Ideal for creating your very own domestic den of zen…
While you spend the majority of your bedroom hours dreaming with your eyes closed, it doesn’t change the fact that those familiar four walls are the last thing you see before drifting off to sleep. Consequently, they are also the first things you see when you wake up.
As such, the aesthetic and ambience of your bedroom can play a major role in both the quality of your rest and of your mood during the day. What’s more, in these topsy turvy, turbulent times, it’s vital you have somewhere personal to find peace, solace and comfort. With that in mind, here are some smart and simple ways to transform your bedroom into a tranquil space, IDEAL for creating your very own domestic den of zen.
The Ideal Sleep Environment
A zen and meditative space full of dream catchers, the soundtrack of wind chimes and the aroma of incense is all well and good. But if you’re not using your bedroom for its primary purpose (sleep, we mean sleep) and to its full potential, well, that tranquillity just ain’t gonna come.
A well thought through bedroom design is directly linked to the quality of your sleep, and creating a good sleep environment should be one of your main focal points when aiming for that ‘den of zen’ feel.
Ensuring a quality night’s rest boils down to four key aspects – noise, lighting, temperature, and bedding. Get those four elements right and good sleep will come.
Read: 8 ways to feng shui your bedroom
This Time It’s Personal
It’s your bedroom. Your private, personal space where you’re allowed to dance like no one’s watching, where you laugh and cry, where you snore and drool on your pillow…
As such, don’t be afraid to personalise your bedroom to suit your favoured aesthetic and ambience, and ditch the identikit, IKEA styles in the process.
Use your bedroom to celebrate your interests and personality. Are you a plant person? Add some greenery. Perhaps you’re a minimalist and would like a no-nonsense décor? Strip it all back and simply sleep in a stark white room with no furnishings whatsoever! If you’re musical, invest in an immersive sound system or perhaps a retro record player set up…
Your bedroom is your vehicle for self-expression; put both hands on the wheel and steer confidently.
Colour Curious
Colour psychologists believe that the hues in which we paint our walls are both reflective of, and dictatorial of, our mood. In fact, there is a whole discipline within colour psychology termed ‘room colour psychology’ which posits that shades which come under the ‘cool colour’ umbrella are ideally suited to the bedroom.
These include restful greens, adept at calming a stressed mind and boosting fertility (ahem), soothing blues and restful lavender, in particular. Conversely, since you’re seeking a tranquil space, avoid bold colours, particularly red which can invoke passion (good for the bedroom, perhaps) but also anger (hmmm, not so much).
Avoid Extremities Of Artificial Light
On top of the colour scheme you choose, let the lighting fixtures further illuminate the beauty of your room, gently and softly rather than in a dramatic, overbearing way. Let the natural light flow to its maximum potential by avoiding placing furniture, stacks of books or any other items in front of your windows. Mirrors placed tactically allow natural light to bounce around the room, too.
In the evening, task lighting, layered and dim, is ideal for bringing that sense of calm to your private space. Should you need task lighting when getting ready for a day in the office or a night out on the town, for instance, then a make-up mirror with lights is perfect, and won’t throw off the overall balance of the room when not in use.
Maximise Storage
Tidy bedroom, tidy mind, as the saying goes, and it’s one so apt that we might as well move on to the next point, don’t you think?
That would be remiss of us. Especially handy for those struggling to make their small bedroom space work, maximising storage space is essential in order to prevent clutter becoming a mental distraction as well as a physical one.
There are plenty of ways you can keep your surplus of clothes, extra linen, and other trinkets organised and safely kept. Aside from your standard closet, use your headboard as storage by adding drawers and carving out blank shelves. For the ultimate space-saving solution, many Brits have been looking at ComfoRest single ottoman beds in recent years, which cleverly conceal generous storage compartments beneath the mattress – perfect for stashing away seasonal clothing or spare bedding without sacrificing floor space.
If ottoman beds aren’t your style, get some storage boxes made-to-measure and able to fit under your bed, or better yet, install pull-out drawers underneath your bed. Pick a bedside table with storage allocation to place things you want to be in reach like glasses or books. And finally, look into wardrobes specifically designed to possess extra storage space.
Natural Elements and Textures
Nothing says ‘zen’ quite like bringing the outdoors in, and incorporating natural materials into your bedroom design can work wonders for creating that sought-after sense of serenity. Think beyond just aesthetics here – natural textures engage our senses in a way that synthetic materials simply can’t match.
Start with your bedding choices. Opt for organic cotton sheets, linen duvet covers, or bamboo pillowcases that breathe with you through the night. These materials don’t just feel luxurious against your skin; they regulate temperature naturally and age beautifully over time. Layer in a chunky knit throw made from wool or alpaca for those cooler evenings when you need an extra cocoon of comfort.
For your floors, if you’re blessed with hardwood, let it shine! Add warmth underfoot with a jute or sisal rug- these natural fibres ground the space (literally) and add that earthy texture that screams tranquillity. If carpet is your reality, no worries; a strategically placed natural fibre rug can still work its magic.
Don’t overlook your window treatments either. Swap out those synthetic curtains for linen or cotton panels that filter light beautifully while maintaining privacy. On sunny mornings, watch how natural fabrics create a soft, diffused glow that no blackout curtain could ever replicate.
Finally, incorporate some raw wood elements – perhaps a live-edge bedside table or a piece of driftwood as wall art. These organic shapes and textures remind us of nature’s imperfect perfection and help create that connection to the natural world that’s essential for true tranquillity.
Power Corner
Giving corners of the home the attention they deserve has been one of 2025’s key home and interior trends, and we’ve been all over the concept of the ‘power corner’ for some time; an area of a room dedicated to decision making, contemplating, planning, or perhaps kicking back, device-and-distraction free. Place a comfortable chair or cushion in a position close to your bedroom window or better yet, install a window seat, to ensure you’re basking in natural light. Add a footstool and perhaps even place a blanket and some pillows within reach.
Use your power corner for when you most need your alone time. Look out world; big decisions will be made here!
Don’t Forget The Ceiling
Ceilings are the last thing most people take notice of when they are inside a room. That reason alone makes it all the more important when it comes to designing your bedroom. Though others may not cast their eyes upwards when they enter your bedroom, you certainly do. After all, and at the end of the day, we’ve all spent a few hours staring into our ceiling looking for answers when we can’t sleep.
Though they never come, it doesn’t hurt to make sure your ceiling is looking the part. Give it a lick of paint to avoid blemishes or cracks which are ripe for fixating on when you can’t sleep. Ideally, the colour will complement a shade pulled from the walls; perhaps it’s time to deploy that lavender we mentioned earlier?
Make It Your Healing Space
Last but not the least, it is important to keep in mind that your bedroom is your own personal retreat. As much as is possible, keep your room free from any distractions like television, gadgets, or anything that would remind you of your workload and stress.
Make your bedroom a place for healing. Do you share it with someone? Then consider what each would like to do in the room as you seek it for moments of comfort and rest. And if you need further advice on making your bedroom a true den of zen, then check out these tips on how to create a home meditation space. And breathe…
