Generally, people spend about 8 hours a day in their bedroom. It is a room where you can reflect your personal style in the colors, fabrics, furnishings and atmosphere. Create a whole new look by following these instructions.

Step 1: Remove clutter – Re-decorating (and even cleaning) a cluttered room is more difficult than necessary. Put everything that doesn’t belong in your bedroom into a box. Now it’s time to tidy up your room (take some time to hang up clothes, put jewelry away, etc.). Under-the-bed storage boxes and shoe caddies. are good investments to help with this. Remember, a place for everything and everything in its place. Find or make a place for everything.

Step 2: Furniture repair – When you look at your bedroom furniture, how does it look? If it is not in good repair, this is a good time to repair it. Matching touch-up markers or stains can be found at most hardware stores. If furniture is broken and not worth restoring, replace it. Move the furniture around if you can. Feel free to be creative but keep in mind that the furniture needs to be functional. The goal is a balanced look. The bed is often the center of attention in a bedroom.

Step 3: Bedding – I recommend that you choose your bedding BEFORE choosing paint. Paint is available in all colors imaginable. Eliminate headaches and save time. Use the bedding to help you select the paint!

Choosing TWO bedding sets will give you more options. Bed in a bag sets are terrific because everything is already matched for you. Sets commonly include matching sheets and pillow cases, a bed cover and pillow shams. Changing the mood of your bedroom is easy if you have two (or more) sets.

Duvets and comforters have a distinction. They have a similar purpose. They provide warmth while you’re asleep. Duvets are usually white or off-white and should be used with a duvet cover. Duvet covers resemble very large pillow cases. Duvets (or comforters) slip inside it for protection. Laundering duvets is difficult. Duvet covers are. Just slip the cover off for laundering so you don’t have to wash the whole duvet (filling and all) each time. 3-5 years between cleanings is all that a duvet needs.

Comforters are not just white. They are covered with the “showy” fabric on the outside and don’t need a cover. Bulky comforters are difficult to fit in regular washing machines and take a long time to dry. Dry cleaning a comforter gets costly. Comforters can be used inside a duvet cover just like duvets.

Use caution with bed sizes. Internet stores offer much greater selection of fabrics, sizes, and colors. Before ordering take your bed’s measurements. You will need to know the length and width of your mattress as well as the depth or thickness. “Fitted” sheets come in many depths. Measure from the floor to the top of your box spring for a bed skirt or “drop”.

Step 4: Choosing Paint – For an inexpensive yet effective room transformation, be sure to paint the walls (and possibly the ceiling).

Take your bedding sets when you go to the paint store. Get assistance. Choose a color that will work with both sets. Take the advice of the staff at the paint store when choosing a color to “go with” your bedding. In fact, it’s better if it doesn’t. Just find one that will compliment or contrast the colors nicely. Paint the ceiling a lighter shade of the same color to make the room seem higher.

Step 5: Complete the Look – After the paint is dry, hang pictures, paintings, and wall decoration if you desire. Apply window treatments, etc. and make your bed with the new bedding.

5 easy steps to a transformed bedroom: Remove clutter, repair and replace furniture, buy some new bedding, paint the walls, and add some finishing touches. Impress yourself with your decorating flair.