If there is anyone who loves relaxing and spending ‘alone time’ it is me, who likes nothing better than watching a vintage episode of Fresh Meat, with a beer in one hand and my phone in the other, while I scroll through coveted Instagram Feeds absentmindedly. After all, when the days are long and the nights are cruel, why traipse around in the cold after hardcore ‘party sessions’ when you can eat deliciously divine cheesecake and scoop m&m’s into your mouth, wrapped in the fluffiest most plush blanket that you can imagine. To me without my bedroom I would be lost, it’s a space for me to be creative, a hub where the magic happens and above all floats between being a ‘chill’ and work space all in one room, which needless to say is as convenient as it sounds. And I am not alone;most of us love our bedrooms. We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms sleeping, relaxing, working out or just reading or watching TV. So, naturally, we would want our bedroom to be a cosy place we can go and really chill out in. Which is why creating a bedroom that would help me unwind and relax after grueling ‘work schedules’ was so important, because to me, even though I have moved house so many times, my one end goal was finding a bedroom that was cozy, infinitely ‘me’ and above all a place where I could disconnect from reality.
Fortunately, creating that ‘Cozy’ atmosphere is not a difficult or arduous task. From buying new bedding to ‘freshen up your room’ to buying a throw to see you through viciously cold winter nights, here are five ways to make your bedroom cozier this winter.
Out With The Old And In With The New:Replace your tired old bedding set
As someone who has moved house 9 times in the last four years, and four times since I moved to London two years ago, it might seem obvious to state that one of the first things that I do when moving into a new place is to replace my sheets, duvet, pillows and covers so that I can truly feel like I am making a fresh new start. And it makes sense, after all whether you are moving house or just want to make your room cozier, the first step is to replace your old bedding set and exchange it for new bedding that matches the ‘vibe’ or aesthetic that you are trying to go for. So if your bedding has seen better days, throw it out and treat yourself to a new set. Or if your bedding is still ‘usuable’ but no longer reflects what you are looking for then why not recycle your duvet set or donate it to a charity collection point/ clothes bank to give someone else a chance to sleep comfortably at night.
I always find that while I am a ‘frugal shopper’ given my financial situation, when it comes to bedding and mattresses, I try and go for something that A. is comfortable enough to support my back, B. help me sleep better and C. buy good-quality bedding,from retailers like JD Williams whose range of cotton bedding sets are not only affordable but also have a higher thread count, as well as a big range of linen. While colourful and floral bedding tends to be my ‘interior design’ aesthetic, there are times when I crave something more minimalist to match the design of my bedroom, so replacing your bedding set is not always because it is ‘tired’ but more so because you fancy a change, which is great for your mental headspace.
Update your window coverings: Let There Be Light?
To me there is nothing more cozier or enriching than the sight of natural light coming through my window, while the birds trill in the trees, but for others the morning sun can be a nightmare. Thus if the morning sun is waking you up, consider updating your curtains or window blinds to control how much light is coming in your window at different times of the day. Ideally, you would want something that covers the window and about half of a meter each side, so that the window covering is as elegant as it is practical. Provided the material they are made of is thick enough, it will block out all of the light and leave you to enjoy your morning in pleasurable slumber without being woken up by the sun. This should enable you to sleep as late as you want, or at least until you have snoozed your alarm for the tenth time because you are struggling to get out of bed.
However it is important to make sure that the design of your curtains allows you to reveal the entire window during the day. This will maximize the amount of light that gets into your room during daylight hours, a particularly important consideration if your bedroom doubles up as an office, as mine does.
Add some throw pillows : Keep It Cozy
Asides from the bedding, the most important part of creating a cozy bedroom is adding throw pillows and a throw to make your room feel more inviting, especially in the winter , when the nights are cold and the wind is wild. And while not everyone likes to have extra pillows on their bed, for me having throw pillows gives your room that extra edge as well as relaxing you into a meditative trance. While throw pillows are not to everyone’s taste for those who believe in the motto that the more pillows the better is an actual thing, why not go ahead and try and make your own throw pillows by using a no-sew technique here.
Buy a nice throw: Afternoon Nap Central
And speaking of throws, adding a thick throw to a bed also gives it a more inviting feel, as well as accentuating the comfort of the aforementioned throw pillows. There are times where I have contemplated just wearing my throw as a blanket cape to get the groceries, but my rational side told me that probably would go down like a lead balloon, so it comes as no surprise that throws are the perfect remedy for sleeping, relaxing and ideal for crawling under for a nap in the afternoon if naps are your thing and you are not an insomniac like me. In warmer months as well I always find that a quilt can be too ‘warm’ and bulky’ so something more lightweight like a throw to help you sleep, will give you that night’s sleep that you so crave.
Create a reading nook : Embrace The Books
As someone who has over 1,000 books ( I know right have I ever heard of a canny invention called Kindle?), it goes without saying that a gorgeous reading nook or bookcase, would be right up my street, especially if there was a cute retro reading light to add a finishing touch. By creating a reading nook, not only do you have somewhere to relax after a long evening, when you are craving to escape into someone else’s world, but you also add dimension to a room, turning it into a reading space, as well as somewhere that you would associate with going to sleep. By placing a nice big, soft easy chair in the corner, complete with a footrest, you have somewhere comfortable to access your ‘mini library’, while a beautiful attractive blanket or throw draped over the chair is a great idea too. After all imagine curling up with a juicy book in the dead of night wrapped in as many blankets as humanly possible? A reading nook could also be a great place to study or craft, especially if you buy a small lap table, you can sit in your chair and do a bit of crafting instead. You can find out how to create a nice reading nook in any room, here.
Add some drink making facilities
Sometimes when you share a house like I do, it can be difficult sharing amenities with others and can often feel like you are an imposter in someone else’s home. Which is why in the new place I just moved into, I decided that it would be a good idea to not only keep a small fridge in my room, to get away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, but also keep my blender and smoothie maker upstairs to save space on downstairs storage. Besides there is nothing better than kicking back with a soothing cup of herbal tea or grabbing a cold beer from the fridge without having to go downstairs and rifle through the fridge. Small fridges are a great way of keeping up your water intake, ensuring you are snacking and eating throughout the day and the right drink making facilities can turn your room into a quirky hub to eat and drink. In fact I even something as cool as a slushie maker in my room for warmer months!So, there you have it, some easy ways to make your bedroom feel cosier. Just choose the ones that appeal to you and put them into effect in your own home.
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