Revitalize Your Space: 10 Steps for Your Home Bedroom Refresh

Feeling bored with your bedroom? You’re not alone. Many people crave a home bedroom refresh to make a positive impact on their life and happiness. Small changes can yield big results, from decluttering to introducing mood lighting, updating wall paint or coverings, and upgrading furniture. An expansive budget isn’t necessary to transform your space. With practical tips and a bit of creativity, you can revitalize your bedroom into a serene and stylish retreat that enhances your well-being and comfort. Follow these ten steps to achieve a beautiful and functional bedroom refresh.

Importance of a Tranquil Bedroom Escape

Creating a tranquil bedroom is essential for your mental and physical well-being. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary where you can escape the stresses of daily life and rejuvenate your mind and body. A serene environment promotes better sleep quality, reduces anxiety, and improves overall health. By focusing on a clutter-free, aesthetically pleasing space, you can enhance your relaxation and ensure a restful night’s sleep. Incorporating elements that promote tranquility, such as calming colors, soft lighting, and natural materials, can help you achieve a peaceful retreat that supports your well-being.

1. Select a Calming Color Palette

Start with a soothing color palette to set the tone for your bedroom. Opt for neutral tones such as whites, beiges, and soft grays. These colors create a serene atmosphere that promotes relaxation. Add depth with subtle accent colors like blues or greens​. These accent colors can come via wall art and decor, a comfy bedroom chair, bed linen, or even an area rug.

Consider the Japandi color palette below, which is a testament to the beauty of restraint and subtlety. It comprises shades that range from soft whites and greys to deeper, earth-inspired tones. Each color in the palette serves to create an atmosphere of peace and refined simplicity, aligning with the Japandi principles of minimalism and natural beauty.

2. Incorporate Natural Materials

Use natural materials to add warmth and texture to your bedroom. Wood, cotton, and linen are excellent choices for furniture and decor. A wooden bed frame, linen bedding, and cotton curtains can create a cozy, inviting environment​​.

Besides natural materials through furniture, you can consider silk or wool hand-knotted carpets, wood wall panels, and the use of natural stone such as marble for flooring and shelves.

3. Choose Functional Furniture

Select furniture that combines style and functionality. Opt for pieces with clean lines and practical designs. Beds with built-in storage, sleek nightstands, and multifunctional dressers can help keep your bedroom organized and stylish​.

Bringing in new furniture doesn’t have to mean splurging. If you have allocated budget for it, go find your dream wood slab or rattan bed at Crate and Barrel or CB2. But you can also look for a used or vintage piece. Sand it down, apply new stain/varnish, and install new hardware that matches your decor and style.

Also, remember to focus on your bed (and mattress). We call it a bedroom for a reason, so spend the time to find an appealing, functional and comfortable bed, matched with a quality mattress.

4. Optimize Storage Solutions

Effective storage is crucial for a tidy bedroom. Use built-in wardrobes, under-bed storage, and floating shelves to maximize space. Keeping your belongings organized can make your bedroom feel more spacious and serene​.

5. Layer Textiles for Comfort

Layering different textiles can add depth and warmth to your bedroom. Use a mix of fabrics like cotton, wool, and linen for your bedding, throws, and pillows. This not only enhances comfort but also creates a visually appealing space​.

Don’t forget your curtains and window treatments which are a great way to add texture, patterns, and color. Curtains, carpets, and other textiles also help absorb ambient sound making your bedroom a place for sound sleep.

6. Focus on Lighting

Proper lighting is essential for setting the mood in your bedroom. Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a cozy atmosphere. Consider dimmable ceiling lights, bedside lamps, and fairy lights to add warmth and comfort.

How to Setup Bedroom Lighting for a Serene Mood

Create a serene atmosphere in your bedroom by carefully selecting the right lighting. According to experts, integrating a mix of lighting options such as bedside lamps, pendant lights, and wall sconces can enhance both functionality and ambiance. Kevin Chan from Nivek Remas advises using accent lighting and indirect lighting with dimmers to achieve a soft glow that promotes relaxation. He emphasizes that the right lighting should complement your interior design, avoiding harsh architectural spotlights. For instance, a cluster of small globe lights can balance the space between the bed frame and bedside tables, adding a cohesive yet textural element to the room.

Additionally, the height and scale of lighting fixtures are crucial. Gary McBournie, an interior designer from Boston, suggests using table lamps that match the bed’s height and have adjustable brightness for convenience and adaptability. He recommends that table lamps be 25 to 29 inches tall and have dual bulbs for adjustable lighting levels. Incorporating diverse lighting elements like floor lamps, pendant lights, and even sculptural chandeliers can add both visual interest and practical lighting solutions. For example, an Arhaus chandelier can imbue the room with sophistication and elegance, casting light patterns that foster a romantic and cozy atmosphere.

Remember that lighting is identified by task and implemented in layers. Overall, thoughtfully chosen lighting not only improves the bedroom’s aesthetic but also creates a tranquil retreat perfect for unwinding.

7. Add Greenery

Incorporate plants to bring a touch of nature into your bedroom. Plants like succulents, ferns, and snake plants are low-maintenance and can improve air quality. Placing plants in stylish pots can also add a decorative element to your space.

7 Indoor Plants for Your Bedroom

Here are a few plants that are non-toxic, air-purifying, low-maintenance, and suitable for a bedroom:

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
   • Non-toxic: Safe for pets and humans.
   • Air-purifying: Removes pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene.
   • Low maintenance: Thrives in indirect light and requires minimal watering​.
2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
   • Non-toxic: Pet-friendly.
   • Air-purifying: Effective at removing formaldehyde and xylene.
   • Low maintenance: Prefers indirect light and consistent moisture​​.
3. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
   • Non-toxic: Safe for pets.
   • Air-purifying: Known for removing toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
   • Low maintenance: Requires bright, indirect light and regular watering.
4. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
   • Non-toxic: Pet-safe.
   • Air-purifying: Good at filtering indoor air pollutants.
   • Low maintenance: Tolerates low light conditions and needs moderate watering​​.
5. Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)
   • Non-toxic: Safe for pets and children.
   • Air-purifying: Effective at removing toxins from the air.
   • Low maintenance: Thrives in moderate light and requires minimal watering​.
6. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
   • Non-toxic: Safe for pets.
   • Air-purifying: Helps improve air quality.
   • Low maintenance: Prefers bright, indirect light and needs watering when the soil is dry.
7. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
   • Non-toxic: Safe for pets.
   • Air-purifying: Helps to filter the air.
   • Low maintenance: Requires indirect light and occasional watering​.

These plants are excellent choices for creating a healthy and aesthetically pleasing bedroom environment. They not only enhance the air quality but also add a touch of nature and tranquility to your space.

8. Personalize with Art and Accessories

Choose art and accessories that reflect your personal style. Opt for a few meaningful pieces, such as family photos, artworks, mirrors, or unique decor items. This personalization makes your bedroom feel more like a personal retreat​​.

For me, it is essential to add personality to my room with artwork, especially items that have been collected during travel overseas that can bring back good memories. I enhance the bedroom space with large round or shapely mirrors to help reflect more light into the room during daytime.

Stylize your bedside tables for everyday use, such as unique bookends for the books you’re reading, a small brass or marble container for your lipgloss and trinkets, and a dimmable lamp.

Read more: What is Japandi Art? Merging Minimalism with Timeless Style

9. Create a Relaxation Corner

Dedicate a small area in your bedroom for relaxation or reading. A comfortable chair, a small table, and a good reading lamp can create a cozy nook. This space can be your sanctuary for unwinding at the end of the day​. It’s your zen space.

What brings you relaxation may vary–some want a space to do yoga, others a nook to read, while others want to craft table–the point is to giver yourself a sanctuary.

10. Ensure Balance and Harmony

Make sure all elements in your bedroom work together harmoniously. Balance functional pieces with aesthetic ones, and keep the overall design cohesive. A well-balanced room promotes relaxation and helps you enjoy your space to the fullest​.

By following these ten steps, you can transform your bedroom into a tranquil and stylish haven. Embrace a mix of calming colors, natural materials, and functional furniture to create a space that is both beautiful and practical. Enjoy your refreshed bedroom as a perfect retreat for rest and relaxation.

Featured image above of the W Mina Seyahi hotel room in Dubai – photo by The Art of Zen.

Read more:

• Key New Trends in Japandi Interior Design for 2024
• Embracing Wabi-Sabi in Interior Design and Art
• Zen Art and Japandi Design: A Harmonious Blend of Simplicity and Mindfulness
• 10 Facts About Japandi Design You Should Know
• 10 Steps to Create a Beautiful Japandi Home

At The Art of Zen we carry a selection of our own hand-crafted original Japanese art prints in the ukiyo-e and Japandi style. Some of our best selling work is Mount Fuji wall art and Japandi wall art.

Add some zen to your space with brilliant original art from the Art of Zen shop.