We all have an idea of what our ideal bedroom would look like, but a dreamy sleep space doesn’t just look great; the right room décor ideas can help us feel more relaxed and send us into deeper sleep. And you’ll be glad to hear that you don’t need to do a total bedroom rehaul to get there. Simple, quick fixes can make a world of difference and can often completely transform your room. So if the latest round of rearranging the furniture hasn’t quite had the intended effect, here’s a roundup of some of our favourite (and foolproof) décor ideas.
Bed’s the word
The focal point of your room? Your bed, which makes it a great starting point for updating your décor. Aside from all the pillows and cushions we (inevitably) pile on, a statement or timelessly designed headboards for beds can tie together every element in the room – and selecting the right one depends entirely on your personal aesthetic: if you like minimalist styles, go for something with clean lines, like a wooden bed; if you prefer classic and chic, metal beds are your best bet; practical, space-savers and families may prefer a stylish take on storage beds; and if you want to explore with colour, shape or texture and love a luxury look, try out an upholstered bed. These types of headboards lend a more welcoming feel to your bedroom, pairing beautifully with soft furnishings.
Softly does it
There is no better feeling than climbing into bed at the end of the day, especially when it feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud. Whether you load your bed with throws, blankets and pillows, or add more textural dimension with thicker curtains, there are multiple quick and easy ways to give an instant upgrade to your space. We also suggest investing in an upholstered bed: fabrics like velvet, linen and chenille give a plush touch with minimal effort, and if you need extra storage for all your blankets, storage beds like ottoman or divan kill two birds with one stone.
Light it up
Lover of fairy lights? For bedroom spaces, this is one of the most popular décor ideas. Not just because it creates a welcoming vibe, but because it’s cost effective and easy. Whether you like subtle string lights or more intricate designs, you can find a fairy light style to suit almost any aesthetic. If fairy lights aren’t your thing, there’s a host of alternative lighting options that are both atmospheric and useful. Like side lights, which you can attach to the wall or the sides of your bed for reading, or sunrise alarm clocks, which wake you up with simulated sunrise light softly and help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
A sensory sleep space
You may have perfected the perfect low glow to your bedroom lighting, but there’s nothing that sets the scene quite like candlelight. Casting a warm flicker, candles lend a soothing semblance to any space – and our bedrooms are no exception. But their appeal extends far beyond setting the mood visually; thoughtfully crafted scent blends can boost our mood and relax us, adding to the overall mood of a room. Unsure about open flame? Electric diffusers often come tastefully designed or with built-in lighting, with similarly blended scents to boot. Some of the best scents for sleep include lavender and camomile, while for waking up refreshed we suggest eucalyptus and citrus scents, like lemon or sweet orange.
Picture perfect
Photographs, artwork and mementoes that hold a special place in our hearts all add a personal touch to our sleep spaces that never goes amiss, but it’s how you display them that makes all the difference. Placing pictures on your bedside table or hanging them on the wall are classic and timeless ways of spotlighting memories; hanging them on a string or pegging them onto fairy lights allows you to showcase more at once in a more laidback way. This kind of style is particularly popular among teenagers, but can help any bedroom feel cosy and safe for the moments we need it most.
The outside, in
There’s a reason houseplants have grown in popularity later, and it’s not just because their calming green hues add a welcoming element to our bedroom décor: being in nature has a whole host of benefits, like decreasing stress, boosting our mood and improving our overall health. While plants inside might look great, they serve a much greater purpose inside our rooms, making them the ideal multi-tasker when it comes to sleep. And if you’re worried about finding the time to maintain them, various plants require minimal attention but bring similar benefits, like cacti, succulents, certain palm plants and one of our favourites: aloe vera.
Dreaming in colour
However you choose to decorate, remember colour plays a huge part in how impactful our décor is: neutral tones are calmer and more versatile, greens echo nature, while brighter colours can add a playful splash. And while some colours might calm us, like deep blues and earthy tones, others might overwhelm us or evoke feelings of stress – like neon pinks, oranges and yellows (although small accents of these are great for expressing our personalities and how we feel). And having harmony between your bedroom ideas and colour helps our spaces feel more streamlined, setting us up for a more blissful sleep.
