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7 Tips for Designing Your Bedroom
Learn how to think about light, layout, circulation and views to get the bedroom of your dreams
Have you ever been in a room that just feels right? Nine times out of 10, it’s because it has a simple design that functions well. But creating a simple design is harder than it looks – particularly in bedrooms.
Why? Because every bedroom absolutely has to have a bed in it. And beds are big and ungainly, and dictate the placement of every other object in the room. However, if you’re lucky enough to be planning a bedroom from scratch or renovating an existing bedroom, you can control the other elements and create a space that’s both practical and pretty.
The bedrooms shown here manage that feat with panache. Even if you don’t have a great view, access to the outdoors or plenty of space to work with, the principles they embody and the simplicity they show can inspire your own bedroom design project.
Why? Because every bedroom absolutely has to have a bed in it. And beds are big and ungainly, and dictate the placement of every other object in the room. However, if you’re lucky enough to be planning a bedroom from scratch or renovating an existing bedroom, you can control the other elements and create a space that’s both practical and pretty.
The bedrooms shown here manage that feat with panache. Even if you don’t have a great view, access to the outdoors or plenty of space to work with, the principles they embody and the simplicity they show can inspire your own bedroom design project.
Plan for simple circulation
Try to keep your circulation on one side of the room. Hotels do a great job of this. There’s a reason 90% of hotels have the same floorplan – it’s because it’s simple and it works.
Try to keep your circulation on one side of the room. Hotels do a great job of this. There’s a reason 90% of hotels have the same floorplan – it’s because it’s simple and it works.
Circulation plans become a little more challenging with en suite rooms or bedrooms that have doors to the outside. To save on space, pay attention to where you locate the bathroom and wardrobe in your bedroom. Rooms that have bathroom or wardrobe access before the sleeping area, above left, require a longer hall.
If you organise the circulation so the bathroom and wardrobe are accessed through the sleeping area, above right, you don’t need a separate hall, and you can add the circulation space into the room to make it feel larger, too.
If you organise the circulation so the bathroom and wardrobe are accessed through the sleeping area, above right, you don’t need a separate hall, and you can add the circulation space into the room to make it feel larger, too.
Focus on the view
A bedroom always feels nicer when the first thing you experience is a pleasant view out of the window, as opposed to a view looking straight at the bed. If you’re designing a new bedroom or reworking an old one, try to come up with a layout that focuses on the vista, whether it’s something as stunning as a lake or as simple as your garden.
Need some help with your design? Find architects and interior designers in your area on Houzz.
A bedroom always feels nicer when the first thing you experience is a pleasant view out of the window, as opposed to a view looking straight at the bed. If you’re designing a new bedroom or reworking an old one, try to come up with a layout that focuses on the vista, whether it’s something as stunning as a lake or as simple as your garden.
Need some help with your design? Find architects and interior designers in your area on Houzz.
Keep privacy in mind
It’s always nice when you can leave the bedroom door open without forsaking all of your privacy. The small foyer in this layout provides separation from the family room.
I always try to avoid designing a layout in which you look directly into the bedroom from a more public space, such as a living room, kitchen or family room.
It’s always nice when you can leave the bedroom door open without forsaking all of your privacy. The small foyer in this layout provides separation from the family room.
I always try to avoid designing a layout in which you look directly into the bedroom from a more public space, such as a living room, kitchen or family room.
Connect with the outdoors
While this might not be feasible in all climates, connecting a room with the outdoors is a great way to make the space feel larger and admit more natural light. If your bedroom is on the ground floor (or on the first floor with an adjacent terrace), adding a set of French windows can instantly increase visual space.
You might also enjoy Inventive Design Ideas that Make the Most of a Bedroom.
While this might not be feasible in all climates, connecting a room with the outdoors is a great way to make the space feel larger and admit more natural light. If your bedroom is on the ground floor (or on the first floor with an adjacent terrace), adding a set of French windows can instantly increase visual space.
You might also enjoy Inventive Design Ideas that Make the Most of a Bedroom.
Consider the furniture layout
Your bedroom’s architecture should take your furniture into account. Bedroom floorplans usually have a bed wall, but what about chests of drawers, bedside tables, TVs, chairs and a desk?
Work with your architect or designer to make sure there’s enough space beside the bed for tables and ample circulation, so you can access three sides of the mattress.
Your bedroom’s architecture should take your furniture into account. Bedroom floorplans usually have a bed wall, but what about chests of drawers, bedside tables, TVs, chairs and a desk?
Work with your architect or designer to make sure there’s enough space beside the bed for tables and ample circulation, so you can access three sides of the mattress.
Increase light and ventilation
Locating your bedroom at the corner of your home can give you windows on two adjacent walls. This has the added benefit of allowing cross ventilation and a softer natural light.
Locating your bedroom at the corner of your home can give you windows on two adjacent walls. This has the added benefit of allowing cross ventilation and a softer natural light.
The truth is, great design doesn’t necessarily mean a space that’s overly complex and expensive to build. A space that functions better, costs less to build, is more efficient to run and is easier to maintain can be an outstanding example of great design.
Tell us…
Are you planning a bedroom redesign? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
Are you planning a bedroom redesign? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Here are seven tips to help you get the most out of your bedroom.