

Have you ever looked at your bedroom and wondered why it doesn't give you royalty teas? Despite being built for a Queen, you might find that the current status of your bedroom leaves a lot to be desired. Whether it's a change in the positioning of some of your furniture pieces, more pops of color, or just an overhaul where you start from scratch on a blank canvas – you just know, something's gotta give.
Your bedroom is a sanctuary. A place for you to get your zen back after a long day of dusting your shoulders off the antics of the 9-5 rise and grind. And once you've washed the grime of the day away, you should be able to bask in your solitude in an oasis that welcomes you and makes you feel something comparable to the crown on your head.
But where do you begin?
Well, having a Pinterest-worthy master bedroom doesn't mean you have to blow your budget in order to do it. No matter your budget, you can execute it all with just the right balance and finesse.
Once you learn the basics, I promise you'll never look back. As an interior designer, I have a few go-to tips that I use to help my clients spruce up any space.
Knock Out Bedding
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Your bedroom should feel like a relaxing retreat. That starts with major attention to your bed, and for good reason – you will be spending a lot of time there.
Ground the room with a unique, statement bed frame. To get that glamorous look, the key is to add lots of layers to your bedding. Create some extra volume by layering cozy blankets, throws and accent pillows on top of your standard sheet and comforter set. Sink in, and rest easy.
Art That Sparks
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Find that piece or two that you just love. You want to invoke feelings of happiness in your space. Don't be afraid to go a little bold here and hang pieces that add vibrance to the room.
While on the topic of art and wall décor – family photographs are wonderful additions to your living room and shared spaces. In the bedroom, I recommend swapping them out for other pieces of art or photographs that calm or inspire you. This keeps the room less emotionally charged.
Pro Tip: Try to hang your art near "standard" eye-level. For most spaces, that means that the center of your painting should be about 57 inches from the ground. Grab your tape measure and double check before you make any permanent holes in the wall!
Don’t Skip the Window Treatments
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The windows in your room have such a huge impact on your mood and canset the stage for some major glamour.
Give some thought to how much light you want to let into your room. If you have an East facing window, in most regions of the U.S., you may get hit with a lot of morning sun. Consider blackout curtains in a lux velvet or thick linen.
Pro Tip: When hanging curtains, be sure to hang them higher and wider than your window frame. At least by 3-4 inches. This gives the illusion that your window is bigger and creates a more balanced look.
Texture
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Keep it fun and interesting by adding different textures throughout the room. Mixing in varying textures of furnishings and fabrics gives the room dimension and keeps it from feeling flat. Even if your room is monochromatic, you can use different materials and finishes of the same color to add visual character.
Patterns and Colors That Pop
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Just like you can mix up textures, don't be afraid to shake things up buy combining different patterns and colors. You want the colors and themes in your room to compliment one another, not necessarily match.
What are some ways you're looking to revamp your bedroom? Let us know in the comments down below!
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Martina Jackson is a photographer, interior designer and lover of all things caffeinated. She can usually be found standing on chairs, taking pictures of her food. Follow her journey on IG @martina.drea or on her blog.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Are You & Your Partner Financially Compatible? Here’s How To Tell.
With nearly half of all marriages that end in divorce citing finances as the nail in the coffin to deading their relationship, financial compatibility is one aspect of long-term compatibility that doesn't get talked about enough. Beyond the circular 50/50 discourse and whatever hot-button issues regarding providers and the like, at its core, financial compatibility is about how well your financial behaviors, values, and long-term goals align with those of your partner.
More than it is about how much money a person makes or doesn't make, financial compatibility focuses on how you think about money, how you spend your money, and most importantly, how you plan for the future with your money. Think, questions about money mindsets, spending habits, debt, budget, etc. Are you a saver and he's a spender? Do you see money as a tool for freedom? Does he see it as something to hold on tightly to as a means of survival? Can you talk about your financial goals and plans openly?
Knowing if you and your partner are financially compatible can save a lot of heartache, a lot of headaches, and a lot of money in the end. Keep reading for a few key indicators to pay attention to and learn whether or not you and your partner are truly aligned financially.
Signs You’re Financially Compatible
1. You can talk about money without judgment.
Conversations about money aren't something you dread. You're able to talk to your partner freely and openly about money matters, like debts, bills, the budget, etc., even when it is uncomfortable. There is an understanding that talking about money doesn't have to be something you're on the defense about, instead it's an opportunity for transparency, clarity, and solutions.
2. You respect each other's money personalities.
What is a money personality? According to Ken Honda, author of Happy Money, a money personality is our "approach and emotional responses to money" and there are seven money personalities we can fall under. These personalities can help us understand our own relationship with money, as well as our partner's. For example, maybe you're someone who likes to treat yourself to a fancy dinner once a month and your partner is someone who believes ordering takeout and not cooking meals at home is a cardinal sin.
When you can respect each other's money personalities, neither approach is subjected to judgment and shifts can be made in each other's spending habits as needed and from a place of love versus guilt or shame.
3. You agree on what it means to have "financial security."
Whether it’s building a stacked emergency fund, paying off debt before putting a downpayment on a home or being able to splurge on a baecation without checking your account balance before the bill arrives, your definitions of what it means to be financially secure are in sync, or at least compatible enough to reach a compromise.
4. You are not each other's "financial parent."
You’re not constantly teaching, fixing, or stressing out over what the other person is doing with their money. Although I fast-forwarded through a lot of the most recent season of Love Is Blind, I did pay attention to Virginia and Devin and money seemed to be a recurring theme in their conversations. It was clear Virginia had her ish together when it came to money and her financial plans for the future and Devin was not quite on her level.
Though she said no at the altar for additional reasons, I could also see how sis could eventually get very tired of being her partner's second mama, so to speak. And that's the thing about being your partner's "financial parent," eventually, you could end up feeling like you are one-half of a "parenting" or "teaching" dynamic with your partner instead of feeling like you're equals in a partnership.
5. You make financial decisions with each other in mind, not for each other.
Whether it’s booking a trip, deciding which debt to tackle first, saving up for a big purchase, or planning out your next move, there’s a mutual respect for each other’s input. Those shared goals might look like wealth, freedom, stability, or just a debt-free life that feels soft and secure.
You don’t have to be chasing the same bag in the same exact way, but you do need to be aligned on the vision. What you're building should feel like a joint venture with shared effort and purpose, not one of y’all making major money moves like you're still single. Making financial decisions is not just about where the money goes, it's about where you’re going together.
6. You're aligned when it comes to the big stuff.
Financial compatibility extends to the long-term of money management. The legacy, structure, and shared responsibility that comes with decisions like shared accounts, estate planning, having babies, or even blending families. Will you split bills or combine income? Who’s taking time off if you have a child? How do y’all feel about generational wealth or investing for your family’s future? You and your partner have had the real conversations.
These conversations can’t wait until after the wedding or until after a baby’s here. They’re the foundation for how you function as a unit, and if you're not aligned, or at least willing to get on the same page, that incompatibility can cause friction in the end that love alone can't fix.
Love is cute and all, but building an empire together? That’s the real flex. Tap into our new series Making Cents to see what financial compatibility really looks like when love and legacy go hand in hand.
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