Interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen was quoted as saying: "For years I have been telling British homeowners, a beige bedroom makes for a beige sex life".
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If this statistic worries you, and you think your paintwork is affecting your private life, you could redecorate. However, if you are renting a property, you may not have the authority to repaint the walls, and the walls of rented places are invariably a dull biscuit colour.
Never fear though, a beige room doesn't have to be boring. There are a few simple ways to make a dull, neutral room look super exciting.
First, before you start, you need to determine how much you're prepared to spend on it. Are you thinking of completely changing your furniture, or just adding a few cheaper accessories? Decide on a budget and make sure you stick to it by writing down how much everything costs.
Pick an accent colour theme for accessories. This should be a deeper jewel colour (a purple, turquoise or red) to create a vivid contrast. Get the basic things in this colour scheme: bedding, a rug, and a throw pillow for a chair.
Depending on the size of the room, you may also be able to add some smaller items in the same colour: such as a vase on your mantelpiece, or some storage boxes. You could even get some ribbon in your chosen colour and use it to tie back your curtains, for a cute way to add a splash of colour.
The main reason that a beige bedroom can put some couples off sex is because neutral colours make a room feel bigger. If your room is already pretty sizeable to begin with, this can lead to your bedroom feeling impersonal and clinical. Combat this by creating dimmer mood lighting, so your room looks cosier and more romantic. If you have a four-poster bed, drape some muslin fabric over the top - this will make you feel more closed in (though hopefully not claustrophobic!)
If you've tried everything else, and your bedroom still isn't putting you in the mood, it might be worth rearranging your furniture - some layouts just look boring. And if that doesn't work, buy yourself some new underwear - just because your bedroom is beige doesn't mean you have to be dressed in it.
Emily Bancroft
Tagged in decorating tips Home & Garden