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.