Plan your bedroom well and you will have a space that provides comfort and relaxation, storage for your most personal items, and beautiful furniture that feels as great as it looks.

Our bedrooms are the ultimate place of refuge from the stresses of the modern world and so bedroom design is all about creating a space that makes you feel comfortable, energised and totally at ease.

Plan your bedroom well and you will have a space that provides comfort and relaxation, storage for your most personal items, and beautiful furniture that feels as great as it looks.

Here are a few essential pointers from the professionals to help you create a bedroom design that’s as dreamy in waking hours as it is in sleep.

The basics

Before you begin the design process, take some time to consider the essential elements that will have an impact on the room.

Consider natural light
You’re either the kind of person who rolls towards the morning light or away from it – take the time to notice the direction of daylight and know whether you want the sun to stream into your bedroom directly or if you’d prefer to filter it through curtains for a few precious minutes of extra sleep.

Choose the right colour palette
Think carefully about the colour palette you choose for your bedroom. Look for colours that will aid relaxation and sleep - rich yet gentle rather than too cool. Soft lilac, dove grey and earthy tones are all great choices for your space and will add colour without feeling too harsh or dramatic.

Outlets
Take electrics and phone points into account as you start working on your layout to ensure that your layout works for the way you use the room and essential power points aren’t blocked by heavy furniture. Remember you will need power points on either side of the bed for bedside lighting.

Bedroom Layout Design

Positioning the furniture is the most important consideration – think about how you will use your bedroom. Do you simply want a sanctuary for rest and sleep or do you want a sitting area and combined TV room where you will unwind in the evenings?

Use a plan to mark up your ideal layout and this will soon tell you the size and how much furniture you will need. Here are some of the basic elements you should consider as you plan your bedroom layout:

Bed and mattress
Decide on the best size of bed for your room and life, and position it on the centre of the longest wall; ideally opposite the door so that you get the full effect of the bed dressing as soon as you walk in the room. Make sure there is plenty of space for a bedside table on each side of the bed. Your bed is the most important element in the room, both in terms of design and comfort. It will act as the signature piece and focal point of your design. Whether you go for a divan base and separate headboard or a full bedstead, the style of your bed should be carefully considered in line with all the other elements of your room, and particularly furniture. Spend as much as you can on a good mattress and base. Your mattress is an investment that will last you more than a decade and will be something you use every day. Pocket sprung mattresses will ensure you don’t feel movement from your partner in the night, and by adding a mattress topper you can add some extra comfort – and protection – that creates the feel of a plush hotel bed.

Mirror or dressing table
Your bedroom is also likely the space where you dress and get ready for each day. Decide whether you want a full-length mirror or would prefer a dressing table. Positioning each near a window will help you take advantage of all the benefits from natural daylight.

Bedside tables
Your bedside table will add character to your design but is also useful storage where you can keep books, place your alarm clock and store underwear. Consider your habits and whether you need drawers and storage or would prefer a statement piece with an elegant shape that’s mainly decorative.

Wardrobe chest of drawers
Think about storage as early as possible in the design process, as this is essential to creating a relaxing environment. Can storage be built in to maximise space, or would individual pieces work better for your room? The key is to balance the right amount of space to store your clothing and other possessions without making the room feel cramped or cluttered with things that never seem to be put away.