Decorating a nursery is a mother’s prerogative. The colors, theme and styles of furniture are all at her whim to choose and decide upon. But when children get a little older, their room should be a reflection of who they are – not their parents. Creating a child’s bedroom to reflect the child can be a fun and rewarding process, too. And while the theme, if any, will be key, the furniture will make or break the deal.

When it’s time to take down the fluffy bunnies or A, B, C blocks from the wall and transform a baby’s room into a growing child’s abode, seek advice from the child. Find out what he or she is interested in. Perhaps your little princess wants a royal room? Or, maybe your little quarterback wants to go with a football theme? It’s even possible no theme will be desired. Remember to ask them though … it’s their room now. Don’t try to impose your whims and wishes on the little things like border paper or colors (within reason).

If a theme is chosen, this can open the door for a whole lot of fun. Decorating, let’s say, a princess room doesn’t have to cost a bundle either. Plan together what you’d like the room to look like and start shopping for accessories. An old floor length mirror, for example, can be picked up at a junk shop or yard sale and painted high-gloss white to fit in just perfectly. Small implements and accessories such as pillows, a faux canopy and so on can go a long way, too, without breaking the bank.

And while looking for the accessories is really a blast, the real meat of the room lies in the furniture. This is where your opinion can and should count, too. Furniture for a growing child should be comfortable and functional. It should also be of quality construction.

If a theme is chosen, look for pieces to fit into it, but keep in mind if the construction isn’t quality, it’s not likely to last. A $1,000 princess bed that’s put together with staples may look cool at the start, but once the little royal does some jumping and normal wear and tear takes place, it may look like a crusade came through the room.

Try to find pieces that will fit the theme and grow with the child as well. Your seven-year-old may want a football room, but when he’s 15 that could change. Buy for now, but keep your eyes on the future.

When creating a room for a growing child keep in mind the extras that will eventually need to go into a room. A desk for school; perhaps a computer stand as well will be needed most likely. If you buy furniture that will work for the seven-year-old only, you’ll find yourself buying again a few years down the road. But if you choose items that blend into the room and will work with different design themes and good quality pieces are chosen, a single purchase should suffice over the many different stages your child will go through as he or she grows.

No matter what’s chosen, make sure the furniture is comfortable, fits in the room well and is well designed enough to handle the wear and tear a child can dish out. Children are tough on their furniture, so their furniture should be tough enough to handle it.

A popular misconception about bedroom furniture is that all the pieces of furniture have to be identical in order for them to match. This is true in some respects but the reverse is also true. You can have a set of bedroom furniture that does not match exactly and they still fit together nicely for a bedroom set.

Many furniture stores and high street shops sell bedroom furniture sets as completely matching items of furniture. The material they are made out of are exactly the same, the texture, the colour, the style, the furnishings, everything is the same. This is great because you can go to one shop and buy all your bedroom furniture pieces for a good price and you know that they go perfectly with each other, probably why they are so popular.

But we have another option as well. You can shop around for furniture and buy different pieces of furniture from different shops that have your own uniqueness and make your own set. You can be as whacky with this as you would like depending on your sense of taste and your preferences, or you can be more subdued and go for subtle differences. This adhoc method of furnishing your bedroom creates a great sense of individuality and distinctiveness. Due to shops like Ikea and other huge chains making furniture so affordable it is thought that many people’s living rooms and bedrooms are all looking the same. Everyone is buying the same sets of bedroom furniture. Shopping around for these great items of furniture and putting them together as your own set will make you stand out from the rest and will be completely personal to you.

What are the rules when putting together your own bedroom set? A good rule of thumb is to go for items made out of the same material. Every other aspect can be optional but the material is quite important to be similar. You can mix and match but having an oak bed, a metal nigh stand, and a pine set of wardrobes would look too mix and match. The colour of the material doesn’t have to match but the material does, generally speaking. This gives you a lot to go on as there are many different variations of styles and colours of furniture in a particular type of material. Shop around and see what the stores have to offer, you can even buy in the same shop from different ranges, or check out your local charity shops and second hand stores, you can pick up some great bargains this way.

Don’t be afraid to buy something which is a little out there, you can always play it down by buying a plainer mirror for example, if you see something you like and it fits with your theme, go for it.

It is unfortunate fact of many people’s lives that infertility strikes where and when it wants. The desire to have a child is a natural, normal progression in a couple’s relationship. While there are certainly individuals and couples who choose to not become parents, an overwhelming majority are happier with the idea of starting and raising a family. The reasons for infertility are wide and numerous. Some are focused on health issues for the potential mother, while others strike the would-be dad. Despite all of the amazing strides made by the medical community to battle infertility, many couples give up after long, expensive treatments make their lives miserable. It doesn’t have to be that way any longer. In addition to medical treatments, many couples are turning to Feng Shui and fertility suggestions to increase their odds of having a baby of their own.

The uninformed know that Feng Shui is related to decorating and arranging their homes. In actuality, this ancient practice is far more than that. It is a time honored Chinese philosophy that helps practitioners create an environment rich in harmony and balance in all areas of their lives. Modifying your home in this tradition may help you and your partner achieve your goal of becoming pregnant. Using Feng Shui and fertility friendly practices are less stressful ways improve your chances of having a baby.

As we have already mentioned, Feng Shui is intended to completely balance and regulate every aspect of existence. In terms of conception, this harmony is nothing short of a miracle. Doctors and other medical professionals will be the first to tell you that it is essential to be at peace and relaxed during the conception phase of creating life. Both potential parents will experience the positive influences of good chi if their environment is conducive to the Feng Shui philosophy. For this reason, if none other, Feng Shui and fertility are a powerful combination.

To begin using Feng Shui and fertility to improve your chances of having a child, start outside. Take a look at your front entrance. Is there anything blocking good energy from moving into your home? One couple struggled with infertility for years. When a Feng Shui consultant recommended removing the tree that blocked their front door, the couple finally experienced success and became parents. Make sure that the main entrance to your home is clear and open to the flow of positive energies.

With Feng Shui and fertility, the focus is a little different than what most of us are accustomed to. The focus is primarily on the man. All of you ladies out there can take a relaxing breath now. Feng Shui is guided by the Descendant’s Luck principle. This luck determines the success of a husband or partner will have starting a family with his significant other. Learning the best ways to stimulate this luck is a beneficial practice for the man in the relationship to aid in the conception process.

This won’t come as any surprise, but the bedroom is instrumental in combining the forces of Feng Shui and fertility. The first step in the master bedroom is to make sure it is free from unwanted and unneeded clutter. Clutter stands in the way of good energy and makes it difficult to achieve a harmonious flow. This means to throw away the receipts on the dresser, pick the clothes up off of the floor, and arrange things neatly. Don’t forget about the closet either. It should be clear of any unused items.

Now that the bedroom is ready for Feng Shui and fertility, it’s time to add some decorations and furniture placement that is perfect for encouraging the production of children. When you think about it, it makes sense. Elephants symbolize pregnancy in the Feng Shui tradition. A couple trying to conceive should consider displaying elephant figurines in their sleeping space. Another animal reference that will help with fertility is fish. The symbol of two fish represents marital unity. As a matter of fact, any decoration you use in this room should involve the number two. Throwing the color red around is helpful as well. Place two red paper lanterns on either side of the bed. These represent the positive yang influence and will help increase fertility. A single piece of hollow bamboo is useful as well. Once again focusing on the potential father put a dragon on his side of the bed to flame his passion and add potency to the union. These well placed items are a good way to encourage the flow of energy through the room.

With the correct use of Feng Shui and fertility energies, a couple struggling with infertility can give themselves an edge in the conception process. The creation of a relaxing, loving home environment will improve the couple’s chance at starting a family of their own.

An attractive, inviting bedroom can play a big role in keeping the romance alive in your relationship. Whether you’re looking to completely redesign your bedroom or just add a few decorative touches, there are plenty of ways in which you can create a romantic haven where you and your other half can unwind after a busy day and rediscover your love and affection for each other.

If you want to keep the focus on romance in your bedroom, it’s important to eliminate other distractions. This means keeping the room clean and free of clutter. Links with the outside world such as telephones, TVs or computers should ideally be kept in another room or placed somewhere unobtrusive. Avoid bringing the stress of the workplace into your bedroom -keep office files and documents well out of sight!

You may not be able to change the size or location of your bedroom, but repositioning the furniture can dramatically change the appearance of your room. If your bedroom is smaller than you’d like, positioning the bed at an angle in a corner can make the room appear larger, while mirrors add depth. If your room looks bare, a plain wooden floor can be made more romantic with the addition of a richly patterned oriental rug or carpet.

Beds and romance

Your bed is obviously the key piece of furniture in your room when it comes to love and romance!

Certain styles of bed, such as four-poster, Victorian or canopy beds evoke old-fashioned romantic moods, while for some couples the playfulness and adventure of a waterbed does the trick. Generally speaking, large, soft, inviting beds of any type are romantic when everything else is right.

For a luxurious, sensual feel, sheets should be made of satin, silk or soft, high-quality cotton. Quilts and bedspreads decorated with lace or embroidered with floral designs are very romantic and feminine. Scattering a number of soft, fluffy pillows in different sizes and colours on your bed creates a charming effect. Curtains or valences with fringes, beads, or lace can complement the style of your bed and add detail and elegance to your windows.

Inspire romance using all the senses

The colour of the walls in a room is known to have an influence on our mood.

Your choice of colours will be determined by your personal taste, but be aware that softer colours are more relaxing and tend to inspire serenity. Red and pink are associated with love and passion, however too much of these colours could be overpowering, so combine touches of red or pink with a neutral background colour such as white or cream. Whatever colour scheme you choose, make sure you keep it consistent, as introducing too many colours or styles creates disharmony in your room.

Flowers are always romantic and instantly brighten up a room. For a classic romantic gesture, red roses are the obvious choice, though daisies and tulips are popular alternatives.

The artwork you hang on your walls can also be used to inspire romance. Display your artistic taste with beautiful prints, watercolours or oil paintings, or for something more personal to your relationship, hang a series of photographs of the two of you, or other mementos that have special meaning. Surrounding yourself with personal memories can inspire your relationship like nothing else.

We all know soft lighting is crucial for creating a romantic atmosphere, whether it’s in a dimly lit restaurant or at home in your bedroom. Candles are indelibly linked with romance, so light as many as you like, in all sizes, colours and scents. You could also install lights that can be dimmed or make use of bedside lamps with shades in a soft colour. Don’t allow external light to spoil the mood – If there’s a harsh streetlight outside your window, block it with curtains.

Scent can also have a significant effect on our emotions. To set the mood with scent, use perfumed candles, essential oils burned in an oil burner, or simply a splash of your favourite perfume on your sheets. Choose calming or sensual scents such as jasmine, ylang ylang, rose or vanilla and don’t overdo scent to the point where it becomes overpowering. In addition, bear in mind any allergies or sensitivities to scents your partner may have.

Finally, soft music is a key element in setting a romantic mood. Place a stereo in your bedroom with the speakers away from the head of the bed, so the sound is not too intrusive. Make a CD with a collection of romantic songs or music (bearing in mind again your partner’s taste). Be creative, be inspired, and revitalise the romance in your life!

Have you ever seen those spreads in magazines where a star invites the cameras into their bedroom? The photos are absolutely beautiful, and most of us wish that we had a bedroom that was half as beautiful as that one was. It is possible to have an absolutely gorgeous bedroom, whether you purchase a brand new bedroom set or discount bedroom furniture. All you need is a little imagination, a little time, and a few steps. Step 1: What’s Your Angle?

How do you want your bedroom to look? Are you going for a contemporary feel or for a more sedate, respectable feel? Do you want your bedroom to portray how sexy you are, or would you rather it have a hidden feel of seduction? The first thing you have to do before buying bedroom sets or any type of discount bedroom furniture is to figure out exactly what angle you want to take with your bedroom. The most successful parties are those that have a specific feel to them, and the most successful and beautiful bedrooms are those that have a theme of some sort running through them.

This is one of the trickiest parts because many of us pretend we want something that we truly want. Some believe that they want red lace and leather in their room, when what they’re truly craving is ivory and crisp lines. They believe that they will be more attractive if they have a “sexy” bedroom than if they have the type of room they truly want. Sexiness is in the eye of the beholder, and a cream and pastel room can be just as sexy as one that screams “do me now”!

Step 2: Start Browsing!

Browsing is the next step to conquer. Browsing does not mean shopping. Browsing means that you have to take your time looking around until you find pieces that look similar to the idea you have set in your mind. You may have to bend that idea a little, but eventually you should be able to find a piece of bedroom furniture that is a close match to what you had envisioned in your mind. Don’t forget to check out discount furniture stores as well, as you never know what you might find there!

Step 3: Buying!

Once you’ve figured out how you want the room to look and have done some browsing, it’s time to buy. Don’t think that your bedroom pieces have to be a perfect set. Some bedroom sets that look the best are mismatched pieces! You may have a canopy bed and a missionary style night table. Whatever suits your fancy is what you need to buy!

Don’t forget that you’ll need new linens and pillows. It’s always a hassle to make your bed in the morning, but it looks so much better to show a room that is fully made than to show a room with a mussed bed. With a little time and imagination, you can have a bedroom set beautiful enough to rival any spread in a magazine!

Missed the end of season sales? Don’t fear – top brands are slashing prices this weekend and we’ve scoured the stores to bring you the hottest deals. Catch them while you can.

1. Luxe for less

Heal’s is a master of statement-making design and their sale offers cutting-edge prices to match. Add drama to your home with this Jet nine arm chandelier, made from barley twist glass. It’s just £195, reduced from £455! mydeco is also championing high–end design with an exclusive 15% discount at Nest. Get furniture by top European names like Eames, Starck and Dixon at low prices. Just enter code mydeco15 at the online Nest checkout.

Browse more from Heal’s and Nest

3. Wall wonders

Wallpaperdirect is like an A to Z of wallpaper trends, with all you need to bring your home up to date. Get these for less with our exclusive 20% discount. We love the retro optical effect of this dramatic Fountain design. Enter code MV1788 at the online wallpaperdirect checkout to receive a discount.

Browse more from Wallpaperdirect

4. Let there be light

Make the most of our exclusive 10% discount with Graham & Green while it lasts. Invest in their sophisticated sofas and furniture or illuminate your living room with this glowing fantasy table lamp (£110). Just enter the code H8FSD at the online Graham & Green checkout. View their top ten bestsellers.

Browse more from Graham & Green

5. Top table

Marks & Spencer are offering 30% off furniture and 20% off homeware so snatch up their delicious bedding and other knick knacks while you can. We love the classic look of this Kingston extending dining table – £719, reduced from £899 – made from solid walnut. Entertain in style.

Browse more discounts from Marks & Spencer

6. Music to your ears

John Lewis are offering 10% off PURE DAB radios, TVs and white goods this weekend – an opportunity too good to miss. Get the party started with this Pure Chronos i-Dock DAB radio (£99.95). Just enter code PURE at the online John Lewis checkout and let your weekend kick off.

Browse more from John Lewis

7. Trend spotting

The Cotswold Company is the place to go for country chic style and from Thursday to midnight on Monday they’re slashing 70% off sale lines and 20% off full price items. On our hotlist is their Spot On range of stoneware utensils, including this jar – now £12.25, reduced from £18.95.

Browse more discounts from The Cotswold Company

8. Gadgets and gizmos

Littlewoods Direct are cutting prices by up to 50% so be sure to pick up some of the sale’s spoils. Catch the Olympic finale on this sleek Panasonic HD Freeview LCD TV– now £599, reduced from £849 – or watch your favourite movie in style.

Browse more discounts from Littlewoods Direct

9. By Candlelight

Like an eclectic look? The Pier has a wide range of styles – from Indian to European contemporary – with big price reductions. Hot up your home’s ambience with this flaming red candle bowl – now £3.60, reduced from £12.

Browse more discounts from The Pier

10. Chateau chic

If you love ornate French flourishes grab our exclusive 10% discount on Dibor furniture. Their Louis XV-style pieces will up your home’s luxe factor and this single door wardrobe – now £495, reduced from £550 – is a beautifully carved solution to bedroom storage. Enter mydeco10off at the online Dibor checkout.

Browse more from Dibor

Want to find more exclusive mydeco discounts? Check out our shopping pages. Learn how the art of credit crunch chic with our guide to style for less. To ease your conscience while you shop, visit our eco shopping guide.

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After my second child arrived, I held him in my arms and my husband and I looked at him lovingly as my daughter watched. My toddler then said, “I think we should stay a small family.” That’s when it hit me. We didn’t do enough to prepare my older child for her brother’s arrival.

The good news is I have some suggestions for you on how to make the addition of a new sibling a time of sharing and bonding between you and your first child.

Sibling Tummy Time

As you begin to show in your pregnancy, allow your child to feel the developing baby, and let them begin a relationship early on. Encourage your little one to sing songs, tell jokes, explain the rules of the house, talk about his or her day or express whatever comes to mind.

Family Ultrasound Visit

If possible, have your little one along for an ultrasound. Imagine the excitement you’ll all feel as you see the little addition develop! The miracle of birth is a celebration for the whole family to share.

Track the Baby’s Due Date

Get a special calendar and circle the new baby’s due date. Let your toddler make an X each day as they pass. This is a good way to spend a little time each day allowing your child to talk about how they are feeling and what they are thinking about this impending change to the family structure.

Books about a New Baby

There are great children’s books written to help in this transition. (These, by the way, make an excellent baby gift at a shower for a woman with one child at home.) Make a special date and take your child to the library and read them together. Your little one will feel important, and recognize the sometimes confusing feelings are universal.

Assist with Nursery Design

Are you setting up a nursery? If so, let your child help. I suggest color selection is best left to the adults. Don’t make the same mistake I did and suffer through years of Cotton Candy Yellow in your home. If the two of them will be sharing a bedroom, make sure the older sibling has a say in how the space is arranged, and where the baby’s equipment and clothes will be arranged.

Baby Doll Roll Play

Practice with a life-sized doll. Allow your child to change and bathe the doll, and tuck it into the crib. Explain this is what you’ll be doing when the new baby comes home. This is also a good opportunity to discuss how babies are totally dependent on others for their care, how time-consuming this is, and how big a help an older brother or sister can be!

Early Sibling Schedule Changes

If you’re planning a change of schedule when baby comes (day care, more time with Grandma, preschool, etc.) begin that BEFORE the baby’s arrival. This will allow the adjustment to be made before the Big Event. Your child won’t feel as if he or she is being shoved aside by the arrival of the baby.

Gift for the New Baby

The arrival of a new little one is often an occasion for a baby gift. It’s fun to go on a shopping trip to pick out a baby gift for the new brother or sister that is just from your older child. Make a play time out of wrapping it.

Gift for Big Brother or Sister

And as long as we are talking about a baby gift, make sure you pick out something wonderful and absorbing for your older child in celebration of the new role of Big Brother or Big Sister. Give it to them right before the baby comes, and it does double duty as a way to entertain during those first days when Baby is so time-consuming.

You have no doubt noted the recurring theme in these suggestions: Communication. Siblings feel many emotions as they prepare for an addition to the family. These may include excitement, fear, jealousy, uncertainty and anxiety. By introducing the concept early on, discussing it whenever possible, engaging the older sibling in the preparation and celebrating not only the baby but also the Older Sibling status, you go a long way to promoting positive feelings and attitudes conducive to a lifetime of love and loyalty among your children.

Don’t fool yourself. Kids are affected by their surroundings. High on that list is their bedroom.

Children have a special feeling about their bedroom. It’s theirs! It’s their safe harbor. It’s where they feel especially warm, safe and comfortable.

Parents should take special care in selecting and furnishing that special room

When it comes time to decorate a child’s bedroom, mommy often heads to the local department or furniture store. She makes her selection from the merchandise on the sales floor, and then consider the job done.

Hold on. This method of designing a child’s bedroom can cause problems for years to come. Kid’s bedroom furniture must be planned to meet a child’s growing needs.

To do this the set needs to grow with the child. The set needs to have add-on pieces that can be purchased when the child needs more drawers, etc.

Think Safety with Kids Furniture

A child’s bedroom set also needs to be created with safety in mind. A good youth bedroom set uses solid screws, curved wide edges, solid wood that will not crack or break, and easy to use pulls for opening drawers.

The little person’s bedroom furniture set needs to have easy to roll out drawers with automatic stops. And one last thing, it should be easy to clean.

To help build the child’s sense of well being the set should include more than just a bed, nightstand, dresser, and student desk.

This is more important when buying a youth’s bedroom ensemble. Older children collect television sets, stereo systems, computers, and schoolbooks. They need table tops.

Kids Need Storage

They need room to store their equipment, toys, and sporting goods. This means they need more furniture.

Most people never see a youth bedroom set at their local department or furniture store. That is because they are more of a designer item. Department stores only carry items that move off the sales floor quickly.

This sometimes means their child’s bedroom sets are lower quality, so they can be priced to sell quickly.

Shopping online has become the preferred way to buy high quality furniture at affordable prices. You will often find that your online furniture merchant offers higher quality than you can find at the local merchant’s store.

One example is the Flash set. It includes a twin bed with closed and open storage, one bookcase headboard with an integrated light, a night table with two drawers, a 5-drawer chest, a 6-drawer double dresser, a student desk, and a dresser with 3 drawers which can make a perfect entertainment center.

The cost of purchasing this set from a reputable online store is about $2050.00 with shipping included. That price includes a five year manufacturer’s warranty.

Easy Clean Surfaces

Another similar child bedroom set is the Q-bik. Both of these make excellent youth bedroom sets. Their sheik, modern design and easy to clean surfaces make cleaning the bedroom so easy even your child will want to pitch in (we can dream can’t we?).

If a teen is asked what they want in a bedroom set, the first thing they will ask for is something that won’t embarrass them. Both of the bedroom sets recommended here are excellent choices, but of course there are many others to choose from online.

Child bedroom sets need to be functional. This is first and foremost. Most parents understand this when deciding whether to buy a child’s bedroom set with a loft bed, bunk bed, or trundle bed.

Video Game Chair

Sure parents want functionality when shopping for a child’s bedroom set, but they may not take into consideration what their children will do with their furniture. One thing most parents overlook is a video game chair.

This is an ergonomically designed chair that allows children hours of enjoyment, without damaging their posture. Kid’s bedroom furniture sets do not include video chairs, but it is an important add on.

Another functional completion piece to a kid’s bedroom furniture set is a beanbag chair in a sport or fantasy shape, or a foam chair. Both are flexible and adjust to fit the complex postures children flop into when watching television or talking on the telephone.

Shopping for children’s bedroom furniture can be fun and affordable when done through the Internet. Just think like a child and you’ll come up a winner!

You can learn more about shopping online for bedrooms here http://www.BedRoomSetsHere.com

Once reserved for royalty or the very rich, luxury bedding is one of those delightful pleasures in life that is progressively becoming a must-have. We’ve all seen the rise of popularity with Egyptian cotton sheets over the years and now it seems that luxury bedding is one of those items that people just can’t imagine being without. Each year manufacturers are showing up at the home textile shows to display new collections. Although some trends in color or design appear, it’s the classics or soon to be classics that survive. Today’s consumer wants bedding that is comfortable, classic, durable, and will withstand the changes in trends. Neutral colors and delicate embroidery in high thread count sheeting is in high demand. Silk, linen, and Egyptian cotton fabrics are top choices for bedding fabrics that are extremely soft and beautiful.

Adding to or changing your luxury bedding is a great way to change the look of your room without changing everything. It’s much easier to change your look if you start with neutrals. Use neutral colors such as white, ivory, taupe, or green and soft details when selecting sheets and bed skirts. We are no longer limited by choices. Most manufacturers offer the same color palette for coordinating collections that can be mixed and matched. If you don’t find exactly what you want, most manufacturers will customize your bedding so you can get the best fit and colors of your choosing. Just remember that anything that is special ordered or custom made requires on average a 6-week wait, but it is worth it.

Not everything has to match. Select different pieces for your duvet cover and shams to instantly create a new look. Layering with coverlets and throws is great way to add texture to the room. Many manufacturers are starting to include these pieces in their bedding collections. You also have the option of coordinating coverlets and throws in the same colors, but different designs, textures, or weaves for added appeal.

If you find a fabric or bedding design that appeals to you, you don’t have to purchase an entire ensemble. Keep your main bedding neutral and purchase decorative pillows in your favorite fabrics to add a touch of color or pattern for a different look or to change with the seasons. This is a creative and easy way to showcase those fabrics you love. Pillows can be purchased or custom made to your specifications and style. Purchase several so they can be easily changed at whim.

If you have many pieces of furniture in the room, consider an Upholstered headboard in coordinating fabrics to freshen your decor and soften the room. Adding pillows in the same fabric will complete the look. Most luxury bedding manufacturers offer fabric by the yard so that you can customize your window treatments and accessories.

Your bedroom is your retreat, so spice it up or add soothing elements to please your senses. Don’t necessarily follow trends. Instead, follow your instincts and do what makes you happy and content.

Decorating your bedroom should not be a job that you rush through. It takes time, preparation and planning to create the perfect space for your bedroom. Your bedroom is probably the most important room of your home, it’s where you will relax at the end of a hard days work, it’s where you can retire and read your book, it’s where you need to feel complete harmony and tranquility to get a good nights sleep each night. Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow when choosing your bedroom furniture and decorating your bedroom.

- Do make paper plans of your bedroom before you do anything else! Before you pick up a paint brush, before you purchase your bedroom suite, before you even say the word ‘bedroom’ you should have already made a plan of your bedroom and detailed out where your furniture will go, have an array of colour charts to show the colour scheme and a carefully selected range of fabrics. Preparation is key.

- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There is a common theme today that the plainer it is the better it is and this is true to an extent and for some people but there is also nothing wrong with choosing a colour scheme or a set of bedroom furniture that really shows off your personality and character. The key to this is for every extravagant choice whether it’s a piece of furniture or choice of paint, have a plain choice next to it to balance it out. For example you may want to choose a bold red for the walls but you are a fearful it is too much, why not have one wall in the deep red and the rest of the walls in white or an off white, extravagance plus plain equals perfection.

- Do shop around for your bedroom furniture. You may think all high streets sell the same bedroom furniture sets so what is the point of going from place to place and wasting time! Even if you only go to three shops make the time and go, you will be surprised at the different suites you will see. You are going to be living with this furniture for the next couple of years and so taking out a day or two finding the perfect furniture set isn’t too much to ask, you never know what golden treasurers you may come across.

- Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Do you have a vision of how your bedroom can look but you aren’t a 100% sure how to pull it off? Don’t let pride or shyness get in the way go to your local paint shop or furniture store and ask them what they think, or maybe your next door neighbour is an interior designer or you love your friends decorating and want to know how they did it, ask! No question is silly.