Here are some ideas from the Washington Post on how to take the design blahs out of the bedroom:

¢ A throw blanket adds color and an instant sense of cozy. Cashmere is lovely, but affordable fleece can be just as comforting.

¢ Fresh flowers are even nicer than candles. Place a bud vase on a nightstand and fill it with a single red rose. Or two, or three.

¢ A breakfast tray can brighten much more than breakfast. A sturdy one will hold your laptop, the newspaper and a midnight snack. They’re especially handy if the tray lifts off.

¢ Clear off the nightstand, leaving just a lamp, clock radio, water and something to read on top. Stow tissues and other necessities in a drawer or nearby basket.

¢ Wall-mounted swing-arm lamps foster reading in bed and take up zero table space.

¢ Fresh paint makes the most impact for the money. Designer favorites for bedrooms include Benjamin Moore’s whisper-soft Palladian Blue, Farrow & Ball’s Hound Lemon and New Age, a pale purple-gray, also by Benjamin Moore.