Every aspect and area of one’s home is important in its own way, be it for functionality, entertainment, storage or ambience. However, the bedroom is where you lay your head at night and where you go to relax. It’s your space. As such, it’s important to get the look and feel to fit this, and it needs to be just right for you.

There are endless factors that contribute to the ambience of a space, but light, texture and colour are arguably the most important. So keep these tips in mind when designing and redecorating your dream bedroom, and let us know what you’d add to the list.

LIGHT

Natural light is always first prize, and can be coupled with beautiful and functional lighting fixtures to ensure your bedroom is always basked in a lovely soft light.

For natural light, window treatments are imperative, as they control both the amount and the nature of the light that enters the bedroom. Whether you’re going for a light, bright, sun-drenched look or prefer gentler light that is filtered and diffused, window adornments will ensure that your bedroom is lit to your desire regardless of the time of day. Furthermore, given their adjustable nature, they can be used to control privacy, which is of special concern in built-up areas.

Having a sufficient and comfortable amount of light for reading in bed is also essential, and for this we recommend bedside lights. These can rest on the side tables if you’re going for a more classical look, or can be suspended from the ceiling or mounted off the wall to create a more contemporary feel with uncluttered surfaces and more space for books.

That said, it’s also important for a bedroom to be capable of blocking out light if you don’t want to rise with the sun every day of the year (and most of us don’t). Again, window treatments play a vital role in light control and also add to the ambience and feel of a room, be it in the form of blinds, shutters or curtains. We advise a blackout shade with sheer panels for a soft, romantic and relaxing aesthetic feel. If, however, you’re a light sleeper (pun intended), you might also want to invest in blackout/ privacy lining to create total darkness.

The natural and electric lighting in a bedroom, or lack thereof, defines the mood of the room, as well as the activities within. It’s vital that this is done right.

TEXTURE

The texture of a room plays a considerable role in both the mood of the bedroom and the bringing together of the finishes and colours. It is an important tool in breaking up the surface quality of the room. Linen, throws and stylish rugs are the perfect way to add texture to a bedroom, whilst matching or contrasting them to the curtains; dependent on your personal style together with bedding brings the room together.

First and foremost, when considering texture, is of course the bed in which you sleep. High thread count sheets make the bed more luxurious and comfortable, whilst an assortment of pillows and throws, and a handful of both light and heavy blankets, allow for both seasonal and aesthetic variability. After all, a change is as good as a holiday! The best advice we can offer is to stick to a neutral theme with your base bedding and accessorise with beautiful throws, chunky knits, fur and quilts.

Tip: for the best temperature control start with cotton sheets, add a cotton coverlet, and finish with a down duvet on top. That combination offers enough flexibility to deal with the most extreme temperature swings.

Flooring adds texture and warmth to a bedroom more than one might think. We’ve all had that experience when you walk into a friend’s bedroom and felt as though you were on a cloud, and that’s exactly what it is. Adding a rug or additional cushioning to a bedroom floor also stops creaking floors and restless nights. Natural woven fibres such as hemp and sisal offer warmth and texture, whereas a thick, hand-tufted wool carpet will add a luxurious feeling underfoot.

COLOUR

It goes without saying that colour plays a vital role in setting the tone, atmosphere and the mood in your bedroom. More often than not, soft, neutral tones will provide a perfect base to build on, giving you the option to customise with wallpapers or feature furniture.

A neutral base is timeless, and adding bold colours to it will give you vibrant, stand-out definition. For a minimalist, vintage or romantic atmosphere, white is always a good choice as it brings with it a feeling of peacefulness and relaxation.

Wallpaper is a great way to bring life and more texture to the bedroom, and can be changed with trends (or boredom), if need be. Nature and floral patterns will bring the outside world into the bedroom, adding softness and tranquillity, whilst a stripe is a great choice for a more gender-neutral or masculine ambiance. Playing with the width of the stripes will also allow you to dabble with more traditional or more contemporary looks.

The bedroom is where you spend a big portion of your relaxation time when at home. Whether you’re conscious or not, it’s always important to make sure that your bedroom makes you feel exactly how it should. It’s your inner sanctum, and with these tips, hopefully it’ll be perfect.