4 decor ideas for designing a restful master bedroom

We’re all looking for a sanctuary within our own homes at the moment. A calm, private safe haven away from the stresses of a busy family home.

So having shared their top tips for designing a home office, we asked designers from the UK’s number 1 rated interior design firm My Bespoke Room, to share their design secrets for creating a tranquil bedroom.

For even more suggestions on how to design a hotel worthy bedroom retreat, head over to their blog where we delve into the most soothing bedroom colour schemes.

1.Clear away the clutter

Clutter isn’t a good look for any room but bedrooms in particular need to be calming and stress free for a peaceful night sleep. 

“Clutter tends to creep in when there isn’t a clearly defined place for all of your things”, says Claire. Take a good, honest look at your bedroom now...what items tend to float about the room making it look untidy? For your new bedroom design make sure these items have a clearly defined ‘home’.

Check out our wardrobe paint top painting tips.

“Clutter tends to creep in when there isn’t a clearly defined place for all of your things.”

CLAIRE, MBR

Ottomans placed at the end of your bed are a saviour for those in need of more storage. There are so many affordable options in a variety of styles that can work wonderfully for tidying away things like spare linen or towels. “Even some dressing table stools come with secret storage nowadays - ideal for hiding away your hair dryer!” Claire adds.

“Don’t forget to think vertically when thinking about storage”, suggests Lucy. “Your walls can be made into fantastic storage solutions keeping as much floor space clear as possible.”

“Don’t forget to think \nverticall\ny when thinking about storage.”

LUCY MBR

Bespoke fitted furniture always works wonders but for a more affordable option - open shelving can solve the problem and can be installed over a weekend! Make use of opaque boxes like rattan for example to tidy away bits and bobs out of sight to keep your shelves looking tidy and beautifully styled.

“A really under utilised spot for storage is above your door frame” points out Lucy. “It can work brilliantly for tidying away items that you don’t need daily access to like off season shoes and clothes.

“If you want to keep your makeup out of sight but within easy reach, you can install mirrors with built in storage in your bedroom. They’re typically used in bathrooms but there are so many stylish options on the market today so we occasionally use them in our clients designs when space is tight.” suggests Rosie.

2. Define zones

One of the emerging themes of post pandemic interior design is the need for rooms to be multi functional, and our bedrooms are no exception. No, we’re not just talking about sticking a bathtub in your bedroom!

“We’ve been noticing a huge increase in requests for seating areas in bedrooms from our clients.” remarks Claire. This can provide a safe haven for busy parents and a peaceful space to read a book or listen to music.

“Make sure you clearly zone your reading nook with dedicated lighting and a rug if possible.”

LUCY, MBR

“Make sure you clearly zone your new reading nook though with dedicated lighting and a rug if possible. Otherwise you might just find the chair becomes a glorified clothes horse and dumping ground!” warns Lucy, clearly speaking from experience!

As we’re not getting dolled up much anymore we’ve also been converting many dressing tables into home office desks. However the My Bespoke Room designers don’t think it’s a fleeting trend: “Dressing tables that double up as desks could be here to stay post-lockdown too as working remotely becomes more common.” Lucy notes. “Homes in general will have to become more flexible and adapt to their owners needs as they grow”.

It’s important to clearly define the different zones or functions in a space. Paint can be a creative and affordable way to do this. Like in the example below, you can quickly create a unique and colourful feature over the back of your headboard or around your dressing area to make it look purposeful.

3. Maximise space

With some careful planning and sexy storage there’s no need to feel restricted if you have a smaller space to work with for your bedroom. In fact, you should embrace it! Rather than opting for white walls go with a deep, warm tone and embrace the cosy vibe that a smaller space can offer.

In smaller bedrooms, employ clever tricks of the eye to give the illusion of space - for example ceiling to floor length curtains. They’ll not only add hotel elegance to your room but they’ll also trick the eye into thinking your ceilings are much taller than they really are.

“Picture ledges are also a regular feature in my small bedroom designs” notes Rosie. “As they’re not as wide as standard shelves, they don’t protrude so far into the room yet you still get the benefits of a great design feature and additional storage.”

In smaller bedrooms it can often be hard to find wall space for a full length mirror and freestandings ones are a no go. The back of your bedroom door or even inside your wardrobe door can work really well as an alternative.

4. Set the tone with lighting

Last but not least - lighting! It’s easy to get carried away with furniture and soft furnishings in a bedroom but trust us - it’s a carefully considered lighting scheme that will really transform the feel of the space. 

Ambient lighting is best for bedrooms and can be achieved through bringing in lights at different levels such as a ceiling light, floor and then bedside table lamps. Opt for warmer coloured bulbs to create a soft glow and always opt for dimmable options where possible.

“Use lighting to create ‘moments’ within a space” says Claire. “For example, by placing a floor lamp with a warm bulb next to a cosy armchair layered in soft textiles it’s just crying out to be napped in!”

But don’t forget that you’ll also need to add in task lighting in specific areas such as where you get dressed and ready for the day ahead. Installing spotlights around or inside your wardrobe can be a really effective way to give you enough light to see clearly without losing the ambient ‘feel’ in the rest of the room. 

Natural light is the best for applying makeup so try to position your dressing table near a window. This dressing table fits seamlessly into this space with the mirror slotting neatly between the two windows and so not obstructing the view:

The traditional bedside lamp has been revolutionised recently and there are so many creative alternatives to try. Rather than cluttering up your bedside table, consider wall mounted bedside lights instead.

“In my own bedroom I have plug in pendant lights with extra long cords that I loop up and hang either side of my bed. Not only was this a great space saver but it was also really affordable and is completely unique.” says Claire.

Looking for guidance on the best colour schemes for your bedroom? Head over to their blog to find out more.