5 Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Bedroom
Have you ever looked at your bedroom and wondered why it doesn't give you royalty teas? Despite being built for a Queen, you might find that the current status of your bedroom leaves a lot to be desired. Whether it's a change in the positioning of some of your furniture pieces, more pops of color, or just an overhaul where you start from scratch on a blank canvas – you just know, something's gotta give.
Your bedroom is a sanctuary. A place for you to get your zen back after a long day of dusting your shoulders off the antics of the 9-5 rise and grind. And once you've washed the grime of the day away, you should be able to bask in your solitude in an oasis that welcomes you and makes you feel something comparable to the crown on your head.
But where do you begin?
Well, having a Pinterest-worthy master bedroom doesn't mean you have to blow your budget in order to do it. No matter your budget, you can execute it all with just the right balance and finesse.
Once you learn the basics, I promise you'll never look back. As an interior designer, I have a few go-to tips that I use to help my clients spruce up any space.
Knock Out Bedding
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Your bedroom should feel like a relaxing retreat. That starts with major attention to your bed, and for good reason – you will be spending a lot of time there.
Ground the room with a unique, statement bed frame. To get that glamorous look, the key is to add lots of layers to your bedding. Create some extra volume by layering cozy blankets, throws and accent pillows on top of your standard sheet and comforter set. Sink in, and rest easy.
Art That Sparks
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Find that piece or two that you just love. You want to invoke feelings of happiness in your space. Don't be afraid to go a little bold here and hang pieces that add vibrance to the room.
While on the topic of art and wall décor – family photographs are wonderful additions to your living room and shared spaces. In the bedroom, I recommend swapping them out for other pieces of art or photographs that calm or inspire you. This keeps the room less emotionally charged.
Pro Tip: Try to hang your art near "standard" eye-level. For most spaces, that means that the center of your painting should be about 57 inches from the ground. Grab your tape measure and double check before you make any permanent holes in the wall!
Don’t Skip the Window Treatments
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The windows in your room have such a huge impact on your mood and canset the stage for some major glamour.
Give some thought to how much light you want to let into your room. If you have an East facing window, in most regions of the U.S., you may get hit with a lot of morning sun. Consider blackout curtains in a lux velvet or thick linen.
Pro Tip: When hanging curtains, be sure to hang them higher and wider than your window frame. At least by 3-4 inches. This gives the illusion that your window is bigger and creates a more balanced look.
Texture
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Keep it fun and interesting by adding different textures throughout the room. Mixing in varying textures of furnishings and fabrics gives the room dimension and keeps it from feeling flat. Even if your room is monochromatic, you can use different materials and finishes of the same color to add visual character.
Patterns and Colors That Pop
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Just like you can mix up textures, don't be afraid to shake things up buy combining different patterns and colors. You want the colors and themes in your room to compliment one another, not necessarily match.
What are some ways you're looking to revamp your bedroom? Let us know in the comments down below!
Featured image by Shutterstock
Martina Jackson is a photographer, interior designer and lover of all things caffeinated. She can usually be found standing on chairs, taking pictures of her food. Follow her journey on IG @martina.drea or on her blog.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images