Today, our lives are a whirlwind of activity as we rush through the day ticking off the lengthy to-do list while navigating the ups and downs that come our way. It is no wonder that our bedrooms become a refuge as the day finally subsides.  

 

Kim Williams, Cape Town-based Creative Behaviour Strategist focused on designing interior spaces knows better than most the importance of a bedroom sanctuary. 

 

Having spent much of her childhood in her bedroom due to a physical limitation, she has a deep passion for positively impacting the physical and emotional wellbeing of her clients’ so they can live their best possible life – at home and work. Kim knows that a beautiful space provides mental asylum from the chaos of the world and an opportunity to rest our bodies.

 

Here are Kims Top Tips to Creating Your Perfect Bedroom Oasis: 

 

Functionality is key 

 

The point of departure with a bedroom is to understand who will live there and what type of experience you want to create. The main bedroom of a single man, for example, will be different from that of a married couple and the functionality of the design must reflect that.  Next, you need to decide on the atmosphere you want to create. Do you want a romantic bedroom or do you want your bedroom to have a luxurious hotel feel? Deciding on these elements will help you get emotionally invested in the design, the process and the finished room because you have cultivated an emotional connection to your space.

 

Pay attention to flow and energy

 

Excellent spaces are designed around what we would ideally like to use them for and should not constrict or dictate our movement. Paying attention to how you live, such as where you sit, where you stand and where you snuggle in your bedroom, will give insight into how you want to ideally move through your future space.

 

Be mindful that there is always going to be an element of what is adjustable and what is not. Once you have identified your unique living patterns you will find that layering your space with wonderful pieces of furniture and accessories will be a more seamless process.

Get inspired… 

Looking through books of famous designers, magazines and Pinterest will help you gain an understanding of the lines, shapes and colours you are naturally drawn to. When you enter new spaces, look out for magical things that catch the corner of your eye because they will give you insight and direction.   And, be mindful that your home is a larger entity that your bedroom is part of and make sure you have a cohesive design.

In my design work, I draw inspiration from a loved item of my client – particularly paintings and sentimental objects – because they represent the perfect microcosm of their emotional sentiment and intellectual tastes.

Embrace multifunctionality 

A bedroom is so much more than just a bedroom, and although we primarily sleep in the space, many of us are using our bedrooms as offices, dressing rooms, home gyms and relaxation spaces.  An easy way to add functionality is with nightstands which easily double as desks and dressing tables. Multifunctional doesn’t have to be unromantic either. The colours that you use, how you accessorise and use smart storage, will all contribute to how cluttered your space feels.

If you are a neat person, open storage is a great option. If you are not, blanket boxes are useful for storing items at the end of the bed. The colour of the furniture, such as dark tones that recede into the background and arranging of your furniture to reveal the room one vista at a time is also very important when creating zones.

Have fun

One of the most profound parts of any project is combining creative understanding and skill to create a tailored retreat where you feel alive in your space. It evokes feelings of inspiration and excitement in us. Connecting with your changing space and being mindful of the new and old elements that evoke memories and emotion in you,  help you to reconnect with yourself. When we create our environment there is a powerful sense of control and accomplishment we feel in the process, so take a deep breath and enjoy it.

Kim believes that as people we create spaces on an intelligent subconscious level and that by understanding where we feel the best, we will get closer to excellent mindful design. If we give ourselves the freedom to dream about our ideal environment and then act to construct it, we create asylum from the busyness of the outside world.

 

For more stories like this, Get Estate Life Magazine for free