For some a bedroom is simply a utilitarian room where sleeping takes place, but for others the bedroom's meant to be a personal oasis to retreat to at the end of the day. Much more than a chamber for sweet dreams, a bedroom to this type of person is also a place for reading, relaxing, unwinding and reflecting. Taking an ordinary room and transforming it into an extraordinary one involves planning, dreaming and the right furniture.

Creating a design scheme for the picture perfect bedroom should begin with one's own imagination. The following decisions need to be made:

* What theme, if any, will be used? Does country floral appeal or maybe nautical, romantic, stately? Perhaps it's wild and wacky that will make the perfect dream a reality? Whatever the case, a basic theme should be chosen to help guide purchases, furniture and otherwise. Without a plan for a theme in mind, purchases can become a little too eclectic to create a warm, relaxing environment.

* Colors. These are very important in helping set any theme and making it work. Unless it's the wild and wacky look you're going for, one or two main colors and a few accents should be chosen. The colors need to match the room owner's personality. When creating your own oasis, you want to do what pleases you, not a decorator; not your mother! Have fun, be creative and go with what makes you happy. Colors are key not only for the walls, but also the drapes, flooring and even the bedding.

* Furniture types. Style can be chosen here as well, but the main idea necessary to help you begin setting a look is the type of furniture that will go into the room. The bed size needs to be decided upon along with the kinds of dressers, nightstands and accessories pieces. A full bedroom suite can include such things as a trunk, divan, sofa, chair, writing desk and beyond.

As you begin to formulate the plan for your room, it's also important to consider these things:

* Size of the room you're working with. Even a tiny room can be an oasis for relaxation and thought if careful planning comes into play. The idea is to create a comforting environment and with the right furnishings, this can be achieved no matter a room's size. The size, however, will be an important factor in what types of furniture can be purchased.

* Function of the room. Some people simply use their bedrooms for sleeping and maybe reading a book. Others, however, find themselves retreating to their rooms to watch television, read, pay bills or even play on their computers. Know the purpose and side purposes the room will serve and buying the right furniture to create the look while making sure the room still offers user appeal will be a snap.

Remember when buying furniture for an ideal bedroom, comfort is key. The bed should offer the right support and the dressers and other accessories should make it easy to keep a room organized.