When I first struck out into the world on my own, my number one priority was bedroom furniture. Sleeping is one of my favorite things to do - right behind writing and in front of drinking wine! And when I wake up in the morning, my first sight must be a room decorated to fit my personality to a tee.



Like most of us, I have the nine-to-five lifestyle and know exactly what you go through on a daily basis. You have sat in traffic an hour both to and from work, where you spent hours dealing with difficult coworkers, back-to-back phone calls, and incessant emails. Crashing in the bed for a few moments when you first walk in the door should be not only relieve you physically, but also visually.

The great thing about the bedroom is that it is truly all your own. That is your place, and only yours, to release tension and take a load off. Colorful linens and artwork on the walls go a long way in decor, but the furniture is really the base. It is where you start the building process.

And when thinking of bedroom furniture, it's important to be creative with shelving - do not feel limited to something plain. If the room is a pastel color, maybe put up white wood shelving and have multi-colored borders underneath.

Are you one of those that likes getting some work done in bed? Maybe a portable computer stand that can be hidden in a corner or a closet will work well for you. I have even heard of some people putting entire desks inside their closets.

Beyond the bed and shelves, dressers, and vanities are just as important for storage and setting. Not all of us can afford those enormous light-lined, wall-sized mirrored vanities we see on MTV Cribs. Luckily for the rest of us, you can find pretty inexpensive vanities that are still good quality and look great.

When it comes to dressers, some people buy them for the look, others for clothing storage, and some search until they can find a good combination of both. A few out there only have a dresser for show and store all their clothing in their closets. It's important to pick the bedroom furniture that works best for your own needs.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind your space limitations and style. The difference between a smaller wooden piece and a long black steel one can change the feel completely.

The bedroom is your own private oasis, and the furniture you choose for it enhances the mood. When picking out pieces, do not freak out if you cannot find something right off the bat. Take your time and be sure to match the pieces of the most important room of your house to your personality. After all, bedroom furniture is such an important part of your home.