SOURCE: Pamela Lynn Interiors
When summer ends most of us feel like we have to be pulled back indoors. After endless long summer nights now we’re seeing the evening become dark earlier and we know it’ll soon be dark by 4pm. The easiest way to make the transition feel more exciting is by creating a comfortable haven within your home that becomes your very favourite place to be. If you live alone that quiet haven could be any room in the house. If you have a family you might feel like there’s nowhere you can go to escape but maybe the best spot is one you already use daily. Your bedroom is already set up for comfort but with just a few small tweaks you can create a space that becomes your favourite room in the house.
10 Ways to Create a Bedroom Retreat
One way to create a comfortable space in your home is to focus on the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. When these senses are optimized we feel our best and it’s so easy to focus on this when it comes to a bedroom. Here’s how you can satisfy all five of your senses and create the retreat you’re craving:
1/ Focus on the Bed First
SOURCE: Pamela Lynn Interiors
If you want to create a comfortable retreat where you can truly recharge your batteries you need to focus on comfort first. Just as we emphasize having a comfortable sofa and chairs in your living room, the bed should be something that feels like luxury to you. If it doesn’t you’ll avoid this space so start with comfort in mind.
Always start with the very best mattress you can afford. We all need to respect our own individual budgets but there are enough options that you’ll find an outstanding mattress at every price point. Your mattress and bed frame become the foundation of your comfort so splurge here before anywhere else.
When selecting a bed frame, consider how you want to use the space. You may love the look of the low profile, contemporary bed frame but will there be enough back support? Think about how you’ll use the space and shop accordingly.
2/ Natural Materials
SOURCE: Maia Homes
Once the foundation is established it’s time to start adding the layers to your bed. Pillows, sheets, duvet and a blanket is everything you’ll need. You can find these items anywhere but try to focus on natural materials when possible.
There is a huge difference between natural materials like cotton and linen versus a synthetic material like polyester. A down duvet and a linen duvet cover may sound decadent but will provide more comfort than a polyester option. Natural materials are body regulating meaning they can both warm you up and cool you down. If you want to really engage your sense of touch, natural materials are an absolute must for your sanctuary.
3/ Set the Mood With Lighting
SOURCE: Plank and Pillow
Now that the bed is complete it’s time to focus on lighting. If you only have an overhead light in your room it will be hard to create the ambience you’re looking for in a retreat-like space. If you need to learn more about lighting, I’ve created a home lighting guide you can read here.
Table lamps can create a mood more effectively than overhead lighting. I always opt for tri-light lamps in the bedroom because they can be adjusted according to your needs that day.
And of course, no bedroom retreat is complete without candles. There’s just something so magical about the flicker of candlelight so stock up on your favourites. This will also be deeply satisfying to your sense of smell so always buy candles that deliver a smell that resonates with you.
4/ Use Paint to Create a Mood
SOURCE: Pamela Lynn Interiors
Most of us are aware of how significantly paint affects our mood and we need to pay particular attention when picking a paint colour for our bedroom. What’s the feeling you’re trying to evoke?
I’ve rarely (if ever) met a client that wanted their bedroom to feel energetic. Most of us use words like spa, retreat, comfort and luxury when describing goals for our bedroom. Use colours that feel soothing to you because your sense of sight is going to be inundated with wall colour so make it work to your advantage. If you need help with selecting a paint colour I’ve gathered 15 of my favourite paint colours for the bedroom which you can review here.
5/ Bring the Texture
SOURCE: Etsy
One of the most overlooked details when it comes to decorating any space in our homes is texture. This is less about the tactile aspect of it and more to do with the visual appreciation. We have a sensory experience when texture is introduced that feels comforting but also elevating at the same time.
Our bedrooms are absolutely filled with opportunities to include texture. A faux fur blanket, a woven basket, a textured planter filled with an interesting plant and books with interesting spines are all examples of how easy it is to add texture. Once you start introducing these small additions you’ll see your space come to life.
6/ Invest in Storage
SOURCE: Vibrant & Cozy
One of the main reasons we don’t use our bedrooms as a sanctuary is because these spaces are often where we dump our I’ll-deal-with-it-later items. There’s no way to create a calming space with clutter around us so that needs to be dealt with.
The most obvious place for storing things is our closet but if your closet only has a hanging bar it’ll be useless for much other than hanging clothes. It might be time to install some closet storage so that you can incorporate some much needed shelving into the room.
If your closet is already full and you’re still surrounded with clutter you might need to invest in some beautiful storage pieces. Look for pieces that coordinate with the rest of your space but also take a back seat. Statement pieces aren’t necessary when you’re creating a calm retreat. Instead, opt for simple, sleek pieces that are unfussy but offer lots of storage hidden behind doors. The doors can hide all the chaotic mess without it interfering with your aesthetic. And always invest in nightstands that have storage. We all need somewhere for the ear plugs and lip gloss that we need close by.
7/ Don’t Forget the Windows
SOURCE: Curtainza
We need blinds or curtains to keep the light out when we’re sleeping but window coverings can offer a lot more than just functionality. They can be beautiful and become a big part of your bedroom’s ambience.
Your window coverings will be dictated by your surroundings and your needs but privacy, light exposure and aesthetics are the main factors to consider. Does your window look into a neighbour’s window? Do you need blackout blinds to block east facing morning light? Start by getting the functionality right but don’t forget it can look great as well.
Long panels at the side of your windows creates visual interest, texture and colour. Even if blinds are more functional, consider adding panels to create an instant mood in your space.
8/ Accessories for Additional Comfort
SOURCE: Pamela Lynn Interiors
Now it’s time to really think about what brings you joy since this is your retreat. Maybe it’s additional pillows, a bookcase filled with your favourite books or family and travel photos adorning your walls. These additional pieces are going to take this from a beautiful bedroom to a beautiful bedroom that reflects you.
Never overlook these details because the comfort you’re craving is often found in the small or large treasures that are truly beautiful and meaningful to us. Be sure you’re surrounded in what you consider beauty and this will be a space you always want to get back to.
9/ Ditch the TV and Bring the Music
SOURCE: Pinterest
One of the best ways we can create comfort and turn down the stimulation is by leaving the tv in the living room or family room. Our bedrooms need to feel like an escape from the outside world so replace the tv with a good sound system and focus on music. This can be just a portable speaker so it doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.
Listening to good music is such an excellent way to create a mood and appeal to our sense of sound. If you truly want to embrace a retreat-like space, create a playlist filled with your favourite songs that you only listen to when you’re in this space. It’ll feel like a treat that you can share with yourself daily.
10/ Have a Secret Stash
SOURCE: Casey Leigh
Finally, we’re addressing our sense of taste. No retreat would be truly complete without a small stash of treats that appeal to you. If you don’t want to bring food into your space you can enjoy a tea, a glass of wine or a mocktail. If you’re truly wanting to indulge the senses you can keep a box of your favourite chocolates in your nightstand and indulge as you see fit. And of course, there’s no sharing because this is the one opportunity you have to focus just on you.
I hope this helps you start to feel excited about creating your bedroom retreat. We all need a place to unwind and restore so what are you waiting for?
If you need help designing your retreat, reach out to me. I’d love to discuss what you’re hoping to build and share with you how I can help.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
