Advice from Amy
Bedroom Interior Design: Approach, Challenges, and Keys to Success
If you look up the term ‘bedroom’ in a dictionary, it tells you it’s ‘a room for sleeping in.’ A bedroom is much more than just a place to sleep. It's a personal sanctuary for all ages where your home comforts, style, and functionality should all feel harmonious.
It can be difficult to design a relaxing bedroom that reflects your personal taste, especially when sharing with a partner or another. Below, I explain how as an Interior Designer I approach bedroom design, the common obstacles you might encounter, and the essential elements that make a bedroom the sanctuary we all desire.
My Approach: How to Start Designing a Bedroom
1. Define the Purpose and Mood
Identify the room’s roles beyond sleeping: Consider other uses for the bedroom. Is it also a place to read and work, or do you work out of here? Is this room shared with a partner or another person?
Focus on your design choices: Plan your bedroom’s mood—it should feel calming and inviting. Or perhaps serene, romantic, cosy or luxurious. Its mood will guide your choices of colour, lighting and materials.
2. Establish a Style
Choose a Design Style: From minimalist and modern to bohemian and traditional, choosing a style will help you maintain a cohesive look. Use inspiration from places you have stayed, such as hotels and holiday locations. Consider what worked in this bedroom interior design and what didn't. Gather information from magazines, Pinterest, or mood boards to help define your preferred style
Incorporate Personal Touches: Include elements that reflect your personality, like your favourite colours, patterns, or pieces of art.
3. Focus on the Layout
Prioritise Functionality: A well-planned layout maximises space and comfort. Ensure there’s enough room for easy movement around the bed, bedside tables, dressing tables, and seating
Consider Flow and Balance: Aim for a balanced arrangement of furniture and other features within the room so it doesn’t feel crowded. Symmetry can be soothing in a bedroom, so consider pairs of lamps or nightstands for a harmonious look if that's what you like. However, I have been known to have mismatched bedside tables to fit within a restricted space, but matching lights balance their appearance.
4. Choose a Colour Palette
Opt for Soothing Shades: Bedrooms revel in soft, neutral colours like pastels. Whites often work well, too, as they promote relaxation. However, don’t shy away from deeper tones like navy or forest green for a more dramatic, cosy effect
Layer Textures and Patterns: Introduce texture through different fabrics and add interest with subtle patterns on cushions, rugs, or wallpaper.
5. Plan Your Lighting
Layer Lighting: Combine ambient (general), task (reading), and accent (mood) lighting to create a versatile and inviting space. Dimmers can be particularly effective in adjusting the mood in bedrooms. Also consider having light switches near your bedroom to eliminate needing to get out when cosy!
Natural Light: Make the most of natural light with window treatments that allow for both privacy and light control, such as sheer curtains paired with blackout shades to aid in a perfect night's sleep.
6. Invest in Quality Bedding and Furniture
Comfort is Key: Remember when you have stayed in a hotel, and the linen is scratchy or the bed is uncomfortable? It’s not conducive to a relaxing sleep. A good mattress, quality bedding, and supportive pillows are essential for a restful night’s sleep. Choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen for bedding
Select Functional Furniture: Choose pieces that suit the room’s scale and your storage needs. Multi-functional furniture, like beds with storage drawers or nightstands with shelves, can be particularly useful in smaller spaces.
Challenges in Bedroom Design
1. Small Spaces and Storage Constraints
Maximise Space: In small bedrooms, every inch counts. To save space, use under-bed storage, wall-mounted shelves, and compact furniture. Consider built-in wardrobes to optimise storage without overwhelming the room. See my Lewisham project as an example
Declutter and Simplify: Keep clutter to a minimum. A bedroom should feel like a retreat, so everything has to be in its place and the room organised.
2. Balancing Aesthetics with Comfort
Comfort vs. Style: While prioritising aesthetics is tempting, comfort should never be compromised in a bedroom. For example, a stylish but uncomfortable chair may not serve the purpose if you plan to use it regularly for reading or relaxation. A king-size bed may be all you have dreamt of, but the space cannot accommodate it
Maintaining Serenity: Bold patterns and bright colours can energise a space but may disrupt the calm feeling you are trying to achieve in your bedroom. Use such elements sparingly, or confine them to accessories that can be easily changed.
3. Lighting Challenges
Avoiding Overhead Harshness: Bright overhead lights can feel harsh in a bedroom setting. Incorporate softer lighting options like bedside lamps and sconces to create a warm and inviting atmosphere
Light Control: Consider light pollution. Blackout curtains are a must for those who are light-sensitive or live in bright urban areas. Ensure window treatments effectively manage natural light for both day and night comfort.
What Makes a Successful Bedroom Interior Design?
1. Comfort and Relaxation
A successful bedroom is a comfortable bedroom: Invest in high-quality items, from the mattress to the bedding, that enhance sleep and relaxation
Create a Calming Environment: Use calming colours, soft textures, and appropriate lighting to create a serene space. Incorporate elements like plants, soft rugs, and cosy throws to add warmth and comfort.
2. Personalisation
Reflect Your Personality: Your bedroom should be your personal haven, a space that’s uniquely yours. Include decor that speaks to you, whether it’s art, books, or cherished mementoes. For example, in my Lewes project, my clients are avid readers, so rather than having all the books next to the bedside table, we selected a wooden bench for the end of the bed to stack the books under, which creates an artful way of displaying the books.
3. Functionality and Practicality
Smart Storage Solutions: A clutter-free bedroom is more relaxing. Ensure there’s enough storage for clothes, shoes, and personal items. Thoughtfully designed storage can enhance both the functionality and aesthetic of the room
Ease of Movement: The layout should allow easy movement and accessibility. Avoid overcrowding with furniture, and ensure that essentials like bedside tables and light switches are within easy reach.
4. Cohesive Design
Harmonise Elements: Successful bedrooms have a cohesive design where colour, texture, and style work together seamlessly. Repeating colours or materials throughout the space can help create this sense of unity. Please see my Cobham new build project as an example
Attention to Detail: The little things make a big difference. Details like matching hardware, carefully chosen accessories, and well-planned lighting contribute to a polished, finished look.
5. Flexibility for Future Needs
Adaptability: As needs change, so should the bedroom. Opt for flexible designs and pieces that can evolve with your lifestyle, whether that means adding a crib, creating a workspace, or simply updating decor.
In summary , a well-designed bedroom is more than just a place to sleep—it's a sanctuary that balances comfort, functionality, and personal style. By addressing challenges like space constraints, balancing aesthetics with comfort, and incorporating thoughtful design elements, you can create a room that feels both inviting and practical. Whether it’s through smart storage, cohesive design, or flexible layouts, the key to a successful bedroom lies in crafting a space that truly reflects your needs and personality