Home as a B&B: The Bedroom

I think every bedroom needs a "thotful spot"...remember Pooh? For me that means having a comfortable bedroom chair in order to read, relax, reflect, drink a cup of tea, stare out the window or just take a break.

In my little boys' room, I have a wonderful armchair that I bought for $25 at a local thrift store. I bought a slipcover for it, and now we love snuggling there to read. I have one of these small armchairs in my other boys' room for them to relax in. In the corner of my daughter's room is a cushy Beanbag. And in our room is a glider rocker (the one that has been used to rock and nurse all my babies!) and an overstuffed arm chair. Everyone has a cozy little bedroom spot to where they can retreat.

I think it's important for everyone to have a place where they can go decompress, gather their thoughts, settle their emotions, and center themselves. Having a large family means much noise, much togetherness, and not much room for escape! And as much fun as noise and being together can be, we all need spots to be able to go to in order to regroup, refocus, and rest.

That's one of the reasons why I think many are drawn to a Bed and Breakfast. It's a yearning for retreat, for quiet, for contemplation. So in order to bring that feeling into our homes, set up small places of retreat. A carved-out corner. A space by a window. A nook to nestle in.

And one more thing: make your bed. Seriously. Your room will feel so much cleaner and less cluttered if you simply make it up right after you get out of bed. And your bed will feel fresh, not stale, when evening comes and your weary body needs sleep. Teach your children to make their beds...and if not, then make their beds as a way to serve them. All of your bedrooms will be so much more peaceful as a result!

Enjoy your bedroom retreat!


photo by My Little Chickadee