How to Make Your Bedroom a Sanctuary

From a fragrant, bubbly bathtub to pretty much anywhere that’s quiet, every mom needs a peaceful place now and then. With a few key changes, your bedroom can be that escape hatch for everyday Zen, says Rebecca West of Seattle-based Rivalee Design. “Turning your bedroom into a sanctuary doesn’t have to be expensive, but it is important,” says West. “It is where you begin and end every day of your life, and it is where you rest and recharge to be ‘super-mom’ again the next day.”

Streamlining your space is the first—and most important—step to achieving a sense of sanctuary. West suggests doing a clean sweep of anything that reminds you of the outside world—and the responsibilities that await outside your bedroom walls. “You must start by eliminating the kid stuff, office work, laundry and stack of old magazines you keep ‘meaning to read,’” says West. “You don’t need anything in that room nagging at you.”

Pick your palette wisely because the right color of paint can make all the difference in how you feel once you step inside your bedroom. West suggests painting with a "sensual color,” like purple, navy blue, light airy aqua or another color that resonates with you just the right way. “You get to determine what a ‘sensual color’ is, but a fresh coat of paint makes everything clean and new, and the right color not only sets a great mood, but [also] creates a cohesive room,” says West.

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Time to put that outdated light fixture or uninviting bulb to rest. Lighting is one of the most effective ways to set the mood, and changing it up isn’t as hard as you might think. “Many people rely on a single overhead light to light their bedroom, but a good table lamp on a generous nightstand will finish off the room and make a much more inviting atmosphere than that skinny light on the ceiling,” says West, who recommends a nightstand at least 24 inches wide and 24-inch tall lamp.

Has your furniture seen you through college, your single days and then some? Could your bed use a major makeover? If the answer is “yes,” you’re not alone. “If you’re like most people, your bedding has seen better days,” says West. “Be honest about the state of your furniture—if your bed is rickety or your mattress is sagging, invest in a new one. You spend eight hours a night (or a precious five) there, so be kind to your body.”

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Has your motto always been, “The more pillows, the better?” You may want to rethink that approach, says West. “Keep your bedroom easy to use—you don’t need yet another project every time you go to bed or when you get up,” she cautions. “At the same time, you do want a lush and luxurious look.” West suggests placing three Euro shams across your bed and layering them with your bed pillows. Adds West, “That, plus perhaps one small throw pillow, is more than enough.”

Need some insta-calm? Candles add serenity and sensuality to your space. So light a candle (or several), but do it with care. West offers several caveats for candle-lovers: “Try to buy higher quality candles so that you aren’t adding bad chemicals to your air, and go gently with the scents,” advises West. “You don’t want to over-perfume the room—that is not relaxing, and it can bring on headaches.” Also, be careful not to place candles too close to curtains and don’t allow pets near them when lit.

Love the feeling of stepping onto a lush rug? It's easy to add one to your bedroom. West’s top tip: buy a rug that is at least an 8 by 10 so it can extend out from beneath the bed and place a rug pad under it. “It’s always nicest to step out of the bed onto something soft and warm underfoot,” says West. “Putting a rug pad underneath will not only feel so much nicer to your feet, but also prolong the life of your area rug.”

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Like a great lipstick, curtains add that final touch that pulls the room together and helps it feel complete. Whatever design you choose, West suggests using blackout drapes that can help you go from day to night—and back again—with ease. "Not only will it soften the look of your room, but it will also control both the light and the noise from the outside world," she says.

Adding personal touches that are uniquely you will make your bedroom feel like something special. Consider adding wall decals to spell out a meaningful phrase or hanging a sexy chandelier for a touch of glam. Create a custom canvas with a black-and-white photo of you and your significant other or invest in a painting from one of your favorite artists. These finishing touches are sure to help you achieve bedroom bliss.