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We interviewed Tracy Duncan and Naomi Astley Clarke, two acclaimed interior designers, and have the latest on what you need to make your bedroom a trendy area.
From panelling to pendant lighting and upgraded storage, here are the 10 modern bedroom ideas they shared with us and the must-haves worth buying.
Read more: Upgrade your bathroom here
‘Panelling is an easy way to update your bedroom,’ Duncan, a Decorbuddi interior designer, tells Best Buys. And if you’re not sure where to start, she told us that ‘Wainscotting is perfect for a feature wall behind a bed.’
As well as adding texture to a wall, panelling can give a lacklustre space some newfound character. Some wainscoting can even make a room feel bigger and more inviting.
‘Available from any good DIY store,’ according to Duncan, here are two options she likes.
Measuring 915 x 516 millimetres, this panel comes with a natural wood grain effect. Lining a few pieces against a feature wall is a wonderfully easy way to add some charm and rustic flair to your bedroom.
The panel is moisture-resistant and can even be painted if you already have a colourway you’re trying to adhere to.
Duncan describes this piece as ‘something a bit different and special.’
With a real wood veneer and a smoked oak finish, this panelling adds some richness and drama to your space. It's also sound absorbing, which can help contain noise to your bedroom, is fire resistant and is made from environmentally friendly materials, too boot.
‘Natural natural natural,’ says Clarke, an interior designer with her own established design practice.
‘This year people are going to be using more natural fabrics in the bedroom, such as wools, linens and cotton.
‘Neutral tones, which never go out of favour, are very much in the fore, yet this palette will be broken up with bold patterns on furnishings and artworks.’
Perfect for use in upholstery and curtains, this linen and viscose blend fabric is a lovely way to add some fun to your bedroom. Its honeycomb pattern and grey colourway are unique but not overpowering.
The fabric can be bought by the metre.
Made from a divine wool-cashmere blend, this soft furnishing can be incorporated into your space easily.
It’s a simple and chic way to elevate your bedroom but will also keep you snuggly during the colder months, and can conveniently be carried into your living room for cosy couch time as needed.
‘Pendant lighting hanging down beside the bed or on the walls creates a hotel-like feel,’ says Duncan.
And if you’re looking to create atmosphere with your light set-up, she recommends opting for ‘layered lighting that combines pendants and wall lights’.
‘From a practical perspective,’ she adds, ‘this bedroom idea gives you more space on your bedside tables.’
According to Duncan, ‘pooky offers great design-led lighting at reasonable prices.’
This marshmallow pink scalloped lampshade instantly caught our eye. The feminine colour and pretty linen finish are brilliant for softening your space while creating some brightness.
We love the domed silhouette and industrial-esque design where light spills from the top and bottom of this shade. The piece is a great alternative to the more conventional floor lamps or desk lights.
Its sleek lines and lichen hue are perfect for adding some light to a modern-style room.
According to Clarke, ‘Patterns have become more organic and less geometric, or even a sort of marriage of both, in some way reflecting the natural world to create a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom.’
Boasting a wooden finish and mother-of-pearl inlay, this distinctive mirror keeps your space neutral while adding some dimension to it.
The arched mirror would look perfect above a dressing table or even placed in a bathroom if it isn’t quite right for your bedroom.
Decorating your bed with some throw pillows is an easy way to introduce new textures and patterns into your room.
This cover (that comes in both a square and rectangle shape) is made from linen, is bursting with warm tones and has an eye-catching yet simple pattern.
One of Duncan’s top bedroom decor ideas is ‘updating your headboard with a beautiful shape or printed fabric.’
‘Shaped headboards, in particular, are a key trend right now,’ she says. ‘They add personality, wow factor and up-to-the-minute style.’
We love the scalloped silhouette and deep vertical lines on this Silentnight headboard.
It's been upholstered by hand and comes with padding to keep you comfortable as you sit up in bed reading or watching TV.
The headboard is available in a range of shades from charcoal to pink and ebony — the choice is yours.
For a patterned yet natural-feeling headboard, you can’t go wrong with this option from Dunelm.
Its wicker has been woven to form a panel design that is eye-catching without feeling overbearing on the room.
The neutral hue will pair well with any bed frame or bed linen, too.
‘A big trend for this year is crisp and clean spaces, but not remotely clinical,’ says Clarke.
And the key to making this style work is the furnishings and accessories you choose to complement your crisp decor.
‘Timber floors and linen curtains should be broken up with sculptural furnishings, metals, crystal, marble and stone finishes, graphic rugs and cosy blankets. Huge indoor plants in vintage urns can also bring height and depth.’
Investing in this simple yet unique vase is a brilliant way to introduce some crisp, minimal accents to your space.
Despite its striking white hue, the vase doesn’t feel overly clinical thanks to its 100% stoneware composition which adds a bit of texture and depth to the piece.
This chic side table is perfect for positioning by low-standing beds.
While it does have harsh edges and lines, these can be broken up with a stack of colourful books or some soft lighting.
When considering what storage options you’d like to have in your bedroom, Duncan suggests going for ‘wardrobes with modern materials.
‘They’re no longer just simple shaker and traditional cupboard styles. Modern wardrobe fronts can be made of hessian and decorative materials to reflect your style.’
In a neutral cream hue, this wardrobe is a luxurious addition to any bedroom that won’t feel overbearing in your space.
We like its clean-line aesthetic and the simple pocket handles on the doors.
Hand-painted in dreamy blues and greens, this wardrobe is the perfect piece for making a statement. It's made from mango wood and has a satin finish which gleams beautifully when natural light pours into your bedroom.
It comes with shelves and space for hanging your clothes which makes it a versatile piece of storage.
‘I love hand-painted wall coverings,’ says Clarke. ‘Whether bespoke pieces or more generic, nothing quite beats a decorated wall for a bedroom. We are seeing more walls with sharp, beautiful and uplifting designs.’
If hand-painting a wall isn’t an option for you, there are plenty of wallpaper options you can invest in to create the same effect as Clarke’s preferred bedroom wall decor idea.
Featuring hand-drawn birds and trees, this pearlescent wallpaper is a wonderful way to incorporate some calm and serenity into your space.
The piece could easily be incorporated into a bedroom as feature wall art as the neutral tones would go so easily with your current decor set-up.
For an elegant, more romantic feel, opt for this peony-themed wallpaper from Designers Guild.
We love its soft tones and bold strokes of green that will add some fun to an already sophisticated bedroom.
According to Duncan, ‘Warmer, earthier and cocooning natural colours are currently of the moment.
‘Gentle and romantic colour schemes have always been popular but now they are becoming much earthier and more natural than ever before as we generally want to feel grounded and connected to nature.’
‘Inspired by the natural world’, this paint shade has been crowned Dulux’s colour of 2023.
It's a warm gold shade that comes with soft green undertones and is capable of making bland rooms glow.
Neutral colour palettes are perfect for the bedroom as they can have a calming effect on the mind and body.
‘Coat Paints offer a beautiful range of neutrals and earthy tones,’ says Duncan. ‘The sustainable paint is made to order, in modern muted shades.’
A cool pink with a subtle shine, Granny Chic is a colour that instantly caught our eye. We love its slightly feminine undertones but still neutral overall feel.
‘Cosy comfort and warmth are the words of the year,’ explained Clarke.
‘In this uncertain world, our homes are our security blankets; creating guilt-free and unconditionally relaxing bedrooms is key.’
Create a warm, homely atmosphere with this lavish candle from Beauty Pie. It comes with delightfully intriguing notes of orange, blackcurrant, grapefruit and even a hint of chilli.
Made in France, the candle has a 60-hour burn time.
The burnt orange jar will look fabulous on a bedside table or atop a vanity.
When it comes to styling a bedroom or spare room that’s limited in space, Duncan had a few points well worth considering.
‘It's important to think about style and comfort combined with space-saving solutions, such as ottoman beds, built-in wardrobes and wall-mounted lighting.
‘Consider playing with scale to really make a focal point out of the most important item in the room — the bed. Custom-shaped headboards can add drama and impact to a small space.
‘Keeping to a neutral layered palette across varying textures also helps to give the feeling of space and luxury.’
Clarke told us that ‘A master should be a restful sanctuary. The bedroom design should promote guilt-free and unconditionally relaxed living in a beautiful atmosphere. Think crisp white bedding with a floral headboard and matching curtains.
‘Or alternatively, consider a showstopping wallpaper. I love covering a space in a vivid garden scene, filled with whimsical oriental birds and flowering plum blossom trees — there is something very calming about bringing the outside in.
‘Always invest in a top-of-the-range sprung mattress and high-quality joinery so that you have space for all your things to be out of sight, you won’t regret it.’
From natural materials to organic patterns and warm colours, the exciting ideas from our interior designers are sure to make your bedroom feel like a stylish sanctuary.
Some of our favourite pieces mentioned in this round-up include The White Company Cashmere Throw — for its luxurious feel, the John Lewis Domed Pendant Lighting — for its sleek yet quirky design and Anthropogie’s chic Madeira Rug which elevates the cosy levels of any room.
Tracy Duncan is an interior designer who trained at the prestigious, world-renowned KLC School of Design. She currently works at Decorbuddi, a brand that puts clients at the centre of its interior design. Tracy is ‘a true believer in the power that beautiful interiors have to transform everyday life.’
Naomi Astley Clarke, a London-based luxury interior designer, has over 25 years of industry experience. Her clientele includes celebrated film stars, producers, music moguls and more. She is also a member of The British Institute of Interior Design and a BIID Registered Interior Designer.
Prices updated on 03/07/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Lover of bargains, dupes and deals, Ava Patel obsessively researches and tests the products she writes about so you can be sure you’re spending your money wisely. She’s a trustworthy and reliable go-to when it comes to fashion, beauty and homeware trends.
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