Grand designs:
Dreamy bedroom spaces
Apparently, we spend a third of our lives in bed. This alone makes the bedroom a contender for the “most used room in the house” title. But we don’t just use the bedroom to sleep – it’s also where we get ready in the morning and it’s a sanctuary when we need to chill out. For some, it might also be an office space. “People have the attitude of ‘I only sleep there’ and therefore don’t put as much effort into the space as they should,” says interior designer Laura Heynike of Pocketspace Interiors.
As the one room in the house that truly reflects you, it should be a playground for decorating – regardless of whether it’s on show or not. This space is yours to enjoy.
So, whether you’re renovating, building or simply re-orientating your room, we’ve pulled together a bedroom 101 to help you create a space that will not only be a pleasure to sink into after a long day, but also difficult to leave in the morning.
The bed
The pièce de résistance in the bedroom – it’s in the name, after all. Designing and decorating your bedroom to restful sublimity is of course the end goal, but if your bed isn’t comfortable, then we’ve ultimately failed in our mission before we’ve even begun.
Thus, we start with the item that is rarely seen – the mattress. Most mattresses will last seven to 10 years. If your current one is “dipping” where you lie most often, take this as an indication that it’s time for a new one. When you visit the mattress store, don’t just sit on the end – stretch out and lie on the mattress for a couple of minutes so you can fully gauge the comfort factor. And when your new mattress arrives, give yourself a couple of weeks to get used to it.
The bed frame is the next building block to tackle. One with integrated storage is a great option for small rooms. But residential project manager and interior designer Jen Jones from Nine Yards Consulting warns, “Ironically, bed frames with built-in storage will make a small space feel even smaller, whereas a bed frame with negative space underneath will make a room feel more open.”
When it comes to positioning your bed in the room, Jen says, “Ideally, you’ll have at least 50cm to 60cm on either side of the bed and at the foot, more if you need to access a wardrobe.” Obviously, the more space you have around your bed, the better. If your room allows it, position the bed away from the door, for privacy, and preferably not under a window.
Bedding
What is it about hotel beds that make you want to take a running jump onto them as soon as you enter the room? “Layers” is the buzzword here. One lone pillow on a flat duvet doesn’t cry comfort, but a couple of plump euros stacked behind two soft standard pillows on a bed with a fluffy duvet and cosy throw does. Much like the mattress, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with your bedding, so think quality. Indulge in layers, invest in an electric blanket for winter, add weight with a comforter and choose colours that will help the space to feel like a cocoon.
“The bedroom should be a cosy sanctuary to fold into after a tough workday,” says Laura. Achieve this vibe with warming, earthy tones. Darker colours for the bedding will add depth to the room without closing in the space too much.
Artwork
A colourful print can have a marked effect on the mood of a room, something that is felt even more intimately in a bedroom. You’ll go to bed looking at this piece, then wake up and see it straight away, so for this reason, choose something that you love and probably wouldn’t put anywhere else in the house.
Jen says, “On the four walls of your bedroom, you might have a window, a wardrobe, a set of drawers and a headboard. So really there are only two places to hang art – over the drawers or over the bed.” Therefore ask yourself, would you rather enjoy the artwork from bed or see it hanging over your bed when you enter the room?