Plan to perfection
Consider the colour scheme, layout and space-saving furniture for a room to relax in
The bedroom is often overlooked or left until last in the decorating to-do list but it’s where we start and finish our day, so deserves to be given special attention.
Getting started
Make a checklist of the space. Questions to consider include: Does there need to be more storage? Is the bed in the right place? Is the room too dark for dressing in? But before you redecorate, it’s crucial to declutter because there’s no point investing in storage for things you never wear.
For inspiration, collect images to identify your dream scheme. Look at storage ideas, furniture, colours and bedlinen and use them to create a moodboard.
Consider the room size and how much light is available.
‘For smaller rooms, steer clear of heavy patterns and dark colours as they tend to look too busy. At the other end of the spectrum, larger rooms shouldn’t be too minimalist,’ advises Lucy Ackroyd, bedlinen manager at Christy.
Plot the layout
Your bed is the most important piece of furniture. Doors and windows will have an impact on its position but avoid squashing it up against a wall or radiator. Ideally, you should be able to access three sides easily and plan for at least 50cm of adjacent space to fit a bedside table. If you do place the bed in front of a window, don’t opt for a solid headboard that will block daylight.
Use an online planning tool to help work out where furniture will fit – floorplanner.com is free and easy to use. If you’re tight on space look for designs with slim profiles and narrow legs in pale colours and for multifunctional pieces such as a bench seat with hidden storage inside.
Keep it tidy
Successful schemes are beautifully serene while being incredibly hardworking, with lots of storage and multifunctional furniture.. Freestanding wardrobes and chests are perfect if you rent or are likely to want to move. Alternatively, consider custom-made. ‘Fitted furniture will create up to three times more storage space than freestanding pieces, as it can be tailored to precisely suit the room,’ says Simon Bodsworth, managing director at built-in furniture specialists Daval.
Awkward architectural details won’t pose a problem. ‘We plan around chimney breasts, alcoves and back slopes to make the most of every inch,’ he adds.
In a smaller room choose pale door finishes that blend into the wall colour or white gloss that will reflect the light.
Dreamy colours
To help narrow down the perfect colour for a restful haven, start with blues with a hint of grey, or green-based blues, like soft teal, which are inspired by nature.
‘With these types of hues there’s less visual noise to demand attention from our senses, which helps stress melt away,’ explains Rebecca Williamson, senior colour, design and content manager at Dulux. ‘Taking the same shade over the walls and ceiling gives a cosy feel,’ she says. Deeper hues can also work well, creating an intimate effect. Avoid stark contrasts and paint woodwork in the same shade rather than a bright white.
To create a sense of space in a smaller bedroom without losing character, Rebecca suggests using delicate pastels. ‘They give a hint of colour but open up the area.’
Whatever colour you choose remember to look at a sample of it on your wall both in the daylight and at night as it may look very different in artificial light.