Master Bedroom Ideas

6 of the best: bedroom design ideas to set your heart a-flutter

Lust after these clever solutions in your sleep sanctuary
Chris Warnes

Design yourself a haven for rest and relaxation with these 6 bedroom decorating ideas.

Designing a beautiful bedroom often poses a design challenge as it is a room that performs many silent functions to get you up and at ‘em each day. If yours is less than inspiring when you finally retire to it at night, perhaps a makeover is in order.

Designing and decorating with a considered colour palette, touch-me textures and treasured belongings can make the difference to you being able to recharge daily with passion and fresh gusto.

Even if you are working with a small bedroom there are solutions to making the space work for you. Here are our top bedroom decorating tips for maximum functionality and style.

Bedroom design ideas | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: John Downs)

1. Bed position

As it’s the biggest item in your bedroom, situating your bed within the space to achieve efficient use of the entire area is your first decision. You shouldn’t compromise your level of comfort however and need to consider room enough to walk comfortably around your bed, install bedside tables and task lighting and the all-important issue of adequate storage. Optimising natural light coming into the room is as important as the ability to darken the room for slumber.

Bedroom design ideas | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

2. Beautiful bedlinen

Investing in quality bed linen is paramount to a good night’s sleep. Breathable fabrics that are easy to care for and made from natural materials will stand up better in the long run. Colour-coordinated sheets, blankets and bedspreads will keep you snug and make your decorating heart sing!

Bedroom design ideas | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Annette O’Brien)

3. Adequate storage

Possibly one of the most important things to get right in the bedroom is storage. Clothing, shoes, suitcases and sporting gear are all competing for space in a room that’s ideally tranquil.

Spend time on planning the best use of your available space and work to fit in as much hidden storage as possible. Think outside the square, enlist professional advice and if budget allows, invest in custom solutions, integrated cabinetry and a combination of areas for folded, hanging and small divided zones for all items of clothing and accessories.

We’d all love the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe but where space is limited, work to a seasonal rotation system where you store away winter clothes in summer and vice versa. This will not only clear your wardrobe (and therefore your mind) for options to choose from, it will extend the life of your clothes when stored away properly.

Wardrobe companies are a great place to start for inspiration and know-how to see what’s possible, then tailor a custom build or off-the-rack system to your needs. Be bold and measure, measure, measure everything!

Bedroom design ideas | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Chris Warnes)

4. Colour palette

This is your choice and yours alone. Paramount to creating your serene space is a colour that you find relaxing. Soft blues, pinks and neutrals all work well, as does crisp white for its no-fuss, effortless appeal. If however, orange stimulates your creative juices or red your passion, incorporate them into your decorating scheme. Create a moodboard with inspirational images, fabric samples and textured finishes to bring your ideal palette to fruition.

Bedroom design ideas | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Chris Warnes)
Bedroom design ideas | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: John Downs)

5. Personalisation

Display objects in your bedroom that are meaningful to you. Gather treasures in similar groups of style, colour or story and style them thoughtfully and with care. Frame cherished cards, photos or artworks, utilise favourite boxes or bowls for jewellery or incidental storage on bedsides and consoles. Try to match these objects to your overall decorating scheme for a seamless look.

Bedroom design ideas | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Cath Muscat)

6. Comfort level

Critical to a good night’s sleep is a good quality mattress, fresh pillows and easy access to storage for daily dressing and undressing.

Adequate lighting for restful reading, a padded bedhead and plenty of pillows or cushions for support will up the wellbeing aspect. If space allows, the addition of a chair or ottoman to put on shoes makes a world of difference.

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