The bedroom is the only room in the house meant almost entirely for rest, and yet it is often the one given the least design attention: it ends up filled with whatever is left after furnishing the living room and the kitchen. In reality, the layout and the choice of furniture directly affect the quality of sleep and the everyday sense of order. Here is how to set it up properly.
The bed first of all: where to put it
The bed is the element that determines everything else about the layout. A few practical rules help find the right position:
- Avoid putting the headboard under a window, where possible: it exposes you to the cold in winter and disturbs your rest with the morning light.
- Leave free space on both sides, at least 60-70 cm, so you can move comfortably and reach the bedside tables.
- Avoid placing the bed directly in line with the door: from a practical point of view, as well as for how comfortable it feels, a slightly off-centre position makes the room more welcoming as soon as you walk in.
Bedside tables, wardrobe and chest of drawers: order before looks
After the bed, the elements that most affect how liveable the room is are the ones for storage. A common mistake is choosing a wardrobe that is too small so as not to take up space, only to end up with clothes everywhere: it is better to work out in advance the volume you really need (by looking at your current wardrobe) than to guess by eye. If space is tight, a wardrobe with sliding doors saves the centimetres that a hinged door would need to open.
The bedside tables, even small ones, should always be there on both sides of the bed where possible: they help balance the composition visually, as well as being useful.
Choosing the style of the bedroom
More than in other rooms, in the bedroom the style should follow a logic of perceived comfort before pure looks. Some pointers from our collections:
- Japandi and Coastal for a relaxed room, with natural materials and neutral palettes, often the best choice for helping you rest.
- Mountain for anyone looking for a warm, enveloping atmosphere, with wood and heavy fabrics.
- Contemporary Classic for a bedroom that is elegant but without decorative excess.
- 50s or Retrofuturism for anyone who prefers a more defined character in this room too.
Colours that are too bright or styles that are too energetic (such as POP) work better in other rooms: in the bedroom they tend to interfere with relaxation, unless they are used only in small details.
Lighting designed for rest
Unlike the living room, in the bedroom it is better to favour warm, dimmable lights over a single intense central source. One adjustable bedside lamp per side is almost always more useful than a ceiling light used as the only evening source.
Common mistakes to avoid
- An undersized wardrobe compared with the real need for space.
- No free space around the bed, which makes the room tiring to live in every day.
- A mirror placed opposite the bed: beyond questions of personal taste, it is often advised against for anyone who is a light sleeper.
- Neglecting the textiles: sheets, duvet and curtains affect the sense of comfort as much as the furniture does.
How to proceed
To start from a basis that is already coherent, the Bedroom collection brings together furniture organised specifically for this room. You can also explore furniture for every other room in the house, or find out how a bespoke interior design project with Archade works if you prefer a dedicated consultation instead of going it alone.