Bedrooms are important spaces in our homes.  We retreat to them at the end of the day and emerge from them fully refreshed (hopefully), ready for the day ahead.  So, it makes sense to give them our full attention and create a stylish space where we can relax and unwind. With a few simple tricks, it’s easy to transform a bedroom from a boring functional space to something that feels luxurious and chic. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune in the process.

 

If you want your bedroom to look like it’s jumped out of the pages of an interior’s magazine, it needs to be clutter-free. A chair plonked in the corner, piled high with clothes isn’t going to do anything to create that boudoir feel. Learn from tidying expert Marie Kondo, spark some joy and get your wardrobe under control. If you still think you need more storage, put this at the top of your to-do list.

 

The bed is the centrepiece of a bedroom, so it should be one of the main focal points. Even if your bed frame isn’t your favourite, you can distract the eye and create a luxurious feel by dressing the bed with plenty of cushions and a throw.

 

If you want to add in a splash of colour and some pattern, cushions allow you to do this in small doses, so you can dip your toe into the world of pattern, without feeling overwhelmed. Mix up your textures to create a layered look with depth, so think chunky knits, linen and velvets, to really dress your bed like a pro.

 

Short curtains should be avoided if you want the luxe look. They cut the room in half and the fabric looks a bit sorry for itself, dangling half-heartedly from the rail. Floor to ceiling curtains, on the other hand, will give you a chic hotel look.

 

Full-length curtains make the room look taller, especially if there’s space to hang them higher than the window. The scale is an important factor when it comes to elevating the look of a room, bigger is definitely better!

 

If you have a radiator under the window and don’t want to cut out the heat, you can double up and fit a blind with the curtains. Stick to one pattern, so if you use a patterned fabric for the curtains, pick out a plain coloured blind for a coordinated look.  A lot of my clients like to add in blackout blinds to ensure a restful night’s sleep.

 

Plants, plants and more plants! A great accessory that comes in all shapes and sizes and is very affordable. Plants are also known to purify the air, so that has to be a good thing in a bedroom. Plastic plant pots should be well hidden, so invest in a few gorgeous ceramic or metallic pots and stands. Cut flowers are also a great way to dress a room. I love these Speckle Straight vases by HK Living.

If you’re still with me, here’s my last and final tip. Lighting. This is how you create magic. Good lighting creates atmosphere and sets the mood. It doesn’t mean rewiring the whole room, but it does involve a little bit of thought.

 

Without going into too much detail, every room should have three forms of lighting. General, so you can see what you’re doing, accent – this is where the drama comes in and task, which as the name suggests, helps with specific activities, such as reading.

 

A bare bulb in the middle of the room is going to look a bit sad. Instead, think about how you can layer the lighting. A fancy fitting could hang a bit lower if it’s above a bed, plug in wall lights will cast light at shoulder level and a clip-on light could be used by the bed for a more directed beam suitable for reading.

 

Then there are bedside lamps, which are great for dressing a space as they cast a softer, glow. Again, think about scale. Don’t think you have to stick to lamps labelled as ‘bedside lamps’. Any lamp will do, and if you go for something that’s a bit grand, it will help to frame the bed and add a bit of drama.

A little bit about Alison Anderson...

I offer design advice through my Helping Hand consultations (which can be done virtually) plus a more in-depth Design Solutions package. I can help with just a single room, kitchen, bathroom or the whole house. To find out more visit https://www.alisonandersoninteriors.co.uk/