Turn your bedroom into a cosy cocoon with hyggelig elements

Transform your bedroom into a calming, inviting cocoon with hyggelig elements that engage your senses in all the right ways

The bedroom is where we spend almost onethird of our time, so it makes sense to craft a relaxing sanctuary where we can retreat to for rest, a snuggle with our loved ones and some deep, rejuvenating slumber. Alongside the growth of the hygge phenomenon—a Danish word and concept that connotes cosiness, which was on Oxford English Dictionary’s shortlist for 2016’s Word of the Year—creating a cocooning ambience in the bedroom just makes sense. Get inspired by the philosophy of awardwinning British designer Ilse Crawford, who helped popularise the concept of hygge by infusing space with humanising elements. She is always concerned with the “six inches around you”, making sure to add organic touches that perpetuate a feeling of warmth as opposed to achieiving a contrived look. “When designing a bedroom, the two main factors to consider are light and sound,” says architect Marc Webb of Takenouchi Webb. “Effective blackout blinds or curtains are essential as is the minimisation of external sound. It is also useful to consider how the mood of the space can be altered through lighting,” he says. Chloe Elkerton of Singapore interior design studio E& A Interiors likes to use a calming and therapeutic colour palette combined with natural layered textures. “Consider a grass cloth wallpaper and surround yourself with one or two natural objects that you love. Use natural finishes such as wood and choose eco-friendly fabrics for soft furnishings and rugs,” she says. DRAPED FOR DREAMS Complete darkness helps the body to produce melatonin—the hormone that regulates your sleep and awakening cycles. Keep your bedroom appropriately dark with blackout curtains or blinds at night, but add a sheer day curtain or blind underneath to filter out the strong sunshine during the day. The Curtain Boutique carries eco-friendly Greenguard certified fabrics that are free from harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds, so you can breathe easier, and have sweeter dreams as you sleep.

“CONSIDER A GRASS CLOTH WALLPAPER AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ONE OR TWO NATURAL OBJECTS”

A HEALTHY FRAME “Your bed is one of the most important furniture purchases you will ever make. So invest in a good quality bed and mattress,” says Elkerton. When choosing a bed frame, opt for warm organic finishes such as wood or leather for a cosy and grounded feel. Also consider if you’ll be doing work or reading in bed or just sleeping. For those who like bedtime reading, the Bretagne bed from Poltrona Frau is ideal. Crafted from poplar and beech, wrapped in the brand’s Pelle Frau leather and accented with gun-metal feet, this model has a high bedframe with a rounded headrest that allows you to sit up comfortably with a book in bed. SOFT LANDING Your feet should feel warm when starting the day. Rather than stepping out of bed and onto a cold hard floor, place a plush rug underneath to ensure a spring in your step. Infuse a splash of colour with The Rug Maker’s Tropicals collection—made in collaboration with design collective Outofstock—which features vibrant, nature-inspired designs, or introduce a hint of opulence with Tai Ping’s range of eco-friendly carpets made of high-quality natural wool and silk.

ROUNDING UP Use well-selected loose furniture to help create a soothing, sophisticated and functional bedroom. Rounded or smooth-edged pieces like Normann Copenhagen’s Circus pouf in light pink add a little colour while still giving the space a gentle, calming feel. Introduce a stylish yet practical piece such as the Bak Valet Stand with mirror by Frag. FEEL-GOOD BEDDING If sleep is the greatest luxury, then you need to make sure your bedding reflects it. Highquality bed linens from the likes of Italian brand Frette offers sheets fashioned from soft fabrics such as mixed silk, which will surely help you sink into slumber. To make your bed even more like a cocoon, add some fluffy throws or introduce energy via playful cushion covers.

GLOWING WELL To create the right ambience, pair overhead lighting with bedside lamps, floor lamps or sconces. Bedside table lamps with dimmers are a good idea as you can lower the brightness for night reading or to create a romantic atmosphere. For a touch of boudoir glamour, weave in some shimmer with Tom Dixon’s Base wall and floor light, and Lee Broom’s Frosted Crystal Bulb table lamp for a chic reading light.

TOP TO BOTTOM Shades of ecru and cream invite relaxation in this project by E& A Interiors; Tom Dixon’s Base floor light and Lee Broom’s Frosted Crystal Bulb lamp add a stylish sheen OPPOSITE PAGE Frette’s Chine Spring/summer 2017 collection is like a decadent embrace

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Tai Ping’s luxurious carpets made from wool and silk; The Rug Maker’s Tropicals collection (Bark, above and Mottled, right) takes inspiration nature rendered in painterly styles

LEFT TO RIGHT Made from reversible mixed silk, the special edition Monsoon collection gives a new take on the ikat print; A fluffy throw from Zara Home; Cushions from Bloomingville and The Rug Company keep the bed extra cosy

LEFT TO RIGHT Bak Valet Stand with mirror by Frag; Normann Copenhagen’s Circus pouf in light pink