Your Bedroom Isn’t Working (Here’s Why)
You walk in after a long day, expecting to unwind, but something feels… wrong.
Maybe it’s the harsh overhead light glaring down at you.
Or perhaps it’s because your floor has become a permanent laundry exhibition.
Here’s what I’ve learned after designing hundreds of bedrooms:
Your bedroom isn’t just where you sleep. It’s where you start and end every single day.
And if it feels chaotic, cramped, or uncomfortable, it’s quietly affecting how you feel about everything else.
So let’s talk about how to design a bedroom that actually supports you.
Start with layout, not looks
I know, I know. You want to jump straight to picking that gorgeous velvet headboard you saw on Instagram.
But here’s the thing…
Before you start buying furniture or creating mood boards, you need to understand what you’re working with.
Sketch out your space. Note where your windows are, where the doors swing, any built-ins, weird ceiling angles, anything that might affect where your bed actually fits.
Ideally, you want to be able to see the door from the bed without being directly in line with it (it’s called the “command position” in feng shui).
Tiffany Leigh Design (left) & Leo Davut (right)
Is your room awkward or small? Don’t force symmetry. Push the bed to one side if you have to. Prioritise flow. You want at least 60-90cm of space around the bed.
Once the bed’s sorted, ask yourself: what else do you need this room to do?
Do you need a desk?
More storage?
A place to do your makeup?
Michael Sinclair (left) & Adrienne Breaux (right)
Don’t try to cram in everything. Get clear on your must-haves, then find pieces that multitask. E.g., a small dresser can double as a nightstand. A wall-mounted shelf can become a mini vanity.
Lighting sets the mood (and most people get it wrong)
One overhead bulb isn’t doing your bedroom any favours.
You want layers:
Ambient light (pendant or diffused ceiling fixture)
Task lighting (reading lamps or sconces)
Accent lighting (LED strips tucked under a shelf)
Pro tip: Choose warm bulbs (2700K to 3000K). Cool light might be great in an office, but it doesn’t exactly scream “restful sanctuary.”
Adrienne Breaux
Jackie Cantwell
And if you’re renting? Plug-in sconces exist. You can get that hotel-chic look without rewiring anything.
Photo by Sean Fennessy (left) & Alexander James (right)
Get bedding that’s actually comfortable
You spend a third of your life in bed. Don’t cheap out.
Invest in the best mattress you can afford. Then focus on natural fibres for your sheets: cotton, linen, bamboo, silk. They breathe better and feel better than cheap polyester.
Don’t fall for the 1000 thread count hype either.
Look for long-staple cotton and choose your weave carefully. Percale if you sleep hot. Sateen, if you love that silky softness.
Choose colours that help you relax
Your bedroom isn’t the place to experiment with neon orange or five competing feature walls.
Stick to a palette that supports how you want to feel.
Want calm and cocooning? Go darker.
Want bright and airy? Stick with soft neutrals and light tones.
Photo by Amelia Stanwix
Heidi Caillier (left) & Jake Curtis (right)
Control the light (your sleep depends on it)
Controlling natural light equals better sleep. Simple as that.
Blockout curtains plus sheers give you the most flexibility. Light during the day, darkness when you need it.
Roman shades, roller blinds, or shutters work too.
Just think about your sleep schedule. If you hate waking up at sunrise, invest in blackout.
Hide the chaos
If your floor doubles as a laundry basket, you need better storage.
Built-ins are fantastic, but even under-bed bins or a tallboy can make a huge difference.
And please, manage those cables. Hide the wires. Use cord clips. Get a wireless charger.
You’ll feel 10x calmer when you don’t have a tangle of cords staring you down from the bedside table.
Stephan Julliard (left) & Photo by Malissa Mabey (right)
The real magic is in the details: soft lighting, fresh sheets, a proper place for your phone, and just enough personality to make it feel like you.
You don’t need a full makeover. You just need to make better choices.
And maybe finally get rid of that laundry chair next to your bed.
(We all have one. It’s okay.)
Cheers,
Reynard