Designer Nate Berkus' Best Ideas For Decorating Your Bedroom
A good night's rest makes all the difference. You don't want to be dragging around all day because you aren't resting the way you're supposed to be. Experts suggest having a consistent nightly routine that includes staying away from electronics and turning down your lights, according to the Sleep Foundation. But the environment that you sleep in can have as much to do with the quality of your sleep as your routine.
You want to create a tranquil space that allows you to wind down the day. That means bringing in colors and materials that aid in falling and staying asleep. Interior designer Nate Berkus says he has "an obsession with getting a good night's sleep," according to In Kansas City. He uses his design skills and love of rest to create bedrooms that are both serene and beautiful. And fortunately, the tips are ones that anyone can use regardless of their bedroom's size, layout, or style. Good sleep and aesthetics don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Mix and match your furniture
The bed is the focal point of your bedroom, so choosing one that adds a statement as well as being comfortable is paramount. However, Nate Berkus suggests staying away from bedroom sets even though they're tempting because of the ease. "You need to mix in old things or used things and things with patina and character and age so that the room and the space feels assembled over time," Nate Berkus explains to In Kansas City. Source your furniture and décor from different stores to create a look that's cohesive without being too uniform. Furniture stores, flea markets, and thrift shops are all great places to find the pieces for your bedroom.
He also tries to bring in unique elements for each piece of furniture. For example, one of the primary bedrooms featured on his website has a scalloped velvet headboard, a checkered area rug, and a mid-century wood dresser with a marble top. The pieces don't match but together create a cohesive and visually interesting space.
Invest in your bedding
When you crawl into bed at night, you should feel the stress of the day melt away. You should get under the covers, drift off to sleep, and stay asleep. Nate Berkus believes that if there's one piece to invest in, it's the bed. "I think a bed principally should have the investments of a well-made quality mattress is investment number one, and the best bedding you can afford is investment number two," Nate Berkus tells In Kansas City. "I love a heavy comforter, I love quality sheets, I love a couple of decorative pillows in beautiful textiles, and it's a yardage of the most exquisite fabric you can find." The right bedding will keep you comfortable throughout the night.
Cotton is a great option for bedsheets because it's breathable and can be very soft to sink into, says Welsh Design Studio. Linen is also breathable and keeps you cool throughout the night. For an even more luxurious feel, silk sheets are one of the better options; however, they can be more expensive than other materials.
Aim for calm
Creating a calm environment is essential for a good night's sleep. And relaxation means different things to different people. "For me serenity comes from nature, so I incorporate a lot of natural materials in the design room," Nate Berkus says to In Kansas City. "When people think of natural materials they often think of wood, rattan, and leather. Those definitely have a place, but stone is also a natural material, as is iron, as is cork, as is seagrass as a wallcovering." These natural materials can add a lot of texture to a room, creating more visual interest. And because they're usually in shades of tans and browns, natural materials can look timeless.
But you shouldn't stop at the material of the furniture or décor. "So that, mixed with something alive, such as a beautiful olive tree in a huge pot in a corner cascading over a seating area." Some plants like lavender, jasmine, snake plants, and peace lilies can help aid sleep, according to Sleep Advisor. Others can add a bit of greenery or texture to the design. "It's a mix of materials with a strong focus on bringing as many natural materials– cottons and linen — blended with those things into the space as possible."