There’s nothing quite like the comfort of an inviting and cosy bedroom at the end of a long day. You spend a lot of time in your bedroom, so it’s important to create a space you love being in. Fresh linen and bedding, snug furnishings, a calming colour palette and personal touches will make your bedroom an extension of who you are and what you love, so you can get a better night’s sleep and feel refreshed and reinvigorated.
If you’re looking to turn your bedroom into an Instagram-worthy retreat, here are some tips to style your bedroom for the ultimate in comfort, luxury and relaxation.
Where to start
If your bedroom is free from clutter and a relaxing place to wind down, you’ll find it easier to fall asleep at night and wake feeling more refreshed in the morning. A clean, tidy and relaxing bedroom is essential for sleep hygiene, making it a must for aesthetics, as well as your mental and physical health.
Start by decluttering, sorting out any rubbish, donating unwanted items and minimising miscellaneous junk. The less stuff on display, the better you’ll sleep. Once you have everything you want to keep, use storage solutions or cubbies to place them out of sight.
Consider moving your furniture around for a fresh start, removing technology and screens from the bedroom, maximising natural light and grounding your bed in a central area of your room. If you’ve been studying or working in your bedroom, try to create a space in another area of your home.
Create a mood board
Rather than rushing into purchases, start by making a mood board of your favourite colours, textures, furniture and other decor – anything that will turn your bedroom into your dream room. This will give you the opportunity to see how things fit together before you get out your wallet. Consider if any furniture you already own, whether in your bedroom or in other areas of your house, fits into your vision for your new bedroom – simply moving furniture around can feel like a fresh start.
Aim for comfort and pleasure
Personalise your bedroom so that all the pieces in it have special meaning to you and you’ll be inspired to retreat to this space to destress. The Danish lifestyle concept of hygge – encompassing the joy of simple pleasures, like quality time spent with loved ones, gratitude, cosiness and contentment – is a great starting point when choosing furnishings for your bedroom. Focus on the sensory experience and choose soft furnishings that feel luxurious and comforting.
Achieve this by:
- Adding layers with blankets, throw pillows and linen.
- Placing a plush area rug extending out from under your bed for warmth and comfort underfoot.
- Making sure your bedroom can remain at a comfortable temperature for both relaxation and sleep.
- Displaying photos of your favourite people, places and memories.
Don’t forget to pay special attention to choosing new linen and bedding. Quality sheets in a fabric that fits your sleep style, a quilt that’s suitable for the weather, and a supportive pillow will all improve the quality of your sleep. If you haven’t replaced your mattress in a number of years, or it’s no longer comfortable, this is the time to upgrade.
Opt for a soothing colour scheme
Soothing colours will mean different things to different people – some might love a calming blue, while others find peace surrounded by bright colours. Consider what colours are calming to you and make these the basis of your colour scheme for paint, furniture and soft furnishings. Whether you prefer neutrals or different shades of white, like to add pops of colour, or prefer a darker colour scheme, make sure you choose shades that will work for you at all times of the day, as well as while you sleep.
Pick functional furniture
There’s nothing more frustrating than buying furniture and furnishings that look good, but aren’t functional. Before you hit the checkout, ensure the height and depth of furniture work for your needs, that lamps are easy to turn on and off, and that you will have enough light to read by without the bedroom lights on. Consider how much storage you actually need in your room so you can maintain a clutter-free environment every day.
Add greenery
Bring a touch of the outside in by adding plenty of greenery to your bedroom. Plants will add a relaxed and natural feel to your room, and some even help filter the air to make your bedroom more of a retreat. Place them at different heights – hanging baskets, on top of your dresser and on the floor – to add depth and interest. If you’re not a green thumb, a vase of fresh flowers will help put a smile on your face when you wake in the morning, especially if they have a beautiful scent.
Redecorating your bedroom is a fantastic opportunity to make it all about you and what you need to destress. Take inspiration from what brings you joy and choose colours, textures and design elements that make your heart happy. These things will help you create the ultimate retreat where you can relax and recover from a hard day at work.
