Create a Minimalist Bedroom Oasis

According to an article by the  Huffington Post, the average person will spend 26 years sleeping and 7 years trying to fall asleep.  That’s 33 years of your life. In bed.  That’s a lot of time. So, if you are going to spend that much time in your room, why not make it a relaxing place to be?  Here are 6 strategies to turn your space into a cozy, minimalist bedroom oasis.

Create a Minimalist Bedroom Oasis

1. Declutter

Your bedroom should be a space of REST, not STRESS.  Research tells us that physical clutter creates stress.  If you want a more restful bedroom, decluttering is one of the most powerful things you can do.  I’m a big fan of emptying a space before decluttering.  But, if time is of the essence, consider this no-nonsense approach.  Removing unnecessary items and clearing surfaces is a free, quick way to improve the feel of your bedroom.

2. Consider each furniture piece

When creating a minimalist bedroom oasis, consider each piece of furniture for the function and value it adds to the room.  Do your bed and frame promote rest, or do you despise the look of it?  Do you need the number of dressers in your space, or could you minimize your clothing to reduce furniture?  Could you benefit from adding shelves above your side tables to reduce the clutter that finds its way to the top?  Does that chair in the corner add value to the room, or is it just another horizontal space that gets covered in random clothes?

Once you declutter your space, you might find you need less furniture.  After decluttering our clothing, Ryan and I emptied out an entire 9 drawer dresser.  I had purchased two antique dressers to refinish that we were using as nightstands. I found that the clothing we had left could be organized in those, effectively making the dresser useless.  So, out it went.

Whatever furniture pieces are in your space, ensure that they are a value for the real estate they take up.  If they don’t work in the room, remove them.  Don’t underestimate the impact of functional furniture in your minimalist oasis.

3. Consider colors

Just because you want a minimalist bedroom doesn’t mean you have to paint your room white!  Consider a neutral color palette to create a serene space.  Good design dictates that you select colors and weave them throughout a space to provide rest for the eye and consistency in the room.

If you have a large element in the room that is staying, such as an upholstered bed frame, color match it and select a lighter version of that color for your wall color.  Repeating the common color undertones will unite the elements of the room and give a harmonious look.

4. Play with textures

Bedrooms can be rich in textures, so choose wisely!  Consider how the textures in the room can work together.  Bedding is likely the largest textural element in the room, so be sure to select elements that compliment the wall color and repeat your color palette.

Curtains, throws, and pillows provide more textural layers in your minimalist bedroom oasis.  Consider adding pops of your accent color or a cool pattern that speaks to you.

5. Light and natural elements

Light is an undervalued element in a room.  A dark room can be a real downer on your mood.  Add layers of light to your bedroom to create a bright and airy space.  Choose curtains or blinds that are easily pulled back to take advantage of all the natural light.  Add a bright overhead light or a ceiling fan with the ability to adjust the lighting level.  Consider lamps on your side tables or wall sconces on each side of the bed for more light layering options.

Natural elements can add a zen feel to your minimalist bedroom oasis.  Consider adding a live plant or two, or adding in some rustic wood features.  If you can repeat a few natural elements throughout the room, even better!

6. Accessorize with purpose

Accessories can be a tricky balance.  You want to accessorize the room with things you love but you don’t want so much stuff on your horizontal spaces that they feel cluttered.  Ideally, there should be a “just right” feeling for you when it comes to accessories.  Some people prefer more items; others, less.  My husband would be happy with nothing on his side table but a lamp, whereas I enjoy a few small pictures or accents.

Consider adding accessories that support your accent color to unify your look.  In our master bedroom, I used rose gold as an accent color.  I added this pop of color in a throw pillow, candles, and picture frames.  By repeating the color sporadically around the room, it helped establish it as an element in the room.

With whatever elements you choose to add, be certain that you add pieces because they are beautiful, useful, or both.  Find items that meet your needs that spark joy.  Don’t just buy something to take up space.  You want to love everything you add to your new bedroom oasis.

Minimalist bedroom zen killers!

Nothing will ruin the zen of your new minimalist bedroom oasis quicker than clutter!  Be vigilant to keep your horizontal spaces free from clutter. Some quick tidying a few times a week should do the trick.

If you find a horizontal space is routinely cluttering back up, analyze why it might be happening and develop a system to fix it.  Maybe you need to add a storage basket to your bedside table or a tray to collect items on the top of your dresser.  Try placing a vase of flowers or a frame on the table top to take up space so that you break the habit if setting stuff there.  If clothing keeps piling up on your chair, consider installing a few hooks nearby where clothing can be hung instead.  A few tweaks as you live in your new bedroom oasis can help keep the room as relaxed and beautiful as the day you create it.

Another killer of zen in your newly created space is the presence of screens, so consider eliminating them in the bedroom.  At the bare minimum, be mindful of the amount of time you spend on devices in your new, minimalist oasis.  Blue light is a sleep disruptor that may harm your health.  Not to mention, the influx of information from news apps and social media doesn’t do much to help you relax before bed.

Instead of screens, consider some tranquil music and some smell goods in your diffuser.  I love diffusing lavender, Peace & Calming, and Valor before bed (we use Young Living essential oils in our home).

Create your own minimalist bedroom oasis

Create a minimalist bedroom oasis in your home and enjoy the benefits of a more relaxed, cozy space.  And with less clutter surrounding your sleep environment, who knows? Maybe you can trim some time off those 7 years you spend trying to fall asleep!