The bedroom checklist

Your bedroom should be the most comfortable and calming room in your home. A sanctuary to retreat to after a long and tiring day, this is a room that should make rest a priority.

From lighting to storage - our bedroom checklist runs you through a list of important considerations, to help you to curate a stylish bedroom, tailored to be as restful as possible. So, set the right mood with lighting, clear away the clutter and indulge in a little bit of luxury. You deserve it!

Furniture isn’t one size fits all

There are certain pieces of furniture pretty essential for a bedroom. A bed, some bedside tables, good lighting and storage – we all need a variation of these basics, but that doesn’t mean you can’t show off your personal side.

Our top tip when choosing the essentials is to think about the size of your room. It might seem obvious but choosing the right scale furniture can make a big difference to your bedroom. If you have a large room, why not go all out with a statement pendant light and large wardrobes? If you have a smaller room, focus on space-saving items like wall mounted bedside lighting and adaptable, modular storage.

No matter the size of your bedroom, not overfilling it with furniture is key. Declutter and let your bedroom breath – carefully choose key pieces that really show off your personality.

Sweet dreams

Whether or not you believe in the ideas of Feng Shui, beds are important pieces of furniture. Just think of how many hours you spend in your bed! Alongside choosing a good mattress, there are a few best practices that may help you achieve the most restful night’s sleep possible.

Beds should be placed as far as possible from busy doorways and drafty windows, ideally up against a wall. The bed should have access to it from both sides, and enough space for two bedside tables. The rest is up to you!

Lighting – the power of three

Lighting affects our mood, energy levels and even our circadian rhythms - that’s why it’s important to get it just right. We believe that layering different kinds of lighting helps to create the perfect ambience.

When considering lighting for a bedroom, we always find it useful to think about the power of three. Choose a pendant light that will bring ambient light to the whole room and complement this with two bedside task lights that give you direct light where you need it most.

If you have a large room, you could even consider adding further task lighting next to a mirror or dressing table, to give you even more control.

Introduce layers of texture

Soft textures and fabrics all help with the feeling of relaxation in the bedroom. Tactile stimulation has even been shown to help reduce our cortisol levels (which cause stress) and trigger the release of oxytocin (the love hormone) helping us to feel happier and more relaxed.

Start with the floor and treat your toes to a good quality rug. Soft cushions, throws and blankets make for a quick and easy way to add some beautiful softness to your bed. And if you’re feeling like truly treating yourself - why not invest in a sheepskin upholstered bedroom chair such as the &Tradition Little Petra or Vitra Organic Chair in Limited Edition Sheepskin?

Don’t underestimate the power of good storage

Decluttering can do wonders for relaxation. A peaceful, tidy space can make falling asleep much easier than a cluttered, chaotic space.

Start by thinking about what you need the storage in your bedroom for. How many clothes do you have? Do you want these hidden away in a wardrobe or on show on a clothes rack? Or might you need a combination of both? Adaptable storage systems like those from String are a great way to create a completely customised storage solution, whatever the size of your space.

A bedside table or two is also a necessity for most. If you are a big night-time reader you may need something bigger to hold your selection of books, or if you only have a small room, you could consider a wall-mounted bedside table like the Corbel Shelf from Audo Copenhagen.

Lastly consider your under-bed storage. We think the Paper Pulp Boxes from ferm LIVING are a great under-bed storage option. These boxes are made from raw, recycled paper pulp and are completely recyclable too!

Moments of luxury

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary. Whatever this means to you, make sure to introduce moments of luxury within your decor. This could be the addition of a dressing table to bring joy to your morning routine. It could be a beautifully upholstered lounge chair where you can retreat to read your favourite book. Or it could simply be the addition of high-quality fixtures and fittings from the likes of Buster & Punch.

Treat yourself to something special in your bedroom – you deserve it.

Bring the outside in

Finally, we have to give greenery a mention. Placed on the floor, hung from the ceiling or an addition to a dressing table, adding houseplants into your bedroom can help to purify the air, and they look pretty good too. Some of the best include Areca Palms, Boston Ferns or Snake Plants (Sanseveria trifasciata). Plant stands and boxes are a great way to add instant impact to your bedroom.

Thinking about redesigning your own bedroom? Shop our curated selection of products below and take a look at our Pinterest board for more ideas.

Or if you’d rather speak to one of the team - we also offer a complimentary home consultancy service where a dedicated product specialist will help you get the best out of your space. Contact our experts over the phone on 0114 243 3000 or over email for more information.