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!
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I've had my moments of success with everything from Bootcamp, Paleo Dieting, Whole 30, and now Crossfit. Yes, I am a Crossfitter (but I promise I don't talk about it all the time). After so many rounds of ups and downs, it's hard not to shift your perception of yourself. While I am still not where I want to be with my fitness, this time around I am loving myself every pound of the way.
It's interesting, growing up I always felt a little insecure about my shape.
I was tall, curvy, and developed from the jump! Because of that, I felt like I needed to dim parts of myself.
I would sway my hips a bit less when I walked, because they moved enough on their own. Clothing that looked totally "normal" on other teens hugged my figure. Even today as a 31-year-old woman, I am hyper-aware of how my pencil skirts fit me when I'm in an office environment – less I get a reaction similar to Demetria Obilor, the beautiful news anchor that was body shamed for simply being confident in herself. Basically, I could wear a potato sack, and still get an "aye miss lady!" while walking down the street.
So the seed was planted long ago: the idea that something needed to be fixed in order for me to look ideal.
In college, I gained a typical Freshmen 15. Nothing too distressing at first. The real weight gain happened after college, as soon as I entered the corporate world. Turns out, sitting at a cubicle does not count as cardio. My body starting changing in ways that I wasn't accustomed to. One day I looked in the mirror, and I HAD A BACK ROLL. Naturally, I began all of the workouts and strength training. It worked like a charm, but not for long.
Every time I would really start to see results – life would happen. I would become a little too busy at work, travel would pick up. Hell, I've even succumb to some good ole' happy, stress-free relationship weight. Each time, I would have to restart to make up for lost progress, and the guilt that I placed on myself just wasn't healthy or helpful. If anything, it discouraged me from feeling empowered and ready to get back into the fight.
In 2017, I think it finally clicked.
I started Crossfit, again. Thank God for muscle memory, because I was tested to my core physically and mentally.
Like clockwork, life hit me again. Hard.
Running a side hustle, loss, being on the road for my 9 to 5 almost every week…there were major setbacks.
I realized though, if I am meant to be in this for the long haul, I have to allow myself some grace.
Note: I said, some.
In the past year, I allowed myself the grace to walk on the beach in a bikini, even though I didn't lose that last 5 pounds before vacation.
I granted myself grace to actually be in the moment and enjoy brunch with the girls, while not beating myself up about how many carbs I ate.
Every day, society or social media tells us that we must meet a certain standard of beauty to be accepted. What kind of trauma are we doing to ourselves when we are constantly bombarded with the notion that we are never good enough? I have always believed that the language we use when we examine ourselves is self-fulfilling. At this point in my life, I can't and I won't continue to add on to the attack. I am striving for a healthy body and mind, and it's a lifelong journey. I know that my body is a work in progress.
It took me a while to have the audacity to flaunt it and feel sexy regardless of where I am on the spectrum.
What if we choose to love how we look at every weight? Realize that you are allowed to pursue weight loss goals and feel confident in your body at the same time. I am 15 pounds lighter today than I was this time last year. I've gained muscle, improved my endurance. Tightened things up and changed the way I look at a healthy life, holistically. I still have back rolls though. And cellulite. I still probably drink too many lattes. But I am proud. Skinny, thick, slim, fat… whatever.
I love who I am and I will never hide the sashay in these hips again.
What's a body mantra that you're going to shout loud and proud this year? Let us know in the comments down below.
