Stress, stress, stress! Everywhere we turn today, there’s some new crisis to deal with. That’s why we love to spend so much time at home in our bedrooms, where we can relax. The trick, however, is to recognize that the colors we use in our bedroom decor have a significant influence on whether our bedroom can truly become a sanctuary.

The most soothing shades for the bedroom come from nature, say home design experts. These hues make us think of restful glades and cool meadows, places where our souls are nurtured by nature’s beauty.

With the trend toward neutrals in all home decorating this year, neutral colors also are finding their way into bedrooms; in area rugs, in sheets and in curtains too. However, these neutrals aren’t blah or stark, being softened by combinations of green and brown that have been popular recently.

You need to pay close attention the shade of green you are getting. Some greens like acid green can actually stimulate your mind instead of resting it. So before you buy anything hold the green shade up to your skin and compare. When you look in a mirror you will see the green tone reflected back in the mirror as well as on your skin. You want to have it balance instead of stand out causing you to look like an alien.

Classic colors are back in style. Remember to choose colors that are restful and not those that keep you thinking. Muted greens like the color of plants, is a good choice. You can match them with a shade of blue that will remind you of the blue sky and water. Blue has a calming, soothing feel to it and would be perfect in a bedroom.

Lavender is another color that pairs well with botanical greens. The combination is predicted to be a leader in decor for girls’ rooms. Lavender and green create a peaceful feeling in the bedroom, especially when layered with lavender-scented bed linen spray and sachets for closets and drawers. Don’t overdo the scents, though; you could become overwhelmed quickly.

Amid all these color variations aimed at creating a serene space in the bedroom, you just had to expect that there would be one breakout. This year the bold, sophisticated color is … pink.

Believe it or not, pink – not the pastel pink of a girl’s room, but a vibrant shade warmed with a slight yellow undertone – is turning up as the eye-popping exception to overall trends. Pink has been a powerful shade in fashion for both women and men over the past year, and that energy has now moved into home decorating, particularly in the bedroom.

If these colors seem to be too restful for you then try making them blend better with accessories like gold colors on sheets, curtains, and area rugs. Put silk fabric on one wall, add a crystal chandelier and more.

In the end, comforting as the color scheme may be, the bedroom should reflect the personality of its inhabitant. Bedrooms are after all the most intimate room in the home, and should be whatever makes you feel most peaceful and happy.

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The hallmarks of the contemporary aesthetic are the use of neutral tones and clean, sleek lines paired with little to no excess details. This doesn’t, however, mean that you have to deck your room out with all the sterility of a hospital. Going overboard with the contemporary look almost always ends up with a room that looks and feels cold and aloof. With enough variety and a few homey touches, you should be able to achieve a space that looks modern and feels comfortable enough to live in.

Make color your first factor to consider. The palette for the contemporary aesthetic is made up of neutrals, which means you’ll work with blacks, whites, creams and beiges. But don’t stop there, else the room will have all the appeal of a blank sheet of paper. Because your room’s primary colors are neutral, you can be bolder with the color choices for the rest of the room. A distinctive accessory or an area rug in some deep color will really stand out in a neutral room. At the same time, don’t be too bold; going for the contemporary look is all about maintaining balance.

Start with color. Contemporary is monopolized by the neutral shades of beige, cream, black and white. Adding an element of bright colors here and there can be done through decorations and accents. Mix and match contrasting tones. Neutral shades are the best foundations for working with other colors.

Next, focus on the furnishings. Contemporary design is often decorated with materials like metal, stainless steel, glass and nickel. Incorporate two or more of these materials, or utilize wood for your flooring. Surprised? Yes, wood can also be designed for a modern theme. If you wish to stick to a marble or tile flooring, you can always use wood in your decors or some pieces of furniture to give the space a look of originality and homely feel.

Because you’ll be working with very few colors, play around with different textures to add life to the room. A texture that breaks up the typical uniform sleekness of a contemporary space will make just about any room feel like part of a home. Fabrics are very useful for adding texture to a room; a brightly colored throw here and there will have a huge impact in the overall visual effect of the decor.

Of course, lighting can make a difference. Harsh lighting doesn’t help. Admittedly though, modern theme is about ceiling lights that are almost blinding in their brightness. To remedy the situation, make use of floor lamps, desk/table lamps, chandeliers and even recessed lights to give a glow to your home. Each room will look more intimate once you switch off the overhead light and flick on the lamps.

What better way to conclude a decorating project than to decorate with area rugs? This versatile decorative item can harmonize any living space to create a well-coordinated look and the right ambiance you desire. If your living room for instance, is the epitome of contemporary chic, soften it with a lush, deeply-colored area rug for a cozy feel. Furthermore, if your bedroom for example already has the inviting ambiance from the bedside lamps, push it further with an area rug in the center of the room for a romantic aura it rightly deserves.

It’s not impossible to soften a too trendy contemporary look of your home. From the ideas stated in this article – from the colors and texture to the decors like area rugs, you can make your place a truly welcoming abode, a relaxing sanctuary away from the hectic life you lead out there in the busy streets of the city.