Ringing in the new year may be the farthest thing from your mind given that it’s mid-July and 100+ degrees but designers and home decor experts are already thinking about trends and styles that extend well past January 2013. With home decor and furnishings trade shows in full swing all over the country, we’re already seeing sneak peeks of bedroom designs that may make you swoon as they begin showing up in stores and in catalogs later in the year. Will chevron be back? Is shabby chic still “in”? Get ready…we’re about to give you an inside look!

2013 Color Trends
According to ultrabright.com, the focus is upon “…the consumer’s ever-increasing need to reconnect with nature and what is around them.” Based upon this forecast, paint producers are creating and stocking hues that feature rich purple variations, greens and blues that are reminiscent of the sea, floral-inspired pinks and reds, and variations of tones visible in a vibrant desert. For a bedroom makeover, consider using the softest shades of those mentioned–sand, sea mist green, eggshell blue–on the walls to create a tranquil space then add pops of Rose of Sharon coral-pink or Rio red to create the bright color interest.

 

2013 Accessory Trends
The buzzword for 2013? Re-imagine. From antique-laden to mod, anything goes as long as it contains some degree of the unexpected. According to Pam Gaulin, a yahoo.com decorating and design contributor, “…one-of-a-kind items are the key to 2013 decor. Keep the look sophisticated by using common techniques in new ways.” Designers also seem to say that anything matchy-matchy is out. Avoid creating anything that is too themed. For example, if your current decor features modern touches like clean-lined furniture and metals, try adding natural items like seashells or even DIY bubble art to the mix. Again, the key terms are “unexpected” and “re-imagined.”

 

2013 Textile/Fabric Trends
As with decor, textile trends are moving toward the eclectic for the new year. Don’t get rid of the chevron (a huge 2012 trend) bedding or rugs but don’t pair any of it with other geometrics these days either. Opulent floral and scrolling fabrics offset the linear look of this year’s geometric bedding. If your taste trends toward animal prints, add some by all means but very carefully. The over-the-top leopard and zebra looks paired with fringe or neon of the past couple of seasons now reads tacky rather than fun and whimsical. Mix prints, mix colors but lose the fussy details for the freshest look.

What excites you most about 2013 and bedroom design? Come visit us on Facebook, connect on Twitter, or pin with us on Pinterest and let us know.

Filed under: Simple Luxuries by cstrimel
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It seems like there is a day or month devoted to everything these days. (Hello, National Talk Like A Pirate Day.) It’s not surprising, then, that the world celebrates National Sleep Month in March. The funny thing is that given how important sleep is, we don’t really take it very seriously. Really, have you even heard of it? Maybe it’s time that we all begin paying attention.

Ready for some surprising numbers? Did you know that in the average lifetime, most of us spend about 208,185 hours of sleep? That’s 8,674 days just sleeping! As for our bedding products, we spend about 20,000 hours on a mattress in its lifetime. That’s 833 days of sleep on your mattress over the course of about seven years. Factor in that sleep (or the lack thereof) greatly impacts health–both physical and mental–and you begin to see that maybe the most important “awareness” month just may be National Sleep Month.

Throughout the month of March, we’ll be offering tips and ideas for better sleep over on our Facebook page, all in honor of National Sleep Month. We wanted to start the month out, though, with some simple (and often free) tips and steps to create the ideal space for not just your best night’s sleep but a whole year’s worth of best nights. Here’s to your…sleep!

Design your bedroom as a single-purpose space
Bedrooms were meant for one thing: rest and relaxation (sleeping, reading a good book, romance). We’re all so busy that it can be tempting to use the bedroom as an extension of the office or as a family entertainment room full of DVDs, board games, and kids’ toys. Your first step? Clear out the extra “stuff.” Even if it means a mess in the living room for a day or so, move all the non-rest items out of your room. It may take some time to change your own mental image from what the room was to what it should be, but it will be worth the time and effort.

Banish bedroom clutter
After you’ve banished the non-bedroom essentials, it’s time to straighten what is supposed to be there. One of the worst things you can do is make the entire bedroom your closet. Add shelving in the closet, buy some under-bed storage boxes, or get creative with storage ideas throughout the house…but give everything a place and keep it there!

 

Control dust bunnies
Dust can trigger allergies. Dust mites, those tiny microscopic creatures that live in all bedding–yes, everyone’s bedding!–can even trigger asthma attacks. The easiest way to stop these problems is just simple, routine cleaning. Make sure your sheets are washed at least every week. Dust your furniture and sweep or vacuum. For even better allergen control, vacuum the mattress periodically, as well. Less dust can mean fewer nights spent stuffed up or sneezing.

 

Darken your windows
If light is infiltrating your room, you may find that you don’t sleep. And we aren’t just talking an early sunrise. Even the security light from your backdoor neighbor can sabotage your sleep. Try buying blackout curtains, or achieve the same effect by layering with blinds, sheers and drapes.

 

Find the right mattress and pillows
If your mattress is more than 7 years old, there’s a very good chance that it is worn out. For pillows, the lifespan is even shorter…1 year. Besides the fact that bedding–mattresses, toppers, pillows–wear out and become less supportive, they also just become too allergen-riddled to save. Gross? Yes, but worth mentioning nonetheless. Here is one area Spa Sensations can help! Remember that a “good” mattress and pillow is personal choice. It isn’t buying the most expensive that saves the day…it’s the most comfortable for you.

Create a restful bedroom design that you love
Do you love your bedroom? Do you look forward to going there each evening…not just because your bed is there but because you love the room? If not, it’s high time for a makeover. While red and charcoal colors look striking in home decor ads, these dense colors are not conducive to a great night’s sleep. Studies show that mellow natural hues are more restful. Choose a linen color, a sage green, or a sea blue. They don’t have to be soft and pastel; the goal is to use a tone that is earthy and meadow- or water-inspired.

Happy National Sleep Month! Take some time to consider your bedroom. Is it helping or hindering your restfulness? We would love to hear about what you’ve done to make your bedroom the best. Stop by and tell us on our Facebook page!

Filed under: Simple Luxuries by cstrimel
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