9 Tips For a Simple Bedroom Makeover | Sleep Hub

Your bedroom should be your sleep sanctuary. It’s where you go to relax and unwind after a jam-packed day. That’s why a simple bedroom is a great place to start and end the day, without distractions or tensions.

Sometimes we lose sight of this, and bedrooms can become cluttered, tired, and uninviting. In short, the last place you would want to sleep.

If this sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we explore some simple bedroom makeover ideas to keep your space feeling calming and clear.

Planning your simple bedroom makeover

You want your bedroom makeover to be enjoyable, beneficial, and stress-free. Therefore, every bedroom refresh should start with a plan.

First thing’s first, you’ll need to assess your current space. Question how your bedroom currently caters to your needs and your tastes. Does it visually reflect your personality? Is it a restful and calming space?

Is it too cluttered with decoration and accessories? Has storage taken over or is the space trying to do too much? All too often our bedrooms can become a dressing room, storage space and bedroom all in one, distracting from their main purpose – a place for restful sleep.

Have a think about what relaxes you and take room inspiration from places where you’ve felt most at ease. Think of holidays you’ve been on, spa days and walks in the forest.

Write a list of everything you need to do to create the space you want and tick things off as you go.

Bedding ideas for simple bedroom makeovers

One of the quickest and simplest ways to change up the look of your bedroom is to refresh your  bedding. This can make a huge difference to your space without the need for painting and decorating.

Serene green shades will create a comforting and relaxing feel, delicate pink nudes add a touch of sophistication while golds and yellows are an opulent choice.

Slim down your pillows

Additional throw pillows and cushions on your bed can make your bedroom feel a little cluttered, plus taking them off and putting them back on again is another job to add to your endless to-do list.

Two pillows per person is all you need to support your head, neck and shoulders while you sleep. It’s worthwhile  investigating the best pillows to support your sleeping position and give you a great night’s sleep.

Bespoke Collection Natural Feather Pillow

Simple colour schemes for your bedroom

Refreshing your bedroom walls with a lick of paint is a quick way to transform the space. These simple but effective colour schemes will keep your bedroom looking clean and contemporary.

Stay in neutral

Neutrals are the staple colour of natural bedroom décor. Warm whites, greys, beige and soft blush pinks can work really well. Neutral colours can also help to make your bedroom feel bigger, ideal if you are working with a small space.

If you want a warmer feel to your bedroom, try greys with warm undertones to give it a more cosy feel.

Keep your colour scheme simple

Simple is the magic word here, less is more when it comes to colour for a simple bedroom aesthetic. Keep the accent colours in your bedroom to no more than two shades which complement each other. This way your colour scheme will be calming rather than chaotic.

It’s all black and white

Ah, magical monochrome – the colour scheme that never goes out of style. Monochrome is a timeless example of a simple colour scheme which will keep your bedroom feeling minimalist.

For a more modern feel, add neutral and dark wood elements to your blacks and whites.

How to decorate your room with simple things

When it comes to simple bedroom ideas, less is more. You’ll need to think carefully about which accessories go well with your pared-back décor to ensure that your space doesn’t start to look cluttered.

Add mirrors to create light and space

Mirrors are a great way to add light to your bedroom, without taking up too much space or distracting the eye from the clean lines that you’ve tried to create.

A large mirror on your wall will reflect light in your bedroom and make it feel much more spacious – ideal if your bedroom is on the smaller side.

Accessorise with metallics

New metallics and industrial shades of metal is one of the hottest interior trends right now. Choose accents and pieces in gold, silver or brass finishes to really make a statement.

Display contemporary art

Forget the run of the mill prints and pictures and go for a piece of contemporary art to hand on your bedroom wall instead.

Abstract art is a great way to add colour to your bedroom without going overboard. Choose representation art if you prefer more realistic paintings of people or places. [1]

Add house plants

Green fingers at the ready! Clutter-free spaces can start to look a little too bare if you’re not careful. Bringing in a little life with some house plants is one of our favourite natural bedroom ideas.

As well as bringing some colour to your room, having plant life around actually creates a healthier environment too. In 1989, research by NASA found that house plants can reduce air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. [2]

Other research has shown that having plants in your house can help to reduce feelings of stress and tension as they remind us of the outdoors and nature.  [3] If there’s anywhere where you need less stress then it’s your bedroom. Reducing stress can help you to get a better night’s sleep.

Some of the best houseplants for your bedroom include lavender, lady palm, and rubber plants. [4]

Lighting in a simple bedroom

Lighting is an important element of bedroom décor which can sometimes be overlooked. For a simple bedroom aesthetic, choose lights that don’t distract from other elements of your décor and blend seamlessly in with your clean lines.

Try bedside lamps with glass bases, exposed bulbs and spotlights in the ceiling for subtle but effective lighting.

Warmer bulbs which are more yellow in colour can help with relaxation and getting to sleep, while adding dimmer switches can help you turn down the lights when it’s time for bed. [5]

Clearing the clutter

One thing that can quickly stop a bedroom from feeling like a simple, clear space, is too many things. Cast a critical eye around your bedroom and get rid of anything that isn’t conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Because your bedroom is all about providing a great place for you to sleep, the only things you really need in there are a bed and maybe a bedside table. Of course, not all of us have additional rooms to move things like storage into but there are things you can do to minimise or clean up the look of extra items.

Having everything on display can also make your room feel crowded and the space seem smaller. Are you able to put more things away in cupboards, or can you add more built-in storage to your bedroom?

Built-in wardrobes, or wardrobes which match your bedroom’s colour scheme are less intrusive options for storage and can appear almost invisible.

Not only is clutter a little unsightly but it can also keep you awake at night. Looking at things that need to be tidied before you go to sleep means that not only will your space be messy but your mind will be too.

Make sure you give your bedroom a good old tidy at least once a week and plan in a monthly deep clean to help you stay on top of the clutter.

You should aim to wash your sheets at least once a week too. Why? A study by the National Sleep Foundation found that people who wash their bedding and sheets regularly reported a 19% better rest at night than those who neglected the hygiene of their bedding. [6]

READ MORE: For more tips, check out our guide to looking after your bedding.

FAQs

What are some budget-friendly ways to refresh my bedroom?

Refreshing your bedroom on a budget is easy and can be done with just a handful of simple changes:

• Paint a feature wall: Add a pop of colour with a shade that complements your existing bedroom design.
• Buy new bedding: Swap out your old bedding for a brand new sheet, some pillowcases, and a duvet cover.
• Add a few scatter cushions and  a throw: Add some instant colour and texture to your bedroom with some vibrant softs.
• Rearrange furniture: Changing the layout is a cost-free way to achieve a fresh look in your bedroom.
• Use art or photos: Hang some new art or create a DIY photo gallery to inject some personality into your sleep space.

How can I make my small bedroom look bigger?

If you want to make a small bedroom appear larger, here are our top tips:

• Use lighter colours: Light coloured walls and bedding give your bedroom an airy feel that should make it look and feel more spacious.
• Add some mirrors: As mirrors reflect light, they have the unique ability to give the illusion of more space.
• Choose multi-functional furniture: Beds with storage, ottoman storage benches, and other dual-purpose pieces can help you save space in a smaller bedroom.
• Keep it clutter-free: Minimalist décor and a well-organised storage system can help you to maintain that feeling of openness in your bedroom.
• Take advantage of vertical space: Shelves and tall furniture draw the eye upward which can help a small bedroom feel much bigger.

Are there any easy DIY projects for a bedroom makeover?

Here are a some easy DIY projects that you can use to makeover your bedroom:

• Build some floating shelves: Floating shelves create additional storage for you to display personal items.
• Make your own custom curtains: If you're a bit handy with a need and thread, sewing your own curtains is a great wat to add a personalised touch to your bedroom.
• Upcycle old furniture: Rather than getting rid of old furniture, give it a new lease of life with a fresh coat of paint or gloss.
• Craft wall art: Have a go at designing your own pieces of art to hang on your bedroom walls. 

How can I tie a theme into my bedroom design?

Giving your bedroom a theme can achieve a cohesive design. To introduce a theme, here are our top tips:

• Choose a colour scheme: Base your bedroom colour palette on the theme you have in mind be it coastal vibes with blues and whites; a nature theme using greens and natural wooden furniture; or an air of romance with pale pinks and lilacs.
• Match your décor: Pick out accessories that tie in with your bedroom theme. For example, nautical accessories would work well with a beach theme, or house plants are a must in a nature inspired bedroom.
• Don't forget about textures and patterns: Mix and match fabrics and patterns to your theme too. 
• Keep the style consistent: Choose items of furniture and décor that are consistent with style of your theme. 
• Finish it off with a few personal touches: Add items that are unique to you. But remember that they should still fit the theme.

What lighting works best to create a cosy bedroom atmosphere?

When it comes to bedroom ambience, lighting is key. To create a bedroom atmosphere that's cosy and inviting, you'll need:

• Soft ambient lighting: Dimmable ceiling lights or lamps enable you to adjust the amount of lighting to the time of day.
• Warm bulbs: Avoid bulbs that give off stark, bright-white light. Choose bulbs that emit a warm, soft glow instead.
• Fairy lights: Fairy lights add a touch of whimsy that is both welcoming and warm.
• Task lighting: Bedside lamps or reading lights that can be used for specific tasks (such as reading before bed) are also important.
• Natural light: Consider using sheer curtains. These curtains can be used to filter the amount of natural light that pours into your bedroom during the day.

Storage solutions in the ultimate simple bedroom

We’ve already talked a bit about storage so far but for the ultimate simple bedroom, consider some hidden storage options. Although the primary function of your bed is to sleep in (of course!), you might as well use the space below it to clear away some of your things.

A divan bed is one which comes with storage drawers in the base of the bed. These can be pulled out so that you can easily access what’s inside at any time.

Ottoman beds are another option for stylish storage. With this type of bed, the mattress lifts up so that the whole of the underneath of the bed base can be easily accessed. This gives you plenty of space to store things out of sight.

A bed with underbed storage is a great place to put things like extra sheets and towels as well as seasonal clothing. Just be sure not to overload the drawers, we know it’s tempting!

SOURCES

[1] https://www.contemporaryartissue.com/what-are-the...

[2] https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930073077

[3] https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/health-fitness...

[4] https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-id...

[5] https://www.idealhome.co.uk/bedroom/bedroom-ideas...

[6] https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/life/reasons-you-w...