How to Use Bedroom Furniture to Create a True Sanctuary

If someone asks you to name the room where you spend most of your time, chances are the bedroom probably wouldn't be the first place that comes to mind. Yet, on average, we spend about one-third of our life sleeping, which translates, on average, to 25+ years of living solely in a bedroom. And still, when it comes to interior design, many people compromise on bedroom furniture and decor.

A common reason for this is: “why spend good money on a room when I only sleep there?” That's mostly correct, except that "only" sleeping is an extremely important activity for health, in both physical and mental terms. A proper night’s rest is integral to a bright mood and improved productiveness.

When we say "important activity," we mean it, literally. It is during sleep that your brain goes about the task of repairing cells, synthesizing neurotransmitters and filtering and processing memories and experiences. The more harmonious and peaceful the bedroom, the healthier our rest. And that is the key reason to give bedroom furniture a higher priority and invest more time into making it as pleasant and comfortable a space as possible.

A dream bedroom doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right approach and proper guidance, even a few minimal interventions can result in significant improvement to your wellbeing and quality of life.

Bedroom design comprises many different elements, put together cohesively. To achieve true harmony, the whole setting should exude serenity, while offering a functional benefit inside every feature. The best layout is proportionally arranged with quality furniture to provide cosiness and a sense of welcoming safety.

A place designed for withdrawal and rejuvenation should offer some effortless "self" time. Ideally, it will be spacious, breathable and bright, decorated with only the essentials, to secure uninterrupted, high-quality sleeping time. All distractions need to be kept to a minimum.

That said, it is not unusual that a bedroom serves several purposes, being a dressing room, a makeup room and even a place to watch television, read a book, or meditate. In some small apartments, it could even present a single area peaceful enough for a home office with right office desk.

Before you start any shopping, it is essential to establish a proper floor plan and to define all purposes the bedroom needs to fulfill. With a clear understanding of the space you can begin by identifying all the main features needed and work your way around them. The right choice of bedroom furniture will help keep movement through the space free-flowing.

Commonly, the most frequent traffic will flow between a wardrobe and a bathroom, requiring enough space to avoid unnecessary hold-ups. Walk-in wardrobes or dressing rooms, where available, will enhance efficiency and at the same time elevate bedroom design.

Every substantial piece of furniture, like a bed frame, bedside table, tallboy drawer, needs to stand in ideal proportion with each other. Accurate measurements will secure the adequate size and place for each item.

Last but not least, lighting will determine the mood in a bedroom. It’s advisable to incorporate a variety of light sources for more convenience. That applies especially if the bedroom serves more than one single purpose.

Besides comfort and anatomical qualities, there are several other aspects to take into consideration. If your aim is for a harmonious environment, symmetry is the key to achieving it. Otherwise, your senses will be triggered by uneasy, weird dynamics. If the space doesn’t allow you to focus, how can it help you to fall asleep?

Proportion, too, is paramount. A massive and heavy bed base will always look out of place in a small bedroom. When floor space is limited, consider utilising other surfaces—pendant lights on either side of the bed base and floating shelves as side tables will take the weight off the floor and help with the overall feel of airiness and transparency.

When the bedroom is small, any storage space is welcome. The best bed frame, in this case, will provide plenty of extra space to store your things in a convenient way.

For the lucky ones with a bedroom spacious enough to afford strong style statements, a bed frame with a prominent headboard is a great solution. Headboards add a lot of character to a room, sufficient to act as a central focal point. The choice of material allows creative freedom, featuring wood, metal, upholstered surfaces, all in a variety of styles.

The best bed base doesn’t have to be an expensive one, but at the same time, it shouldn’t be the cheapest one around. Apart from design, the bed base must provide proper support to secure a good night’s sleep. Compromising on style is sometimes necessary, but we should never compromise on health and comfort.

Define the shell and dress your walls to impress. Harmony doesn’t have to mean bland and neutral is not the obligatory palette. A bedroom that is too dark or too bright can contribute to insomnia, while a pop of colour, feature wall, or some wallpaper accents can all upscale both the mood and the style of the bedroom furniture —when done right. A vibrant hue can work well even in a small space, as a background that brings focus to details and away from the size alone.

When the ceiling is too high, it can disturb the harmony, and according to some studies even cause depression. Skylights are glorious, but again are best if used sparingly. A window should provide a steady light from the side, ideally not directly next to the bed. Likewise, good airflow is essential. There is a good reason why air is a staple element of feng-shui design philosophy. Good furniture placement should take into account both light airflow to aid uninterrupted rest.

Texture brings warmth and can save an otherwise dull design. A chic, thick rug will enhance the sense of completeness. A pile of silk or velvet pillows on the bed is another great idea, but be careful not to go overboard—together with the sleeping set, decorative pillows should not take up more than a quarter of the bed. A soft throw blanket will put a final stamp of style on a well-designed space.

Predicting the amount of storage space is a special kind of a challenge. Wardrobe systems, tallboy drawers, along with walk-in wardrobes, all play vital roles in ensuring that the bedroom will remain breathable and clutter-free. However, each piece can also complement or disturb the overall aesthetic. That’s why the composition of finishings, colours and materials must be carefully curated to coordinate between all elements in the room.

Dresser tables and bedside tables will either enhance (or ruin) the overall style, depending on how you use them. For instance, in a luxury interior, mirror or luxe materials such as shagreen are a great choice of finishings to add some glitz. Placing lamps on nightstands and mirrors behind them will enhance the glam factor further.

At the other end of the spectrum, a modern, minimalistic design implies good-quality but simple items. To secure the room dynamics, add some signature details or hardware. Always keep the focus on a few statement pieces rather than clusters of small ones. That way, you will avoid the feeling of a suffocated space.

Bookshelves and other shelving units will help to keep the room decluttered. No overstuffed space looks or communicates well and a bedroom is the last place that should be drowning in everyday clutter. Think ahead and find a way to keep all electrical cords or chargers out of the way. Eliminate all unnecessary things from the floor as well as from the dressers and nightstands.

In determining the look of a modern bedroom, the aesthetic principles are relatively straightforward, rooted in the idea of less is more. It comprises clean lines and solid, preferably minimalistic surfaces. The symmetry is sleek, clean and aesthetically pleasing, as the purified chic places function above all.

A modern bedroom furniture with contrast elements allows for strong accents rather than having every piece blended into the surroundings. With new concepts of smart storage solutions, it allows for maximum space utilisation without sacrifices. While some might define it as sterile or dull, it offers a lot of freedom, detached from redundant stuff and focused on efficiency as a way of living.