Design Psychology: Beds and Emotional Well-Being

The bed represents the beginning and ending of life. In the past, people were conceived, born, and died in the same bed. You spend more time in your bed than on any other piece of furniture. Design Psychology offers new bedroom makeover ideas concerning your bed for supporting your emotional well-being.

Bed Placement for Secure Feelings

Position the headboard directly opposite the doorway up against a wall. This creates the visual expansion of the room and underscores the bed's importance. As the main attraction, the bed represents the focal point of the room.

A greater reason to place the bed so that it faces the doorway is for a feeling of security. People feel safe with a clear view of the door. With the door behind your vision, you feel like someone can sneak up behind you. However, some bedrooms with a separate entry space coming into the main area present a dilemma; positioning a mirror in a way that reflects the blind spot corrects this problem. Convex mirrors, those that curves or bulge outward, help you to see down the hallway.

Beds and Enclosure

Totally enclosed beds, those with full canopies of voluptuous fabrics, sustain the comforting feeling of a personal sanctuary. Canopies and testers, originally hung to protect sleepers from drafts, give a secure sense of enclosure. Partial canopies or beds with both headboards and footboards provide a suggestion of enclosure. Partially enclosed beds allow views of the room. A footboard adds a semi enclosed womb-like feeling of comfort.

Some sleepers feel most comfortable with a barrier-free bed with nothing to clutter the end space. Decide what makes you feel secure, a peaceful, expansive bed without enclosure, a semi-enclosure with a bare framework, or total enclosure with abundant fabric on all sides.

Padded headboards, easy to assemble and more comfortable than the more expensive brass, iron, or wood headboards, offer great support for reading. Construct a marvelous and unusual headboard with an antique oversized fireplace surround. Fabricate a padded insert for the fireplace opening space.

A bed footrest, love seat, or padded old chest at the foot of the bed offers more functions than a footboard.

Bed Dressings

Black sheets not only look seductive, they also help keep the morning light from disturbing sleep. Because forest green evokes feelings of deep serenity, this color is another good choice for bed linen. High-thread count, white cotton contributes the impression of a luxury hotel. White bed linens give you refreshingly cool emotional support during hot summer nights. If you want an easy bed to make, then use a bedspread that touches the floor instead of a comforter and dust ruffle.

Forget all the pillows! They get in the way, make it hard to make the bed, and add needless clutter.

Giving thought to your emotional needs when designing your bed placement and enhancements helps you create a bedroom for joyous living.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhouse fordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

---

Ladder Décor ? the Possibilities Are Endless

With a little bit of creativity and some imagination you... Read More

Hidden Causes of Water Damage in the Home

In addition to causing destruction, water damage also has an... Read More

Hammocks Create a Stress Free Zone

Stress is all around us, from the office to the... Read More

Draught Proofing Your Home

This article takes a look at a number of ways... Read More

The Bathroom - The Forgotten Area Of Your Home?

The bathroom in your home is the one room that... Read More

Candle Making 101

If you'd like to try your hand at candle making,... Read More

Kitchen Magic

It's amazing -- some people manage to get a complete... Read More

Clear Wax Candles vs. Gel Candles

In the last five years a new type of clear... Read More

How to Troubleshoot Video Problems

Few things can be as frustrating as picture problems. You... Read More

Bathroom Vanity Cabinets - Considerations Before Buying Bathroom Vanities Online

Bathroom vanity cabinets are an essential component of any bathroom... Read More

The Benefits of Closet Dehumidifiers

If your clothes are getting moist and musty, and stretched... Read More

Remodeling Your Home: How Much Is Too Much?

The classic way for homeowners to increase the value of... Read More

Inspecting your Swimming Pool

With the varied availability of swimming pool equipment and designs,... Read More

If You?re Looking for Bedding, Think ?Pink?

If you have come to a point in your life... Read More

Your Candles Are Killing You and Your Furniture - Substitute It!

Even though most of the houses are well lighted with... Read More

A Fabric Hammock is Comfortable Casual Chic

If you are looking for unique seating inside or out,... Read More

Spring Home Projects in Northern New England

As I sit on a plane in route from Chicago... Read More

Where?s the Care Label for my New Bedspread?

I love bedspreads, don't you? A comforter can be used... Read More

Dining Rooms: Designing for Your Emotional Well-Being

I read an interior design book last night. Since I... Read More

Ridding Your Home of Geopathic Stress

Just as there are solar magnetic stresses that come from... Read More

The $27,000 Toilet Seat - Funny DIY Story

This story was told to me by a plumber I... Read More

Clearing the Air on What to Look for in an Air Purifier

If you are dedicated to improving the indoor air quality... Read More

A New Era in Bathroom Technology - Bathroom Home Improvements

Spa treatments in your own home? Sounds to good to... Read More

Work From Home and Make Money from On-line Rewards and Incentives Programs

You'll be amazed at how much free money you can... Read More

Ceiling Fan Blades

A ceiling fan consists of three basic parts, namely the... Read More