The Most Important Thing We Want From Our Bedroom
Rachel MarshallOur bedroom should be our sanctuary – a place of calm where we go to rest, unwind, and recharge.
But in reality, bedrooms often become a play area for our kids, a home office, or sometimes just somewhere to store our never-ending ironing pile.
So, what are we really using our bedroom for? Is it just a room to sleep in, or does it need to offer us much more?
We conducted a survey of 500 people across the UK to find out what they think is the most important thing for a bedroom to have, and what, if any, changes they would like to make to their own room.
What are we using our bedroom for?
A place to relax and snooze
It may not surprise you to learn that most people we surveyed say they use their bedrooms primarily for sleeping, (a) and as a place to relax and unwind most nights. (b) When we view our bedrooms as a haven, they offer us the perfect place to escape to when the rest of the house feels busy and chaotic.
However, it does seem that we prefer to use our bedrooms for quality time on our own. When we asked married people how often they use their bedrooms as a place to reconnect and get intimate with their partners, more than 20% said never! (c)
Studying and working
For many, working from home has become the norm. As a result, we’ve had to find room in our homes to squeeze in an office chair, desk, and computer. For some, this has meant turning their bedroom into a multi-purpose area where they not only sleep and rest, but also work.
Our survey results reveal more men than women are currently using their bedrooms as a place of work. 18% of males say they use their bedroom as a home office three to four days per week, compared with just over 7% of females. (d)
And it was also a common occurrence amongst those living in Greater London, as more than 10% say they use their bedroom as a home office every day of the week, compared to just over 5% of those in the Northwest of England. (e)
And it’s not just working we’re doing – 23% of those surveyed said they use their bedroom as a study space three to four days a week. (f)
Working out
When we need to fit in a quick workout, but don’t have the time to get to the gym, our bedrooms provide a convenient (and more private) alternative.
More than 33% of those between 25 and 34 say they use their bedroom as a place to exercise at least three to four days per week. However, this proved less popular amongst older adults - only 2% of those aged 55 and over report doing the same. (g)
Watching TV
Dozing off in bed to our favourite TV show is something we’re all guilty of from time to time, but it seems this is a regular occurrence for many.
On average, those we surveyed watch TV in their bedroom at least two nights a week. (h)
It seems this is particularly popular with those who are single. More than 23% of single people surveyed say they use their bedroom for watching TV at least three to four nights a week, compared with just over 10% of those who are married. (i)
What do we actually want from our bedroom?
A tidy and peaceful space
Everyone will have their own ideas of what makes a bedroom peaceful and relaxing for them, but most of those we surveyed agree that it’s important for a bedroom to be quiet and tidy. (j)
It can be challenging to achieve a peaceful and calm bedroom when you have kids running around or are using your bedroom as a home office, but there are things you can do to make it as tranquil as possible.
Trying to reduce outside noise as much as possible, disconnecting from our devices when we can, and de-cluttering can all help make our bedrooms feel more spacious and create a more calming environment to relax and unwind.
A child-free zone
More than 10% of males surveyed say they want their bedrooms to be child-free zones. (k) While it might not be entirely realistic to stop your little ones from crossing the threshold, there are things you can do to make your bedroom as child-free as possible. For example, make sure there is plenty of storage in your child’s room for toys and other play materials so that these items don’t find their way into your bedroom.
Lots of natural light
More than 10% of those living in Greater London say having natural light in a bedroom was their top priority. (l) Interestingly, this region also had the highest number of people using their bedrooms as home offices, which would explain their desire to have as much natural light as possible.
If you use your bedroom to work or study, you could try adding mirrors to your room or opting for a paler colour palette to help maximise the light you have. (1)
What changes would you love to make?
More storage
More than 18% of those surveyed said they would like to make their bedroom bigger, and 21% said they would like to add additional storage (m).
While it may not be possible to extend the size of your room, there are plenty of ways to maximise space.
Ottoman storage boxes are fantastic places to keep larger, bulkier items, such as blankets and spare bedding, or somewhere to store shoes or winter clothes during the summer. They also look great when placed under the window or at the foot of the bed.
Wardrobes with additional drawers, bedside tables and chests of drawers are also brilliant ways to add extra storage depending on the room you have available.
If you use your bedroom to workout or study, ottoman beds or divan beds with drawers are brilliant for hiding exercise and office equipment when they’re not in use.
A comfortable bed
More than 22% of adults aged between 25 and 34 say they would love to have a bigger, more comfortable bed. (n)
Not every bedroom will have the space for a super king or even king-sized bed, but that doesn’t mean you should compromise on comfort. We have a range of mattresses available in various sizes, including memory foam, pocket sprung and orthopaedic.
And if you do have space for a larger bed, we have a wide range of luxurious king and super king-sized beds for you to choose from, including the elegant Penelope Upholstered Ottoman bed , and our contemporary Sealy Sanctuary Oasis divan.
Shop Penelope Ottoman Bed Frame
Shop Sealy Sanctuary Oasis Divan Bed Set
If watching TV in bed is a must for you, we also have a fantastic range of TV beds, such as the Legend Upholstered Smart 4K TV bed frame , which is available in double, king and super king.
Shop Legend Upholstered Smart 4K TV Bed
Space to get ready
Almost 18% of those aged 45 to 54, said they would like to have an area of their bedroom entirely dedicated for getting ready. (o)
If you have the room, investing in a dressing table with a chair or stool and adding a mirror creates the ideal place for you to do your hair, put your make-up on, and check your outfit. It also gives you somewhere stylish to store all your cosmetics, hair products, and jewellery.
A change of colour palette
More than 13% of those surveyed say if they could change one thing about their bedroom, it would be the colour. (p)
Interior design trends come and go, and it’s natural to want to update your bedroom décor regularly. If you’d like to give your bedroom a refresh, take a look at our recent article where we explored which colours may help you get the best sleep.
If your bedroom needs updating, we can help. With the your bed, your way® service, you can build your bed from the base up. First, choose the size and type of mattress you want and the comfort rating you need, then select a bed base or frame, headboard, and feet from a wide selection of styles, colours, and fabrics to create the bedroom makeover of your dreams.
Sources
a)328 of 500 people surveyed answered ‘every day or night of the week’ when asked ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom for sleeping each week?’
b)158 of 500 people surveyed said ‘every day or night of the week’ when asked ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom as a place to relax and unwind each week?’
c)42 of 201 people surveyed who were married answered ‘never’ when asked, ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom for being intimate each week?’
d)45 of 246 males surveyed answered ‘3-4 days or nights per week’ when asked ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom as a home office each week?’ compared to 20 of 254 females surveyed who gave the same response.
e)7 of 66 people surveyed living in Greater London answered ‘every day or night of the week’ when asked ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom as a home office each week?’ compared to 3 of 55 people surveyed living in Northwest England who gave the same response.
f)15 of 65 people surveyed answered ‘3-4 nights per week’ when asked ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom as a study space each week?’
g)29 of 87 people surveyed aged 25 to 34 answered ‘3-4 days or nights per week’ when asked ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom as a place to workout/exercise each week?’ compared to 5 of 193 people surveyed aged 55 and over who gave the same response.
h)When we asked ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom as a place to watch TV each week?’ 2.57 was the mean number of nights per week from the 500 people surveyed.
i)30 of 128 people surveyed who were single answered ‘3-4 days or nights per week’ when asked ‘On average, how often, if at all, do you use your bedroom as a place to watch TV each week?’ compared to 21 of 201 people surveyed who were married who gave the same response.
j)25.40% (127 of 500) people surveyed answered ‘a quiet room’ and 16.80% (84 of 500) people surveyed answered ‘a tidy room’ when asked ‘What, if anything, is most important for you in a bedroom?’
k)25 of 246 males surveyed answered ‘I would keep it a child-free zone’ when asked ‘What, if any, changes would you make to your bedroom, if you could?’
l)7 of 66 people surveyed from Greater London answered ‘lots of natural light’ when asked ‘What, if anything, is most important for you in a bedroom?’
m)91 of 500 people surveyed answered ‘I would make my bedroom bigger’ and 108 of 500 people surveyed answered ‘I would add additional storage’ when asked ‘What, if any, changes would you make to your bedroom, if you could?’
n)20 of 87 people surveyed aged 25 to 34 answered ‘I would change my bed to one that is comfier/bigger’ when asked ‘What, if any, changes would you make to your bedroom, if you could?’
o)14 of 78 people surveyed aged between 45 and 54 answered ‘I would like somewhere I could get ready/dressing room space’ when asked ‘What, if any, changes would you make to your bedroom, if you could?’
p)68 of 500 people surveyed answered ‘I would change the colour of my bedroom’ when asked ‘What, if any, changes would you make to your bedroom, if you could?’
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