Never underestimate the importance of a bedroom

Never underestimate the importance of a bedroom

Maria Endah Hulupi The Jakarta Post Jakarta

People spend approximately one third of their lifetime in the bedroom and ideally a bedroom should be an area where people can have a restful, invigorating slumber every night.

But when it comes to bedroom design and arrangement, the supposedly comfy and sleep-inducing area often becomes the part of the house that receives the least attention, simply because the house owners think that it is a private area and not supposed to be exposed to outsiders.

An architect with Graha Cipta Hadiprana, Sammy Hendramianto, said that a bedroom is a reflection of the lifestyle and taste of the person who sleeps in it and this fact also determines what objects should be accommodated in it.

"This makes it so the ideal size of any bedroom becomes relative, because a smaller space can be focused only on just a bedroom, but a larger space can also accommodate other functions as well," he explained.

A master bedroom with a space of 3.6 meters x 4 meters can hold necessary objects that a couple needs in a bed-plus-media room, like a king-sized bed, two bed-side tables, a long table or credenza to put a television on and a stereo and a three-door wardrobe.

"A three-meter by three-meter room can still hold a double bed, two bed-side tables and a three-door wardrobe with comfortable access in and around the room. Smaller rooms would not have sufficient space for comfortable access," Sammy said.

Even though a couple shares the room together but respects each other's privacy in their "part" of the bedroom is also important. This is why having an individual reading light and bedside table is necessary.

A more spacious master bedroom can also be equipped with other functions like a sitting area with an ottoman chair, a bench on the foot of the bed, a make-up desk, a study area, a walk-in closet and a master bathroom, for example.

"However, the goal is to maintain a soothing atmosphere in the bedroom for this reason, a small practical study area is preferable instead of having a heavy one along with a library in the bedroom," Sammy said.

A child's bedroom can be a place for both sleeping and for studying. A 3-meter by 3-meter bedroom can hold a single bed, a bedside table, a study desk and still have enough space for playing.

A shared bedroom for children can be furnished with two twin beds, two bed-side tables, a closet to store the children's objects and a study area, if the room allows. Otherwise the children need to study in a separate room.

"In Indonesia, a shared bedroom for children is common and in this way, most parents wish their children can learn about sharing and tolerance," he explained.

Like other parts of the house, bedrooms can be embellished in whatever style that fits the lifestyle and personal taste of the house owner and the choice of interior objects can help achieve the desired theme.

The use of interior objects and elements, he said, can radiate a particular theme like a classic or a country look, a modern or an ethnic-themed bedroom, while objects of different styles can emanate an eclectic theme.

For decorative purposes, Sammy said, photos, paintings, sculptures, indoor plants, flower arrangement and other accessories can be used to support a preferred theme in a bedroom.

As for color schemes, bedrooms should be a place to relax and induce sleepiness, the architect suggested the use of cool and soothing hues or those which can add a little warmth to the bedroom, like pale neutrals, off-white, cream, blue, green and terracotta hues can be used.

"Unless for accent, avoid using strong colors because they can keep people in the room awake or active without even knowing it," he said.

The location of a bedroom also has an important role in turning it into a healthy room. Ideally, a bedroom has to have a window from which fresh breeze and morning sunlight can penetrate inside.

"Besides, psychologically people will feel better or become more optimistic when they wake up they can see the morning light and see a little greenery from the garden, for example," Sammy said.

To make the bedroom window attractive, it can be dressed with blinds, a curtain or a multi layered window dressing, including a curtain and a vitrage.