Designing a bedroom is something that might seem pretty straightforward at first glance, but it has a few nuances. It’s not uncommon for people to think that a certain design or choice would be perfect for a bedroom, just to find out that the proportions are wrong or that certain elements don’t work with each other. Sometimes, they privilege style over function and end up with a space that is bad at what it is supposed to do. Let’s take a look at some of the dos and don’ts of bathroom design so you can make good decisions.
Do – Build a Space with Sleep in Mind
The first and most important aspect of bedroom design should be sleep. This is the bedroom’s main function, and if you don’t build a space you’re comfortable in, you will end up regretting your choice and significantly affect your quality of life.
You first have to make sure that you pick the right mattress. If it has been more than 7 years that you have your current mattress, then it’s a sign that you might want to replace it. You also shouldn’t hop on the latest trend. Different mattresses work better for different types of sleepers, so while memory foam beds are all the rage, they might not be the best option for you.
Lighting is a very important factor here as well. The first goal is to banish light completely from the room. This is done by picking the right type of blinds, but also installing them correctly.
If you want a few pointers on how to install blinds correctly, we suggest you check out Make My Blinds’ guide to blind installation. They teach you how to install virtually any type of blinds, whether it’s vertical blinds, Venetian blinds, or roller curtains. The instructions they give are easy to follow and they give you step-by-step instructions along with illustrations you can use to fit them perfectly.
This will be very important as even a little light can end up throwing your sleep cycle out of whack. But you also have to make sure that you can get some sunlight during the day. This is why Roman blinds are often a great option here. Anything with lightweight fabrics is also a good option.
Don’t – Go Crazy with the Colours
You have to be careful with the colours you choose for a bedroom. Choosing colours is about more than style, so we wouldn’t suggest you look at Pinterest here. Some room designs might seem nice and fun, but the last thing you want is to have stimulating colours like bright reds, which are often used to make design pictures stand out.
Here, you have to go with something that will be soothing, and that goes for accessories as well. Forget the oranges, bright yellows, and reds, and go for softer colours. Earth tones are great there. Pastels are also great, especially for bedding elements. And, if you absolutely want to use reds and yellows, try to go for subdued versions of these. You could use burgundy instead of red or mustard instead of bright yellow, for instance.
Do – Consider Decorating the Ceiling
Most people will decide to leave the ceiling like the rest of the room. While this is a safe choice, it is not the most interesting. Why look at the blank, empty ceiling when you could have something interesting and soothing instead?
Just adding a light blue ceiling to a white room could help take it to the next level and is extremely simple. This is something anyone could do in as little as one day, and you’d be surprised at how much it can transform a room.
And, if you want to get that professional look, you can add moulding for demarcation. This is also a very accessible project and will tie everything together. Choose the right colours for the furniture, bedding, and other accessories and you’ll have a picture-perfect bedroom without breaking the bank.
Know that there’s nothing that stops you from going for something more elaborate here either. Maybe you could use wallpaper as an option. Wallpaper today is very luxurious and could give your bedroom an almost regal feel. You could even add architectural elements like wood or faux wooden beams. These are not as complex as you might think either, so we suggest you give them a look and see what could work with your space and budget.
Don’t – Overlook Storage
Most people think of their bedroom as their little sanctuary, but there’s nothing serene about piles of clothes lying around. Several studies have shown that clutter contributes to stress, and if you want to minimise it, you need to have plenty of storage space. Try to integrate storage wherever you can and look for furniture with integrated storage to save space and add functionality.
Do – Think About Temperature
Controlling the temperature in a bedroom is one of the most important things. The body has adapted to sleeping at certain temperatures, and there’s a certain range that is more conducive to sleep. It is said to be around 15.6°C to 19.4°C.
So, if you can, we would suggest that you invest in a nice smart thermostat so you can leave it at an optimal range and preheat your room before getting in instead of heating it 24/7 so it can be warm when you come home or getting ready to tuck yourself in for sleep.
Don’t – Neglect the Foot of the Bed
The foot of the bed is something a lot of people don’t think about, but this could be the small touches that end up elevating the whole room. If you look at many bedroom designs, a lot of them will have some sort of element there. It could be something like a bench, but a nice chest could give your room a unique, whimsical touch. And you’ll be able to use it for storage as well.
Do – Go Big for the Nightstands
Don’t make the mistake of choosing tiny nightstands and go big there. Not only will these add even more storage but could make for nice statement pieces. They will help anchor the bed and will serve the same function as nightstands, just with more space.
Don’t – Overlook Your Room’s Layout
Another mistake you have to avoid is thinking that some design you saw online will automatically work in your room. Some of the details might be very subtle, like how wide a window is, how high the ceilings are, or what type of lighting is being used. You need to use these designs for inspiration, but don’t transpose them directly as you might run into some issues.
Do – Upgrade your Wardrobe
If you can, think about upgrading your wardrobe You could be surprised at how much more functional a wardrobe can be by using storage solutions. A built-in wardrobe system can be expensive, but is a great investment and will allow you to maximise your space and minimise chaos inside the room.
These are some of the things you will need to watch out for when designing your bedroom. Make sure that you make the right decisions and learn some of the basics before trying different ideas.
