt for other natural materials such as rattan.

This wicker storage basket, complete with upholstered seat is ideal to act as both storage and a window seat.

Now you have the basics of your farmhouse bedroom, you can create your own perfect romantic, boudoir haven!

How to keep your bedroom tidy if you are lazy

Let’s be honest, at the end of a busy day, the last thing you feel like doing is putting clothes away or finding storage space for all the little things. But on the other hand, you crave a minimal, clutter-free bedroom that you can sink into.

With National Lazy Day on August 10^th, we thought we would look at some great ideas for the bedroom, with heaps of easy and accessible storage solutions both for modern bedroom furniture and older styles that make keeping your bedroom tidy a quick and easy task.

Kitting out Your Bedroom

The singular, most important aspect of keeping any room tidy and clutter-free – especially the bedroom – is to kit it out with all the right furniture.

We think you should take a look at the Scandinavian style as this has long been known how for dressing a room with more than enough storage, without swamping the space with furniture.

There is also the appeal of the rustic look, the harmony of natural materials in a not-too-polished state. It is calm and simple, with fantastic solutions for the bedroom.

With these two popular interior design styles in mind, we have created the simple guide to keeping your bedroom tidy and clutter-free without breaking a sweat or spending hours doing it.

Out of Sight Storage

One of the simplest and easiest ways of hiding away a load of clutter until you have time to sort through it and pop it back in its place is the ‘trunk’.

And thankfully, with both the Scandinavian and rustic styles, there are fantastic solutions:

Under the bed – flinging stuff under the bed is a favourite ‘hideaway’ for things that we not quite sure what to do with. However, with an under the bed storage drawer you don’t need to fling things other, never to be seen again. With two lovely round knobs, sliding the drawer in and out from underneath the bed is super easy and so there is no excuse for not putting things away.
Storage stool – the Scandinavian style mixes natural materials, such as smooth, light woods with leather and wool fabrics. And this is why, if you have a light, modern and airy bedroom, this leather footstool is the ideal solution for quick storage solution when time and effort is lacking.
Bed side tables (with a difference) – As well as keeping it at the foot of the bed, why not consider blanket chest type storage for next to the bed? Makes a great alternative to a bedside table and great for hiding books away too.

Plenty of storage space

We sometimes underestimate the amount of storage space we need in the bedroom and so when it comes to planning bedroom furniture, take a look at small, medium and tall chest of drawers, a bit like this painted bedroom furniture. Create cohesion with matching pieces such as an oak wardrobe with matching oak chest of drawers and the like.

Quick fix

Clearly, replacing bedroom furniture may be a leap too far in relation to your budget and so a quick fix – like the under-bed drawers and a blanket chest – is ideal. Another quick fix is wooden shelving, a great addition to any bedroom but works well with both the rustic and Scandinavian interior design styles.

The key to all storage solutions is easy access, so no matter what you choose for the bedroom, making sure it is super-easy to use – like pulling a drawer open…

How to decorate a grand bedroom

savannah reclaimed wood bedroom furniture

Do you look on with envy at the grand looking master bedrooms of others featured in magazines and on websites? Do you wish that your bedroom, supposedly a place of retreat and tranquility, could look a little more adult, stylish and a lot less ‘young’ or ‘mish mashed’?

We tend to leave the decorating and styling of the master bedroom until the rest of the home is done. But no longer. Now is the time to get the grand look to your bedroom – and we show you how!

Decide on Your Style

‘Grand’ is a generic term that could apply to a range styles from the minimalist to the modern, to the traditional.

When you think grand, what is it that you think of? Whatever style you opt for, think big, think luxury, think bold statements, think calm colours. Everything should be chosen with care and placed with care too.

Now you have decided on the style of your grand bedroom, let’s start putting the look together.

Colour

Of all the grand bedrooms you see, there is a commonality when it comes to colour. They all use neutral tones for a fantastic, luxurious backdrop.

Wave goodbye to heavily patterned papers and welcome understated patterns, or better still, matte, painted walls. Keep the ceiling white too.

Flooring

Opt for neutral flooring too and whether you choose hard or carpeted flooring, choose the very best your budget will stretch too. Once you have the major items of furniture in place, you could consider adding a wool rug to add texture to the floor and warmth with a sheepskin rug.

The bed

The most important item of furniture is the statement that the bed makes. This is down to not only the colours, patterns and quality of the bed linen but the bed frame itself. Some people prefer no frame on show and so it looks like the mattress and base are floating in the space.

If you want a frame on show – it can help define the space – then you have plenty of choices. We love a rustic bed, the frame made from solid wood that works well against cool, neutral colours.

The bedroom furniture

Now you need to dress the rest of the space, opting for furniture that offer function as well as style. The Winchester Collection is ideal. Items are available in the darker wood to add drama to a space or keep the feeling lighter with the lighter wood.

Either way, you will need a bedroom chest of drawers, a pair of bed side tables and a mirror to add wall feature, as well as help to bounce light around.

If you need additional storage space, a wooden blanket box, one of the many reclaimed furniture items we source to bring only the best for our customers.

You could add a sense of the quirky too, without compromising on the grand appearance with a reclaimed wood dressing table.

Adding detail

Now add the detail without cluttering the space. How about, for example, an armchair to dress the room, like this neutral grey, button-backed chair with exquisite stud work? Or bedside table lamps that illuminate the tranquil space with a soft glow, like the elegant Martino table lamp?

A grand bedroom means neutral but warm walls and floor. Elegant pieces that frame the bed, with carefully chosen accessories that bring the final look together. How will you style yours?

Give your bedroom a new look with these bedside lamps

It’s amazing how changing a small but important accessory in a room can give it a completely different feel. And this is no truer than in the bedroom.

The bedside lamps are important in a bedroom – they provide an extra layer of light, adding softness and warmth to a space too. But because they are ‘not on show’ to guests, we perhaps tend to ‘settle’ for the ordinary.

Banish mediocre bedside lamps to the recycling bin and opt for these stylish lamps instead.

Add texture in neutral tones

If your bedroom is a haven of peace and tranquillity, you won’t want to be introducing a bold light with a bold colour. But, adding texture is a great way of adding detail to a room. Stick with neutral shades but consider the finish and final look.

The Miranese table lamp is the ideal choice with a great shape and texture to its base, as does the raindrop table lamp.

Hang low

We often think of table lamps as being exactly that – table lamps that can sit on bedside tables. But if you want to save table top space, using a hanging pendant light is the ideal solution. Keep the wattage of the bulb low so that it casts a soft glow.

Enjoy the industrial pendant hanging light hanging low next to the bed or the Arlington pendant light casts a gorgeous golden-copper tone. Works especially well with a modern look to the bedroom, including the clean lines of modern furniture.

Less is more

You want a de-cluttered space in which to end a busy day and start the next feeling refreshed and invigorated. But this can sometimes leave us feeling that the room is a little stark.

Adding a table lamp is ideal but with such a minimal backdrop, it is hard to introduce shape and form without it dominating the feel of contemporary furniture and detracting from the contemporary bed too.

When less is more, turn to the coolness of metal and barely-there designs such as the Kingsport table lamp. For a superb minimal look, opt for a floor lamp with the sleek design similar to that offered by the Rainbow Vallen range.

Metallic heaven!

Following on from using metals, there is a growing trend for not only metallic bases to lamps but metallic shades too. Reminiscent of Moroccan design and shapes, adding a metallic table lamp complements modern bedroom furniture perfectly.

The tear drop shape of this table lamp, for example, is ideal for any bedroom style.

Function

There are times when you need function and adjustability in a table lamp, especially welcomed by those of us who enjoy a good book far too late into the night!

The Wire Weave Fairy Light has an appeal all of its own, and we think works well where white bedroom furniture shows it off.

Warmth of wood

If you prefer a traditional style and want the warmth that wood offers, the Mollo Table Lamp is the ideal choice. It suits reclaimed furniture but looks great with any backdrop.

Which of these table lamps will add a fresh appeal to your bedroom?

How to position a rug in the bedroom

Louis de Poortere Atlantic Ocean Blue Waves Rug

A rug is a great way to bring any room to life. This is especially true in a room which should feel homely and welcoming, like your living room or bedroom.

In a room with wooden floors and reclaimed furniture, a rug will create a feeling of warmth and break up the wood. But not only that, a rug will add a touch of colour and personality to a neutral space or beautifully tie together a colour scheme.

Determine the Size

The first thing to think about when purchasing a rug is the size. This generally comes down to personal preference and balance. If you have a very large bedroom, a small rug may be swallowed up and loose its impact.

In smaller bedrooms, don’t assume you need an equally small rug – the choice is yours. You could either go for a smaller rug, which may be better if you are going for something very bright, or alternatively, when choosing a larger rug, try and find one which will work at the centre of the room.

For the best look, try and follow a few general rules with regards to positioning. In any room, a rug shouldn’t be touching the walls. Try and leave at least 5 inches around the edge of the rug, more if your room is larger. You may want to find a rug which just about the edge of the furniture around the walls of your room for an easy guide. Just be careful to ensure it either sits underneath or just short of – you don’t want it pushed up against the furniture!

And what about positioning around the bed?

There are several different options, depending on the size of your room.

If you want a large rug, for the best look, either ensure the bed (and the bedside tables) sit entirely on the rug, or, the lower two-thirds of the bed sits on the rug and the bedside tables and the top part of your bed are on the bare floor. This will create a more balanced look.

Alternatively, if you have beautiful wooden floors you wish to showcase, you could put a smaller rug beside your bed to sink your toes in on cold mornings. Put a rug on both sides if you share with a partner, you have a large bedrooms or you want symmetry.

You could even put a rug at the foot of the bed. This works particularly well if you have a blanket chest and a large chest of drawers opposite each other as it breaks up what may otherwise be a fairly plain space.

Next comes style

If the bedding and furniture in your bedroom is upholstered in a solid colour, a gorgeous pattern would work well. But then again, don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and create a wonderfully unique finish.

Wool rugs add a feeling of luxury and warmth to any space. The understated, sumptuous design of the Grey Twist New Zealand Wood Rug will look beautiful in any bedroom to give a genuine Scandinavian ambiance. Not only this, if you have gone for a slightly more intricate design when it comes to furniture, such as the blanket chest featured above, the simple styling of this rug will work wonders to create a luxurious space.

Alternatively, the Louis De Poortere Mad Men Soho Copper Rug will really make a statement. The flecks of copper will bring nothing but delight and would work beautifully in a neutral colour scheme with some warmth to them.

If you have a fairly clean, contemporary look to your bedroom, modern rugs with vibrant patterns are sure to look fantastic. Modern style is all about adding personality to your space.

White-on-white has been a popular style choice in homes for many years. In a bedroom, this looks great to provide the ultimate tranquil space to relax in. However, a rug is the perfect opportunity to add a pop of colour and really make a statement if you want to add something with more personality or if the all-white look is a little too clinical for your tastes. Go for a bright colour or pattern for the best effect like the Louis De Poortere Atlantic Ocean Blue Waves Rug.

Alternatively, the Louis De Poortere Fading World Rug in Beige Sky is perfect for a more neutral look if you have colour in your bedding or want to make a statement elsewhere. Mix in metal elements for a stylish blend of contemporary, industrial and elegant vintage design.

To find the perfect rug for your home browse the Louis de Poortere collection or get in touch with one of our team members for any enquiries.

Ways to boost your self-confidence with a mirror

Yoko Ono said “smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life”.

A mirror has so much more potential than a decor piece hung above reclaimed wood furniture for getting ready and doing the final check of your appearance before you rush out the front door. Use your mirror to your benefit to build self-confidence, become more positive and take full advantage of everything life throws at you.

So, what is the ‘mirror technique’?

It is all about starting to believe in yourself, and your potential. Stand in front the biggest mirror in your house and let the weight of your body be evenly divided. A free standing mirror is a great idea if you have the room for it, as they are often full length, which allows you to see all of yourself, and get the most out of the exercise.

Straighten your back, take a deep breath with your chest and put a light smile on your face. Then, talk to your reflection with positive affirmations like “I can” or “I believe in myself”, or add what you love about yourself and achievements so far, and continue to do so for 5 to 10 minutes. Think about the things you want to achieve and focus on only generating positive statements and thoughts. Try to do this everyday, in the morning if you can, so you start your day with confidence and energy.

Other ways to use your mirror to your advantage.

Write a mirror message on your mirror; use lipstick or a post-it note to write an inspirational quote that you will see when you look in the mirror. When you are getting dressed, or doing your hair, repeat the encouraging words to yourself. Change the mirror message everyday few days, or even every week for some new inspiration.

Improve your body language. When we are not confident, our body language shows it. However, to change that, sometimes it is as easy as looking in the mirror. Sit or stand in front of the mirror and look at how you naturally stand – are you standing up straight? Do you cross your arms? Where are your hands? Examine your body language and see if there is any small changes you can make to come across in a more positive light.

Look in the mirror with a friend or as a couple and hear what they have to say. Often, we would probably be surprised, and it may challenge you to think differently, and more positively, about ourselves. Share what you both see when you look in the mirror and then tell each other what you see in each other.

And finally, what about the best placement of your mirror?

If you have a full-length mirror, the most sensible spot is probably in your bedroom. But if you have the space, they can also look stunning in your living room or hallway.

The one thing to bear in mind is to try and find a quiet spot in your home where you won’t be disturbed. A reclaimed wood mirror over a rustic console table in your hallway may look beautiful, but if you have other family members going to work, or kids running out the door to school, having it here may not be particularly practical.

For more inspiration browse our mirrors collection or if you have any questions get in touch with one of our team members.

How to prepare your home for a worry free holiday

The anticipation of your summer holiday is a fantastic feeling. The moment you leave work knowing you are waving goodbye to your desk for a week or two is often one of elation – no matter how much you may enjoy your job.

You have a great few weeks but your return from holiday is a return to reality. In most cases, it comes with an all mighty crash with 101 things to get done between the time you arrive back home and the time you need to be back at your desk.

Knowing you are returning to hard work can cause a dark cloud to hover over the holiday. But we have the solutions to not only a worry-free holiday but to you gliding back into your routine so that the relaxing effect of your holiday lasts for weeks to come yet.

Keys to a Worry Free Holiday

1) Preparation

Preparing your home for an extended vacation, or any holiday can feel like a military-styled operation to get everything ready. But we tend to make this all about clothes shopping and bag-packing.

Although they are obviously essential holiday-planning activities, there are other preparation activities that will serve you well when preparing your home for holidays;

Top tip – if nothing else, empty ALL the bin in your home so that unpleasant smells are eliminated.

In the bedroom – if you get a chance, changing your bed so that you clean sheets await your return is the ideal first night home from your holiday. The smell of clean bed linen also helps to keep the modern bedroom smelling pleasant.
In the dining room – this is the room where items for holiday tend to gather in the weeks and days leading up to a vacation – especially on dining room table sets. Once you have everything packed, make sure the dining room is clean and clear, so that the first meal at home is an effortless affair. Wipe down dining rooms sets and wipe over dining room furniture such as dining room display cabinets to create a pleasant space for your return.
In the kitchen – the kitchen will harbour all kinds of nasty smells if food is left out, uncovered etc. Donate perishable food to food banks or ask your neighbours if they can make use of it. Wipe around the fridge and don’t leave any food out. Even fruit in a bowl on the countertop or other kitchen furniture, such as your chic white display cabinet, will soon attract fruit flies, even with doors and windows shut.
In the lounge – the space where everyone relaxes, you want this to be a haven on your return. Plump the cushions, wipe down the leather sofa with wipes and make sure that all your carpeting, hard floor, wool rugs etc, are well vacuumed before you leave.

Top tip – let a trusted neighbour know you are away and ask them to keep an eye on your property. Make sure they have emergency numbers to contact you if necessary.

On your return

The whole point of any holiday, from a fortnight in the sun to a weekend away is to break the monotony of routine and refresh mind, body and soul. Plunging straight back into routine means you quickly lose the sense of well-being.

Make it last longer by planning your first few days home. You may need to ‘catch up on the washing’ but how about a quick trip to your favourite supermarket or local grocer for local produce, ideal for a lazy, late brunch?