Probably more than any room in the house the master bedroom should be a special retreat. Yet surprisingly it’s often the last one on the list to be decorated. What about you? Is your master bedroom a special retreat in your home?

The mistake many people make with the bedroom is using it for activities besides relaxing and sleeping. Laundry, papers from the office and children’s toys often collect there. These things can completely ruin the mood you want to create in your bedroom.

If this sounds like you, then it’s time to take back your bedroom and turn it into your own private haven. Here are some ideas to make a great master bedroom:

Get rid of everything that doesn’t belong in the space. This includes unnecessary clutter or things you really dislike. The last thing you need in your bedroom is anything that contributes to chaos and robs you of tranquil surroundings.

All rooms need a focal point and in a bedroom that is normally the bed. But if you have a fantastic window view or a fireplace in your bedroom, then you may want to make that the focal point. Once you’ve decided on a focal point, arrange the room around it. Make sure you have good traffic patterns around the bed and other furniture.

If your bed is the focal point – make it spectacular. Pick the best linens and use sheets with at least a 200-thread count or higher. Provide a custom headboard or a romantic canopy. What do you want to see for the bedding? Do you like a lot of pillows and coverings? Whether you like an abundance of pattern or something more understated, incorporate complementary colors and varying textures, much like you would when picking out your clothes.

Do you have the space for a sitting or dressing area? They can make your bedroom more functional and luxurious. A sitting area can be as simple as 2 chairs at the foot of the bed or a chaise in front of a bank of windows. A full-length mirror tucked in a corner with room to try on your clothes can serve as a small dressing area.

If you are one of those people that does office work best in the bedroom, then carve out an area that you can close off when it’s not in use. Messy paperwork that greets you every time you enter the room makes it almost impossible to unwind. Use attractive furniture pieces like a desk or an armoire to store your laptop and papers. These are easily affordable if you buy them second-hand and paint them in a desirable color. Perhaps you can set up a decorative screen to separate your work from the rest of the room. Even a simple wicker basket that can slide everything out of sight under the bed is useful and budget-friendly.

When designing your bedroom, choose things that complement the mood you are trying to create. Do you want a romantic bed and breakfast feeling? Something more modern and defined? An island paradise? Whatever creates your perfect escape should be the focus when choosing furnishings, fabrics, colors and accessories. This includes meaningful art. Whether it’s an enlarged photograph from your honeymoon or work by your favorite sculptor, it should have some special significance to you.

Don’t forget lighting, too. A bedroom needs daytime lighting, but also task lighting and mood lighting after sunset. The right lighting can create the perfect ambiance at the flip of a switch and such touches can help make a room feel perfect.

When you take time to create a great bedroom escape you are giving yourself a wonderful gift. It should be a place you love to fall asleep in and wake up in. If you haven’t done so already, plan to make your bedroom getaway as soon as you can.