Our essential guide to achieving a perfectly planned bedroom

The bedroom is the sum of its parts. Get all the elements right and yours will be a calm, relaxing haven where you can sleep soundly and wake refreshed, says MAGGIE STEVENSON

From headboards to flooring and storage, there are easy ways to bring together antiques and collectables that promise comfort, as well as style, says Maggie Stevenson

By day, it is the visual focus of the room; by night, it transforms into a cosy place to rest, so when you’re choosing a bed, take time to ensure that it fulfils its dual role without compromise. Comfort is so subjective that the only way to find your ideal bed is by trial and error. Visit a well- stocked showroom, taking your partner with you, then lie on a selection of beds for a few minutes at a time. Experiment with mattresses and bases of di erent kinds and in varying combinations until you identify which feels right for you.

Arguably, tracking down a bed that appeals aesthetically is much simpler. Bed frames come in a range of styles – metal and wooden beds based on antique designs are easy to find, and those with metal or cane-panelled frames allow the light to pass through, appearing less bulky in smaller rooms. Upholstered beds can be covered in a fabric to complement your colour scheme, while four posters can be draped in traditional style, or left as they are, for pared- down simplicity.

BEDS The ideal place to sleep is a fine blend of good looks and supreme, slumber- inducing comfort

Expert tip ‘If you want the comfort of a divan with a bed frame look, try a divan mattress on a sprung base.’ Lucy Helmore, buying and merchandise director, And So To Bed For a feminine look, consider the carved and caned mahogany ‘Reine de France’...

An upholstered bed in jewelcoloured velvet makes a dramatic centrepiece. ‘Richmond’ bed, from £1,750 for a double excluding mattress, And So To Bed