If you live in a city then the chances are you don’t have a huge house with lots of room. Space is at a premium and nowhere more so than the average bedroom. So how do you make the best use of it? Here are some ideas and suggestions for a space saving efficiency bedroom:
Space Saving Beds
If you’re looking to replace your old bed then this can be a great way of saving space. Modern beds can fold up, hide away or double as other pieces of furniture. Even a more traditional style bed can have plenty of useful storage space in the form of underbed drawers. Or consider going upwards with a functional loft bed. Find out more here: space saving beds.
Colour
Colour can make a room look big or small. Many people think that a black, gothic bedroom looks cool. Maybe it does, but it also looks small! Lighter clours open up any room. If you’re not in a position to redorate then simply putting up a few bright, colourful posters or prints can make a lot of difference especially if the image is open or has a lot of depth. Choice of lighter shades for furniture also helps.
Lighting
Clever use of lighting can make any room look bigger. In the case of the bedroom you probably don’t want a single bright central light. Consider lighting the room to create different “zones” for different purposes (reading, dressing, sleeping etc). Local lights and spots can be used to effectively highlight particular areas or corners. Probably more than any other room a bedroom can benefit from a variety of different lights of different intensities and possibly even different colours. See more here: bedroom lighting.
Cupboard Lighting
Don’t forget about lighting inside the cupboards or wardrobes. There’s often a lot of space left unused or difficult to access simple because it’s dark. A few low voltage stick on battery lights can really transform your storage space. Obviously make sure you buy lights designed specifically for this purpose – safety first.
Accessories
I’ve already mentioned using prints and artwork to lighten the bedroom. The other classic idea is, of course, mirrors. In the case of a bedroom these are not only useful for making the room feel larger but they also have a practical purpose. Why hide that full length dressing mirror away inside the wardrobe? Place it in a convenient point where it also helps to enhance the room – and then add a couple of local lights.
Storage
A variety of storage spaces of different sizes and shapes will give you maximum flexibility. As well as underbed storage and larger cupboards and wardrobes you can buy many other storage options. These range from traditional armoires through bedskirts (valances) with pockets up to modern vacuum packing systems for minimising the space taken up by unused bed linen. You can even buy specially shaped shelving and storage units for those corners that would normally just gather dust. You can also improve existing storage by using clever ideas such as drawer organisers, multiple use hangars and over the door storage.
The bedroom can be one of the most difficult rooms of the house to light, partly because of the numerous purposes for which it’s used. Here are a few ideas that might help:
Buy Kathy Ireland UplightZones
Don’t just use the same lighting for the whole bedroom, try if possible to create different “zones”. Soft lighting for the sleeping area with optional reading lights, brighter light for dressing, etc. A number of small lights of different intensity often work better than one or two stronger lights, even with dimmers.
Up and Down Lighters
Using up and/or down lights to project “pools” of light can be very effective in creating both lighting zones and atmosphere.
Buy LED Puck LightsCupboard Lights
Fumbling in a dark cupboard or wardrobe can be a frustrating experience, especially when still half asleep! To improve things you can buy special cupboard lights. For safety these are usually battery operated and low power; you don’t want to electrocute yourself or set fire to the clothes!
Natural Light
The window is (probably) the one light source that you can’t move. So design your bedroom layout to make use of this resource. Depending on you local conditions and personal habits you might want to arrange for the light to fall onto the bed to wake you up – or for it to stay as far away as possible! In the latter case you might also want to consider buying blackout curtain liners or blinds.
References: Bedroom Lighting
Are you looking for something interesting and different to decorate your garden? Do you perhaps only have a small garden or yard without space for masses of plants? Then here are a few ideas for items you might like to consider:
Sundials
These days we rarely need to rely on the sun to tell us the time. However a sundial remains an interesting piece of garden furniture that can be quite a talking point. You can buy a huge variety of styles and designs, everything from modern minimalist through decorative to darkly gothic. Sundials need to be mounted and adjusted for location, you will probably also need to buy a compatible stand or pillar. More information: Sundials
Gazing Balls
A garden gazing ball shouldn’t be confused with a crystal bal, the two are very different. A gazing ball has no mystical or magical connotations, it’s simply a decorative item. A gazing ball is a highly polished sphere, often mounted on a pole, that provides for a fascinating reflection of your garden. It has no practical use, but it’s unusual and cool! More information: Gazing Balls
Bird Aids
Bird equipment – everything for free standing tables and baths to tree hanging feeders and nesting boxes – can look good in their own right. They’re also one of the best ways to encourage birds into your garden. Make sure that you install them properly – there’s no point putting a bird feeder where a cat can easly reach it! And if you start feeding the birds, please continue to do so all year round.
Statuettes
Garden statuettes cover a whole variety of ideas, everything from classics like minature versions of Michelangelo’s David through to fairies and gothic creations sucbh as gargoyles. And don’t forget the good old garden gnome; if you don’t like “cute” then you can also buy more ironi designs! More information: Gnomes
Lighting
Even the smallest garden or yard can be made to look larger and more interesting by creative use of lighting. Use white to highlight particula features or colour to add interest. Remember that a few carefully designed shadows can also add interest and a feeling of depth. Don’t blanket the whole garden with light, but on the other hand don’t go over the top – make sure your garden still looks like a garden, not a 1970s disco! And, of course, ensure that any lights you buy are outdoor safe and, if possible, environmentally friendly.
