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Those of you participating in the Cure are hard at work on your bedrooms this week, and maybe others, too, are giving some thought to cozying up the bedroom as winter arrives. Consider that in the bedroom, where you start and end each day, sometimes simple, easy decor is best. Here are a few real-life bedrooms where simplicity drives the design...

To be honest, I'm a sucker for colorful bedding and throw pillows in bold, beautiful prints. But whenever I've tried to make this work in my bedroom in the past, I've grown tired of the colors and patterns after, say, a year, and gone back to white bedding with just a few accents.

That's not to say that there's no place for color or pattern in the bedroom. It just seems to me that a minimal bedroom really does invite sleep, rest, and relaxation (of all kinds!).

Try these little ways to achieve a simple but pleasing design in the bedroom:

• Play with textures. Use a throw blanket or a couple of pillows to add some textural interest, but consider choosing a similar shade to your bedding to keep things looking clean and uncluttered.

• Don't load up on pillows. There's really no need for several layers of decorative pillows on a bed. I do like the look, but it discourages actually lying on the bed, which seems to defeat the purpose.

• Use symmetry. Choose matching bedside lamps, night tables, or even a pair of short benches for the foot of the bed, in order to create a harmonious look.

What do you think? Do you favor simplicity in your bedroom, or do you like a more vibrant boudoir?

(Images: Decor8, BloesemKids (2 and 3), sfgirlbybay, Design*Sponge, Apartment Therapy house tours (6, 7, and 8))