Bedroom Inspiration #1

Today I’ve decided to post something new on this blog. Something for more inspiration, because that’s why you are here. So let’s start with a set of beautiful bedroom design pictures. From time to time I will add new sets of bedroom inspiration, as you see this is the #1 ( first set ). I know that these bedrooms might be to expensive for some people, but I post them for inspiration. Enjoy !

30 Beautiful & Modern Swedish Bedroom Designs

When it comes to Scandinavian apartments, the living room always draws attention due to spectacular details. For today we decided to prove that Northern cribs have a lot more to offer than amazing socializing areas. This is why we gathered 30 incredible looking bedrooms that are welcoming and not to mention inspiring. Even though they are all unique, we noticed some similar elements that are worth bringing up. First off, all the bedrooms in the photos below feature large windows that are usually covered by stylish window blinds or subtle curtains. On each side of the king-size bed there are traditional night tables, original shelving units or chairs. The walls are painted mostly in white, but here and there you will notice an interesting color disruption: some of the bedrooms have fresh wallpapers that liven up the room. The lighting details are particularly interesting to observe. We invite you to have a look at this beautiful bedroom gallery and let us know what details you find interesting.

Tower Kitchen by Philippe Starck for Warendorf

A few weeks ago we featured some compact kitchens for small dwellings where space is a premium. In a similar vein, this kitchen by German manufacturer Warendorf has a minimal footprint thereby saving space in the kitchen. Designed by French design star Philippe Starck, the Tower Kitchen features two standalone units that each take up no more than one square meter of floor space.

The towers are separated into a hot tower that houses a conventional oven and a steam oven, and a cold tower that houses the fridge-freezer. However, supplementary electrical appliances such as a dishwasher or microwave, for example, can also be integrated into the towers.

The towers are closed on three sides with doors concealing the appliances within. The fourth side is left open and can be designed to meet the user’s personal requirements. The rear wall can be used as a mirror or blackboard front, providing space for an enormous shopping list or a welcoming greeting for friends. With a light touch the flexible units can be rotated 360 degrees to reveal each of the sides.

The kitchen also features a functional island that also serves as a dining table. The “Trumpet Table” is a so-called working module that provides preparation space, sink, hob and dining area. Storage space is located beneath the work surface.

This kitchen seems ideal for entertaining. Simply spin the units around to reveal their best side to any guests you have round. Make dinner on the kitchen island before transforming it into a dining table. I think it’s great for those who don’t have the room for a separate dining room, don’t you?

Modern Large-Scale Crocodile Skin Bathroom Tiles from Petracer

The bathroom can be the perfect place to try out new designs with improved visual appearance, like this beautiful tile design imitating colourful crocodile skin from Italian manufacturers Petracer. Found on Trendir, the amazing tiles belong to the Savana collection, inspired by wildlife, but finished with modern techniques that ensure contemporary quality. With a unique pattern, the tiles will have your bathroom looking classy and fun, but it will also give it a wild side, creating the perfect setting for a modern and surprisingly beautiful bathroom design. A glossy finish ensures the perfect balance between contemporary finishes and basic, natural beauty. These large-scale tiles are also available in other animal patterns that can recreate the wilderness in your own bathroom without having to give up a stylish interior design.

How to Brighten your Bathroom with Creative Vanity Mirrors

Every morning when you wake up and stumble into the bathroom, for most of us the vanity mirror is the first place we look. If you are tired of just looking at a plain mirror, try brightening your mood and bathroom with a creative one! The world of mirrors is vast, but depending on the size of your vanity area, if you share the space, or if you want to highlight the entire wall, will help you choose the right one. Here are tips for making the first place you look an inspiring and brightening one.

• Choose unique shapes: While rectangular and square mirrors are the norm, they don’t have to be. Bringing in different shaped mirrors such as oval, circular or even an arch shaped mirror will instantly boost your spirits in the morning. Try repurposing mirrors from old bedroom dressers and give them a new look with added embellishments such as seashells, rocks, or glass tile mosaics around the edges. The shape and the creative decorative touches could be gorgeous.
• Use innovation in your mirrors: Every year the world of innovation and technology gets larger and larger, and keeps us wondering, “What will they think of next”? If you are a person who enjoys listening to your favorite songs while getting ready, or even catching up on the latest news, there is a vanity mirror for you. Mirrors that can connect to your MP3 player and television monitors that are installed inside the mirror are great ways to bring innovation into your bathroom.

• Mounting with a view: What better way to greet the morning than looking outside? Home owners have found creative ways to mount their mirrors on window frames, and even hung mirrors from the ceiling in front of windows to get bright natural light, and views simultaneously. Several mirror manufacturers have side mirror mounting hardware which extends the mirror off of the wall by a few inches. This allows for your mirror to hang in front of the window as opposed to being affixed by the back. Consider mounting wall light sconces to the sides of your mirror(s) to bring light into your vanity area at night.

• Make your mirror the center of attraction: Mirrors can extend across the whole length of your vanity to enlarge your bathroom and to bring drama to your space. Full length mirrors are a good idea for low light bathrooms, as light will reflect off of the mirror and in turn brighten your space. Vanity lighting can be installed through the mirror or consider using pendant lights or recessed lighting in the ceiling. Depending on your bathroom size, and sources of natural light, your mirror could help the aesthetic and visual appeal of your bathroom.

Your vanity mirror should be a welcoming asset of your bathroom, and not just a fixture that is ignored when you look into it. From shape and innovation to letting in natural views behind it, your vanity mirror just got brighter and more functional. Look through kitchen and bath magazines or grab inspiration from home decor blogs and websites. Designers have come up with creative ways to brighten your view, first thing in the morning.

Freshome readers do you have a creative way to display vanity mirrors in your bathroom? Who has one of those cool ones with the MP3 player or television? I want one!

How to Creatively Update your Bathroom on a Budget

If you are getting tired of your outdated bathroom and it’s time for an update, what are you waiting for? If its money you say, join the rest of home owners that struggle to make needed or wanted updates to their bathroom because of budget constraints. While being on a budget for you may mean only changing out the plumbing fixtures, while to someone else  it may mean only adding paint to the walls. Whichever is your scenario there are easy ways to update your bathroom, follow these tips.

• Modernize with color: Depending on how much you can afford, adding modern colors to your bathroom can be the difference between a bathroom you enjoy to wake up to, and one that you rush out of in the morning! For a natural and Zen inspired bathroom use colors inspired by nature: browns, greens, blues, and beiges will instantly update your surroundings. Whether it’s through paint color, wall paper, finishes, or bath linens, modernize instantly with a pleasing color palette.
• Do it yourself projects: If you are handy with do it yourself projects, a bathroom update may not be as expensive as you think. Consider installing beadboard paneling on your walls for a cottage interior feeling. Changing out plumbing fixtures to modern ones in your bathtub/shower and sink area is relatively simple, and can update the look of your entire sink or bathing area. If you have a favorite home improvement store, check to see if they have any do it yourself workshops. Many stores will feature a DIY project regularly, and many of them will arm you with the knowledge to update your bathroom.

• Restore the classics: Assess the reason why you are updating your bathroom. If you are updating your bathroom because of old looking and malfunctioning amenities, then replacing with new is your best option. While, if you have a classic claw foot tub that is starting to discolor from age, there are many restoration techniques you can do to restore it. Between the internet, blogs, and design television programs, you are bound to find resources to help you update your classic bathroom to a functional and beautiful state. Remember, updating doesn’t have to always mean brand new, it may mean restoring the old to work beautifully.

• Update your bathroom in phases: While we all would like to update an outdated bathroom within a weekend, the reality of your budget and time may not be realistic for this to happen. Consider saving money by remodeling or updating your bathroom in phases. For example, removing old ceramic tile, and replacing it on a bathroom wall may be a weekend project. A few weeks later consider repainting, and so on. Often times the reality of an expensive update seems more expensive if you want to accomplish at one time. Make a plan and focus on the long term goal to keep your finances in check.

Updating your bathroom is a closer reality than you thought, without having to spend 2 or 3 paychecks to do so. Analyze your bathroom and determine what needs to be updated, and what your wish list items are.  Tackle the needs first and plan out a timeline and a budget. You will be happier that you did, and so will your pocket. Seek inspiration and advice from those that have updated their bathrooms before to steer away from common mistakes and problems. In no time you will be enjoying your bathroom once again!

Freshoome readers we know you have updated your bathrooms – add on your best tips to save money!