Creating a calming space for your primary bedroom is the art of blending the senses. More so than perhaps any other room in the home, your bedroom has the opportunity to create a rich palette of comforting colors, textures, scents and sounds. It gives you the opportunity to bathe your mind and body in the rejuvenating effects of the biophilic environment.
In this month’s blog, I invite you to open up to a dreamy collection that invites the senses to relax, renew, and rejuvenate.
To truly create a calming sanctuary, it is essential to simplify your visual environment. Doing so can have profound effects on your well-being. Remove anything that does not support the purpose of your bedroom - sleeping, reading/meditating, and intimacy. Decluttering allows your mind and heart to find profound peace amidst the overwhelming visual noise. Consider the following steps:
Remember, less is more in a bedroom. Dare to remove at least a third of your belongings and experience the incredible lightness and freedom it brings.
Color holds immense power over our emotions. To create a truly personal and emotionally balanced atmosphere, choose colors that evoke a deep sense of tranquility, supporting relaxation and a sense of balance. Draw inspiration from nature's palette, starting with earthy browns and darker greens, and gradually transitioning to lighter blues and creamy whites that envelop you in a warm embrace.
Here are some recommended bedroom sanctuary color palettes:
When painting, opt for low-luster paint, such as velvet, to enhance richness. Additionally, choose low-no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints for better air quality, ensuring that every breath you take is filled with serenity.
Incorporating natural materials into your bedroom design is not just a design choice, but a deeply emotional one. Select furniture and decor made from wood, bamboo, or stone. These materials not only bring nature indoors but also provide a tactile experience that connects you to the earth and contributes to a cleaner sleeping environment due to their low VOC levels.
Bringing plants and greenery into your bedroom is an essential act of self-care, creating a profound sense of calm and restfulness. Plants have incredible healing properties, releasing oxygen and removing toxins, contributing to a healthier home environment. Whether using live plants or high-quality artificial ones, incorporating greenery through soothing colors and nature-inspired artwork sets the stage for deep relaxation.
Choose bedding made from high-quality, long-lasting materials like bamboo, tencel, 100% cotton, or linen. Linen, in particular, regulates body temperature and improves with age, wrapping you in a cocoon of comfort. Layer your bed with lightweight linens that can be added or removed according to weather and room temperature.
Incorporate tactile elements such as faux fur throws, chunky blankets, nubby rugs, and seagrass wallpaper to create a sense of relaxation and curiosity. The gentle touch of these materials reduces stress and promotes overall well-being, allowing you to truly unwind.
Lighting holds the power to transform your bedroom into a plethera of emotions.
To create a true sanctuary, remove distractions such as televisions, photos, and phones from your primary bedroom. These can disrupt your mood and sleep quality, preventing you from fully immersing yourself. Unplugging allows you to fully embrace relaxation and promotes a retreat-like atmosphere where you can reconnect with your inner self. For more information on the importance of a good night's sleep, check out our two-part series here.
Aromatherapy and sound have the incredible ability to touch our souls and transport us to a place of profound wellness and relaxation. Immerse yourself in the power of scent by investing in a high-quality diffuser and experimenting with various scents that resonate with your heart.
From complex blends to single notes like lavender or frankincense, aromatherapy can balance, center, enhance memory, and promote deep healing. We also love woodsy scents such as cedar or Hinoki. You can view one of our favorite guides for essential oils and their health benefits here.
Additionally, consider incorporating sound into your bedroom. Use sound masking devices or apps to drown out external noise and create a spa-like atmosphere that soothes your spirit. Experiment with different sounds, such as white noise or meditative soundtracks, to find what brings you the most profound relaxation. Growing up in the hills of Mandeville Canyon, my personal favorite are the sounds of crickets on warm summer nights with the windows open.
(Fun Fact: this is where we get our name!)
By combining these deeply personal and emotionally resonant ideas rooted in biophilic design and neuro-aesthetic principles, you can design a bedroom that not only looks serene but also promotes a calming and peaceful atmosphere for relaxation and sleep.
Immerse yourself in a bedroom oasis that exudes tranquility and serenity. Say goodbye to chaos and hello to a haven of peace and rejuvenation. Unlock the secrets of biophilic design and let your senses be captivated by the harmonious blend of nature and aesthetics.
With the invaluable tips and ideas shared in this blog post, you can effortlessly transform your bedroom into a sanctuary that promotes ultimate relaxation, restores balance, and nurtures your well-being.
Let Mandeville Canyon Designs be your trusted guide on this transformative journey. Reach out to us today and embark on the path to creating your own personal haven of rest and relaxation.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.
