10 Tips To Styling Bedrooms Like a Stylist

While I do believe in a “no rules” philosophy to styling ~ there are some guidelines I have when home styling ~  proportion, scale and balance. Before starting to style your bedroom, access the scale and size of your room to determine what size furniture to get (or use) Avoid getting too small or too large of furniture .

After determining scale and placing your furniture ~ edit, edit, edit.  Styling can be out of balance if you try to crowd everything into your room. It will become cramped and you will lose your sense of calmness that our bedrooms should bring us.

The case for slow decorating.  Don’t rush into any purchasing decisions (big or small, but especially big.)  Live in the space.  In time you will feel and see what you you need in the room (or what you may be missing)  Putting yourself under pressure to “finish” can create mistakes and regretful decisions.

 
TIPS BEFORE YOU START

You Will Never Be Done. ;) Styling your home (inside and out) will always be a work in progress. When you think you're done, it's time to start something else.

Use What You Have.  It’s been said . . .  “shop your home”.  I do this all the time.  A large dining room table I once used in the dining room, I “re-purposed” into my office as a desk.  Wingback chairs once used in living room, was repurposed with a small round kitchen table with the two chairs that made a great, cosy breakfast nook.  Look at what you have in a different way OR re-do them with a fresh coat of paint.  A fresh coat of paint always adds new life to a piece (or room)

Shop With Intention.  Be focused on what you need. Always have a list. Also, be focused on exact style you want to bring to the room.  If you are “multi-syle-loving” like me, you can get easily distracted by a variety of different looks.  (And, really eclectic is a style)  But, it’s best to stay focused

Clear the Clutter.  If you have clutter, it will take away from the style you are trying to create.  So I have the mantra of “everything has a place” and stay organized.  Put everything away in closet, drawers, cabinets to create a “clean palette” to bring your style in your bedroom.

When To Get Pro.  I believe you can learn to style to your home ~ BUT a caviete is paint and wallpaper.  Get a Pro for this.  Your walls (paint and wallpaper ) sets the tone for your room.  It’s the one thing I say not to DIY.  Pro painter will bring a level of preciseness and cleanness to your room.  (No messy corners, drips, streaks)

10 KEY STYLE ELEMENTS

1. RUG

Rugs will warm up a space and pull look together.  BUT, the rug has to be the right size and it has to ground your furniture.  It can’t be too small. (This is where balance comes into play.)  Keys: It has to lay flat, and place padding underneath for more cushion.  As a Interior Photo Stylist, I use a commercial steamer to get any stubborn wrinkles/lines out.

2. FURNITURE

While I have a monochromatic look in the bedroom, I do avoid getting “matching collections”.  You want to create your own look and style.  Collections, while it may seem like a cohesive, easy way to style, can come across looking like a “furniture showroom”. 

3. LIGHTING

Overhead lighting  (like ceiling light) as your main source of lighting, can come across as too harsh and much like “task lighting”.  Get a lamp (preferably with a dimmer)  Lighting should add some ambience and calmness to your bedroom.

4. BEDSIDE TABLE

This is wear I usually see the most clutter in bedrooms.  Clear this space, add a beautiful lamp and some flowers.

5. WALLS

Add artwork, mirrors, statement wall.  If you are working with a small space bedroom, don’t be concerned about adding a big piece of art.  The “rule” that it will make your room look smaller ~ not true.  It’s a statement.

6. DRAPES

Same way I feel about paint, I feel about installation of hardware for drapes.  Worst thing is to have hardware uneven or many attempts and holes in the walls.  Hire a pro.  You will be happy you did.  A pro will ensure that the drapes hit the floor just right and are are hung from the right place.

7. SOFT STYLING  

In the business of photo styling, soft styling is anything that is a textile ~ bedding, pillows, blankets, throws.  This is key to the focal point in the bedroom ~ your bed.

8. ELECRONICS

I “hide” such things as electronics (TV, charging stations, fans) in the bedroom. Having those items out can take away from your style and the calmness a bedroom should bring.

9. PERSONALITY

Add your personality, your character, your style to your home, Find ways and items to make your bedroom your own  Easy way to add your own style is to switch out hardware, knobs, pulls. You can do it on your furniture.  Also, style with items that make you happy, maybe its a certain color, a family heirloom

10. TRENDS

Add trends in moderation.  If you use too many, your room can become cluttered or dated too quickly.  Trends come and go.  I will usually add a few pieces of trend.

Bonnie ~