Tips for designing your dream bedroom

A bedroom is of course where we go for a good night’s rest, but it is also a place where we go for an escape; an area for resting both mind and body. If you feel like your bedroom lacks that quality then read on.

Many high-end hotels spend a pretty penny on designing bedrooms that look great and also create a relaxing and calm atmosphere. Interior designers use these bedrooms as inspiration for their own rooms, so it’s certainly worth spending some time creating both a practical and efficient plan for your bedroom.

Clutter control

A messy, unorganised bedroom won’t help; clearing out clutter isn’t too difficult provided you have enough space to add cabinets. If your bedroom doesn’t have the space, look to add more shelving to your wardrobe, or instead install storage drawers underneath your bed. The first step to achieving that feeling of relaxation is making sure everything is where it should be.

Colour coordination

Select your bedroom’s paint colour based on its layout and the type of atmosphere you want to create. Below are some ideas for reference:

• Shades of red will make a cold room feel warmer
• A pale lilac or soft plum offers a fresh option for both warm and cold rooms as it borders between the cool and warm hues on a colour wheel.
• Blues and greens will make a room feel colder; this will help especially if your room attracts a lot of natural light.
• Darker colours like navy and forest green create a feeling of romance within a small bedroom. Just make sure you don’t go overboard with these as too much can make a room feel darker and smaller.

Limit noise

Do you live on a busy road, have noisy neighbours or are close to nearby traffic? All of these can have harmful effects on your sleeping patterns. To counter this, introduce thick fabrics and textiles to help soundproof your bedroom, such as fitted carpets and underlay, and a layered window treatment. Another option is installing a ceiling fan; the whirring blades in the warm months of summer will help block out traffic noise even further.

Size

Take some time to study the size of the bedroom and what can fit where. A bed that’s too big won’t leave you with enough space required for other items such as a chest of drawers or nightstands. When searching for new furniture, choose items that fit nicely into your bedroom (depending on the space). You’ll almost certainly need a bed and bedside tables, but do you also need other things such as a wardrobe or dressing table? Think ahead to ensure you get everything you need.

A little luxury

You’ve covered the basics, so now why not spoil yourself a little with some quality plain coloured or patterned bed linens? Covering your bed with linens and cushions can turn your bedroom from plain to luxurious instantly. You could also consider introducing window treatments for an extra sense of colour. Lighter curtains let in more cool air in the hotter months, whereas heavier curtains keep in warm air in the colder months.

Tweak the lighting

More often than not, good lighting makes all the difference. Ambient lighting is a great choice since you can adjust the level of light that comes through, which is beneficial as this lets you control the atmosphere and mood of your bedroom as you’re settling down to sleep. Accompanying it with a dimmer switch can help you achieve this.

Ambient lighting can be installed through a central ceiling fixture, a bedside lamp or low-voltage ceiling lights.

Will you be following any of these tips for your bedroom? Let us know on Twitter @darlowsproperty!