Showing posts with label bedroom. Show all posts

The Science of Sleep: How Natural Light in the Bedroom Transforms Your Rest and Energy

Have you ever woken up on a bright, sunny morning feeling instantly refreshed—and wondered why? Natural light in bedroom spaces plays a far bigger role in your physical and mental well-being than you might think.

bedroom

Daylight exposure is the primary driver of your circadian rhythm (your internal 24-hour biological clock). It helps your body produce serotonin during the day, which later converts into melatonin—the essential hormone for deep, high-quality sleep.

Whether you have a bedroom flooded with sunshine or you are navigating a space with no windows at all, understanding how to manage light exposure can completely transform your sleep quality. This guide covers how natural light affects your biology, how to maximise it in your layout, and how to replicate its benefits if your room lacks windows entirely.

How Natural Light Dictates Your Sleep-Wake Cycle

Light signals entering your eyes do far more than help you see. Specialised photoreceptive cells in your retinas communicate directly with the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)—your brain's master clock. The SCN orchestrates hormone release, regulates core body temperature, and keeps your daily rhythms running on schedule.

Without external light cues, the human body clock gradually drifts away from a 24-hour day, stretching toward a 24.2-hour cycle. Light acts as the strongest zeitgeber (a German scientific term for "time-giver"), resetting your internal clock daily to keep you aligned with the real world.

To keep your circadian rhythm perfectly synchronised, follow this daily light exposure protocol:

  • Step 1: Get Morning Sunlight: Within 30–60 Minutes of Waking.

Expose your eyes to bright morning light (ideally outdoors) before 10:00 AM. This stops melatonin production, sets a biological timer to restart it 14 hours later, and spikes cortisol to sharpen your morning alertness.

  • Step 2: Maximise Bright Ambient Light: Throughout the Day.

Keep curtains wide open and spend time near windows. Studies show that office workers and individuals exposed to high-intensity daylight during the day experience 79% higher cognitive performance and sleep an average of 22 minutes longer at night.

Pictured: Interior photography of a modern, airy master bedroom in the early morning. Warm, bright sunbeams stream through a large east-facing window, casting soft shadows across a bed made with crumpled, high-texture cream linen sheets.

  • Step 3: Transition to Dark Sleep Conditions: 2 Hours Before Bed.

Avoid bright overhead lighting and blue-spectrum screens. Even dim light between 5 and 10 lux during the night can disrupt REM sleep and inhibit melatonin. Complete darkness is essential to prevent long-term risks like high blood pressure and metabolic disruption.


The Mental and Physical Benefits of Bedroom Daylight

Optimising your bedroom's light exposure doesn't just help you fall asleep faster; it fundamentally alters your daytime health.

  • Shifting Seasonal Depression (SAD)

When daylight hours dwindle in autumn and winter, many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), marked by low energy, brain fog, and social withdrawal. Clinical research indicates that structured light therapy boasts success rates of 40% to 60%, matching the efficacy of standard antidepressant medications. Sunlight exposure triggers the immediate synthesis of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for a stable, positive mood.

  • Accelerated Sleep Onset

Allowing natural daylight into your living and sleeping spaces has a compounding effect. Studies tracking outdoor time demonstrate that each additional hour spent in natural light advances your sleep onset by approximately 30 minutes, helping you fall asleep earlier and sleep more deeply.


How to Maximise Natural Light in Your Bedroom Layout

bedroom

Smart interior design choices can multiply the amount of daylight your bedroom receives, even on overcast days. Audit Your Furniture Placement: Large wardrobes, high bookshelves, and tall headboards placed right next to windows are the primary culprits for blocking daylight. Keep these bulky pieces on the opposite side of the room, keeping the space directly around your windows clear.

  • Layer Your Window Treatments: Pair lightweight, semi-sheer fabrics (like linen or voile) with heavy blackout drapes. The sheers will diffuse bright daytime glare while preserving privacy, while the blackout curtains will guarantee complete darkness at night.

  • Utilise Optical Reflections: Place a large mirror directly opposite your bedroom window. This simple design trick bounces incoming light deep into the room, instantly doubling the perceived brightness of the space

  • Opt for Matte, Light-Reflective Paint: Paint your walls in soft whites, creams, or warm beiges with a flat or matte finish. Light colours have a high Light Reflectance Value (LRV), allowing them to scatter natural light without creating harsh glare.

  • Glazing Guide: For optimal daylight distribution, window glass should ideally cover 20% to 25% of your bedroom's total floor area. In a 10-square-meter bedroom, aim for at least 2 to 2.5 square meters of window glazing.

How to Optimise a Windowless Bedroom

If your bedroom has no natural windows, you can easily replicate the biological benefits of the sun using smart, circadian-friendly lighting technology.

Technology

Ideal Specifications

Primary Sleep Benefit

Best Practice Setup

Light Therapy Lamp

10,000 lux (UV-free) with a large surface panel (min. 12" x 15").

Suppresses daytime melatonin and mimics the morning sun to boost alertness.

Place on your dresser or desk; sit near it for 30 minutes within an hour of waking.

Sunrise Alarm Clock

Minimum 1,000 lux output with a gradual dawn-simulation curve.

Triggers a gentle, non-startle cortisol awakening response.

Place on your nightstand; program it to begin brightening 30 minutes before wake time.

Daylight-Spectrum Bulbs

Cool-white colour temperature (above 3,000 Kelvin).

Simulates high-intensity blue-sky light to maintain daytime focus.

Install in your primary overhead ceiling fixtures; use only during daytime hours.





window curtains


Pictured: Close-up architectural shot of a bedroom window showing layered window treatments. Delicate, sheer white linen curtains softly filter natural daytime light, while thick, textured charcoal blackout drapes are elegantly pulled back to the sides.


Designing a Healthy Lighting Routine Without Windows

To keep your circadian rhythm aligned in a windowless room, use a layered lighting approach. Use your bright, cool-white overhead lights strictly during daytime hours to simulate noon.

As evening approaches, turn off the ceiling lights entirely and switch to low-level bedside lamps fitted with warm, amber bulbs (below 2,000 Kelvin). This clear shift in colour temperature tells your brain that night has arrived, kicking your natural melatonin production into gear.

Conclusion

Your sleep quality, morning energy, and overall mood are deeply tied to the light patterns in your bedroom. By prioritising bright, natural mornings and transitioning into complete evening darkness, you align your bedroom environment with your body's evolutionary needs. Start by opening your curtains the moment you wake up tomorrow—your biological clock will thank you.
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How To Improve Your Sleep Naturally

A good night's sleep affects everything from energy levels and mood to concentration and long-term health. Yet for many people, rest is something that happens to them instead of something they prepare for. The good news is that a few deliberate changes to your environment and daily habits can make a meaningful difference without medication or expensive equipment.

Set a Calm Environment


Your bedroom should be the most restorative room in your home, but it often ends up as an extension of everything else: a workspace, a screen room, and a place for unfinished tasks. Start by removing what doesn't belong there. A tidy, quiet space with soothing colours and soft textures gives your mind far fewer reasons to stay alert. Keep the room cool because the body naturally drops in temperature as part of its transition into sleep and reduce noise where possible using soft furnishings that absorb sound. A calm, dedicated sleeping environment reinforces the mental association between your bedroom and rest, making it easier to switch off each night.

Stick to a Consistent Routine

The body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, runs on a 24-hour cycle and responds strongly to regular cues. NHS sleep hygiene guidance recommends keeping a fixed wake-up time every day, including weekends, as one of the most effective ways to reinforce this rhythm. Going to bed and waking at consistent times signals to the body when sleep is expected, making it easier to fall asleep and improving the overall quality of rest. Gentle pre-sleep activities, like reading, light stretching, or a warm bath, help ease the transition from the stimulation of the day to the quieter state the body needs in order to sleep well. Avoid screens in the hour before bed, as the light they emit disrupts melatonin production and delays the onset of sleep.

Control Light for Better Rest

Light is one of the most powerful influences on sleep quality. A large-scale study published in JAMA Network Open in March 2025, involving over 122,000 adults, found that light exposure at night disrupts circadian rhythms by delaying melatonin onset, reducing sleep duration and self-reported sleep quality. Keeping the bedroom as dark as possible is therefore one of the most practical steps you can take. This is where window treatments become genuinely functional rather than merely decorative. Lined or blackout Roman blinds that fit flush to the window frame and block early morning light are particularly effective, combining full light control with a clean, unobtrusive look that keeps the bedroom feeling calm. In summer especially, when dawn arrives well before most people need to be awake, managing that first light can be the difference between sleeping through and waking too early.

Make Small Lifestyle Adjustments

Besides the bedroom itself, several daily habits have a direct impact on how easily you fall and stay asleep. Caffeine has a half-life of around five to six hours, which means an afternoon coffee can still affect sleep quality late into the evening. Heavy meals close to bedtime divert energy to digestion and raise core body temperature, both of which interfere with sleep onset. Regular physical activity during the day improves sleep quality noticeably, though vigorous exercise too close to bedtime can have the opposite effect. None of these changes require significant effort, but combined with a calm, dark environment and a reliable routine, they add up to meaningfully better rest.

Small adjustments, made consistently, have a compounding effect on sleep. Tackle the environment first, establish a routine, and let the lifestyle changes follow naturally.
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How Can You Furnish A Shared Kids Bedroom To Meet Both Kids' Needs?

Designing a shared bedroom for children presents unique challenges and opportunities. Parents must balance individual preferences while creating a cohesive space that fosters harmony and functionality. The key to success lies in selecting versatile child's bedroom furniture and incorporating smart storage solutions that cater to each child's needs.

A well-planned shared bedroom can promote bonding between siblings and teach valuable lessons about sharing and respect. By involving the children in the design process, parents can ensure that each child feels a sense of ownership and pride in their shared space. This collaborative approach often results in creative solutions that might have yet to be considered.

Key Takeaways


Versatile furniture and smart storage solutions are essential for shared bedrooms

Involving children in the design process promotes ownership and creativity
Design Principles for a Kids Shared Bedroom

Creating a functional and harmonious shared bedroom for children requires careful planning and thoughtful design choices. Key considerations include balancing personal space, selecting appropriate colours, and optimizing floor space through strategic furniture placement.

Incorporating Personal Space and Privacy

Designating individual areas within a shared bedroom is crucial for each child's sense of ownership and privacy. Use room dividers, curtains, or bookcases to create separate zones. Consider loft beds with study areas underneath to maximize vertical space.

Install personal shelves or cubbies for each child to display their treasured items. Provide individual storage solutions like separate dressers or closet sections. This allows children to keep their belongings organized and easily accessible.

Incorporate elements that reflect each child's personality in their designated space. This could include personalized wall art, bedding, or decor items that showcase their interests and hobbies.

Choosing the Right Colour Scheme

Select a colour palette that appeals to both children while creating a cohesive look. Neutral base colours like white, beige, or light grey work well as a foundation. Add pops of colour through accessories, bedding, and wall accents.

Consider using complementary colours or different shades of the same hue to create visual interest. For example, combine light blue and navy or various shades of green. This approach allows for individuality while maintaining a harmonious overall design.

Use colour coding to define personal spaces and storage areas. Assign each child a specific colour for their bedding, storage bins, or desk accessories. This not only adds visual appeal but also helps with organization and ownership of items.

Maximising Floor Space with Strategic Furniture Placement

Efficient furniture arrangement is key in shared bedrooms. Opt for space-saving solutions like bunk beds, trundle beds, or Murphy beds. These options free up floor space for play areas or study zones during the day.

Position furniture along walls to create an open central area. Use corner desks or L-shaped configurations to maximize workspace without crowding the room. Consider multi-functional furniture pieces like storage ottomans or beds with built-in drawers.

Utilize vertical space with tall bookcases or wall-mounted shelving units. This provides ample storage without taking up valuable floor space. Install floating shelves or pegboards for additional storage and display options.

Furniture Choices and Layouts

Selecting the right furniture and layout for a shared kids' bedroom is crucial to maximize space and meet both children's needs. Smart choices can create a functional and harmonious environment where siblings can coexist comfortably.

Selecting Beds: Bunk, Loft, or Twin

sisters

Bunk beds are a popular space-saving option for shared bedrooms. They utilize vertical space effectively, leaving more floor area for play or study. Some bunk beds come with built-in storage drawers or shelves, adding functionality.

Loft beds elevate the sleeping area, creating usable space underneath for a desk, dresser, or play area. This setup works well for older children who need dedicated study spaces.

Twin beds are suitable for rooms with ample floor space. Placing them on opposite walls or in an L-shape configuration can help define individual areas. Consider beds with trundle options for extra sleeping capacity or storage.

Innovative Storage Solutions

Under-bed storage is essential in shared bedrooms. Opt for beds with built-in drawers or use rolling storage bins to maximize space efficiency.

Wall-mounted shelves and bookcases provide vertical storage without consuming floor space. For easy organization, assign different shelf levels or colours to each child.

Room dividers with built-in storage compartments serve dual purposes: creating privacy and offering additional storage. Cubbies or lockers can be incorporated into dividers for personalized storage areas.

Multifunctional Pieces and Customisations

Desks with adjustable heights can grow with children and accommodate different needs. Look for models with built-in shelving or drawers for added storage.

Ottomans or benches with hidden storage offer seating and space for toys or extra bedding. These pieces can be placed at the foot of beds or along walls.

Customizable furniture, such as modular storage units, allows for flexibility as children's needs change. Consider pieces that can be rearranged or repurposed over time.

Personalized touches like different coloured bedding, individual pinboards, or custom name signs help each child feel ownership of their space within the shared room.

Conclusion

Furnishing a shared kids' bedroom requires thoughtful planning and creativity. Maximizing space, incorporating individual storage, and choosing versatile furniture are key strategies. Considering each child's preferences while maintaining a cohesive design creates a harmonious environment. With careful attention to these elements, parents can craft a shared bedroom that meets both children's needs and fosters a positive living experience.

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Is it worth getting a small double bed?

Small double beds are 30 cm wider than singles and 15 cm narrower than double beds, making them a big upgrade from a single bed and not much of a downgrade from a double.


If your bedroom is narrow or awkwardly shaped, small doubles offer the best compromise between floor and sleeping space. Plus, they are fantastic for teenagers who have outgrown their single bed.

Here are the benefits of small double beds

Ideal for compact bedrooms

A small double bed will excel in your small bedroom because its compact size allows for easier navigation around the bed and more space for bedside tables.

Versatile sleeping options

Solo sleepers can luxuriate in the extra space, while some slender couples might find them suitable for cosy nights together - though small doubles are primarily for individual use.

Cost-effective upgrade

Upgrading to a small double is more economical than opting for a double bed, with the prices for both frames and a small double mattress around 10% less.




Pictured: Giltedge Beds Rome 4FT Small Double Mattress. Priced £199. Available from Bedstar.

Abundance of stylish options

There’s a small double bed for every taste, from minimalist wooden and metal bed frames to plush upholstered designs.

Space-saving storage solutions

Ottoman-style beds with lift-up bases provide ample room for stowing bedding and other items, while divan models can have two conveniently placed drawers.

Easy manoeuvrability

The more compact size of small double beds makes them easier to move and manoeuvre during room reconfigurations or house moves.

Suitable for growing teens

Small double beds provide an excellent sleeping solution for teenagers who outgrow their single beds, and the extra width offers more comfort.



Pictured: Milan Bed Company Side Lift 4FT Small Double Ottoman. Priced £281. Available from Bedstar

Preserving visual space

Low-profile small double designs and minimalist styles can make your bedroom feel bigger by creating an illusion of more space within your room.

Versatile placement options

Your small double bed’s compact dimensions allow for versatile placement within your room, including positioning against a wall or in the corner.

Encouraging better sleep habits

Small double beds encourage stretching out and finding more comfortable positions for better sleep quality and rest.

Perfect for guest bedrooms

Small doubles perfectly balance the preservation of floor space and provide a comfortable sleep area for guests stopping over.

Improves home saleability

If you’re selling your house and have a bedroom that won’t quite take a double bed, it might take a small double, which will go down better with buyers than a single bed.



Pictured: Birlea Rio 4FT Small Double Wooden Bed Frame – Pine. Priced £211. Available from Bedstar.

No loss in comfort or sleep quality

Small double mattresses come in all the same top-quality options as larger sizes, so you'll sleep just as soundly whether you prefer springs, foam, or hybrid mattresses.

Tips on choosing the right small double bed

Bed frame material and style

Small double beds come in wooden, metal, and fabric types.

Fabric bed frames give you a comfortable, cushioned headboard to sit up against and are available in a broader range of colours.

Wooden bed frames are more robust than fabric and have an organic feel, perfect for traditional and rustic bedrooms.

Metal bed frames are cold to the touch but work better in industrial spaces and bedrooms where a sleek, ornamental feel is best.

Mattress technology

Your small double needs to provide adequate support and comfort for your favourite sleeping position.

Choose a firmness based on these positions:

Side sleepers – medium
Front sleepers – firm
Back sleepers – medium-firm

The best middle ground is a medium-firm mattress. These are suitable for all sleep positions and provide adequate comfort for guest spaces.

However, if you or your partner is on the larger side – over 220 lbs – a firm mattress is necessary to ensure the support system doesn’t collapse. Too soft a mattress will dip in the middle and provide no edge support, making the usable sleep surface smaller.

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How To Pick The Perfect Colour For Your Bedroom

Picking out bedroom colours can be as easy as heading down to B&Q and selecting a few swatches to try at home, but it's easy to get things wrong and waste money on a tin of paint that looked great in a small patch but not so much everywhere else.


Read on for our no-nonsense tips on choosing the perfect bedroom colour:

Colours to Skip

colour psychology

Super bright and bold shades like intense reds, magentas, and royal blues may look cool, but they create a visual tension that makes it harder to chill out. Save those for other rooms.

On the flip side, very cold colours like stark greys, blacks, and other dark shades can make your bedroom feel unfriendly rather than warm and inviting.

Plain white seems like an easy default, but it can come across as cold, bland, and impersonal on bedroom walls. If you love white, consider using it on just 1-3 walls and livening things up with an accent colour to add visual interest.

Colours to Consider

Neutral tones are a timeless choice that emits a sense of calm and cosiness. Think soft beiges, caramels, taupe, and gentle earthy shades. Our picks: Lick 02 Brown for a mid-tone neutral or Soho Farmhouse for something lighter.

earthy colours
Pictured: Recommended earthy sample colours from Lick.com

Aquas and blues are naturally soothing and tranquil, making them one of the most popular bedroom colours. We love Farrow & Ball Selvedge (pastel blue) for a stunning light blue-green or Dulux Ink Well for a moodier affair.

blue
Pictured: Recommended blue sample colours from Dulux and Farrow and Ball (pastel blue).

Orange probably isn't the first colour you think of for bedrooms, but muted clay-like shades and soft creamsicle tints can add warmth and cheer – check out Lick Orange 04 Eggshell and Farrow & Ball No 64. Red Earth.

warm colours

Pictured: Recommended warmth sample colours from Farrow and Ball (red earth) and Lick.com.

Start With Your Bed

Your bed frame dictates what colours will work in your bedroom because it's the biggest piece of furniture. Black bed frames call for lighter wall colours and vice versa, while brass bed frames do well with strong, neutral textures.

bed


Pictured: Birlea Atlas 4FT 6 Double Metal Bed Frame – Black. Priced £249 (50% OFF at Bedstar).

If you have a bed frame in rich espresso wood or white or cream, lighter wall colours can help balance things out and keep your bedroom from feeling too heavy. On the other hand, if your bed is a pale wood or a breezy upholstered style in a light fabric, deeper wall colours can add nice contrast and visual interest.

bed


Pictured: Bedmr Chester 4FT 6 Double Wooden Bed Frame. Priced £329 (Save £114 on RRP with Bedstar).

Use the 60-30-10 Rule

The hardest part about picking out the perfect bedroom colour scheme is finding the right balance. Even if you pick out the most sumptuous colour, it can get lost in a sea of neutrals or overpower everything else.

Our favourite trick to keep everything on point is with the 60-30-10 colour rule where 60% of your room is a dominant colour like bright yellow, 30% is a secondary colour like charcoal grey, and the last 10% is an accent colour like mint green.

Mood and Ambience

Colours evoke different emotions and moods - blues and greens have calming and relaxing effects, making them ideal for a bedroom, while yellow and orange can create a warm and cosy feel perfect for the winter months.

Giving your bedroom a dark backdrop with a charcoal grey feature wall is perfect if you have a light bed frame or bright upholstery to create a sophisticated vibe. You can then add more personality with colourful décor and wall art.

60/30/10 rule

Pictured: The 60/30/10 rule, bedroom interior design colour concept, Bedstar.

Consider Lighting

Colours change under different lighting conditions. The most obvious example is the difference in colour between artificial and natural light, but you can also get very different tones with different light bulbs.

If your bedroom gets a lot of natural light, there's no risk of darker colours creating a miserable space. If your bedroom gets little natural light, lighter colours can help brighten up the space without much effort.

Complementary Textures

Smooth and rough textures go together beautifully – think smooth velvet and jute rugs, basket weave curtains and chalk paint. Rough textures add visual depth to smooth walls and ceilings to give your bedroom a stylish atmosphere.

You can also combine colours and textures with wallpaper and install décor so that it catches the sun's light in interesting ways at different times of the day.

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7 Ways To Make Your Bedroom Look And Feel Luxurious

Your bedroom is the space where you unwind and relax. If you are looking to upgrade this environment and make it more luxurious you may not know where to start. Well, I am here today to help you. 

bedroom

Let's have a look at 7 ways to make your bedroom look more luxurious... and this doesn't have to cost the earth.

Choose your headboard wisely

A statement headboard can really add a luxury element to a room. Whether it is a big bold headboard, one made of velvet or a unique design, a headboard can be a real focal point to a room and a statement headboard can easily add that luxurious touch.

Have wardrobes fitted

Having fitted sliding wardrobes can integrate your wardrobe space seamlessly into your bedroom. This can make your bedroom look elegant and luxurious. It also frees up lots of floor space. Just be sure not to clutter the area where your free-standing wardrobe would normally be. Another point is that the cost of fitted wardrobes can be balanced out by the value it adds to your home if you go to sell.

Up the glamour with lighting

The lighting you choose can add that much-needed glamour and luxury to a room. It's one easy way to add a little luxe.  You can also pick up lighting at surprisingly budget prices too. Choose a mix of mood lighting and brighter lighting for different functions. An over-the-top chandelier could be a great choice, or gold or silver tone lamps.  

Think of the soft furnishings

When you go to a high-end hotel you often have cushions on the bed in soft fabrics, well why not recreate this at home to give your bedroom that boutique hotel feel? Throws on the bed and a soft fluffy rug can also add that glamourous look. Materials that add luxury include chenille, velvet, satin, and silk. 

Frame the window

Think of how you want to frame the window to add that luxurious touch. Curtains that are extra wide with plenty of material add that opulence you wish for.  A soft sheer net (yes nets are not just for grannies!) can be used for privacy. If you want that California beach look, wooden shutters can add that luxurious touch. They are also great to block out light for those light sleepers amongst you. 

Flooring is important

There is nothing like a soft high pile carpet under your feet for that living in luxury feel. If you are not a fan of carpet then herringbone wooden floorboards are a great alternative. Be sure to treat them to protect the wood and make the finish hard-wearing. You can always add a rug to soften the look. 

It's all in the fragrance 

Have you ever stayed in a hotel room and it smelt fabulous? Chances are they use a room fragrance for that fresh and clean smell. Some of the high-end hotels in Las Vegas for example are known to use a fragrance to add their unique fragrance and ambience to their hotel lobbies and rooms. Find a room spray or candle you love and use it in your bedroom. Of course, always be careful around candles and never sleep with them lit. 

So here are 7 ways to make your bedroom look and feel more luxurious.  Visit here to find out more about fitted bedrooms. 

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Easy Ways To Refresh Your Bedroom On A Budget

I don't know if you are like me but my bedroom is my sanctuary. It's where I go to get away from everything and of course it's where I go to get some sleep. I think we can all agree it's important for your bedroom to be a calm and relaxing environment. It's also nice for that environment to be fresh and inviting. You also don't need a massive budget to do this. If you are looking for ways to refresh your bedroom you can do it on a budget. Let's have a look at some tips and tricks and some easy ways to refresh your bedroom on a limited budget.

Declutter

bedroom

An easy way to refresh your bedroom without having to pay a penny is to declutter. Go through all your clothes, if you haven't worn the item in the last 12 months think, will you? Separate your clothes into wearing them again, give to charity and sell. You could make some extra money and sort out your closet too. Then look at all the trinkets, do you need them all. Decluttering your bedroom is one easy way to refresh it it just needs a time investment.

Invest in some bedding

Buying some new bedding is another easy way to refresh your bedroom. There are lots of companies out there that sell easy-care bedding. One such site is duvet covers of Guineys that sell a range of bedding including bedding for children and adults. I am a sucker for some nice floral bedding so when I need to refresh my bedroom I buy a new set.

Add some wall art

Wall art is an easy way of refreshing your bedroom on a budget. Ikea for example has a range of wall art that is very well priced. Or you could take a photograph and make it into wall art. There are plenty of websites that you can use to make your own photo into a personalised piece of wall art like Photobox, My Picture and Bonus Print, so check them out.

A lick of paint

A lick of paint can do wonders to make your bedroom feel fresh again. I am a big fan of simple white paint but other colours that work well in a bedroom include pale yellow or blue. White paint is almost always the cheapest though. Don't forget the woodwork and the ceiling too if you have the budget and the time.

Blinds or curtains

bedroom

Changing your blinds or curtains can make a big difference to your bedroom. Blackout blinds can improve your sleep and can be bought at a relatively reasonable price if you look around. If you have the skills you could make your own curtains too. Buying material to make curtains like this is a cost-effective way to have new curtains. 

Add a big mirror

For a useful and practical addition to a bedroom why not add a big mirror if you do not have one. If you shop around you can get one for a reasonable price in a budget home store like B and M bargain or Ikea, or why not browse Facebook selling groups to see if someone is selling a second-hand mirror nearby. Charity shops are worth a look too. Adding a big mirror to your bedroom helps to reflect the light and make the room look more spacious as well as being useful for when you are getting ready to go out. 

So these are some easy ways to refresh your bedroom on a budget. Do you have any ideas on how to refresh your bedroom on a budget? 

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Summer Bedroom Design Inspiration For You

Most of us spend many hours in our home. In fact, we have probably spent more hours there recently due to the situation in the world where many countries were in lockdown. If you have, then you may realise, staring at those four walls, that your home needs some design inspiration.  This is an ad.

I mean have you looked at your bedroom recently, I mean really looked at it? We spend many hours in there sleeping, relaxing and watching TV.  Is it looking a bit scruffy? Does your bedroom need a lick of paint or a new duvet? Maybe you need some new bedroom furniture. Well, I'm here to help. Let's have a look at some bedroom inspiration this summer for your home.

Nature-inspired decor


Nature-inspired decor which is focused on earthy tones, imperfect walls and floral designs dotted with plants is hot for this summer. You can be over the top in the flamboyance with this, or go subtle with clean chic lines, it's up to you. To enhance this aesthetic without breaking the bank, consider incorporating cheap bedroom sets that complement the natural theme. Whatever you decide, focus on the calming aspect of this look, you don't want it to be too fussy as you have to sleep in this room, don't you?

Eco-friendly designs

Eco-friendly designs are great for the environment and can fit into almost any bedroom decor but especially the nature-inspired look. Use upcycled furniture and rugs, reclaimed or sustainable wood, organic mattress and bedding and energy-efficient light bulbs. Plants again are a great idea to bring oxygen to a room and change the energy. There are so many eco-friendly furniture and furnishings available today, that you may be surprised!

Hotel designed boudoirs


With most of us not travelling at the moment then why not think about recreating that hotel bedroom experience at home? Do away with the old bedding and instead buy some new crisp sheets with a high thread count. Ensure everything is coordinated seamlessly. Bring that seaside look to your home with blues and greens. It's the finishing touches that matter in a hotel room so be sure to have those cushions, the clock radio and feature wall. You could even make a welcome tray with a kettle, china and your favourite tea, coffee and biscuits. It's those little touches that make it a hotel experience.

Streamlining Bedroom Storage

To maintain your luxury bedroom feel you should also consider, getting rid of any unwanted clutter and mess. Now, you can go wild and purge before having a spending splurge and investing in new stylish made to measure wardrobes, or storage and soft furnishings.

A little hint of chic with some imaginative designs and storage can really, help you create a bedroom they transport you to far off destinations, without all of the hassles of travelling - if only you could.

You could even weave your bedroom’s theme into your bedroom storage, try not to have too many items of furniture in your bedroom. Taking a minimalist approach and going for less is more, rather than having lots of unnecessary things that serve no purpose.

If you are a little unsure, buy a few magazines, or do a little research on the internet, there is no harm in looking after all. While you’re at home due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, you could have a little time to spend designing your dream bedroom and creating your plan on paper or your computer.

Taking this approach may save you time and money when it comes to creating your rooms look, it can also help get you creative, energised and ready to make a hotel-style bedroom to dream about future holidays.

Lovely luxe furnishings

We all want some luxury in our lives and following on from the lack of hotel stays on our lives at the moment, one of the trends this summer as mentioned previously is for a boudoir where we can relax in luxury. Large scale headboards or divans in a soft suede fabric like a soft suede grey divan bed will add drama and luxury to the room. A proper dressing table with a padded stool can add some French shabby chic. Buy the best bedding you can afford, get touchable soft furnishing and be sure to iron the sheets for that pristine luxury look.

So I hope I have given you some summer bedroom design inspiration. Let me know what you think of these looks. Does your bedroom need a makeover? Let me know.

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2020 Bedroom Interior Trend Predictions

So it's 2020 and you are looking to refresh your bedroom with the latest fabrics, colours and designs, but where do you start? Well,, I am here to help you. I've been analysing the latest interior trends from various online sources and magazines and have come up with my interior trend predictions for bedrooms this year. Read on to find out more. This is an advertorial.

Colour

Colour trends this year seem to be a mix of bold and with warm neutrals as a base. Bedroom colours are definitely more adventurous too. Ideal Home magazine suggests to stay away from cool colours and focus on warm neutrals like oatmeal and beige. Mix it in with block colours like royal blue or ruby. Add some metallics for a touch of glamour to make your bedroom really rock. Your bedroom will no longer be boring, it will be a beautiful bodacious boudoir instead. 

Sustainability


In 2019 the environment has never been far from people's thoughts and people are constantly looking for more eco-friendly home products. Many of the designer fairs are showcasing new products and brands that use reclaimed wood, bamboo products, organic cotton, recycled feather and down duvets. There are even hollow fibre duvets made from recycled PET bottles, how amazing is that. 2020 will focus on the environment more and as these products become more popular prices will come down too. So it's a win for the environment and a win for your pocket.

Soft materials


Hygge, the Danish word meaning cosy and content, is still a trend. Soft materials to make your bedroom cosy are always sort after, think distressed velvet, warm cashmere, strokable chenille, super soft bamboo materials and breathable organic cotton.  In bed designs, softness comes from upholstered bed frames and chenille scroll beds, adding extra glamour and a modern luxe look.  Nothing is hard, everything is soft and cosy, perfect for cuddling up with a loved one or even your pet dog or cat.

Glamour


As you can see throughout this point I have talked about glamorous bedrooms. This is a trend inspired by the 1920s and the Art Deco era. Art Deco rounded shapes influence bedroom furniture. Opulent fabrics are everywhere.  Rich tones such as opulent ochre, burnished gold, and dusty pink are the colours to get excited about this year.  Why not decorate your bedroom for Valentine's Day in these colours and celebrate with your loved one? You know you want to.

Shine

Glass and reflective materials add light to bedrooms. Metallic materials add reflective glamour too. Rose gold tones will be everywhere as well as copper and gold. Accessorise your room with a dressing table complete with an Art Deco-style mirror, gilt lined long-length mirrors, crystal bowls to hold your trinkets, sparkly glass pendants and twinkling chandelier lights. 

 So this is my 2020 bedroom interior trend predictions. What do you think of these trends? Do you like the art deco influences, what about the bold rich colours or do you prefer muted tones and calm tones?

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5 Reasons To Choose A Mid Sleeper Bed For Your Child

Choosing the right bed for your child can be a difficult process. Do you want a plain old simple divan or a bed frame with mattress, and, if you have more than one child, bunk beds may be an option - the choice is seemingly endless! However, why not consider a mid sleeper bed? These are great for children, whether they are really young or into their teens. Here’s why you should consider getting a mid sleeper for your child.

They’re fun
Ask any child what they want from their bed and you can guarantee something a little more exciting than your bog standard plain old bed will be on their list. They want their bed to be somewhere they can’t wait to go, to lay down and go adventuring in their dreams. Some have tents underneath which can be a den, or a house, or a tent or a palace in their imagination and these designs help inspire creativity. A mid sleeper bed fulfils their fun ambitions whilst also fulfilling exactly what you need it for - a place for them to sleep. Isn’t that what every parent wants?

They can help you to maximise space in the room

Mid sleepers are great for helping you maximise the space in a bedroom. Whilst it may not be needed in their younger years, older children will need a desk to do their homework at and that along with their bed and other bedroom furniture can take up an awful lot of room. A mid sleeper cabin bed with desk could be the perfect solution to this problem, giving you that little bit of space back that you didn’t have before. Forget a bedroom where you can barely move, have that extra space back!

They provide plenty of storage

Whilst helping to maximise space, they also provide plenty of storage for their stuff which is perfect especially if your child is in the box room. Many come with bookshelves and little cubby holes where different items such as toys, games or clothes can be stashed away. Whatever your child has a lot of, one of these beds will help with the storage problem for sure.

They can often convert

If required, most mid sleeper cabin beds can be converted into a single bed once your child has outgrown the fun side of it. This means that you effectively get two beds for the price of one so you will still get plenty more use out of it. That’s a great financial investment, wouldn’t you agree? Some can also convert to bunk beds if another child needs to move into the room which I think is a fantastic idea.

They can come in so many different designs

Mid sleeper beds come in many different exciting designs. Some are normal mid sleepers painted in a block colour, some have different patterns or colours on the bed frame. Some have tents underneath, some have desks and some have plenty of book storage. There are so many different designs to choose from that you and your child won’t know which one to pick!

Have you ever considered a mid sleeper bed for your child?

* Collaborative post
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How To Make The Most Of A Small Bedroom


Many of us live in a small space these days. Houses are more expensive than ever and space in cities is at a premium.

You may even be renting a bedroom and have shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, so it's important to make the most of the space available to you. Here are some ideas to make the most of a small bedroom.

Decorate in light colours



Use light colours on the walls to make the space look bright and airy. Avoid elaborate drapes, as simple blinds without fuss will add some chicness to the room and not look overly fussy.

It doesn't have to be all white though, tones of blues, greens and beige can all be used to create interest, just use bright colours sparingly for example on a duvet or scatter cushions and not on the walls.

Utilise lighting effectively

A small room can benefit from lots of lighting. Think of different ways to light the room, such as a mix of table lamps, downlights, uplights and spotlights for all purposes. 

You can then take the room from a working space to a cosy chill out space in next to no time. 

Be multi-functional





There are some cool multi-functional pieces of furniture around such as ottomans that can store bedding as well as being a seat or footstool, and sleek desks that also have shelving.

A small double divan bed with mattress and headboard can fit into the space perfectly whilst the under bed storage is useful for hiding away items you don't want on display.

Consider fitted units

Floor to ceiling fitted units can be a godsend in a small space. If you can't afford that what about making your headboard into drawers like in this article? Source a workman locally and you will get something unique for your home.

Mirrors can create an illusion


The old trick of using mirrors strategically can add an illusion of space and make it look as you have double the area. The bigger the mirror, the bigger the space will look. 

Fitting a mirror on a wall can work the best but having a free-standing mirror can also work if you are renting and can't attach anything to the wall. 

Curtains aren't just for windows

You can use curtains to divide a room, whilst giving some privacy too. Curtains can also be used to create a dressing area or divide a dining area from your sleeping area.

Wall mount your TV


Wall mounting your TV is a simple and effective idea that we expect in hotels these days so why not mount it on the wall? Again you may have to check if you can do this if you are renting but this is perfect when making the most of a small space as there is no need for a TV stand taking up room. 

While you are at it, think about subscribing to a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime too, and do away with the clutter of your old DVDs.

For more ideas about making the most of a small space, check out my article on storage solutions to get the most out of your small space. 

Do you have any ideas on how to make the most of a small space?

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6 Bedroom Storage Hacks

If your bedroom is a constant mess and you blame the fact that you don’t have enough space for everything, then perhaps you’re in need of some serious bedroom storage hacks, which is where this blog post comes in handy. 

I have teamed up with Happy Beds, the UK’s fastest growing online bed and mattress store, to create some handy tips on how to keep your mess completely organised. 

1. Invest in a storage bed
Storage beds are a great way to hide all of your mess, whilst still keeping it in one place. Rather than shoving everything under your bed and then spending ages taking everything out to find the one thing you’re looking for, ottoman beds help you stay organised and put everything into sections. Having one of these means you can lift up the top of the bed, making everything in the storage compartment easily accessible. 

2. Build shelves
Shelves are a great way to fill up wall space – especially corner shelves. Not only does it mean that you can display your photos or ornaments, but you will be able to make use of the corner of your bedroom when nothing else will fit. 

3. Bed organisers
I get it. You want a bedside table for your phone, a photo frame of a loved one and maybe somewhere to put your TV remotes. However, is this really a necessary piece of furniture? Why not invest in bed organisers? These work by sitting half under the bed and then the rest hanging out with multiple compartments – it does the same job, yet it is a lot more cost-effective and a little less large.

4. Make use of the door
Doors can become pretty handy when you use them in an innovative way. You can buy multiple storage pieces for doors; vertical handbag hangers, jewellery hangers and even shoe racks for the back of the door. These are extremely convenient, especially when space is at a premium, in box bedrooms for example!

5. Fold down desks

For those of you that are studying, or work from home and have a limited space, having a fold-down desk is a great option. Rather than having a clunky bit of furniture in the back of your bedroom, a fold down desk means you can access a desk when you need it, the rest of the time it can be free floor space.

6. Make storage boxes your best friend

Storage boxes are extremely convenient to keep you organised. They can be stored on top of cupboards, underneath beds and furniture and in whatever small spaces you can find. Add labels to these boxes so that you can easily decide which box to access, rather than hunting through them all. 

 Tell me do you use any storage hacks?

*In collaboration with Happy Beds
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