By Lauren Sia Teh

1. Know your Bed.

It's the centerpiece of your bedroom, and deserves to be treated as such. This means making it the focal point of your room, yes, but also that you should make it as comfortable and inviting as possible.

Consider what the best size of bed is for you. If you sleep alone, you might want to go beyond a Twin (or Single) bed and invest in a Double (or Full) bed- it's 15-inches wider. If space and budget allows, a Queen-sized bed will give you 6-inches more!

If you share the bed, a King-sized mattress might be the best option for you. A Standard King (also called an Eastern King) is about 18-inches wider than a Queen, making it the widest mattress size of all. A California (or Western King) is 12-inches wider than a Queen and 4-inches longer.

Be careful when buying bedsheets, and make sure you purchase the right size. You need to be extra careful with fitted sheets, which are cut to fit exact sizes.

2. Create a bedroom that meets your needs.

What do you do in your bedroom? Most of us do much more than just sleep in our bedrooms. We dress, read, do yoga, fix our hair, and more. It's important to keep these things in mind when decorating your bedroom.

If you're a little short on closet space, for example, it might be a good idea to invest in a roomy dresser or armoire with large drawers. Like to read in bed? Purchase a set of sturdy night tables to keep your favorite books close at hand.

3. Don't underestimate the power of lighting.

Lighting is one of the most powerful things you can use when decorating the bedroom of your dreams. Nothing can set a romantic, relaxing or soothing ambience more than proper lighting.

Because it's a bedroom, you probably want to steer clear of too-harsh lighting (making that bright fluorescent bulb a no-no!) Some good and solid (you don't need to go with frilly if that's not your style) table lamps may be all you need on your bedside tables, plus one or two floor lamps near an armchair to light your reading.

4. Cut the Clutter.

I know, I know...it's easier said than done. But this is probably the single most important thing you can do for your bedroom (actually for your entire home!) The reason why so many of us love traveling and staying in five-star hotels is because of the lack of clutter they offer.

Get a couple of empty boxes, and be ruthless with your things. Send some things to the junkyard, have a garage sale with a bunch of friends, or donate it all to Goodwill. Then you can exhale.

5. Be bold. Be yourself.

Don't feel you have to stick to any sort of cookie-cutter formula when decorating your bedroom. Your side tables don't have to match. You don't need to coordinate your curtains to your duvet cover. Instead, close your eyes and picture where you want to be when you turn in for the night...and decorate accordingly.

The best thing about decorating is that you can do it again. And again...and again.

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