Modern Furniture

Minimalists are so tidy by nature that they do not actually need much space to accommodate them. Hoarders will have to work much harder to find space for all their things, and will need to devise ingenious storage systems if you ere a hoarder, you might consider designating one room for most of your possessions, so that you can keep the main living areas spacious and free from clutter.

By working through these questions, you the kitchen needs space for cooking or for eating and whether the fitting room needs to house a dining table, too. You will know how much space you need for a television and other home-entertainment equipment and whether you are likely to need hidden cupboard space rather than open display shelves. Now you need to work out whether the space you have available works as it is, or whether it needs rearranging to suit the way in which you plan to use it.

Wanting more space has become a mantra for our time, as though space were a necessity rather than a preference. But the only way to make it work successfully is to know why you want it, and in order to do that, you have to start prioritizing. What space is currently available and how do you use it? Where would you like more space and where could you manage with less? Which is more important to you: storage space for personal possessions or living space for family and friends?

The secret to creating extra space is getting to know your home and thinking practically about your lifestyle, then putting the two together and seeing what compromises and adjustments need to be made. Take it slowly and do not act on a whim: short-term wants may not fulfill long-term needs, and decorating a house - even a small one - is a long-term investment.

Be guided by the style of the architecture, but do not let it dictate to you. The fact that a building is old, for instance, does not prohibit you from decorating the space in a modern style. The beauty of period buildings is their individuality. Elegant lines, interesting architectural details - even uneven walls - all contribute their own natural character, and keeping your decoration and furnishings clean and contemporary is one of the most effective ways to enhance them. Concentrate on the space, not the facade or interior fittings. Doors and fireplaces can always be removed or replaced, walls and stairs moved or remodelled, but the space is yours, so make sure that it works for you.

When selecting a color scheme for your bedroom, let personal taste guide you rather than current trends. If the bedroom is predominantly one color, vary the textures to add interest; for example, combine a smooth, crisp chintz fabric with a textured linen.

Keep in mind that walls, floors and other elements in a bedroom also have textures that add to the ambience of a room. A smooth brass headboard contrasts nicely with a tapestry bedspread. Polished hardwood flooring provides a beautiful surface that sets off a plush area rug perfectly. Effectively combining patterns to create a desired bedroom decor can be a bit confusing and somewhat intimidating. Today, many textile manufacturers are making things easier for their customers by offering such coordinating elements as fabric and wallpaper together, to make the whole process easier.

One way to successfully combine patterns is to use one fairly large design and contrast it with a geometric pattern, such as stripes, a plaid, checks or even polka dots. The patterns should coordinate with each other through color or tone with subtle contrasts of scale or proportion. It is best not to use more than one large-scale design in a room. Try using several different small-scale patterns with a larger design.

Patterns are incorporated into design schemes in a few different ways. One way is to use plain, unpatterned walls, windows and furnishings with muted colors to keep the look simple. A Shaker motif would be one example. Another approach is to use pattern throughout, on the windows, the walls, even on the furnishings.
When mixing patterns in a bedroom, use only one bold pattern throughout so that it dominates the design. You can then begin adding smaller-scale patterns and prints. A third choice is to use patterns with plain color together for a balanced look. A larger pattern on a window treatment or walls gives the room a sense of balance if other items in the room, such as the blinds, upholstery, pillows or cushions, are kept as simple as possible.

Similar designs in the same colors work well together, as do similar designs in two different colors. An exception to the rule of not using too many patterns together can be made with patterns that have similar color and scale of design, such as plaids or paisleys.

Color is one of the key elements in a bedroom’s decor. When redecorating your bedroom, use items you already have-a rug, a painting, a bedspread or bed frame-as a starting point for your color scheme.

Light is an important factor to consider when choosing a color scheme for a bedroom. The type of light, natural or artificial, will affect the way a color looks in a room. The colors you use, warm or cool, subtle or intense, will affect the entire mood or ambience of the setting. Colors also influence the perceived size of a room. A bedroom that doesn’t receive much sunlight during the day will seem bigger and brighter if you make it as light as possible. Light colors tend to make a space appear larger than it really is. Conversely, dark colors make a space seem smaller. A high ceiling or walls can be painted a darker or deeper color to make a bedroom feel more intimate.

If you could design the ideal bedroom, it would be large enough to hold whatever size bed you desire, with ample room for modern furniture and accessories. Unfortunately, many times the case is just the opposite; once the bed is chosen and in place, you’re faced with trying to fit everything else into the remaining space without overcrowding.

Taking time to plan can help you to foresee any possible space usage problems. Begin by surveying your existing bedroom, then analyze your options for improvement. Study the layout of the space and think about how it can work best for you. A good design is practical and comfortable, as well as stylish.

Because the bed is usually the largest item in the room, its location is critical to making the most effective use of the space. Traffic patterns begin and end at the bed. The location of other areas, such as a dressing or sitting area, will then evolve from the bed’s placement. Start experimenting with your floor plan options by trying various modern furniture arrangements on paper instead of trying to push heavy furniture around the room.
Try to imagine being in your bedroom with the type of bed you want, placed where you think it works best. Does this new floor plan make the most efficient use of floor space?

Think about what you will see from the bed. Will morning light waken you or glare into your eyes? Allow enough clearance in places where a door swings inward or a drawer pulls open. Be sure to allow enough clearance above the bed as well, especially with a platform bed. Four feet of headroom is the minimum that should be allotted.

To create the illusion of a larger space, avoid clutter. Keep as much floor area open as possible. Placing the bed in a corner is one way to make the rest of the floor area seem larger. A studio apartment or a small bedroom can double as a sitting room by using a sofa bed, futon couch or daybed (a bed with two ends) rather than a conventional bed.

The guidelines for bedroom furniture arrangements are more flexible because these rooms don’t have as much traffic as other rooms. These guidelines allow you to use some tricks to help make a bedroom more useful. Beds can be free-standing, positioned with one end or side against the wall, angled into the room, or tucked into a corner or a special niche. If you’re dealing with limited floor space or a seldom-used guest room, a loft bed, bunk bed, Murphy bed, trundle or other built-in may be the answer.