Competition
Win a Xbox 360
London Recycling:
60% more could be recycled. No time to waste. It's time for action. www.recycleforlondon.com
De-clutter and decorate your undervalued bedroom

Feature

Many homeowners plough money, time and effort into the public areas of their home, but when it comes to bedrooms, they are more often neglected. If your bedroom is cluttered and disorderly, one expert warns that you will literally be getting out of the bed on the wrong side every day.

Looking around at the state of décor in your home may well reveal that your bedroom is the one room that has been left behind in terms of decoration. This is surprising when you think of bedrooms as the heart of relationships and a treasured place to relax.

Alan Borra, chief designer at Neville Johnson, a company that specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke fitted bedrooms, says, "People delay the decorating of their bedrooms because, ultimately, it's only their immediate family that sees it. We don't normally invite houseguests into our bedrooms - unless we have something to show off.

"De-cluttering your bedroom can actually help to de-clutter your life. With your bedroom being the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning it's important to really spend time getting the design and functionality of your space - and therefore ambience of your bedroom - right."

Despite the importance of the bedroom when it comes to shaping our days, and indeed our relationships, few homeowners devote the same amount of time and effort thinking about its design, style and functionality. In the scheme of decorating, bedrooms are usually last on the list to be completed, if homeowners ever get around to them at all.

When looking at future consumer spend on fitted furniture, estimated figures show that, in 2007, it is estimated that household penetration levels of fitted bedroom furniture is due to reach only 14 per cent. When compared to the estimated penetration on fitted kitchen, at 69 per cent, and fitted bathrooms, at 62 per cent, it's easy to see where our home spending priorities lie.

"If I could give people one key piece of advice before re-decorating it would be to think about how their bedroom will be used," says Borra.

"Gone are the days when we use our bedrooms merely to sleep and store clothes. Many people work, relax, reflect and watch TV in their boudoirs. Creating a room which is beautiful yet functional is key."

If you are thinking about getting your home ready for resale, adding stylish storage areas could swing the sale. If you are considering fitted bedroom furniture, choose a style that is in keeping with your home and one that isn't likely to date too rapidly.

Russell Jervis, managing director of Spicerhaart estate agents, says, "Although people don't spend much time in their bedrooms, many properties are very tight for storage space.

"Couples require a significant amount of space for their clothes, shoes and sundries and if they are concerned that the size of the room will not cater for this, they are likely to look elsewhere."

Picture caption: De-cluttering your bedroom could help de-clutter your life, leaving you in a more positive mood.



MyVillage 19th June




Whats on in Kensington
Dec 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
     12
3456789
1011
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Archive features Archive features
House and Home
Gadget-loving generation driving up value of home contents
Renovating Britain
Alarmed and dangerous
Rubbish at recycling?
Cracking advice for homeowners

Interiors
Wood-burning stoves
Outside-in design
De-clutter and decorate your undervalued bedroom
Interior fashion from Laura Ashley
Bring a little green to your interiors

Colours
Cool interior colours for 2006
Colour therapy for kitchens
How light affects interior colour schemes

Tips and Tricks
Dealing with Estate Agents
Quick interior design tricks
Six steps to a beautiful home
Tips to buying a converted loft

Competitions
Win a Harrods wine hamper
Win a Luxury Ski Holiday
Win a Xbox 360
Win an iPod Nano
Win a ghd travel bag
Win Lancome products
Win a Sony Vaio laptop


Fill the form below and let us do the rest.

Name:
Address:
Postcode:
Mortgage Required:
Telephone number:
Call back time: