Bedroom Decorating Ideas

The bedroom is such an important part of our homes but sometimes we neglect our focus from creating an attractive aesthetic there because we believe that it’s largely out of sight from visitors. People tend to focus getting their interior style perfect in other parts of the home like the living room, the entrance hall, the kitchen and so on and while these are without doubt important areas, the bedroom is not to be ignored. When you think about it, we spend a huge amount of time in our bedrooms and while not many visitors to your home are likely to see it, it’s still important to treat the whole house as a space for YOU and your family i.e. the occupants to enjoy. So the idea is to create a bedroom that you love to retreat to at the end of your day and also adore waking up in and that’s where we come in! Read on for some bedroom decor idea inspiration...

Bedroom Ideas - Choosing Colours

Consider temperature/tone first when you are selecting paint colours for a bedroom; warm colours can be more stimulating and attract the eye but should be used or considered carefully. You don’t want to paint your walls a shade of yellow that is so bright that it will alarm you therefore it’s advisable to get tester paint pots if you’re contemplating going down the more dramatic route. Cooler colours - those from blue green through to blue violet, and including grey shades, tend to produce a more calming and relaxing aura. If you’re intent on using a warmer tone, hues that are light and subtle, such as soft yellows or pastel shades of pink, can also feel soothing. Another pretty idea for the bedroom is to choose a colour such as a subtle pink and include a number of different variants of that colour to create different aspects to different walls. Choosing a colour like pink doesn’t mean that you're making the space overtly feminine; you can add masculine finishes with your accessory colours by incorporating greys, blacks and metallics.

Guidelines for Paint Colour Choice

Base your colour choice on existing furniture

This applies if it’s only the paint colour you are changing in the room. Pick colours from dominant pieces of furniture or accessories and choose colour to match those hues.

Choose a complementary colour scheme

Opposite ends of the colour wheel complement each other, for example yellow and violet. The key is to choose a subtle hue of one colour and pair it with a dominant hue of its complement.

Keep it mellow

Use monochromatic and related colours which are found next to each other on the colour wheel which will keep the look stylish and cohesive.

Pick a style or theme

If you’re going for a modern look, black and white is a good option. For a more traditional look, choose ivory or other rich tones.

Save your boldest colours for accents

They can end up being overwhelming in a bedroom if used as the dominant colour. Instead introduce bright splashes of colour by including them in features like accessories.

Bedroom Ideas - The Bed

There are four main types of bed base so if you’re changing your bedroom and specifically your bed, you need to decide on that factor first.

Bed Base Types:

Bed Frames

Bed frames can really add to your chosen interior theme or style. They can come in a range of materials including wood, metal, plastic or upholstered. Bed frames can emphasise a modern or a traditional style for the look you’re trying to work on. The mattress sits on the frame which is either slatted or wired mesh.

Divan Bases

Divan beds are probably the most popular type of bed and many come with storage options included in the base which is a fantastic choice for bedrooms tight on existing storage space.

Adjustable Beds

Adjustable beds, in general are popular for people with mobility or disability issues and can come in dual control options. It’s also possible to get them in divan or bed frame styles.

Guest Beds

Guest beds, as the name suggests offer extra space to house guests sometimes in the form of a lower mattress which when unused sits back into the main bed base.

When you’re choosing a bed, you should take in a few factors before narrowing your selection. A sleigh bed frame for example would make a beautiful addition to a bedroom and offers more style options but it can take up a lot of space (because they have often have outward facing headboards and footboards) so be mindful of how much room area you have to work with. Frame size is also a consideration and below we explain the different sizes of mattresses which is handy to know before you shop.

Frame Size Explained

Bedroom Ideas - The Accessories

Even if your bedroom design idea is simply to update your bed linen, that in itself can inject wonderful freshness into the room. Bed linen doesn’t need to be expensive but of course if you have the budget, the higher quality material will result in more comfort and it will stand the test of time (wear and tear!) also. Try thinking about the amount of time that you’ll spend in your bed when weighing up the pro’s and con’s of investing in bed linen; that way you’ll see why it’s worth it in the long run!

Understanding Bed Linen - What You Need to Know!

When you go to buy bed sheets, you will likely see details about thread count. Thread Count is the total number of threads per square inch in a fabric (it counts both horizontal and vertical threads). Going by that logic, one would assume that the higher the thread count, the softer and higher quality the sheets. However that is not necessarily the case. In this Business Insider post, Scott Tannen, CEO of Boll & Branch, a luxury linen provider indicates the problem in the industry: “There’s a maximum number of threads that can fit into a square inch of fabric...depending on the type of cotton used, that number is generally not more than 400. In reality, to achieve a higher thread count manufacturers are generally using a lower grade of cotton that becomes very thin when spun.”

The best advice when buying bed linen? Don’t focus on thread count as it could be false and instead focus on the quality, softness, and durability of the cotton; ask the sales assistant about the origins and ask to feel the material yourself in order to make a good judgement.

Other Bedroom Accessories that Will Make an Impact...

Cushions/Pillows

Extra pillows and cushions will immediately add not just a design theme to your bedroom style but they will also add extra comfort and luxury. Mix different patterns and textures while staying within the same colour tone for a more interesting setting. Bolster pillows like you see in hotels add an instant touch of glamour.

Mirrors

A mirror will not only add function and glamour to a room but it has the ability to make a small bedroom appear larger than it actually is; if you do have a small bedroom, choose a large size mirror which might seem counterintuitive but will actually work well in giving the room a larger size illusion in comparison to using a small mirror.

Dressing table

Dressing tables in a bedroom can really finish off a look. While some people might see them as an overtly feminine choice, it depends on the material of the dressing table that you select. By choosing a wooden finished dressing table, you won’t overpower the room with a feminine vibe. Of course, you could also choose to go fully down the glamour route and choose a high gloss, white or mirrored finished dressing table.