Creating a Bedroom that Restores You

Can you rest if your space isn’t set up to help you turn off your brain and relax? We don’t believe so. Your space needs to promote rest by reducing stimulation. In addition to the right colours, furniture, fabrics, and textural elements can help you create a space that’s all your own. We offer some tips we hope will help furnish bedrooms so you can craft the perfect retreat that will restore you.
This is an adaptation from a podcast. If you’d prefer to listen, click the buttons below.
SOFTEN YOUR LIGHTING
Light control is your first consideration when creating a restful space. You’ll want to control natural light entering through windows and add delicate artificial light by selecting warm light fixtures.

Draperies/ Window Coverings
A blend of blinds, sheers, and draperies in linen or luxurious velvet will soften the look of your room while adding privacy. Blinds provide a blackout solution for those light sleepers. Sheers offer soft privacy during the day. Draperies add a soft, luxurious feeling to the space and finish it off. Draperies should be hung from the ceiling to an inch or two above flooring to create an illusion of height and elegance.
Warm Layered Lighting
We often speak of layering lighting because it’s integral to creating dynamic moods in a room. As in every room, use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting. Consider bedside lamps or sconces for your evening reading and task lighting for dressing tables. Chandeliers are not relegated to dining rooms and foyers. In rooms with high ceilings, they can add a touch of romance. Don’t forget dimmer switches!
Click >>here<< for our lighting blog.
WORKING WITHIN A NARROW COLOUR PALETTE
A narrow colour palette can create a serene, cohesive scene, which is what you want in a bedroom. Don’t confuse it with being boring— far from it. It might be subtle, but working within a narrow colour palette allows you to play with textural elements, such as those in our example. We have rich woods with layers of creams and textures that appear simple, but much care and consideration were taken in their selection.

BEDROOM ACCESSORY COLOUR PALETTE
We love an area rug in a bedroom. So many homes have hardwood or LVP in bedrooms these days. An area rug grounds a space and feels cozy when you place that first toe out of bed in the morning.
An area rug can inspire your room’s colour palette like this one was for this room. In the first image, we pulled the blue from the area rug to select the fabric for the bench, the drapery, and the toss pillows. One colourful piece can be the central theme that ties everything together.
CREATING A FOCAL POINT USING YOUR HEADBOARD
A tall headboard can make a statement and draw the eye upward, adding a sense of grandeur. Alternatively, a wide headboard can create a sense of width in the room. Consider tufted or upholstered designs for added comfort.
The headboard wall is a perfect place to add drama. You may use bold colours, textured wallpaper, or your favourite art piece.

CAN YOU PLACE A BED IN FRONT OF A WINDOW?
While placing a bed in front of a window isn’t our first choice, it might be your only option. To make this feel intentional and lush, hang window treatments far beyond the edge of your window so you can create the appearance of a larger window. Utilize blinds or shades on the window for light control and layer sheers to soften the look. Flank either side of the bed with draperies
PROPORTION OF A BED BENCH
Benches are a delightful, functional piece if you’ve got excess space at the foot of your bed. They offer seating, a place to lay out clothes, or extra storage. A bed bench should be about two-thirds of the entire width of your bed. It should be slightly lower than your made bed. A higher bench will be better for those with limited mobility. Benches are a great place to add texture and play with the other colours in the room.

BEDROOM NIGHTSTANDS

Typical Height of a Nightstand
Nightstands can be anywhere between 18 and 42 inches tall. Selecting the right height and width of the nightstand for your room depends on the room’s proportions and the end user’s age and stage. Typically, the nightstand should not be more than four or five inches shorter or taller than your fully made bed.
A higher nightstand would be considered a more universal design and generally preferred. It’s a good idea to have a higher nightstand if you have mobility issues due to arthritis, surgery, or disability.
You’d likely wish to select a lower nightstand in a more modern room. This emphasizes the minimalism and clean lines of modern furniture.
Styling Nightstands with Mirrors
Mirrors placed on the wall behind nightstands add depth and reflect light from lamps, making a room feel larger and brighter, adding a touch of glamour.
WHEN TO CLOSE OFF THE ENSUITE & SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW

Was your home’s ensuite deliberately left open by the builder? It’s not always necessary to close off your ensuite bathroom. It’s often a matter of preference. Though this isn’t really about furniture, we thought this was a good addition as it’s a concern that comes up in plenty of primary bedroom refreshes.
If you and your partner have opposite work-sleep schedules or you’d like some things to be left to the imagination, closing off the ensuite and walk-in closet with a door is ideal. No one wants to be woken up at 5 am if they don’t have to!
A Barn Door
If your ensuite opening is oddly sized and can’t be fitted with a standard door, a barn door with its exterior hardware might be a good solution. Extra blocking will be required to accommodate the weight of the door and hardware.
A Pocket Door
Though pocket doors can be space savers, they’re not always the best option during an ensuite renovation. If there is space for pocket door framing, the wall has to be taken to the studs, reframed, and any wiring or plumbing rerouted. It’s not always a practical solution, nor is it always possible.
THE MOST IMPORTANT BEDROOM TAKEAWAY!
Your bedroom should feel like you. This is your escape. Be bold or muted. Whatever selections make you feel at peace is the proper selection. The key to furnishing a bedroom is balancing comfort, functionality, and your own personal style.