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.