We spend around than a third of our lives sleeping, and most of us spend even longer than that in our bedrooms. That means our sleep spaces shouldn’t be an afterthought – they should be relaxing rooms that are comfortable, soothing, and encourage us to take our rest. The importance of sleep to our busy lives means that we should all prioritise creating an oasis of calm for our bedrooms, and this is even more important for those of us that encounter sleep disturbances such as insomnia, or conditions such as anxiety. 

Comfortable and relaxing doesn’t mean unstylish though, and a beautiful room really helps to create a feeling of contentment. Think back to how amazing the sleep is when you are on vacation in a beautiful hotel with a fabulous view, with crisp white linens on the bed. While we can’t completely recreate a luxury hotel in our homes (unfortunately very few of us can afford housekeeping services to change our sheets!) we can still create peaceful resting spaces with a luxurious feel that help us to achieve that deep sleep. A bit of thought, time and financial investment in our bedrooms can pay dividends in terms of the quality of our sleep.

In family homes, master bedrooms often become social hubs, with children and pets piling in, particularly on lazy weekend mornings, so in addition to being stylish, they have to be practical and durable, with the accessories you need to make things as comfortable as possible.

In this post, we’re going to be talking about the trends for interior design, and when you’re thinking about bedroom design, don’t forget to consider children’s bedrooms (they don’t have to be pink, blue, or covered in cartoon characters!) and your guest rooms and spare bedrooms. When friends and family have a comfortable night when they stay with you, they’re more likely to want to visit you again – although whether you want to encourage that is up to you!

 

General trends in interior design 

Over the past few years, interior designers have moved towards quality items that last over cheap furniture that won’t last. Sustainability matters, both in terms of the impact on the planet when making, and disposing of an item, and the how well the product lasts. We’ve recently heard the phrase ‘buy nice, or buy twice’, and we quite agree! Buying good quality items means that you’re going to be happier with your purchase for longer, and it will serve you better than cheaper items, and means that you don’t need to buy again – which is better for the planet. With the emphasis on sustainability, designers are choosing items made from natural materials when they can, to help to minimise the use of unnecessary plastic waste where it is possible. 

Choosing high quality doesn’t mean you have to buy a complete range of matching furniture though. Finding coordinating items that complement the space, that creates a unique look, and most importantly, that serves your needs the best is important. Matching everything isn’t essential, unless that is what you want to achieve. This is your home, so you choose what is best for you. You’ve got an old piece that you absolutely adore? Don’t throw it out, that’s a talking point! Find new items that complement your existing favourites and build your bedroom around them. 

In keeping with the move towards sustainability, designers are turning their backs on faux items like plants, and cheaper furniture made from materials with higher environmental impact like MDF. Real plants are better for your health, and solid woods will last much longer, and tend not to date as quickly as trends change. Despite us saying that faux is out, there are some items when faux is better – specifically when the real thing is unethical or unsustainable, such as with fur throws. The quality of faux alternatives today is incredibly high, and as such, fake furs will always be considered far, far chicer than the real thing. 

Colour trends

We’ll start by saying that the choice of colour for your bedroom should be dictated by what feels restful to you, rather than what designers pick – you need to feel comfortable, after all! That said, there are some beautiful colours trending in 2021. When we’re thinking about which colours are trending, we always start with the Pantone colour of the year. This year, rather than choosing just one shade, they chose two complementary colours – 17-5104 “Ultimate Gray” and 13-0647 “Illuminating”, a bright sunny yellow.  

Soothing greys have been popular in home décor for a number of years because they’re a great neutral, and serve as a perfect backdrop to other colours, and different types of furniture. In bedrooms, shades of grey are restful, and don’t shock the senses. Ultimate Gray is a perfect shade for bedrooms, particularly when used alongside bright whites. The bright yellow of Pantone Illuminating is likely to feel too invigorating and energetic for many of us for use on bedroom walls, but it can be used to create a lovely contrast to Ultimate Gray when used to create pops of colour (we’ll talk more about this idea in a moment!) on cushions, bedding, or on items of furniture.  

If grey and yellow doesn’t appeal to you, then we can find other trending shades by looking to paint manufacturers – the major brands choose colours of the year each year, much like Pantone. Dulux chose a warm earthy taupe for their colour of the year for 2021, named Brave Ground. It works fantastically as a rich neutral, and pairs well with other neutral shades, as well as blues, deep pinks, and lavenders.  

US paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore is highly influential when it comes to interior design trends. Their colour of the year for 2021 is Aegean Teal 2136-40, which is a sun-baked, Mediterranean shade of turquoise blue. You can find fantastic ways to use it throughout the home, but it looks great on bedroom walls. We love it alongside white furniture, with crisp white bedding and soft furnishings to evoke that ‘forever on vacation’ feel. 

Rustic and recycled

The essential move towards sustainability for the sake of the planet means that we’re looking to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible in our daily lives. Many people are upcycling pieces of furniture that they already have, or that they have found in charity shops and second hand stores. Interior designers and stylists have been doing this for years, creating one-off looks with vintage pieces that have been treated, such as being recovered with new fabric, or refinished with different wood treatments. 

The beauty of the recycled and repurposed trend is that there is no ‘right’ way to make the look work – in the bedroom or any other room in the house. It doesn’t need to look shabby, or cheap – indeed, most vintage furniture is made extremely well, as it was built to last. There are plenty of ways to reupholster or refinish pieces, so if you’re up for a little DIY project, check out Pinterest – there are quite literally thousands of ideas. If you’re not into getting your hands dirty, or you simply lack the time or the inclination to do the work, local craftsmen and dressmakers may be able to help. There are sometimes simpler solutions available though, so if you have a great chair with an ugly fabric print, find a universal slip cover (these are widely available online) or make use of throws and blankets to hide the offending print. 

For storage options, add storage baskets made from rattan, such as these nesting storage baskets with linings, and keep laundry and litter tidied away in baskets. We love these white and grey laundry basket with storage baskets, and this natural woven wicker laundry basket, hamper and waste paper basket set.

Statement furniture

If you’re looking to create a really modern aesthetic without the effect being too overdone, then choose one or two statement pieces for your bedroom. The beauty of this is that you’re not tied to one or two colours – you can bring in different shades, and round off the space with artwork in complementary shades. This way, you can create a more cosy, lived-in appeal, without losing the stylish feel. 

Your bed might be the statement piece, or perhaps a chaise longue upholstered in a decadent fabric, and a beautiful dressing table and stool set. With impressive statement pieces like these, you can choose simpler items for other items of bedroom furniture, in a neutral finish that lets your statement pieces shine.

If your bedroom is a smaller space, it is a good idea to add an oversize mirror – it is a well-known styling trick that can help to create a feeling of space. For rooms that don’t have much wall space available, consider combining your mirror with your art – we’ve got a range of art mirrors featuring classic designs such as vintage Lambretta advertising, a Che Guevara design and styling from cult movies like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. 

With this trend, you simply have to find items that you love, and that can take centre stage, and they will help to create the look that you want to achieve.

Luxury fabrics

When you’re choosing your bed linens, make sure it is going to encourage restful sleep. For adult beds, investing in the best quality bedding that you can afford – either 100% cotton or linen, with a high thread count – is likely to create the most comfortable experience. When choosing bedding for children, look for brushed cotton, or teddy fleece sets to create a snuggly bedtime through the year.

We think that having high quality pillows is an essential – such as this Dreamtime memory foam pillow, and collecting a range of throws, blankets and cushions means that you can create optimal comfort and warmth throughout the year. 

It isn’t just bedding that can use luxury fabrics in your bedroom – furniture such as chairs and storage solutions can create texture. We love this large luxury storage ottoman, which is covered in luxurious crushed velvet and is available in indulgent shades of red, purple, black, yellow, silver, blue and rose gold.

Don’t forget about other soft furnishings too – curtains, cushions, headboards, and rugs in sumptuous fabrics can all contribute to the luxurious feel of your bedroom. 

Coordinating furniture 

While many of us are shying away from perfectly matching, mass-produced MDF furniture in 2021, investing in high quality, matching furniture made from sustainably sourced timbers is always going to be chic. Choosing pieces that are made from the same type of wood, with the same wood treatment, means that your bedroom looks instantly pulled together, and requires little further adornment. 

You might choose furniture made from lighter woods such as beech, ash, and pine to create a Scandinavian style bedroom – ideal if the bedroom you’re decorating is smaller – or choose darker tones. Darker furniture makes a real statement, and strikes the balance between old-world chic and the start of the 2020s, so where it is possible, choose pieces that are hand made for the highest quality.

The pieces of furniture that you choose don’t have to be from exactly the same ranges from a single retailer though. If the room you’re decorating is particularly dark, you might look for white pieces that suit your needs, or find items in the same wood, and refinish them yourself with a stain or paint that creates the exact effect that you want. 

Modern masculine 

Bedrooms for teenage boys and men doesn’t necessarily mean untidy and uncoordinated, nor does it have to be excessively focused on their interests – whether their passion is football, gaming or something else entirely. A more masculine bedroom can be created by choosing imposing, yet practical furniture to make a statement, paired with darker shades for wall décor. Small hints of tartan or tweed fabrics can give a subtle nod to a gentleman’s country club aesthetic without becoming overbearing. 

Choose a classic bedframe, and keep bedding classic too – Oxford pillowcases with turned-down sheets and a top blanket. Find artwork that reflects the interest of whoever will be in the room. We love prints of cityscapes, while bookish types will enjoy the subtle hints of Middle Earth with this Hobbit art mirror. If the room occupant loves a poker night, this Ace of Spades mirror adds a touch of casino chic.

When it comes to furniture, darker finishes on items such as beds, wardrobes and drawers are perfect, and add an armchair in a classic style – we suggest a striking, yet classic fabric such as velvet or wool. Adding a trunk, or a blanket box at the end of the bed offers additional storage, and can help to ensure that masculine doesn’t become messy. 

Pops of colour 

While some of us prefer a minimalist look (or that are in rented accommodation in neutral shades) it doesn’t mean that the room needs to be completely devoid of colour. Designers recommend using backgrounds of pure white, with pops of colour picked out on items to co-ordinate beautifully. 

Starting with fresh, pure white walls might feel stark for bedrooms, but the warmth will be felt as you add items in the colour you’ve chosen. The key to this look is that the colour makes the room feel co-ordinated, rather than overdone, and there needs to be enough white, or neutral, to make the colour stand out – to ‘pop’. This trend works best with beautiful white bed linens – the higher quality, the better. High quality furniture is essential here to make your bedroom feel luxurious rather than severely stark. Choose a high quality, solid bed that will last you a lifetime. 

Then you can go to work adding your colour pops. You can use any colour, but to get the most from your colour pops, choose more intense shades, rather than pastels. Shades of teal and turquoise look great (remember that Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal?), as do indulgent shades of magenta and emerald. 

You can add your pops of colour in so many ways – don’t feel you have to clutter your bed with scatter cushions in your chosen colour (unless you love scatter cushions, of course!) 

Consider these ideas to add your pops of colour: 

  • If you have a divan bed, add a headboard in your accent colour
  • Your curtains or blinds
  • An artwork print
  • Coloured frames for photos or a mirror 
  • A throw for your bed
  • Lampshades
  • Lamp bases (where the colour is on the base of the lamp and topped with a white shade)
  • An armchair 
  • A foot stool or blanket box
  • Plants that flower in a similar shade, or plant pots (we love these Keter Knit Cozies Plant Pots) 
  • Rugs
  • Vases (these Lucenté Crackle Glass Mosaic Vases with Blue & Silver Finish would look fantastic in a blue-themed bedroom) 
  • Trinkets such as jewellery stands

Do what feels right for you, and what you need here. The beauty of having pops of colour is that you can find items that you like, at all price points, from thrift stores, charity shops and bargain retailers, through to high end designer pieces. If they’re all in the same colour palette, your pops of colour will shine. 

We think this look is ideal for guest bedrooms, as the co-ordinated look and feel, combined with high quality bed linen lends a hint of hotel luxury to the space, without being too impersonal. It’s also a stylish choice when redecorating bedrooms after children have gone to university, and one that they – and your guests – will love coming back to. That brings us to our next trend – hotel chic. 

Hotel chic

If being in a luxury hotel is the favourite part of your vacation, then use that as inspiration for your bedroom décor. Search for your favourite hotel chain online, and use the millions of images to help you design your perfect at-home hotel room experience. You might choose darker hues to create a relaxing space, or you might use lighter shades of neutral taupe. Whichever colour palette you choose, be sure to add blackout curtains or blinds to build on restful sleep. 

Rather than choosing lamps for your bedside table, choose fixed wall lights, and add power sockets for convenient use of tech. When you’re searching for bedding, look for those high quality crisp white cottons we mentioned before, and tie the bedding in with the rest of the décor by adding a throw or blanket at the end of the bed. 

Built-in, minimalist wardrobes are ideal for when you’re looking to evoke the feeling of a hotel room for your bedroom, and if you have space, an arm chair helps to create the feel of a place for you to completely relax before bed. 

Choose a coordinating piece of statement art, and add relaxing fragrances to the room with this Yankee Candle Cote D'Azur Sandblast Melt Warmer – you can add wax melts from the Yankee Candle range to heighten the sense of luxury and increase relaxation.

Grey hues 

Although some designers claim that neutral shades are no longer de rigueur for interior design, we don’t see a time when grey hues will ever stop being a popular choice for bedroom décor. They’re soothing, and classically stylish, and absolutely perfect for inducing restful slumber. You don’t need to work with the same shade of grey throughout the bedroom, and nothing needs to match perfectly – try using different tones and hues, from off-white on walls through to accents of charcoal on mirrors. 

Choosing furniture to complement this look is easy, whether you prefer coordinating pieces from a range, or you like to mix things up for a less curated feel. White furniture looks fantastic, but might end up looking dated in a few years – especially if it is made from inexpensive MDF. To avoid this problem, choose high quality furniture made from natural materials. 

When you’re styling your bedroom furniture, we suggest keeping lines simple, for an uncomplicated feel, and keep surfaces clear. If you’re adding art or photos to walls, we suggest black and white hues with frames in the same colour palette to personalise the space. 

Subtle nautical tones

Beach hut vibes are lovely, but through the winter months, the seaside nick-nacks can feel a little forced. The subtle nautical look isn’t what you might traditionally think of as a ‘beach house’ bedroom. Gone are the twee lighthouse and seagull figurines and artwork with aspirational statements made from driftwood. With this look, you’ll be actively avoiding anything that’s explicitly nautical, featuring icons like anchors and captain’s wheels and so on. That’s all replaced by a more polished aesthetic that hints at high-end, luxury beach living, or maybe how you might imagine the interior of a high quality, vintage yacht might feel. 

Once again, there’s no correct way to do this trend, and with the right approach you can use recycled and repurposed materials for your bedroom. Seek out high quality vintage furniture, or pieces made from reclaimed materials, that are finished to the highest standards – you’re creating a luxurious feel that is classic and timeless. 

In terms of wall décor, you’re going to be looking for beachy shades of pale greys, blues, and seafoam greens, and finish the look with high quality glass light fittings. 

Natural materials are ideal for bedroom furniture with this look – reclaimed woods are both sustainable and hardwearing, and can last for generations. You can give a subtle nod to the nautical by using metal drawer handles that feel evocative of hardware on the topside of a yacht, but stay away from explicit references to boating – you don’t want knots, or rope effects here.

Keep bed linen simple with this look. White sheets are evocative of sails on boats, and always look fresh, while bedside lamps with white shades hints gently at the look of sails. We suggest keeping walls empty of artwork – this is a simple look. If you decide to add artwork, abstract pieces fit better, rather than photographs of seascapes or nautically themed paintings.

Statement art

Choosing an imposing statement piece of art for a bedroom is an incredibly personal thing – you might decide it needs to represent you, some part of your life – or you might simply choose your statement art based on what you like the look of. You might choose a print of a work by your favourite classic painter, or you might choose to have a photograph of somewhere you love printed on canvas. 

Your statement art needs to draw the eye, so keep furniture simple, and choose bed linen in shades that complement, rather than distract from the beauty of your piece. If you want to create interest or echo the colours in your piece, use textured bed linens and blankets in the same shades as on your print, without distracting from the beauty of your art. 

To maintain the focus on your statement art, keep tops of cabinets clear. That might mean finding storage solutions for inside drawers and wardrobes, such as this set of three Curver Cream Stackable Rattan Effect Storage Box & Lid. Not only are they beautifully simple and neutral, but they come in two sizes – small and medium – so you can get the size that suits best. 

Add a graphic wall 

Adding interest to a child’s bedroom without going all out pink, blue, or based on their favourite cartoons can be a tricky thing to achieve, but a graphic wall can personalise their room in a way that they’ll love for years to come. We love the idea of a large map graphic that will inspire them to dream big and fuel their imaginations – and if you’re a family that travels a lot, adding tiny stickers each time you visit a new place will help them remember too! 

Many children will love a map of the globe in a bold colour, but you could opt for a map from the lands of their favourite book – a map of Narnia, or a map of Middle Earth from The Lord of the Rings are great examples that would work well. Using a map of the solar system would work great for wannabe astronauts too! 

We suggest starting with white walls and choosing bold primary colours for a world map in a gender neutral bedroom, but choosing cream and chocolate shades for a map of Middle Earth, or darker blues for a solar system graphic would be equally as striking. 

It’s a great way to add warmth and colour to your child’s room without imposing gender norms or stereotypes. Vinyl graphics and murals can be found relatively inexpensively online, and can be applied quickly, but if you have a particularly talented artist amongst your family or friends, painting a mural directly on the wall would be stunning. 

When you’ve completed the statement wall, adding furniture that complements is key. A comfy armchair finished in a similar shade as the bedding, or that complements the mural, is a great addition for bedtime story telling and snuggles. Just be sure to choose a high quality, resilient chair, that will also withstand rough and tumble during playtime! 

Complete the look by coordinating carpets or rugs with the graphics, and contrast colours for bedding. A loft bed in a classic design will help to create a stylish room they’ll love for years to come, and that will continue to suit them as they grow. 

Don’t neglect lighting 

In most homes, bedrooms serve several purposes in addition to just sleeping – they’re our dressing rooms; they’re where makeup is applied; we read in them; and they’re where we’re most romantic with our partners. That means different amounts of lighting is required for whichever activity is taking place. You’re going to need ambient lighting – the type of lighting that provides similar levels of light as natural daylight – and task lighting, which is the functional lighting such as bedside lamps for reading, or at dressing tables. 

In addition to making sure that you have enough lighting options, when you’re finishing your bedroom, you need to ensure you have the right type of bulbs. Pure white and blue hued bulbs are closer to natural daylight and will encourage your brain to remain alert, so these types of bulbs are best used for overhead, or task lighting at dressing tables. When you’re picking bulbs for your bedside table lighting – those that are used right before sleep – look for softer, warmer bulbs. Of course, whichever shade and brightness you choose for your bulbs, be sure to choose energy saving options. 

Your choice of lighting fixtures can provide visual interest to the room too. If you’re lucky enough to have high ceilings, you might fit a sculptural chandelier – although don’t forget to measure before you install, you don’t want to walk into that in the middle of the night! In contrast, if you’ve created a minimalist room that uses different textiles to create depth, then you might choose light shades that are made from interesting materials, from glass to feathers. 

In childhood bedrooms, or those of teenagers, using fairy lights can help to chase away the darkness and create a welcoming atmosphere, without the potential embarrassment factor of having a nightlight. 

Accessories 

In addition to getting your lighting right, you also need to think about the other accessories that will contribute to a restful night. Dimmer switches on your lighting are essential, while having smart plugs, or a home assistant like Google Home or Amazon Echo can help you to control your space – and even turn the lights off without needing to move from under the covers. 

For those of us that suffer with insomnia, or Seasonal Affective Disorder can benefit from using alarm clocks that mimic the natural dawn and dusk. The Lumie range are well known for being great options, but if they are outside your budget, you can get similar experiences with generic branded items. Essentially, they prevent you from having to wake up in the dark in the winter, and prepare you gently for sleep as the light gradually goes out at bedtime. Some models even feature sounds and white noise to help you drop off, and allow you to wake to the radio. 

While experts recommend not using tech like phones, tablets, and laptops at bedtime in order to get the best quality sleep, many of us still do. That means when you’re decorating, think about where plug sockets are, and add extension cables, USB outlets, or wireless charging pads in strategic spots. 

Closing thoughts 

Don’t forget, your bedroom should be your sanctuary – a calm, safe haven from the busy outside world that allows you to relax and to get restful sleep. It should also feel like you, since interior design is a way to express who you are as person. The ideas we’ve shared here are exactly that – just ideas – and you can pick and choose the ones you love, or that inspire you to create the bedroom of your dreams. There’s absolutely nothing to prevent you from mixing and matching – if you love it, you can make it work! 

When you’re looking for accessories, storage, and finishing pieces to complete your bedroom, be sure to check out what we have at Anything 4 Home. Our high quality homewares mean that you can get the right solutions for your needs. Be sure to check back regularly too – we’re constantly working to increase our range and bring you even better products.