House Beautiful
When was the last time you updated your master bedroom? Lately I’ve been asking myself that question.
House Beautiful
Although we only recently moved into this house, I’ve used the same bedding for nearly ten years. It’s high quality and still in great shape, and its neutral, classic look has served well. Still, after seeing the same bedding day after day, I’m ready for a fresh update.
Coastal Living
Sometimes all it takes is a small change to bring a room back to life—a new color palette, an interesting lamp, or a patterned pillow that injects energy and personality.
House Beautiful Victoria Pearson
I have a little habit that might sound odd: I’ll walk down a hallway and then quickly peek back around the corner into a room to see my reaction. If the sight makes me smile, the space feels right—calming and inspiring. If my response is a flat “meh,” it’s a signal that something needs attention.
Coastal Living Dominique Vorillion
When a room causes that little cringe, I change something right away—rearrange, add a new accessory, or swap a textile. If the next peek produces a smile instead of a grimace, the tweak worked. If not, I try a different approach until the room feels right.
Coastal Living
Call it subjective, call it quirky, but this simple test is surprisingly effective. It keeps decorating practical and intuitive rather than overwhelming.
House Beautiful (Kathy Ireland designer)
How to refresh your room in three simple steps
The Inspired Room approach (random, awkward, and effective)
Step one. Walk down a hallway, casually taking in your surroundings.
Step two. Do a quick double take into the room as you pass—no need to linger.
Step three. Notice your reaction. If you feel pleased and calm, move on. If your reaction is a “meh” and you feel indifferent, change something in the room right away. Repeat these steps as needed until the space feels enjoyable.
The end.
It’s simple, but it works. I use this method often. Sometimes a small, immediate change—new pillows, a different lamp, or a simple furniture shuffle—makes all the difference.
House Beautiful Kathy Ireland
If you’d like more ideas for creating a restful master bedroom—especially if you have children—my guest post on Simply Modern Mom offers practical tips for a peaceful, functional space.
I also wrote about living authentically at home on (in)courage, where I share thoughts on designing a home that reflects how you want to feel day to day.
One more confession: during a recent double take I heard a loud “MEH” from myself and felt my nose crinkle. Instead of finishing up the holiday cleanup, I stopped and began rearranging furniture. I’ll share that makeover in another post.
Have you done any double takes lately?
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More ideas for decorating your bedroom!