Room Series: Bedroom

The bedroom is a space where you come to find comfort and to rejuvenate from the demands of daily life. It should be a relaxing sanctuary where you can retreat at the end of a long day and wake up feeling refreshed and positive the next morning.

As the most personal space in the home, the bedroom should also be a true reflection of individual style. Colour is key to this and has the power to evoke different emotions when used well in a bedroom.

From application to finding the right palette, whether that’s soft neutrals for a calming effect or rich tones for a sense of warmth and cosiness, a fresh coat of paint can take a bedroom scheme from tired to terrific in no time.

When it comes to choosing colours for the bedroom, consider both aesthetics and ambience. From injecting a boost of energy for morning invigoration to creating a cosseting feeling, colour has the power to instil mood instantly. As a rule of thumb warm colours add energy; cool hues create a more calming atmosphere; saturated colour will wrap you in a cosy environment while pale shades conjure an airy feel.

Muted hues are a modern twist on the traditional neutral and are a failsafe choice to take you from season to season while always feeling elegant. These soft and subdued hues exude a sense of tranquillity and work particularly well in bedrooms when combined with crisp white trim, plus textural velvets and cashmere to create an enveloping ambience. Colours such as olive green, dusty rose and earthy plum are a perfect starting point to achieve this mood, they have a casual liveability at their core and are timeless favourites.

Reminiscent of a summer sky, light blue used on a ceiling will create a feeling of fresh air in the room as well as drawing the eye up to give the illusion of a larger space. Likewise, opting for a playful combination of pastels tones on walls and the ceiling will evoke a light feel that works particularly well in smaller bedrooms to add instant character and open up the room.

Alternatively for a statement look use a bold colour such as rich ochre on the ceiling, alongside white walls. The high level of contrast offers a dramatic feel and works exceptionally well in a room with high ceilings. Consider a higher finish such as semi-gloss or high-gloss to bring reflection and dimension to the slightly darker spaces.

Consider painting panelling or exposed brickwork for added texture and depth in a bedroom. Highlighting these architectural elements creates rustic charm and will transform a plain wall into a centrepiece.

Opt for colours that take their cue from the tones of mid-century abstract art. Bold yet gently dialled down from full saturation, they produce a confident but liveable decorative backdrop and don’t overcomplicate the textural details of panelling or brickwork. To ensure the scheme feels tied together subtly match the wall colours to your chosen fabrics in curtains, bedding and headboards.

Monochromatic Moment

Simple, clean and classic, white is a timeless choice that has the power to make a bedroom feel spacious and fresh. While some might consider it plain, white has the power to create a refuge for busy minds, making it an excellent choice for bedrooms where a sense of calm is paramount. For a feeling of grandeur, opt for a colour drenching scheme in one shade where the ceiling, walls, bed andsoft furnishings all create a feeling of being deeply immersed from the moment you step into the room.

Choosing a white that is gently infused with a hint of warmth will ensure a calming presence whilst enhancing a minimal and contemporary look that will age gracefully.

It’s important to remember when decorating kids’ bedrooms that it needs to be a calming space when it comes to bedtime as well as having a sense of fun to support their growing imaginations. Opt for colours that are associated with peaceful environments such as soft pinks, sky blues or sage green. They create a soothing atmosphere, promoting a sense of security when the little ones need to settle down. These paler tones also work perfectly to create a blank canvas where you can accessorise with bolder, more personalised colours through decorative accessories and furniture as they inevitably change their tastes over the years.

Adding a splash of paint is an ideal solution when updating a bedroom to create an expensive look for less. Paint walls in a tranquil hue to set a restful mood then inject pops of colour to lift the look to the next level. Highlighting architectural elements such as the picture rail in an eye-catching colour will instantly elevate the space with minimal effort. This injection of colour paired with matching bedding or accessories brings a professionally ‘designed’ vibe to the scheme and provides a visual anchor for the rest of the space. It’s such a small thing and so easy to achieve, but the impact is dramatic.