How to Design a Bedroom - Practical Tips, Tricks, and Ideas

Your bedroom is functional yet drab. Change the wallpaper, repaint the walls, get new lighting, buy new furniture, or build a walk-in closet—all these ideas come to mind. Still, you’re looking for something that exudes visual harmony, while others may be more tempted to redesign their bedrooms to improve sleep quality. From features to architecture, interior designers have more than a few tricks up their sleeves to improve a bedroom’s comfort.

• How do colours influence sleep quality?

• How can you redesign a bedroom into a sanctuary?

• Where should you put the bed?

Find answers to your questions down below.

6 Ways and Ideas to Decorate a Bedroom

Photo: MaxPixel

1) A bohemian bedroom decor

Photo: Flickr- Wicker Paradise

To maximize the space in your bedroom, get some storage accessories or units, such as a wardrobe or drawer storage cabinet fitted with fabric baskets or bins, tie racks, a hamper, jewelry plates, and a spot for cuff links and socks. Is your lifestyle opposed to this Type A, organized storage? Well, embrace a bohemian aesthetic.  

The bohemian look is largely inspired by the gypsy culture, whether European or hippie, it mirrors a nomadic lifestyle in which one accumulates travel-friendly items, objects purchased on the road, or handmade. Everything embedded into a sedentary lifestyle must be reduced to its simplistic form, meaning bedroom walls, doors, and the ceiling are painted white. Wood flooring or another material contrasting with the walls is a subtle reference to the millage nomads travelled, echoing their way of life.

You can lay your mattress on the floor, making do without a bedframe. Would you rather keep your bedframe? Lay one or more rugs around it. The idea behind this look is organized chaos. Display a knitted throw blanket and mismatched pillows atop your comforter to complete the look.

You need at least one houseplant. A stool or wooden crate should work wonders as your bedside table. Hang vintage LED lights from your ceiling or wall. Tap into your crafty side and make a jewelry display from an old root, affixing it to the wall. Any and all worn-looking wooden furnishings will work, and don’t forget about candles!

2) A Zen bedroom decor for a relaxing ambience

Travel is to bohemianism, just as the present moment is to Zen. Here too, the walls and ceiling are left in a bare-like state, meaning white. The Zen aesthetic isn’t so much about creating a standstill but rather a question of committing yourself to altering your environment as little as possible.

Unlike a bohemian design, clutter or disorganized chaos has no place in a Zen-like setting. A bed, nightstand, closet, and wardrobe; it’s all your bedroom should have, allowing you to relax and unwind in a peaceful setting.

Assess whether all your bedroom furniture has a purpose. Decluttering means, for example, asking yourself if the chair sitting in the corner of your bedroom serves as a reading nook or somewhere to dump clothes. 

Bear in mind that your bedroom’s design has to suit your routine, so position your bed in such a way that only the headboard is wall-adjacent, preferably facing the window. Maintain a certain distance between all furnishings to ensure effortless movement.

Take a look at Japan’s Zen monks. They favour white, grey, and black, so get some light-coloured or pastel bedding, or maybe even something a little darker; navy blue works great. A few clean-cut plants will enhance the space’s sought-after organic vibe. Think bamboo shoots, cacti, and succulents. Two nightstand lamps make for sufficient lighting. All you have to do is turn your bedroom doorframe into an electronic barrier, making your bedroom a TV-, computer-, and smartphone-free zone. Such modern technology just doesn’t belong in a Zen bedroom.  

3) Wood works with all decor styles 

Moving on from a Zen setting, why not stick with organic materials and showcase wood panelling?

Make yourself a bedframe base that’s wider than your mattress. With dark-hued bedroom flooring, such a platform will stand out and look as though it’s suspended in midair. The latter will be amplified if, facing the bed, the ceiling is covered in wood panelling too.

Another option would be to create a wood-panelled wall to create recessed storage spaces suited for your bed, bookcase, or random storage, all sitting along the same line.

4) Open up the space for a seamless, wall-free bedroom

It’s just you and your partner, you don’t have kids, so why enclose your bedroom? Knock down those four walls limiting your space!

Picture a wall-free space in which the rooms are partitioned using the very features that shape them, such as the bed in the bedroom, tub in the bathroom, and appliances in the kitchen, all spread across a seamless floor space.

Talk about being nostalgic for the years spent in dorm rooms or shared college apartments with roommates, restricted to small quarters, yet here, you’re enjoying a more spacious living area.

Ideally, your home is in a stunning location with a breathtaking view of the city, mountains, or sea. A panoramic window stretches from one wall to the other to make it seem like there’s a balcony beyond, this effect is all the more stunning if you have a window spanning floor-to-ceiling. On the other hand, you can highlight your bedroom window with an apparent frame or instead of having one big window, you can have a slew of different size windows that look like holes along the wall, which will make for a great picture window wall effect, and you don’t even need to hammer in a nail!

The ultimate bedroom design features a patio or sliding glass door. When open, the outside world becomes one with your bedroom.

5) Embrace a Scandinavian-inspired design in a woodland-themed bedroom

You’ve already purchased your bedroom decor, have tried the bohemian look and then the Zen one; you’ve played around with wood panelling to add an organic vibe and have knocked down all four walls to increase the floor space, but nothing works! So now you’ve turned to a woodland-themed room, one where peace of mind and pure air are at the forefront, but before you start clearing your backyard to build a cottage-like second home, check out the following Scandinavian architecture.

Located in a pine tree forest in Harads, northern Sweden, architecture firm Snøhetta designed The 7th Room in 2016—a modern treehouse joining the other six that make up the Treehotel. Perched high up in the trees, each of the seven cabins has a unique shape: Biosphere, Mirrorcube, Dragonfly, Ufo, Blue Cone, Bird’s nest, and the most recent, the 7th Room with a net in its centre. The feeling of being suspended, the treeroom’s isolation, and the view of the surrounding forest and the Lule River make for a soothingly stable atmosphere.

Midway between a tent and a small cottage, Linda Bergroth, a Finnish designer, and Ville Hara, a Helsinki-based architecture firm, designed the Kekkilä Green Shed in 2010. A lake-front property nestled in a forest, the prototype consists of a shed filled with garden tools that can be customized using wooden flooring and clear solar panels to enable lighting come nightfall. The clear panels make the walls and roof, enclosing a bedroom during the summer. All that’s missing is a mattress and other items to improve your comfort.

Forests in Canada are just as wild as those in Norway, Sweden, or Finland, so why not draw inspiration from Scandinavian expertise?

6) Partition your bedroom with a curtain

Much like princess canopy beds depicted in fairy tales, you can hang sheer curtains above your bed, draping it completely. In tropical regions, it serves as a mosquito net, shielding the bed’s occupant from insect bites, which are sometimes infectious. 

Instead of partitioning off your bedroom with a solid wall that will forego divisions, why not try a rather thick curtain wall? Don’t try to conceal it, opt for a striking colour that will brighten the room. Curtains make for an appealing feature, such as a lamp, throw pillow, or coffee machine.

How Can I Decorate My Room?

Photo: Pexels

When entering a bedroom, the bed should stand out. Said centrepiece merits a comfortable look, courtesy of pretty bedding and a decently-sized mattress. An evenly thick comforter or several layers of white or dark fabric can be paired with mismatched and colourful throw pillows. If your bedding offsets the comforter based on its colour or pattern, simply folding back the comforter will give your bed a whole new look.

That way, you can slip under your thin sheets, seized by the weight of your heavy blankets, and your massive duvet to lounge in bed until mid-morning, feeling like you’re bundled up in a cocoon. To enhance the burrito-like effect, hang a tapestry that flows away from your wall, velour curtains, and display a shaggy rug or carpet.

Now that you’ve meticulously selected your furniture, your bed is stunningly thick, and your tapestry frames the room, all that’s left is transforming your room into your very own oasis. After a long and exhausting work day, your bedroom is where you want to relax and unwind peacefully. Stick to necessary items: lamp, clock, and coasters. Ideally, keep your room tidy by making your bed and not leaving your clothes strewn around on the floor.

Oftentimes, to create an oasis, industry experts recommend decorating your space to your liking, negating whatever is trending. A narrow bookcase filled with books you’ve read and reread, hooks to showcase your nice clothes, a myriad of framed photographs, a shelf featuring holiday keepsakes, a jewelry tree, and lastly, the mirror of your choosing.

Furniture Floor Plan: What Layout Works Best for a Bedroom?

While a bedroom’s decor is a peephole into one’s aesthetic preferences, furniture layout must factor in the room’s ergonomics. Naturally, you have to work with the room’s shape and size, and the furniture you want to set up. But rightfully so, when it comes to choosing furnishings (bed, dresser, chair, nightstand), it’s important to factor in the available space, as well as the layout that will allow you to move seamlessly throughout.

How to Arrange Bedroom Furniture

Most bedrooms feature the following:

• Bed (single, double, queen, or king)

• Nightstand

• Dresser

In some cases, you can find a desk, a reading chair, and a bench at the foot of the bed.

Before prioritizing the aesthetic aspect, consider the space’s daily intended use. You have to be able to move with ease around the room, whether when heading to bed, getting up in the morning, or using the bathroom at night.

What Should an Ideal Bedroom Layout Look Like?

The bed should always be the focal point, and so the first thing to position. If you can push it up against a wall, design the rest of your bedroom around it. Next, set up your bedside tables on either side of the bed and find a spot for your dresser where it won’t be in the way but still easily accessible.

Lastly, if the room is big enough, consider setting up a work desk or reading corner. To ensure everything fits in your bedroom, design your floor plan on a computer or piece of paper.

Would you just rather hire an interior designer to get the job done? Not a bad idea, especially since they’re just the person to design something that will enhance space efficiency.

Design Everything Around Your Bed: How to Promote Rest and Sleep

A bedroom is a refuge that primarily serves for unwinding. It must exude a relaxing ambience—ultimately, promote restorative sleep. To do so, and this tip is all the more important if you’re suffering from insomnia, is choosing a layout and decor with that goal in mind. Decorative options and layout plans are vital for ensuring the room’s overall comfort.

Hence, it’s usually best to follow the advice listed below to create a truly peaceful retreat where you can lay your head at night, worry-free:

• Avoid having a television or computer in your bedroom.

• Reduce access to technology (plug your phone elsewhere than your bedside table).

• Opt for dimmed bedside lighting.

• Choose soft and cozy materials for your comforter.

• Hang blackout curtains for nighttime.

• Avoid cluttering the space around your bed.

How Do I Start Designing a Master Bedroom?

The master bedroom is unique in that it’s typically near the kids’ bedrooms and has an adjoining bathroom. Moreover, some parents will set up a cot or extra bed in there for their kids with troubled sleep patterns. 

Here are some characteristics to consider when designing a master bedroom:

• The bedroom must be big enough to fit at least a double bed (ideally queen or king). If you plan on setting up a kid’s bed, make sure it doesn’t hinder your access to the bed.

• The bathroom or en suite should be properly insulated and ventilated to prevent excess humidity from wafting into the bedroom.

What Colour Works Best in a Cozy Bedroom?

If you follow the prescribed tips and tricks for designing a relaxing bedroom, stick to light hues and neutrals in favour of a bright colour scheme. It’s the best way to prioritize sleep quality. That said, you have to feel comfortable in your bedroom. For some people, that means bright colours are better suited to their aesthetic preferences. 

This is all the more true if the bedroom in question is in a loft-like area if you live in, say, a studio. You’ll want to create a decor that flows from one room into the next, and if you’re not afraid of bright, bold colours, then your bedroom won’t stand out.

Here are bedroom colour suggestions that promote sleep:

• Blue (light, navy)

• Green (light, forest)

• Beige

• Grey (light, dark)

• White (egg white, off-white)

• Pink (pastel)

• Purple (pastel)

• Yellow (light)

Yellow and red are advised against in bedrooms. But, by all means, if you prefer bolder, brighter colours, by our guest!

Here are examples of colours that work wonders in a bedroom: 10 Original Paint Colours for Your Bedroom.

What Bedroom Design Mistakes Should You Avoid?

Photo: dc902

1. Don’t overlook the bed’s position. It’s the room’s centrepiece and what will dictate where the bedside tables, wardrobe, outlets, and light switches will go. As such, the bed can’t just be moved once set up—preferably positioned against a wall and away from the door.

2. Don’t set up a desk in your bedroom. Computer, work, bills, files, and agenda: a desk is a perfect medium to showcase your daily grind, which hinders your sleep quality. If you can’t do otherwise, try to shield it with a bookcase or something similar.

3. Don’t build a bathroom or walk-in closet if not suited to the room’s layout. If you or your partner have different schedules, a master suite might not be as practical. To bypass such inefficiency, opt for a two-door bedroom, with one leading into the bathroom.

4. Keep your bedroom clean and tidy. Organize your space with storage units.

5. Avoid having strongly scented flower plants in your bedroom as they’re likely to disrupt your sleep quality. However, feel free to have houseplants around your bedroom since, at night, they take in oxygen and produce little carbon dioxide. Whereas, during the day, it’s the complete opposite. Overall, plants produce more oxygen than they take in, filtering and humidifying air, especially during the wintertime when fresh air indoors isn’t as abundant.    

Above all, check out these articles to plan your bedroom makeover:

• 10 Renovation Projects to Transform Your Bedroom

• Bedroom Renovation Guide: Go-To Checklist

FAQ About Designing and Decorating a Bedroom

How can you create storage in a small bedroom?

Additional storage is always welcomed to store personal belongings, especially in homes with limited square footage. When designing a small bedroom, the keyword is optimization. Get multipurpose furniture, such as a bed frame with built-in drawers, making for extra storage where there would otherwise be none. You can also add some wall-mounted shelving around the room. Lastly, if you have access to a wardrobe, maximize its use by organizing it efficiently.

How do you design a narrow bedroom?

Is your bedroom rather narrow? Don’t overlook ergonomics! Get a smaller but still comfortable bed. Organize your clothing in a wardrobe instead of a dresser. Instead of having two bedside tables, keep one and push your bed up against the wall. There’s always a way to make do with the available space. Short on ideas? Peruse decor magazines—they’re filled with creative ideas suited to all sorts of rooms and layouts. 

How can you revamp a bedroom on a budget?

Here are some simple yet effective makeover ideas if you’re looking to transform your bedroom without spending much on decoration:

• Paint one or more walls

• Move your bed

• Buy new curtains

• Get a new comforter

• Hang art on the walls and display decorative items around the room