Simple bedroom design, seven easy tips for a calm room

A simple bedroom does not need much: a quiet colour scheme, a few well-chosen pieces of furniture and somewhere to put everything away. Seven things to decide, roughly in order.

Start with a soft, neutral colour scheme

Soft whites, greys, beiges or pastel tones calm the room and make it feel larger and more open. Keep the walls and the biggest pieces of furniture inside that range, then add colour through things that are easy to change later: cushions, a rug, a piece of artwork. The bedroom above does exactly this: cream bed, pale quilt, grey curtains, light wood dressing table, with the brass mirror frame and the pendant as the only accents.

Fewer pieces of furniture, with clean lines

In a simple bedroom, less is more. A bed frame with clean lines, a side table you actually use and one comfortable chair are enough. Every extra item makes the room feel smaller. In the photo, a round pouf tucked under the dressing table does the job of a chair in almost no space.

Build the storage in

An organised bedroom is a peaceful one. Choose furniture that doubles as storage: a bed with drawers underneath, a storage ottoman, a wardrobe with compartments planned around what you own. Wall-mounted shelves or hooks keep things off the floor. The less that sits out, the more spacious the room feels.

Spend on the bedding

The bed is the focal point, so this is the place to spend. Sheets, pillows and blankets in natural materials such as cotton or linen; a duvet or comforter that suits how warm you sleep; then a soft throw or a couple of cushions for texture, so the bed looks inviting.

Bring in something natural

A houseplant or two, such as a succulent, a fern or a peace lily, makes the room feel fresher. Wooden furniture, bamboo shades or a stone accent do the same more quietly, and sit comfortably with a neutral palette.

Layer the lighting

One ceiling light on its own makes a bedroom flat. Use three layers: ambient light from the ceiling, task light at the bedside for reading, and accent light such as a wall sconce or string lights. A dimmer lets you drop the brightness in the evening. In the photo, a pendant beside the bed replaces a table lamp, and a small picture light sits over the mirror.

Add your own things last

Finish with artwork, photographs and accessories that mean something to you: a single bold print, a small gallery wall, a few keepsakes. Keep it restrained; a handful of pieces you like beats a shelf of things you no longer notice.

Small room or large, these seven decisions are what make a bedroom feel calm. For help planning one, see our bedroom interiors page or get in touch.