From Master Bedroom Mess to LOVE NEST!

Is your master bedroom a big mess or a LOVE NEST?! Banish the blahs and cut the clutter to transform it into a nurturing retreat for you and your mate with my latest article/tips:

Master Bedroom Mess or LOVE NEST? 11 Ways to Transform Your Master Bedroom Into a Nurturing Retreat For Two*

by Kathryn Bechen

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved worldwide.

With increasing responsibilities and stressors on couples these days, I’m a firm believer that a restful and serene master bedroom can take the edge off a long hard day and be a nurturing and loving retreat for two.

Here’s how to have fun transforming your bedroom mess into your special LOVE NEST, working on it together so it meets both of your needs:

1. Signature Style. Develop a signature decorating style that reflects both of your tastes. Seaside serenity? Knotty pine nature? Fresh moderne? My hubby and I decorate our bedroom and home together like an “indoor garden/cozy cottage” because it reminds us of outdoor garden tours we attend together and of our bed and breakfast inn travels. That wouldn’t please every couple but it’s our signature decorating style as a couple.

2. Clutter Cutter. Nothing kills romantic inclinations faster than stacked-up boxes, piles of books and magazines, and kids’ toys strewn all over. Cut the clutter by removing anything that doesn’t foster a sense of calm and serenity. Donate it to charity.

3. Clean Freak. Now that you’ve removed the clutter, time to get out that dust rag, vacuum cleaner, and mop. Make it shine ‘til it sparkles! One of you vacuums, the other dusts, and soon you’re on your way to blooming romance.

4. Blooming Romance. Speaking of blooming romance, flowers always perk up a room with color and ambiance. If your budget doesn’t allow for real flowers every week, buy some nice silk ones at your local craft or discount store and make a lovely arrangement.

5. The Color of Romance. Choose colors for your bedroom that you both love. Remember compromise and love are key! Not fond of pink and pale green or hunter green and red? How about dark raspberry and slate gray or a seaside theme with soft blues and sand tones? Painting your walls is the least expensive way to transform a room with color.

6. Bed Bliss. Choose a bed that’s comfortable for both of you. With the wide array of mattresses and headboards available today, you’re sure to find one that pleases you both. Beds are especially important in a marriage because it’s where we love, dream, snuggle, read, talk, watch movies, heal when we’re sick, and have breakfast on a tray. Consider your bed a symbol of your sacred love for each other.

7. Sumptuous Linens. High thread count sheets, a cozy down comforter, and a colorful mohair throw turns your bed into a sumptuous and sensuous nest. Sweet dreams!

8. Lovely Lighting. My hubby Steve installed a dimmer switch on our master bedroom light for immediate ambiance. Choose bedside lamps in a style you both like. And of course, can you ever have too many flickering candles to court romance?

9. Soothing Sounds. Play your favorite relaxing music or buy a fountain for a soothing sound that will ease you into sweet romance and slumber. Decide whether or not having a TV in your bedroom fits your lifestyle. We have a TV in our bedroom so we can snuggle up and watch movies together in bed.

10. Lovely Art. Choose art you both love. If you’re on a tight budget, peruse the internet for quality posters and frame them or buy inexpensive original art at local art festivals.

11. Breakfast In Bed. Don’t save up the luxury of breakfast in bed for Valentine’s Day only! Buy some attractive trays and take turns making and bringing each other breakfast in bed. Bon Appetit!

Indeed, with a little ingenuity, a few dollars, and some loving teamwork, you can turn your master bedroom mess into a relaxing LOVE NEST for two!

*Photo above is of my own home's master bedroom which my hubby Steve and I created/decorated together.