Our
bedrooms are our sanctuary, our place of retreat, our chill-out zone. But that
doesn’t mean that we always have huge budgets to spend on them.
Never
more so is this the case than when there’s a whole new, blank loft conversion
bedroom to fill. In our experience, for most new loft
conversions, East London householders tend to buy new furniture and
linen for their new rooms, and who can blame them? There’s no point in having a
shiny new living space and not furnishing it beautifully!
However,
buying everything from scratch can be pricey, so here are our best tips for
creating a glamourous space without stretching the pennies:
Love your Linen
It’s
a good idea to choose the most expensive bed linen that you can afford. A bed
is often the focal point of a loft conversion bedroom, so you need to ensure
that it’s dressed accordingly. A smart throw – either woollen or satin – and a
heap of inviting cushions piled high on the bed will add that hotel-chic feel
to the space.
The
same rule should also apply to your window dressings; they don’t necessarily
have to match your bed linen, particularly if you want to create a slightly
eclectic look, but they should be of the highest quality you can afford. Opt
for blackout curtains or blinds where possible to aid your night’s sleep, too.
Use your Room’s Natural Features
Don’t
overlook the natural features of the new room itself. An interesting chimney
breast made of exposed brick, or beautifully rustic wooden beams, for example,
instantly give the impression of cosy cottage chic.
Alternatively,
perhaps you have installed French doors and a Juliette balcony to make the most
of the room’s views; if so, dress your windows to draw the eye towards the
beauty that nature has already given you.
Choose Colours Wisely
Certain
colours will always evoke a certain feel. Think about the type of look you want
to go for, then recreate it with colour. If you don’t want to paint the whole
room in one tone, then a feature wall can also be used to frame a bed or a
dressing table.
Shades
of grey are very fashionable right now, and give a luxurious, expensive look.
Plum is warm and has an essence of boudoir, whereas monochrome is modern, fresh
and very of the moment.
Upcycle!
You
may not think it sounds very glam, but upcycling can give your new bedroom that
vintage charm that a new space may lack, and at a fraction of the price of
buying new.
Look
out for interesting pieces of furniture and mirrors at antiques shops, flea
markets and car boot sales, then either use them in their original form or
paint them with chalk paint for a chic but distressed look.
However
you choose to furnish your new loft conversion bedroom, you needn’t break the
bank to do so. With a little imagination and planning, you can fill your
beautiful new room with beautiful new (or even not-so-new!) things for very
little money, creating the perfect space to relax in.