WAKE UP TO FRESH DESIGN IDEAS.

Byline: Suzanne Sproul Staff Writer

Americans want to escape the rigors of their daily routines - and they're heading home to do that.

Home theaters are popping up in houses large and small. Bathrooms feature saunas, whirlpool baths and heated floor tiles. Now eyes are turning to bedrooms as they, too, can enjoy easy makeovers.

``Americans are continuing to nest. With the high cost of housing and increased work away from home, we have an even greater respect for our family environments,'' said Penny Marino, Chaffey College professor of housing and interior design. ``The bedroom is the new retreat - a quiet and private space for individuals or parents. But the look of the bedroom is becoming more streamlined and multifaceted.''

Walls are being painted in bold colors and combined with beautiful wood, bamboo or stone flooring. The bed is taking on a new look, she said. Darker and exotic woods are popular for bed frames. They're being upholstered with tailored bed coverings that invite you to slow down, relax, read or watch television.

Even the night stand, the favorite catchall for everything from books to lamps to glasses of water, is being featured a bit more prominently. Don't worry if the stands don't match. Be eclectic and try to incorporate older pieces with newer ones.

``Although we think of the master bedroom as being the only room we concentrate on, other rooms within our flexible floor plans are receiving attention as sleeping spaces as well, particularly for guests. The old Murphy bed is back, with many new manufacturers supplying wall beds as an option within their built-in wall systems. With so many families needing a home office, the wall bed is the perfect solution for converting this space to a quick and comfortable bedroom retreat,'' Marino said.

Adding accessories and creating seasonal changes in the bedroom are ideal ways of accomplishing inexpensive and quick makeovers, according to IKEA. The Covina store recently conducted two bedroom solution workshops designed to help individuals add flair and comfort to the rooms where people tend to spend most of their time in their homes.

Since most bedrooms feature a bed and one or two other pieces of furniture, the challenge is to accommodate them and to pull their looks together, said IKEA design spokeswoman Janice Simonsen.

``Look for furniture that can serve a double function - bench seating that allows you to store items inside, a rack that can hold bedding but also serves as a decor item and baskets that can roll underneath beds that give you one more storage source,'' she said.

Don't forget you can still be creative when designing your bedroom retreat. Change the look to fit the season or your mood.

``I think you should invest in a good comforter, but then you can cover them in these wonderful duvet covers we have now. The duvet covers, which are common bedroom accessories in Europe, are usually not that expensive, but quickly cover a comforter and give the bed an entirely different look,'' Simonsen said.

Pillows, too, can add depth and texture to a setting. Lighting is key to setting the mood of a room, she said. And something as simple as draping a colorful throw over a chair adds a polished look to the surroundings.

Master bedrooms aren't the only rooms receiving attention. Smaller bedrooms, often used by two family members, shouldn't be overlooked. Start with neutral basic pieces, rely on built-in storage units and trundle and bunk beds to save space. Loft beds, too, offer convenient storage space.

The biggest challenge in sharing space is privacy. When possible, try to use some sort of draping system to provide a room-within-a-room look. Use common colors to tie elements together in a room. Strive to keep everything organized and clutter-free, she said.

10 steps to a better bedroom

There are innovative solutions to your bedroom decorating challenges. You can put a fresh new face on your old reliable space by subtracting some things and adding others. At IKEA, for example, you can transform your bedroom for less than $200.

Here are 10 suggestions for your bedroom makeover from IKEA. See what fits into your lifestyle:

1. Let there be light! Lighting sets the mood of a room. By using a variety of inexpensive features such as dimmer switches, spot-lighting on a special painting or sculpture, or adding a fun and unusual accent lamp, you can spotlight all that you love about your space.

2. Play with paint. Nothing works quite as fast and as economically as a can of paint. Use color to change the look and the feel of the room. If you're not bold enough to paint the entire room, try painting an accent wall behind the bed.

3. Create instant art. Take a favorite print textile and hang it between two decorative curtain rods.

4. Add luxury with textiles. Start with neutral bedding and furnishings and build from there. Do a quick upgrade by adding pillows, area rugs and art prints. Drape a lovely throw over a chair and you can almost feel the opulence in the room.

5. Set the mood with candles and flowers. Easy and inexpensive, but both give a room that extra touch of romance.

6. Make the bed - literally. Create an inexpensive headboard by sewing loops on oversized decorative pillows and hang them on a curtain rod above the bed.

7. Dress up your windows. Make a quick valance by draping a single panel of fabric or a sheer curtain over existing drapery panels.

8. Make your own wallpaper. Use a color copy machine to duplicate a favorite pattern or photo. Paper an entire wall or create an oversize wall graphic by framing it with decorative molding.

9. Liven things up with real plants. Pick ones of varying heights and textures and cluster them in a corner. Place an upward-projecting floor lamp among the plants to add drama to the grouping.

10. Tidy up! You'll think your room has actually grown once you've captured the clutter. Use small storage containers in decorative colors. Better yet, use containers that store easily under the bed.

- S.S.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Above, built-ins and organized shelves help create a calm retreat. At left, pillows used in various ways can add depth and texture to a setting.

(3 -- cover -- color) UNCOVER NEW IDEAS 

Bedrooms are latest focus for makeovers as Americans continue to nest

Photos courtesy of IKEA

Box:

10 steps to a better bedroom (see text)