Expert tips for designing the perfect bedroom
1 Start by creating a mood board as it will help galvanise your thoughts on what look you are going for. Once you’ve decided on a palette, it makes selecting everything from the headboard and armchairs to lampshades and curtains a less daunting process.
2 Next, focus on the layout of the room and consider how to make the most of any quirks. Simon Tcherniak, senior designer, Neville Johnson, says: ‘awkward sloping ceilings, architectural features and restricted room configurations can be dealt with by installing bespoke fitted furniture.’
3 Blocking out light is of course key to a good night’s sleep, so choose if you’re going down the curtain or shutter route – or both! For a city home, think about solid shutters. ‘They create near blackout when they’re closed and also reduce noise levels – a huge advantage if you’re near busy roads’, advises Mark Carter, director, Shutterly Fabulous.
4 Just as important as having a dark room, pay close attention to your artificial light sources, too. Opaline bulbs are perfect for this environment, as Clare Anstey, lighting buyer, Heal’s, explains. ‘The warm glow provided is gentle on the eye and ideal for relaxing before bed.’ Look at dimmable lamps for bedside tables so you can achieve enough brightness for reading, but also enjoy some relaxing downtime when you need it.
5 Even diehard wooden flooring fans might want to have a carpet fitted in this room. Jemma Dayman, carpet buyer, Carpetright, points out that as well as the obvious warmth and soundproofing, ‘you can add more comfort with an underlay: the extra padding adds hidden softness that will also help to insulate the home, saving money on your heating bill.’
6 Think carefully about storage. A chest of drawers works wonderfully for both folded clothes and creating a practical spot for a table lamp. Wardrobe-wise, take note from interior designer Suzy Hoodless who advises: ‘measure how much wardrobe space you require; we always add 10 per cent to the client’s number of linear metres.’
7 The linchpin of any boudoir is the bed, but finding the right spot for it is key. ‘If you’re working with a large room, position your bed between two windows. The symmetry works well in any room,’ says Martin Gill, managing director, And So To Bed. ‘It’ll also make your bed the focal point of the room. If you can, position the head of the bed away from any potential areas of light or noise.’