Design Steps to Create Bedroom Bliss

It’s hard to overstate the importance of sleep. It’s crucial for our physical, mental and emotional health. Yet, many people struggle to get enough sleep and, for many people, it’s due to an inability to relax at the end of a busy and stressful day. A bedroom should be an oasis that’s designed to be slightly removed from the rest of the house and the rest of your daytime activities. It should promote calmness and relaxation and, in doing so, help its inhabitants to shed the business of their outside activities and get some much deserved rest, relaxation and SLEEP!

A calming bedroom is not synonymous with a boring bedroom. In fact, there’s no one design category that a relaxation room needs to fall into. It can be traditional, casual or contemporary. However, there are certain design elements that can lead to a relaxing atmosphere and help you achieve bedroom bliss that may even lead to the much-coveted, yet often-evasive better sleep.

Read on for design strategies and tips to consider when designing your bedroom, including bedroom furniture. You may also want to consider working with an interior designer to select the items that will not only look best in your space - but come together to create a cohesive and cozy master bedroom oasis. A haven of relaxation. A blissful bedroom!

Bedroom color schemes

Color psychology generally implies that cool colors are best for creating relaxing spaces, making them ideal for bedrooms; while bright warm colors are energizing and best left to living spaces. While there are ways to work in any of your favorite shades, muted cool wall tones, like blues and greens, are obvious choices for bedrooms.

Designer tip: Want something a little unexpected? Consider a subdued purple tone that can have much of the same benefits of blues, with a rich and elegant twist that’s sure to delight.

If you need some color inspiration for a blissful bedroom, whether a redesign or a refresh, current trends can provide some guidance. Consider some of the 2024 Colors of the Year, and whether they speak to your inner calm. These colors would be ideal for a focal wall, an accent ceiling, or they can be introduced through accent pieces like wall art, an area rug, and bedding.

• Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nova is a cosmic-inspired, blue-violet blend

• Sherwin-William’s Upward is a relaxed blue with gray undertones

• Valspar’s Renew Blue is gray-blue with a touch of sea green

Lighting sets the tone

There’s another important element that can affect how your color palette looks and the aesthetic of the room itself. The importance of lighting in a bedroom is hard to overstate, but the lighting itself should be subdued. Start with overhead lighting. A hanging light fixture can suit the design theme of your space. However, it’s best to have lighting on dimmers, so you can avoid bright overhead lighting as you unwind at the end of the day, or when you wake up during the night.

Accent lighting also helps with both aesthetics and functionality in your bedroom oasis. A set of table lamps on your nightstands or wall sconces on either side of your bed help visually balance your space and offer necessary lighting for reading and other bedside activities.

Lights out, curtains drawn

A bedroom should be designed to block out noise - and light - from the outside world. Use blackout curtains to create a dark environment in your bedroom when it’s time to sleep, and draw them back in the morning to take advantage of the natural light. Paired with window treatments, even ethereal, sheer curtains that extend from ceiling to floor, your window coverings can be both beautiful and practical.

Focus on the bed

A bed should be the focal point of your room, and it can set the tone for the rest of your design. There are many choices that can bring a calming vibe to your space. For instance, natural wood tones bring an element of the outdoors inside, and they can look both natural and relaxing in your space. Another option is an upholstered bed. A stylish upholstery bed, such as one featuring tufting, can soften the look of your room, and create an elegant and inviting focal point in your space. Upholstered beds range from traditional to modern, and you can choose from different fabrics and colors. Stick with neutral, cool tones like grays, greiges and cool whites to enhance the relaxing vibe of your bedroom. If you prefer warm colors, soft and warm neutral tones can also create a comforting atmosphere.

Beautiful bedding and finishing touches

Luxurious bedding can give your bedroom a high-end feeling, like that of a boutique hotel. It can also make climbing under the covers a blissful experience in itself. Choose soft, washable linens in neutral colors to add to the serene feel of your space. You can’t go wrong with crisp, white sheets with a high thread count; or you can complement your decor with sheets and a duvet or comforter in light, cool colors. You can also bring in pops of color and texture through accent pillows at the top of your bed and a throw blanket positioned at the foot of your bed.

Don’t forget a plush area rug that matches your color palette and brings soft texture to your space. It’s visually pleasing, and makes for soft footing when you get in and out of your bed.

Wall art and other accessories and decor pieces can finish off your space and complete the look of your bedroom. Choose wall art that suits your passions. For instance, beautiful landscapes or seascapes that capture the beauty of the outdoors can be both serene and heart-warming for outdoor enthusiasts and travel lovers. A few potted plants and a vase with fresh flowers bring in another touch from the outdoors and a pop of color and freshness to your bedroom.

A bedroom is a personal space and, in such, it should suit the owner’s personality and unique design preferences. There’s not one way to design a bedroom, and there isn’t a single color palette or type of bed that can work in a bedroom. However, these design strategies are tried and true ways to create a bedroom that envelops the owner in feelings of serenity and calm. By incorporating cool and muted colors, luxurious linens and soft furnishings, as well as paying attention to elements such as lighting, an interior designer can find the right mix of comfort and personal touches to guide you on your journey to creating dreamy, bedroom bliss.