A perfectly polished bedroom is a space you can relax in and feel energized. With a few key steps, you can transform your bedroom into a sanctuary. Here are 14 steps to help you create a bedroom that is functional, cozy, and reflective of your personal style.
Clean and Declutter
The first step to a perfectly polished bedroom is clearing out clutter. Take everything out of the room that does not support rest and relaxation.
Go through your closet and dresser and remove any clothes you haven’t worn in over a year. Donate gently used items so someone else can enjoy them. Toss out worn out, ripped, or stained garments.
Under the bed often becomes a catch-all space. Pull everything out and sort item by item. Toss rubbish and donate or find a home for items you want to keep. Vacuum under the bed thoroughly.
Gather up loose papers, receipts, junk mail, etc. and recycle what you don’t need. File away any important documents to deal with later.
Go through all shelves, surfaces, and drawers. Remove everything and wipe down the empty spaces. Only put back what you use and enjoy.
Get rid of any extra furniture that is simply taking up space. If you have a chair you never sit in or a desk you never use, remove it from the room.
A thorough decluttering and cleaning gives you a blank slate to work from in arranging your polished bedroom retreat.
Add Comfortable Bedding
Your bed is the centerpiece of the bedroom, so make sure it is optimized for comfort.
Invest in a high-quality mattress that provides support and feels great to sleep on. Take time testing mattresses to find the best fit for your body and sleep style.
Choose bedding that feels luxurious, like soft cotton sheets with a high thread count. In cooler weather, warm options like flannel or jersey knit sheets are cozy.
Add pillows that provide ample cushioning for your head, neck, and shoulders. Memory foam, down, and microfiber are all popular pillow options to try.
Finish your bed with a plush comforter, duvet, or quilt. Choose whichever top layer feels best for your climate and preferences. Adding a throw blanket at the foot of the bed provides extra coziness.
With top-notch bedding, you’ll look forward to sinking into your bed at the end of each day.
Create a Serene Color Palette
Color has a significant impact on the overall vibe of your bedroom. Carefully choose a color scheme that evokes the mood you want.
Cool tones like blues, greens, and grays cultivate a calm, relaxed atmosphere. They work well in bedrooms aimed at being peaceful retreats.
Warm neutrals like taupes, tans, and beiges provide an inviting coziness perfect for rest and renewal.
Use only 2-3 colors in your palette for a tranquil feel. Monochromatic schemes (different shades of one color) are sophisticated. Analogous combinations (neighboring hues like blue and green) are harmonious.
Bold pops of color can be added sparingly through artwork, pillows, throws, flowers or other accents. Just be sure vibrant hues are supporting players rather than the main event.
Paint walls, choose bedding, and select accessories in your favored soothing shades. A bedroom must feel like an escape, so make color choices accordingly.
Incorporate Calming Scents and Textures
Engage multiple senses to create a soothing atmosphere. Include calming scents and luxurious textures for a multi-sensory experience.
Fill your bedroom with scented candles or essential oils diffusers that emit relaxing aromas. Lavender, chamomile, cedar, and eucalyptus are excellent choices.
Incorporate tactile, natural elements through bedding, rugs, throws, and decor items:
- Cotton, linen, silk, velvet, chenille, cashmere
- Faux fur, shearling, textured wovens
- Natural fibers like jute, seagrass, wood
Surround yourself with scents and textures you find pleasing. These can shift by season to always provide sensory experiences aligned with rest and rejuvenation.
Add Soft Lighting
Harsh overhead lighting should be avoided in bedrooms. Opt instead for layers of soft, flexible lighting that set the right mood.
Warm white string lights lining the headboard or draped along the ceiling create a twinkling glow perfect for winding down.
Table lamps on nightstands with smart bulbs allow you to control brightness and color. Dim warm light as bedtime approaches.
Wall sconces flanking the bed on either side provide symmetrical ambient lighting. Go for an adjustable swing-arm style to direct light where needed.
Blackout curtains will block early morning light so you can sleep in if desired. Look for linings or shades that keep the room dark and cozy.
With lighting you can control, set the stage for peaceful slumber by slowly dimming your sanctuary as evening falls.
Add Personal Touches
While creating a serene, clutter-free space, make sure to infuse your personality and interests. Photographs, meaningful mementos, favorite colors, and beloved materials like wood, metal, or velvet add character.
Family photos foster pleasant memories and connections. Display favorite pictures of loved ones on a dresser, shelf, or gallery wall.
Artwork you feel drawn to inspires and uplifts. Choose pieces that reflect your style and taste. Botanical prints, landscape paintings, or abstract art can all enhance your space.
Collect special objects from your travels like shells, stones, ceramics, or textiles. Group them together in a bowl or on a floating shelf to admire.
Curate a collection of books you love or have been meaning to read. Arrange them within reach on a nightstand, shelf or ladder.
Add personal elements mindfully, keeping your goals of tranquility and rest at the forefront. Your bedroom should feel welcoming and reflective of you.
Incorporate Greenery
Greenery is inherently peaceful and refreshing. Bringing plants into your bedroom improves air quality and feels like an infusion of vital energy.
Small pots of succulents, ferns, vines, herbs, and bonsai trees fit well on windowsills, dressers, side tables, and bookshelves.
Hanging plants suspended from the ceiling add dimension and an element of the outdoors. Let them trail or position them higher as a living headboard.
Larger floor plants like snake plants, palms, and bamboo stalks can stand in a corner, next to a chair, or at the foot of the bed as a grounding accent.
Water your plants regularly and situate them near windows or grow lights. Greenery thrives on care and light.
As your bedroom plants flourish, so too will feelings of harmony and thriving.
Designate Space for Hobbies
Counteract digital distractions by creating space for meaningful hobbies and activities like:
Reading nook – Surround a comfortable chair or loveseat with shelves of books. Add a floor lamp, pillows, throws, and footstool or ottoman to create an inviting reading retreat.
Writing desk – Position a desk facing a window (if possible) for natural light. Decorate with inspiring images, books, pens, paper, and other writing accessories.
Crafting station – Set up a table or desk area devoted to arts, crafts, puzzles, or DIY projects. Keep supplies organized in baskets, trays, or a credenza.
Yoga/Meditation zone – Clear an area with a yoga mat, meditation pillows or bench, and calming decor like crystals, candles, or spiritual images.
Create zones tailored to the hobbies that engage your mind, hands, and spirit. Then protect time to enjoy them by turning off devices and focusing.
Add Storage Solutions
While decluttering is key, everyone needs spaces to neatly store clothing and essentials. Strategic storage keeps items accessible but out of sight.
For clothing, invest in an armoire, wardrobe, or spacious closet organizing system. Hang items to prevent wrinkles and utilize shelves, drawers, and bins.
Under-bed storage bins and drawer dividers keep items tidy. Use fabric bins for a uniform look. Label all containers clearly.
Floor mirrors on sliding closet doors serve double duty as storage for small items. Hide jewelry, watches, sunglasses and more in the frame backing.
A tall bookcase or shelving unit offers display space plus enclosed storage. Use doors, fabric inserts, or baskets to conceal items.
Creative storage enables you to neatly tuck away items when not in use. Your polished sanctuary stays serene.
Display Meaningful Art
Carefully chosen wall art, photos, mirrors, and gallery walls elevate a bedroom’s style while sharing memories and inspiration.
Botanical prints – Ferns, flowers, leaves, and plant close-ups bring organic vibrancy. Black and white versions lean modern.
Family photos – Capture special memories in frames on your dresser or side tables. Cluster similar shots in an arrangement.
Inspiring quotes – Find verses or mantras with messages that motivate you and frame them. Letterpress options add texture.
Mirrors – Hang an ornate mirror above a dresser for function and style. Lean or prop mirrors along walls or in corners.
Abstract art – Large-scale abstract pieces make dramatic headboards. Smaller versions cluster in groupings.
Cityscapes – Black and white photographic skylines look sharp above a bed or grounding in a reading nook.
Nature scenes – Curate a California vibe with desert or ocean images. Forest and mountain views are also relaxing.
Display pieces that lift your spirit and support a restorative ambiance. Then slow down and admire them often.
Add Cozy Layers
Beds, chairs, sofas, and other surfaces benefit from plush layers that dial up the cozy factor. Luxe layers engage the senses.
Start with sheets – 100% cotton or linen offer coolness and breathability. Flannel, jersey, and microfiber provide extra warmth and softness.
Add a mattress pad – Quilted pads protect mattresses and provide pillowy cushioning. Wool, cotton, and memory foam options add comfort.
Include a mattress topper – Toppers infuse plushness. Choose featherbeds for snuggly softness or memory foam for contouring support.
Finish with a duvet – A duvet over a duvet insert maximizes fluffiness. Exchange inserts for warmer or cooler seasons.
Don’t forget pillows – Beside sleeping pillows, decorate with accent pillows in different sizes, fabrics, and trims for luxurious variety.
Toss on throws – Drape cotton, wool, faux fur, linen, or knit throws at the foot of the bed or over chairs and sofas for cozying up.
Envelop your bed and seating areas in the best quality layers you can afford. Being wrapped in comfort encourages sweet dreams and relaxation.
Establish A Soothing Soundscape
Our ears never stop working, even as we sleep. Establish a soothing soundscape to relax and drown out disruptive noises.
Use a white noise machine – These devices produce ambient sounds like waves, rainfall, or humming that lull you to sleep.
Install blackout curtains – Dense window treatments help block out exterior noise from traffic, neighbors, animals, etc.
Play calming music – Create sleep playlists or playlists for relaxing activities like reading. Instrumentals and nature sounds work well.
Use a small fan – The constant whirring provides white noise and also cools. Make sure blades are covered for safety.
Add a water feature – The pleasant trickling sounds of small indoor fountains or tabletop waterfalls may promote better sleep.
Fill the space – Furnish the room with soft furnishings like rugs, curtains, pillows and fabrics that help absorb sound.
Test different sound solutions to find the ideal mix for muting disruptions and supporting restfulness. A peaceful audioscape lets you unwind.
Establish a Wind Down Routine
To reap the full benefits of your polished sanctuary each evening, establish a consistent wind down routine. Transition from wakefulness to rest.
Step away from screens – Turn off TVs, phones, tablets, and computers. Their blue light inhibits melatonin production. Read a book or magazine instead.
Dim the lights – Slowly turn down lights as bedtime nears. Overhead lights off, lamps on, then lamps off. Candlelight is ideal pre-sleep.
Take a warm bath – 20-60 minutes in a warm (not hot) Epsom salt bath relaxes muscles for quality rest. Add lavender or chamomile oil for serenity.
Practice deep breathing – Inhale fully through your nose, hold for a few seconds, then slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat to calm your nervous system.
Write down concerns – Journal worries or make a to-do list to clear your mind of unfinished business that could disrupt sleep.
Listen to calming music – Play relaxing tunes, nature sounds, or white noise to help quiet your mind from racing thoughts.
Read before bed – Close the day with reading time. Don’t look at clocks. When drowsy, put the book away and settle in to sleep.
Repeat this sequence nightly to cue your body that it’s time to unwind, and set the stage for sound slumber.
Maintain the Space
Now that you’ve created your perfectly polished bedroom retreat, be sure to care for it and make minor updates with the seasons.
- Redistribute decorative pillows and bedding layers as the weather changes. Store off-season items to protect quality.
- Rotate books, photos, art and meaningful treasures. Store pieces you’ve enjoyed for a while and display stored items for freshness.
- Clean windows and dust surfaces regularly so the space maintains its welcoming feel.
- Freshen greenery by watering and pruning plants. Turn potted plants periodically so they grow evenly. Add new varieties over time.
- Replace spent candles and maintain essential oil diffusers. Use up products you have before purchasing more.
- Reassess clothing and possessions during annual decluttering sessions. Donate unused items in good condition.
- Deep clean carpets and vacuum under the bed at least twice a year.
With ongoing attention and care, your bedroom sanctuary will continue promoting rest, inspiration and renewal for years to come. Make re-energizing self-care a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bedroom Design
What colors are best for a restful bedroom?
Cool tones like blues, greens, grays, and violets cultivate tranquility. Warm neutrals like tans, taupes, and cappuccino browns also relax. Overall, pastels, deeper saturated hues, and monochromatic color schemes promote serenity.
How can I make my bedroom feel like a retreat?
Add layers of soft textures like cashmere throws and wool rugs. Incorporate greenery. Display meaningful art and artifacts. Establish a calming routine before bed like taking a bath, meditating, and reading. Remove TVs and digital devices so the space feels like a true escape.
What decor helps achieve a spa-like feel in the bedroom?
Incorporating natural elements like bamboo accents, stone surfaces, jute or seagrass rugs, and wicker or rattan furniture promotes zen. Water features like mini-fountains bring in soothing sounds. Potted plants infuse life and oxygen. Candles, essential oils, himalayan salt lamps, and sentimental mementos also enrich the space.
How can I make my bedroom more comfortable for improving sleep?
Focus on temperature regulation, darkness, and silence. Install blackout curtains, use a white noise machine or fan, and keep the room around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Invest in a high-quality mattress, breathable natural fiber bedding, and plush pillows. Remove any light sources and declutter.
What are some quick tips for refreshing my bedroom on a budget?
Try rearranging furniture to shift the energy. Roll out a new rug – even an inexpensive natural fiber one upgrades the look. Add a few new throw pillows on the bed and chairs to mix in color and pattern. Hang new artwork, photos, or mirrors for visual interest. Add a small tabletop fountain. Open the windows to air out and refresh. A few simple updates keep the space feeling renewed.
Transform Your Bedroom into a Sanctuary
A peaceful, polished bedroom promoting deep rest and rejuvenation is within reach. Take the time to thoughtfully design your space using the steps provided.
Remove clutter, select soothing colors and materials, add personal touches, incorporate greenery, curate your lighting, soundscape, and pre-bed routine. Small daily actions to care for your bedroom will maintain its haven-like feel.
Prioritize your sanctuary as a sacred space for self-care and revitalization. Let your bedroom become a beloved refuge from stress and the outside world. Sweet dreams!
