Ten typical mistakes in designing a bedroom

Even the most decorated houses often have a dirty little secret: a dull and dreary (or cluttered and chaotic) bedroom. Because it's a private space, this room is sometimes the last to get our decorating attention, making it the poor stepchild to the rest of our lovingly designed abode.

Neglecting to make the boudoir something special is mistake number one, interior designers say. This is a place you should love to spend time in, an indulgent oasis and welcoming haven from the stresses of the day. "The bedroom should not be overlooked; in fact, it should be the best room in the house," asserts Shelly Riehl David, an interior designer with offices in Palm Beach and Minneapolis. "You deserve to come home to a beautiful, relaxing space where you can close the door to the world."

1. Don't Go Color Crazy
Don't get us wrong — color is a powerful design tool, and should absolutely be used in the bedroom. But experts advise opting for restful shades and a soothing, monochromatic palate to keep the mood subdued. Soft greens, blues and lavenders create a feeling of calmness and serenity, while rich, lush hues like persimmon, brown and amber envelop you in cozy warmth.

But save the bright reds, yellows and oranges for other rooms. "Anything too vibrant will distract from the relaxing feeling you're trying to create," says Aimee Kim, a Los Angeles-based interior designer known for her luxe, yet peaceful, bedrooms. "Use toned-down versions of your favorite colors in the bedroom." That might mean choosing mauve instead of eggplant, or pumpkin instead of tangerine.

2. Don't Overlook the Ceiling
Do you see a bland, blank surface as you lie in bed gazing up at the ceiling? If so, you're not alone. "Everyone ignores the ceiling," Shelly Riehl David laments. "Instead, make it a celebrated space" by adding eye-catching detail, subtle pattern or soft color. David's favorite trick is to paint the ceiling a slightly lighter version of the wall color. "Ask the paint store to knock down the color 20 percent for the ceiling," she suggests. Besides dressing it up, color visually lowers the ceiling and gives the space a feeling of comfort and intimacy.

You could also stencil or wallpaper the ceiling, add architectural elements in the form of beams or moldings or use a decorative paint treatment, David says. We've seen silver-leafed bedroom ceilings that are to die for. Other options for adding interest to the "fifth wall": Torchieres and uplights that wash the ceiling with warm pools of light; a canopy or tented bed that ensconces you in warmth and comfort as well as bringing color, pattern and texture to the surface above you; and an intricate medallion and sparkling chandelier that add to the room's ambiance and create a focal point.

3. Don't Choose Out-of-Scale Furniture
Another common problem that designers often correct is bedroom furniture that doesn't fit the space's size. "Unless your bedroom is huge, over-scaled furniture is a mistake," designer Aimee Kim cautions. If your ceilings are only eight feet high, for instance, opt for a low headboard instead of a four-poster that reaches for the rafters (and dwarfs the room).

Too-small furnishings can be a problem as well, getting lost in a large space and falling short on functionality. "Beds keep getting taller, and nightstands need to be taller, too, so you don't fall out of bed when you reach for a sip of water in the middle of the night," designer Shelly Riehl David says. Before buying furniture, make a simple, to-scale sketch of your bedroom as well as paper cutouts of the furnishings you're considering. That way, you can be sure ahead of time that everything fits and that the scale of various pieces complements each other.
( taken from www.hgtv.com, written by Leah Hennen. )