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.