living room layout plans
home is where the heart is — but what ifyour home doesn't feel quite as homey as you'd like? according to the pros, the most importantpart of your home is your bedroom. so here are your expert-approved hacks forcreating the dreamiest space around! start with the bed numerous experts recommend starting with bedplacement and then arranging everything else around it. california-based designer, becki owens, tellsapartment therapy the best place for the bed is usually
"...your longest uninterrupted wall." "don't be afraid to put your bed up againsta window if necessary." "the aim here is to make the bed a focal pointof the room." libby mcmillan, editor at apartment guide,recommends also asking yourself whether or not you like to watch tv in bed. try out different arrangements until you landon one that works for you. focus on symmetry anna shiwlall, a california-based interiordesigner, says, "symmetry is key.
giving the space visual balance calms themind and makes the room much more comfortable and livable." so while you can always pop in matching nighttables and reading lamps, she's also got a few tricks up her sleeve, saying, "you can give the illusion that there's anotherwindow by adding a mirror that's the same size on the other side of your bed. it gives great symmetry and opens up the space." according to nebraska-based interior designer,genevieve wilhelm, the placement of the bed also affects lines of sight.
she says, "i always try and place the bed so that yousee the front of it when entering the room. i think it's great to come in and see a bedface-on instead of walking into the side of it." hit the sheets according to terry cralle, a registered nursewho works with the better sleep council, good bedding is a worthy investment. "we spend one-third of our lives sleeping,and that sleep is fundamental to our functioning: our health, our general well-being, our success,our quality of life."
when it comes to sheets, stephen cardino homefashion director at macy's, tells real simple that 100 percent egyptian cotton is the mosttop-of-the-line option, and notes that 100 percent pima cotton is the second best option,saying, "egyptian cotton's long fibers produce sheetsthat are thin and sumptuous yet extremely strong and long-lasting." maximize storage especially if your room is small, hgtv's expertssay furniture with built-in storage gets you more bang for your buck. uk interior stylist, ana zuravliova, recommendsikea shelves like the kallax line that
"...can be painted and personalized, so youcan create a piece of furniture that's personal to you, as well as enabling you to organizeyour room better." additionally, nick fu, owner of a home furnishingcompany in washington d.c., says, "if you're limited for floor space, [verticalstorage] will take up less space in the room." "build shelves on your walls, use closet organizersthat hang for shoes and shirts, and utilize bookcases with multiple levels to showcasepictures and other personal items." use soothing colors genevieve wilhelm achieves a calm, serenebedroom environment with a "monochromatic color palette, [such as] soft grays, whites,[and] light blues."
the benefit of working off a neutral base,wilhelm says, is that you can then "swap out [accent pieces] with different seasons ortrends because [your] main investment pieces are neutral." zuravliova also notes, "white and light colors work well with a warmaccent, like blush, rust, or deep teal. all of these shades are trending at the moment." mix textures san francisco-based designer alice chiu alsorecommends adding depth to your bedroom by mixing in different fabric textures.
"texture helps to transform light and addsdimension to a space. rough and coarse textures reflect less lightand feel warmer, so adding a fleece blanket, mohair throw pillows, or a shag rug to yourbedroom will help make it more inviting." play with light you can also add depth, warmth, and trendyaccents to your room by incorporating different types of lighting. chiu says, "a poorly lit room comes across as unpleasantand not inviting. include different layers of light from ceilinglights to table lamps, floor lamps, and wall
sconces… adding a combination of light sources helpsmake the space more warm, cozy, and cheerful." add some feng shui interior designer and feng shui master catherinebrophy tells real simple that feng shui is "a practice based on the idea that our homesare a mirror of what's happening inside us. the purpose of feng shui is to get your environmentin alignment with who you are and where you want to go — to harmonize your energy withyour home's energy." according to brophy, it's important to carefullyconsider "...what you bring in, how you arrange yourrooms, and how you maintain the place."
"everything has energy... feng shui helps guide that energy and letsit flow freely throughout your home." make sure there are clear paths from placeto place in each room, as well as incorporating a mix of shapes. as brophy explains, "squares represent earth; rectangles, wood;triangles, fire. round and oval items represent metal. [a room] will feel most balanced if it includesall of them." as life coach and oprah contributor marthabeck puts it,
"your surroundings are an expression of yourinner state. you can't change your life without changingyour stuff, and you can't change your stuff without changing your life. i now fill my rooms with things that energizeand delight me. mostly." thanks for watching! click the list icon to subscribe to our youtubechannel. plus, check out this other cool stuff we knowyou'll love too!