Style update: 25 practical tips to make bedrooms beautiful

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1 Make a blanket statement

A luxurious blanket is often all that's needed to create a beautiful setting. They can be expensive but consider it an investment piece that you can one day pass on as an heirloom.

In DIY guru and builder Karin Cronj 's bedroom, a gorgeous wool blanket featuring leaves in a deep jade is a showstopper.

The dense, felted fabric is ideal for adding definition and colour to a country home or a sleek city pad.

2 Bold in blue

The perfect colour to send you off to dreamland, blue is a world-wide favourite for bedroom feature walls.

This children's room in a nagmaalhuisie (communion cottage) in Richmond in the Northern Cape boasts opulent d cor and soft furnishings that complement the Victorian architecture of the building.

Serial renovator Jan Sauer Lambrechts loves the intense blue palette: "I find darker colours simultaneously cosy and cool, which works perfectly in the extreme Karoo climate. I love the harmonious, tranquil feel it creates."

3 Paint

Paint remains the quickest and most affordable way to instantly update a bedroom. Don't be afraid to experiment with darker colours.

Expert advice: Jan Sauer's tips

A firm believer in having fun with his choice of interior finishes, Jan Sauer pushed his own creative boundaries and combined traditional chequered knee blankets and opulent floral motifs to create a Victorian feel with a twist.

For each bed, two contrasting PEP Home blankets were sewn together.

"The blankets make for an unusual focal point, and the combination adds an element of eccentricity."

CONTACTsauergroup.co.za

4 Find an interesting headboard

"This bespoke wall-mounted headboard creates the impression of an oversized pillow - and it's super comfortable," says Anlo Neethling of One Design and Development.

Choosing leather over fabric is practical as it holds its shape well and provides a durable finish with a soft, inviting texture.

The copper rail from which the headboard is suspended further enhances its stylish contemporary appeal.

5 attention to detail

The studded detail on this headboard, custom made by designer Sue Lederle, adds a visually interesting decorative element that instantly gives this bedroom unique character.

An imported fabric by Jane Churchill was chosen to establish a striking contrast to the wall colour.

6 Get a handle on it

Much like a paint job, fitting new doorknobs or handles on cupboards will instantly elevate your space. Long wooden handles are all the rage; they're elegant and add a touch of warmth.

Try Douglas & Douglas and Handles Inc. for a variety of similar designs. Gold and brushed gold finishes for knobs and handles contribute to a luxe aesthetic.

7 Upgrade with wallpaper

Wallpaper is not reserved for walls - it can also transform a dull melamine cupboard into a focal feature.

Vintage designs such as black-and-white landscapes invoke a sense of nostalgia and add a classic element to your d cor.

Consider having one of your favourite black-and-white photographs or prints enlarged and printed on wallpaper for a personal touch that tells a story and reflects who you are.

Various companies such as Smart Art, Orms Print Room & Framing and Hope Vol Hoop, to name just a few, offer this service.

8 Black and white

There's something about a black-and-white colour scheme that just works, especially in a bedroom. It's simple, elegant and timeless.

The trick is to use various shades of black, charcoal, grey and white in combination with pattern and texture. Take it even further with black photo frames and steel bedside tables to add an industrial touch.

9 Go monochrome

According to thespruce.com, a monochromatic colour scheme offers the following benefits when it comes to design:

• It creates a sense of simplicity and harmony;

• eliminates concerns about clashing colours;

• provides a minimalist backdrop to highlight precious items or antiques;

• highlights contrasting elements and architecture in a room;

• makes a bold impression when using an intense or unusual colour base.

10 Go dotty

This room in designer Sue Lederle's home doubles as her grandchildren's den and a guest bedroom, so it had to strike a balance between functionality and fun.

To bring the walls to life with a pattern that would be playful but not overpowering, Sue chose a vibrant blue wallpaper animated with small white dots by Thibaut from St Leger & Viney.

The Roman blind is a practical treatment that both softens the window's edges and complements the strong lines of the metal-framed bed.

A pom-pom fringe adds another layer of cheerfulness to a welcoming space that doesn't take itself too seriously.

11 Playful in pink

We're smitten with this beautiful bedroom in the Pineapple House Boutique Hotel in Sea Point.

"Pink is a tricky colour to get right as it can often lean towards being too mauve or too orange, depending on the light in the room," say owners Lesley and Rupert Sykes.

"This pink hits the mark - and it's a great shade to pair with complementary prints and colours."

Here, blue tones balance the look and make the pink a little less ‘girly'. A collection of suitcases adds a quirky touch.

12 Oversized art

Bedrooms often have large windows or sliding doors that open to the outdoors, leaving the wall behind the bed as the only space available for art.

"An oversized work of art is the ideal solution for creating a focal point in such spaces," says Amanda du Plessis of Evolution Product.

"The wall art in my bedroom is a design I created for Weylandts 10 years ago and it embodies our intention to create conversation pieces for the home.

"The archival visual was printed on 100% linen, dyed by hand, painted and embroidered with yellow mohair. It's a statement piece that pulls my room together."

13 An exotic touch

Indian prints have become extremely popular - they're ideal for adding colour and pattern to your bedroom.

"People love the vibrant colours, intricate designs and cultural significance of Indian quilts," says Jenna Kahn of India Ink.

"They're unique and visually appealing, adding a touch of exoticism and elegance to any space. When it comes to colours, we find that most people are drawn to the calming tones of earthy greens and soothing blues, but bold and dramatic reds, pinks and jade are also a hit.

"Always choose a quilt with a pattern and colours that resonate with your personal style and consider the scale of the pattern to ensure that it will work well in your space."

Fabric inspiration

We love these exciting options from India Ink.

14 Layer, layer, layer

Don't forget to add layers! A duvet cover and two pillows won't do the trick to create that well-finished look. Use at least one or two throws over the bed, over and above the duvet.

The same goes for scatters - it doesn't have to be a mountain of cushions; even one in the middle will add interest. And remember the floor - introducing a rug is an easy way to add another layer to the space.

If you don't have a beautiful wooden floor, you can include a loose rug on top of a wall-to-wall carpet.

15 Decorative shelves

Who doesn't love a cute little wall shelf? Well, how about seven of them?

We adore this grouping of floating shelves above this bed. Not only do they create an interesting focal point, but they also allow you to switch up your d cor and colour scheme when you feel the urge.

The design of the black steel boxes enhances a contemporary aesthetic, while the wooden bases add warmth.

16 Textured wallpaper

We love wallpaper that makes a statement, but sometimes less is more. The muted woven wallpaper in this bedroom introduces a subtle texture that wouldn't have been achieved with paint.

Wallpaper from Hertex; lamp and scatter from Weylandts.

Wallpaper inspiration

Whether you're keen on pattern or texture, wallpaper immediately changes the look and feel of a bedroom.

17 Paint a feature wall

A once navy-blue wall was transformed into a fresh masterpiece when Daniel Swanepoel and Rial Visagie of Clairvaux Estate and Rialheim in Robertson got their hands on some paintbrushes.

For Daniel, who studied art, it was the ideal opportunity to work on a large surface.

"I applied white PVA paint with a thick brush in horizontal strokes over the existing Dulux Blue Beard," he explains.

"The strokes were uneven and ranged between 400 and 750cm. Once the paint started to dry, I vigorously painted over the white with a clean brush and water to create texture. I also painted some clouds.

"When the paint had dried completely, I scratched in random lines with a blade to create a sense of movement."

18 Rich textures and colours

In the main bedroom in his Victorian nagmaalhuisie (communion cottage) in Richmond in the Northern Cape,

Jan Sauer Lambrechts built the d cor scheme around the wallpaper.

Not shy to mix patterns for an eclectic feel, Jan Sauer finished the look with a vintage rug, wall-mounted plates and fish sketches. "The nagmaalhuisie has such an elegant façade, I didn't want to make the interior ‘too heavy' - I prefer to keep it playful and eclectic," he says.

He searched through piles of upholstery fabric to find just the right thing to provide the rich colours that would complement the monochrome wallpaper.

A handmade throw with embroidery detail provides texture.

19 Be daring!

"The minute we saw this wallpaper, we simply had to have it!" says Lesley Sykes of the Pineapple House Boutique Hotel in Sea Point.

"We knew it would make a stunning statement piece in this room. It connects very nicely with all our artworks from SMAC Gallery in Cape Town; they created several gallery walls in our new five-room extension."

The dark grey behind the bed works well with the colourful wallpaper and serves as a dramatic backdrop for wall art.

20 The right lighting

The role of a bedside lamp is very important. At bedtime, it offers softer lighting and creates a mood conducive to sleeping.

It also serves a role as task lighting when you want to read in bed, especially if your partner is keen to sleep.

21 Flooring

A seagrass rug serves as a beautiful textural element - and it's lovely and soft underfoot.

D cor accessories in natural materials have become increasingly popular in homes. Unlike synthetic rugs and carpeting, natural fibres will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer.

Coir is made from coconut husks, while seagrass, as the name suggests, is grass harvested from the sea or near the sea. Sisal is woven from the long leaves of the Agave sisalana plant.

SOURCE:sisalcarpet.com

22 An abundance of plants

Plants are a great addition to any bedroom! They add a fresh burst of greenery and bring the outdoors in.

If you're concerned about them emitting carbon dioxide at night, don't worry.

There are loads of indoor plants that produce oxygen during the day and at night, including heart leaf philodendron, peace lily, spider plant, snake plant and the money plant, to name just a few.

Old security bars were reclaimed to create an indoor trellis for the philodendron.

Fresh idea! Two kids sharing a room? Create a divider by fitting a rail on the ceiling and hanging an eye-catching curtain that can be closed when necessary.

23 A gallery wall

Gallery walls are not reserved just for the living room!

They work equally well in a bedroom. Here, in the manor house at Clairvaux Estate in Robertson, the bedroom art is personal: the prints, many of which are by the artist Walter Battis, have been collected over a period of

16 years.

The cute dinosaur behind is from the owners' business, Rialheim, and it keeps the look playful and fresh.

TIP Mix and match wooden frames with black frames and other unusual items to create contrast.

24 Hello sunshine!

Colour plays an important role in a bedroom and can be introduced in a variety of ways. With yellow being such a happy and energetic colour, it's a good choice for small bedrooms.

"This was one of the more bold and confident colours that we decided on," says Lesley Sykes of the Pineapple House Boutique Hotel.

"It literally is pure sunshine and when the light streams in, it looks absolutely beautiful. The yellow is balanced by strong colours such as the jungle greens in the scatter cushions at the back and rich blues in the quilt design."

The cupboard design is a clever solution for a small bedroom as it allows for maximum use of space.

"Recessed side tables were built into the design; this allows for plug points right next to the bedside, with drawers below and cupboards above," explains Lesley. "It's extremely practical - and it looks great!"

25 Let curtains pool

Whether curtains and bedspreads should pool on the floor or not is a contentious issue.

However, if they are made of luxurious 100% linen, such as these ones, you will want to show them off! If you're keen to create this opulent look, keep the rest of the room as simple as possible.

Here, a single artwork on the wall and a classic pedestal next to the bed does the trick.