FOR FOCUS ISSUE - SUNDAY FEB 21

FOR FOCUS ISSUE - SUNDAY FEB 21

Minimalist style still dominates bedroom design

Debbie A. Lubis
Contributor
Jakarta

As the world continues to create more strain and stress for
most people, the bedroom is still considered as the best private
refuge. Bedrooms are no longer just a place for sleeping.

People nowadays tend to make their bedrooms more personal and
functional, as a way of getting a more serene atmosphere that no
other rooms in the house have. They express their personal taste
through the selection of furniture, color and accessories.

There are many new trends in decorating bedrooms, which vary
in style, catering to all customers' tastes: traditional and
romantic or contemporary and modern. However, many interior
designers see that simplicity continues to be the focus of this
year's trend in bedroom designs.

"Minimalist style is still in demand among urban executives in
their 30s and 40s. But the color tones are not as cold as last
year's style, which was very futuristic.

This year trend is trying to promote a cozy atmosphere and
simplicity, with color preferences of gray for the furniture and
silver for the accessories," said Nita Adjis, an interior
designer.

The minimalist look can be seen in the bedroom furniture such
as beds, dressers, mirrors, lamp tables and artwork or pillows.
Nita said that walk-in closets and door-less bathrooms are also
hip this year.

"Large walk-in closets are a big thing these days. It lets you
stack things nicely and keep everything organized." Many people
also like buying armoires to keep video and audio systems
enclosed so the room always looks neat and clean.

Sharing Nita's view, Managing Director of Vinoti Living
Halistya Pramana said that young couples tend to choose
minimalist styles, which offer simple lines and limited colors.

"There are no complicated lines or over-decorated, heavy
carvings in the furniture that tend to be too busy. Straight-
lined and more functional furniture is in demand. Perhaps, this
is a consequence of the busy lifestyle that people have. Arriving
home exhausted at the end of the day, people find their bedroom
as an oasis. It is a place to rejuvenate the soul and relax the
body," she said.

Halistya said that to escape from the hustle and bustle of
city life, a bedroom could be transformed into a boutique hotel
room style. The furniture and accessories, then, should be able
to stimulate the senses, soothe the eyes, produce restful sleep,
and wonderful to touch, feel and even smell. "All you have to do
is just realize your dreams.

"You can also have an adjoining bathroom so that you can see
your spouse in the bathtub while hearing the splash of water.
Soft music and flower-scent aromas can boost the relaxing
atmosphere."

Color is an important element in designing bedrooms. Lighter
colors, such as pastels, can be best to soothe eyes and makes
small-sized bedrooms look larger and cooler. Darker or earth-
toned colors can give a strong sense of nature and a back-to-
basics feeling. Lighting is also another area of design that
often follows trends. When used correctly, lighting can also help
create the feeling of added space. Adding a few candle sconces to
the wall is a great way to be minimal.

Color and storage should be given proper attention for the
children's bedroom. Nita Adjis said that children's bedrooms
should be painted with vibrant, playful colors.

"It is not a choice of pink for girls and blue for boys. Now,
they can have light green as well as yellow". Underneath the bed
is a storage place that should not be overlooked because it could
save space within the room. To keep the jumble of toys off the
floor and to conceal the clutter, a large chest at the end of the
bed can also serve as storage or a place to sit with the simple
addition of a cushion.

Halistya said that enough lighting and a bedside table that
also serves as a bookshelf needed to be placed near the bed if
the homeowner likes to read books before sleeping. Meanwhile,
bedside tables and a nearby electric socket could also be a good
solution if the person likes to work with a laptop before going
to sleep.

"Accessories are related to your specific needs and esthetics.
But again, it depends on the individual's characters. For those
who are active and busy, simple styles can be a better option
while for collectors, classical styles are the best choice," she
said.

Meanwhile, furniture retailer Da Vinci Jakarta has been
filling a great demand for European Classic or American Classic
styles for bedrooms. "Besides boosting the romantic atmosphere,
Classic styles are also believed as symbols of established,
luxury, and timeless elegance," said Ardi Joanda, Marketing
Director at Da Vinci.

Wood and metal headboards are now being replaced with
comfortable upholstered head rests. A pair of swivel chairs or a
chaise lounge with a small table for a beverage or a book, with
possibly a bench at the end of the bed, are the major furniture
elements that classic styles usually have.

Ardi said that accessories like mirrors, table lamps, ceiling
lamps, wall lamps, paintings, decorative panel, bedcover,
curtains/blinds, benches and others also play roles in making the
atmosphere more convenient. "Of course, convenience in the
bedroom greatly depends on the choice of furniture, the
arrangement of the room, decorations, volume and utilities
(lighting, air circulation) of the room."

Ardi also emphasized some aspects that should be considered by
customers before designing a bedroom. They include: activities to
be done in the bedroom, the size of the room that should fit in
such activities, preferred interior style and utilities of the
room such as lighting or air circulation systems.

"The furniture should be relevant to the interior style of the
bedroom, supporting elements like accessories or decorations, and
wall colors so that a preferred illusion can be created," he
said.