Your bedroom is one of the most important spaces in a home. Too many of us categorise it as the place that I just sleep, but the layout and material palette you use could hugely make a difference on the quality of sleep you get. And in our current crazy world isn’t that worth prioritising? It is also sometimes the one room in your home where you keep everything that is just yours. From toiletries, to clothes, to accessories, they are your personal belongings and they deserve to be organised and accessible.
THE REQUIREMENTS
I think starting with a list of requirements and prioritising them is essential for this space. This is a personal room, it isn’t the generic family bathroom, or the utilitarian utility room, it is your space, (which annoyingly you have to sometimes share with a partner) and it needs to be bespoke to you and your needs.
If you have existing furniture to re-use, then start with these items, including their dimensions and design imprint they will make on the room, as this will need to tie-in with anything new. Then work down your requirement list covering the bed, storage (and what needs to be stored), lighting, window treatments, additional furniture and any other must haves or nice to haves for the room.
THE LAYOUT
As with all new interior projects, the layout has to been seen on paper to scale. The biggest challenge with the bedroom is our beds today are so much bigger. With 80% of us now sleeping in a super king bed, this can hugely impact the space left for all your other requirements.
Here are some top tips: If you have a very large room, consider adding a stud wall to divide the space and create a walk-in wardrobe. Not only are they a much coveted addition to a bedroom, but it means you can remove all the storage and potential mess from your sleeping sanctuary.
A modified walk-in wardrobe can also work well in a long, narrow space. By moving the bed forward, add either a small stud wall or oversized headboard behind the bed and use the space behind for storage.
If you have a very small room, then use the space either side the bed for the clothes storage. If you need hanging room it will need to be a minim of 580mm deep. When we create bespoke versions of this, we also add a bedside nook into the storage with integrated lighting. If you are going for an off the shelf option, then a shelf above the bed can work well for your bedside needs.
THE DESIGN
The design, material palette and colour choice for this space is really important. As I mentioned if you have existing furniture then this has to be your starting off point for the design.
If you have a small space, then a limited material and colour palette will really help you make the room feel bigger.
In previous projects we have used reclaimed timber on the walls and continued it onto the wardrobes to camouflage them and maximise its size impact. Another trick we use is to paint everything the same colour, including the ceiling. It streamlines the rooms and allows you to really focus the eye on one or two design elements.
The main purpose of the bedroom is to encourage sleep, so this again needs to influence your design choices. It is about analysing what in your surroundings relaxes you and then mimicking this in the colours, textures and finishes you choose for your space.
THE BED
How many people say the bed is your most important purchase? They are wrong, it is actually the mattress! That’s not to say if your budget allows an incredible bed isn’t a fantastic addition. We have certainly designed a range of bespoke beds in very different styles, from warm and rustic, to luxurious and captivating.
The bed can also be a useful place for additional storage. Under bed drawers, or beds that lift or even just a place to hide bags and boxes. If you are tight on space, selecting either a storage bed or a taller bed frame which gives you more height underneath can really help you reach your storage requirements.
We also often add extra storage within a headboard. If you increase the depth of the headboard, then it allows you to create some bedside nooks and extra shelving without taking up much extra floor space. If you are trying to stretch your budget, then adding an oversized headboard to your bed is a really cost effective way to elevate your space. You could even make it yourself and by choosing an amazing fabric it instantly gives the room a high-end finish.
LIGHTING
If you have read a few of my columns you will know that I am passionate about layered lighting. The bedroom is no different and actually it is vital in this room that you can zone the lighting and change it for the different tasks.
If you are keeping your existing wiring and lighting and socket placements, then shop carefully for the lamps and lighting you add to the room. It is really simple to switch to dimmer switches and this alone will make a huge difference. As a minimum you need overhead lighting for task lighting and waking you up in the morning and then lamps for bedside reading and around mirrored areas for a clear visuals.
If you are starting from scratch with this room, then circuits and switch positions are invaluable. My top tips are if the bed in central in the room have a gorgeous pendant directly over the bed on it’s own lighting circuit. Then on circuit two add some dimmable downlights over the edges of the bed and in front of any joinery storage or mirrored areas. If your storage is bespoke add lights inside of your joinery that work on a sensor, so you can clearly see everything lit up and easy to find when you open the doors. Bedside the beds ideally either wall lights or small hanging pendants and then directional reading lights off the bed head, on separate circuits that are controlled both from the door and bedside your bed.
STORAGE
What and how much storage you can have is hugely dependant on how much space you have.
Hanging space is great as it keeps clothes organised and crease free, but it does take up space. Where possible opt for two hanging rails and maximise the space above and below for further storage.
Dividing up and creating definite zones for every item really helps keep you organised and efficient in your room. We mostly design and create bespoke joinery for bedrooms as this allows us to design and maximise our client needs. If you decide to go for this option, spend the time working out how much you currently have of each garment/accessory and predict the future capacity you will need. This then allows you to be specific with hanging rails, shoe cubby holes, bag shelves, accessory nooks etc.
If bespoke joinery isn’t on the cards, then combining a high-street solution with more unique doors allows you to cheat the look. Ikea, for example are amazing for offering a huge amount of storage solutions. If you team then with doors and drawer fronts from Noremax.com, then you will find so many incredible design options that will tie into your interior scheme.
Dressing tables are also incredibly useful in the bedroom. If this is a big room, then go for the full table with drawers and cupboards, pull outs, pull ups and a seating option. Having lots of sections to store make-up and toiletries makes you feel in charge and organised from the very start of your day!
For tight spaces we do try and add at least an integrated standing table, with a full lit mirror behind. Most of us don’t have the luxury of time to sit and beautify anyway, but it provides a space to organise your jewellery/makeup etc and speeds up the task in the morning.
THE WISH LIST
From your requirement list, there maybe other wish list items that you want to incorporate into the room. Seating is a popular addition and in your own private space it is lovely to have somewhere to retreat to. If we have the space then a set-up of two lounge chairs with a table and lamp is a favourite addition. A place to read, check your emails or enjoy a peaceful coffee moment before the day takes over is very special. With more and more of our projects adding balconies and Juliet balconies to their bedrooms, you can create a magical moment enjoying a connection to nature in the peace of your own bedroom. If space is tight then a sofa or bench at the end of a bed can work well, although you will have to work hard to prevent it becoming a dumping ground. Alternatively, a hanging or beautiful feature chair in the corner of a room still allows you a moment and it can be a great focal point in the space.
The TV in the bedroom is a real divider. Some clients hate them and some can’t live without them. If you want one and have the budget incase it in joinery that hides it away. The joinery can also be used to provide extra storage or a feature gas/electric or bioethanol fire.
Art is so key in the bedroom and actually it is the one room where you will get to enjoy it. If you have a favourite piece then why not position it to be seen clearly from the bed. It will be the first and last thing you see, how special is that? Alternatively, a gallery wall of photographs works well, allowing you to see you favourite people in your special sanctuary.
Just because the bedroom isn’t seen by all, doesn’t make it any less important. It needs careful design, practical solutions and tranquil results.
If you would like help transforming your home then visit sadiepizzeyinteriors.com or email us at info@sadiepizzeyinteriors.com.
If you are starting a new project and want some design expertise to get you going, then why not book our Walk & Talk Service, to give you the confidence and peace of mind that you are in control of your project from the very start!
