bedroom decor Archives

DIY: Small bedroom ideas

Posted on January 29, 2021 by lionel

If you’re spending more time at home, and in fact more time in your bedroom, you might lament at the lack of the space if you have a small bedroom. Thankfully, with a few interior-decorator inspired DIY tricks, you can make your space feel bigger with these small bedroom ideas:

Choose your bed wisely

Choose a bed size that doesn’t take up the whole room… sometimes smaller really is better. Before shopping for your bed, measure out your bedroom and see if that King-sized bed you’re dreaming about is really so practical. Consider the amount of space required for comfortable living, factoring in clearance for doors and drawers, walking around the perimeter of your bed frame and other furnishings., and leaving enough room to rotate your mattress without hitting walls. About 75–90 cm clearance or more on 2-3 sides is ideal. (Click here for our Store Locator, to find a Sealy stockist closest to where you are.)

Below are mattress measurements for each Sealy bed size. It can be helpful to get an understanding for how a bed will fit into your room by marking out the dimensions on the floor using tape. Then you will be able to visually see which sizes will fit well.

Single – 915mm x 1880mm
Three Quarter – 1070mm x 1880mm
Double – 1370mm x 1880mm
Queen – 1520mm x 1880mm
King – 1830mm x 1880mm
Extra length (2000mm) is available on request

Another tip is to choose a bed that’s low to the floor. This makes the room feel and look bigger.

Play with colour

There are various options to choose from, but most of the time painting your room a lighter colour gives the space an airier feel. Paint the entire room the same colour – the floor and ceiling included – to create a more open feel.

However, if a single-coloured bedroom sounds too boring for you, take heart. Using contrasting colours creates an illusion of depth. So for example, if your walls and your ceiling are white, opt to paint one wall a darker colour. Do a quick Google search for ‘colour schemes for small bedrooms’ to get a few small bedroom ideas.

Decorate the room with a single colour scheme and avoid using too many colours in a small bedroom. A single colour scheme helps to weave the space together.

No-fuss bedding

Avoid frilly, bulky duvets, loud patterns and too many accent pillows. Rather choose simple bedding with clean lines and minimal designs. If you need more warmth, use a chunky blanket or throw.

If you feel your bed looks to bare without accent pillows, don’t use more than two.

More floor space with floating shelves

The more of the floor you can see, the bigger the space feels, so opt for wall-mounted shelving when you can. ‘Floating’ bedside table can replace the more traditional chunky bedside tables, and you can even replace your headboard with a floating shelf. Paint the shelves the same colour as the walls for that uniform, minimalist look and feel.

Ditch the curtains

Heavy curtains are dust collectors that dwarf a small room. Minimal window treatments like blinds help smaller spaces feel bigger, allow more natural light into the room and also draws the eye outside, creating the illusion of space.

If you really love curtains, then choose floor-to-ceiling curtains in a light-coloured fabric that matches the pallet of your room.

Minimal furniture

Be choosy about the furniture in your room. Do you need a dresser and a wardrobe? Maybe with some organising, you can get away with just one of these, to save space in your bedroom.

If your bedroom has turned into your home office, consider finding another space to work from. Keep your bedroom for what it’s meant for – sleep.

Bold wall hangings

Be bold when it comes to pictures for your room. Rather than hanging several small pictures on the wall, select one big, eye catching conversation piece. Mirrors will also help your bedroom look bigger. If possible, hang mirrors opposite the window to maximise the light in the bedroom.

Of all the small bedroom ideas we’ve shared, the most important tip is to declutter the space. Try to keep clutter to a minimum by creating storage options or moving them to another room. After all, a peaceful sleep environment really does help with better sleep!

Home school: Create the perfect study area

Posted on June 9, 2020June 8, 2020 by lionel

It looks like most students will soon be returning to school, after a lengthy lockdown and home study because of the Coronavirus pandemic. After being forced to home school children for several weeks, most parents will agree on one thing: Where possible, children need a dedicated study area to help them focus better.

South African blogger and creator of the Lovilee Blog, Karen Kelly, transformed her son’s bedroom into a study haven. “This literally changed the way we did things – with better light, better use of space and simply being organised… there was peace!” explains Karen in her latest blog post: How to get your child’s bedroom study ready and styling at the same time.

Karen is on to something. It’s important for children to have a dedicated area to focus on their work. A study space free of distractions will help your child enter into “study mode”. In her blog post, Karen shares some tips on creating a study-read bedroom and includes pictures of her son’s new study space. It’s totally inspiring and might just get your creative juices flowing!

The link between good sleep and grades

A comfortable mattress and sleeping area are also important for helping your child achieve good grades. To do well in school, children have to know how to focus and concentrate, but they also need to know how to problem solve and manage emotions. Good quality sleep is essential for all of these skills.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), outlines the recommended hours of sleep per day for school children:

Children aged 6 to 12 years – 9 – 12 hours per day
Teens aged 13 to 18 years – 8 – 9 hours per day

Make sure your child’s mattress gives them the support they need. As well as keeping the spine and bones aligned, which is very important for a growing child, a good quality mattress will reduce rolling and fidgeting, allowing your child to sleep more soundly. Browse Sealy’s range of mattresses to find the best bed to support your child’s growing body.

Photo credit: Melanie Wessels Photography

A ‘Lovilee’ look at hygge just before winter arrives

Posted on March 17, 2020March 11, 2020 by lionel

We know there’s still a few warm weeks left before the big chill officially sets in but failing to prepare is preparing to fail – which is why we teamed up with the author of the Lovilee blog, KaRi, to find out exactly what it takes to create a warm and cozy bedroom, just in time for winter.

In her blog post, ‘The best kept secret to a beautiful room’, KaRi explains that she likes to evoke the feeling of ‘hygge’ in her bedroom. What exactly is hygge, you ask? Hygge is a Danish practice and it’s about creating a feeling of coziness, comfort and contentment. That sounds about right for a cozy bedroom!

KaRi provides some tips on how to decorate your room to create a feeling of intimacy and warmth, the kind of place where you want to snuggle up and relax. Of course, it doesn’t matter how many fluffy blankets you buy or how much mood lighting you invest in, if your mattress is old and lumpy, you won’t be able to get too comfy.

A cozy bedroom starts with a comfy mattress

Sealy is synonymous across South Africa with quality mattresses. Sealy Posturepedic Technology™ supports your life by providing:

Pressure relieving comfort for undisturbed sleep: from ultra-plush to cushion firm, built with premium materials.
The support you need: deep-down orthopedically correct support with a superior edge support system.
A system where everything works together to give you the same great comfort and support for a long time: extra durability that repays your investment day after day.

If you’re serious about hygge this winter, start with your mattress first. Browse the Sealy South Africa website to find the right mattress for your needs.

(Pic credit: Hello Love Photography)

Teenagers and sleep: Top 10 Christmas gifts

Posted on December 2, 2019December 2, 2019 by lionel

Teenagers and sleep can be an interesting challenge. Either they’re sleeping too much or sleeping too little. However, for a teenager, sleep is very important.

It helps their brain develop, helps them concentrate more and make them feel happier. The average teenager should be getting seven to eleven hours of sleep every night. You would think that since your teenager is spending so much time in their room, that they’re spending a good portion of that time sleeping, but this isn’t always the case.

Teens experience a natural shift in their circadian rhythm and it’s more difficult for them to fall asleep before 11pm. Add to that early school morning starts, extracurricular activities and distractions from their mobile phones and the Internet, chances are your young adult isn’t getting as much sleep as they should. Help teens sleep better by limiting screens in the bedroom, encouraging them to exercise more and to get fresh air during the day, and introducing them to a good bedtime routine.

When it comes to teenagers and sleep, a sleep-friendly bedroom would also help. We’ve put together a list of some of the best Christmas gifts to your teen on their sleep journey:

Fairy lights are a great way to decorate and light up the room! Hang it above your teenager’s bed to create a soft glow for them to bask in before they go to bed. Buy them at CottonOn.
South African stormy summer nights can be humid and hot. Pop this hot-or-cold pad in the freezer and cuddle with it to cool down. And in winter, put it in the microwave and warm yourself up! Available in a variety of animals, ranging from a poodle to a sloth. You’ll find them at Typo.
A quick easy gift to get your teenager is a sleeping mask. It helps block out any light that may disturb their sleep and helps them sleep long and heavier. They are fairly easy to find, but we love these BodyShop sleep masks.
Get your child some decorative bedding to adorn their bed with! Patterned throw pillows, a duvet cover and some woolly throws will decorate and add more character to your teen’s room. Don’t forget, the sheets are important too since they envelope your body while you sleep. Sealy sheets are 100% cotton Percale, with a minimum 200 thread count. This soft, breathable fabric will definitely contribute to a better night’s sleep!
Teenage girls in particular will love this gift, but teen boys would benefit from it too: An overnight sleep mask. Put it on before bed and wake up with beautiful, rejuvenated skin. Since it is worn for longer than a usual face mask, it gives the minerals in the mask a longer time to work. The Skoon Ruby Overnight Hydrating Mask is a great sleep mask, made right here in South Africa.
Light, comfy PJs are a gift that help contribute to better sleep. Mr Price has a fantastic range of pyjamas. Check them out here.
A Fitbit is a great Christmas gift for your teen! Not only is it easy to accessories, but it can track your activities during the day and at night! By downloading the Fitbit app, the smart watch can help your teen better understand their sleeping hours and when they fall in and out of a deep sleep.
A cooling gel mask can help your teen reduce their under-eye bags and help with swollen eyes. Wearing it before you go to sleep (or even while you sleep) can give great results the next morning.
Sometimes, the home environment can be noisy and makes it difficult for teenagers to sleep peacefully. Gift them some noise cancelling headphones to help them sleep better. You’ll find some at Takealot.com.
Soothing music before bed can help induce a more peaceful sleep. Buy your teen a Spotify premium account so they can listen to some relaxing music without being interrupted by an advert. Your teen will love this gift during the waking hours, too!

Looking forward: Bedroom design trends for 2020

Posted on November 26, 2019November 26, 2019 by lionel

Western Cape interior designer, Sarah Donnelly, has been designing remodelling and renovating homes for over 10 years in the UK, Ireland and here in South Africa. Sealy South Africa recently caught up with Sarah and her team at Overberg Interiors to find out more about the bedroom design trends for 2020.

Exercise, diet and routine are essential elements of good sleep hygiene, and so is bedroom design. Many people underestimate the importance of a sleep environment that promotes good sleep. In her latest blog post, Sarah discusses the latest trends in bedroom wallpaper, furniture, linen and lighting, and how with clever design you can create a sleep sanctuary you simply won’t want to leave! If you’re planning on doing home upgrades during the upcoming holidays, be sure to read Sarah’s bedroom design trends for 2020. Click here to read the blog.

In terms of bedroom environment, these tips go beyond what’s trendy and beautiful and speak specifically to creating the optimal sleep environment:

Nothing beats a comfortable mattress. Sealy is dedicated to constantly developing new sleep technology and creating the world’s most comfortable beds, all beautifully designed. We think our mattresses are so beautiful, you won’t want to cover them with linen! (By the way, did you know we also make our own linen? All our sheeting is made with 100% cotton Percale, with a minimum 200 thread count.)
Our body’s naturally follow a dark-light cycle, which means if a lot of external light comes into your room, your sleep will be affected. Invest in good quality black out curtains to help you sleep longer, especially in summer.
Create a more serene space by clearing out any clutter and all reminders of work.

Don’t hoard – Make a headboard!

Posted on October 4, 2016 by lionel

Upcycling has taken the world by storm turning the décor world on its head. ‘Useless’, broken and out-of-date pieces are suddenly must-haves and re-doing old pieces of furniture rather than ‘buying’ new pieces of furniture is recognised as good – good for the environment, good taste and good will.

When it comes to headboards, the ideas seem limitless. A headboard is your bed’s crowning glory and can make a huge impact to any bedroom. Check out these inspirational ideas- all done with a little upcycling: