Sophisticated and serene bedroom ideas for a calming space

17 September 2023

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The bedroom is a cherished space in the home that is both a private and personal place to relax and unwind. At least, that's what it should be. Knowing how to create an environment where this can happen doesn't always come naturally. Luckily, there are some simple bedroom ideas to help you create a relaxing ambience that you can enjoy, each and every day.

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1. Choose a neutral colour palette

Your colour scheme plays a vital role when creating a relaxing bedroom environment. Soft, muted colours like beiges, and light greys — even shades of blues and greens can make a a bedroom feel calmer and more serene. Earthy tones also work in this way as they evoke natural elements and sentiments that speak to warmth and stability.

A neutral colour palette, as well as shades of green and blue, can create calming vibes in a bedroom, seen here in the stunning Split Level Timber Home on a Hill project in Tai Tapu

2. Detox by decluttering

One of the biggest causes of stress in a bedroom, or any space for that matter, is clutter. Ensuring your bedroom remains clutter-free will remove this tension and make it look and feel cleaner too. Simple storage solutions like bedside tables, wardrobes, closets and under-bed storage can help you keep your possessions in order.

A stylish bedside table, like this featured here in the wonderfully furnished Benson House, provides convenient storage to help keep your bedroom clutter-free.

3. Go easy on the eyes with soft lighting

For the mind to be relaxed, the eyes need to be relaxed. Harsh, bright lights in a bedroom can cause the eyes unnecessary strain which is neither good to wake up to nor nice to fall asleep to. Lighting fixtures with warm bulbs and dimmers will give you more than enough ambient lighting as well as a measure of control. You can complement this by using bedside lamps with fabric shades or frosted glass for a gentle glow or even consider candles for a shimmering shine.

Warm toned bulbs, like those in the exquisite chandelier in this Pukenui Road residence, combine well with natural light to bring comfort to a space.

4. Embrace natural elements when styling your space

One of the easiest and most effective things you can do, as far as relaxing bedroom ideas go, is to incorporate natural elements like pot plants. As already mentioned, evoking nature is a great way to create a calming effect, turning your bedroom into a truly relaxing sanctuary. Popular options include orchids, lavender, snake plants and peace lilies but there are plenty to choose from. On top of this, they will also improve the air quality in your bedroom too.

Just a little bit of greenery brings freshness to this beautifully designed children's room by Stacey Gillies Interiors.

5. Prioritise comfortable bedding at all costs

A relaxing bedroom isn't just about aesthetics and styling but the experience you have in the space too. Key to that experience is the quality of your bed and bedding, features that should be prioritised at all costs. The type of bed that is best will differ from person to person based on sleeping style and preferences and it's crucial to understand that before making your choice. Quality bedding, like sheets, pillows and duvets are a bit more universal with natural fibres like cotton and bamboo good options to ensure a restful night's sleep.

Nothing beats a comfortable bed, like the Altea Bed by Georgetti, to make a bedroom feel like a haven.

6. Do what you can to reduce noise

The phrase "peace and quiet" should be front of mind when trying to create a calming space. Admittedly this can be difficult in busy urban settings but you might be surprised how effective some simple techniques can be. Heavy curtains and drapes are a great place to start, acting as sound barriers to minimise outside noises. Soft rugs underfoot can also help dampen noise within a bedroom and from below. If you need more help on top of this, a white noise machine can drown out disturbances throughout the night.

High-quality drapery, like this Santa Cruz by Maurice Kain Drapery, will help keep noise outside the home.

7. Add sweet scents and aromas to the air

If you want to create the ultimate peaceful sanctuary, filling the air with sweet scents and aromas is a great way to go about it. Certain aromas, such as lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus, have been shown to decrease cortisol levels in the body, making one more relaxed. Diffusers or scented candles can help disperse these scents throughout a room just before bedtime to help you achieve that restful sleep. Floral notes can also work in this way if you'd rather include seasonal botanicals in your space.

The Bud Bronze Oil Burner is just one stylish way to get sweet aromas and scents into your bedroom.

8. Keep the tech to a minimum

While our tech and gadgets are a great source of entertainment and add a huge amount of convenience to our lives, they can detract from your efforts to create a relaxing bedroom. Some of these devices, like our smartphones and laptops, are strongly associated with work (and stress) which can create a bit of tension in the air. The blue light emissions from these devices can also reduce the sleep hormone, melatonin, which can make it harder to get a good night's sleep. Finally, the mental stimulation you get when using these devices can also be intense, again making it difficult to fall asleep.

Keeping the presence of electronics to a minimum can help you achieve a calm atmosphere, wonderfully demontrated with natural grace in this Herne Bay home.

9. Play with different textures

Textures are a great way to make a bedroom more cosy and inviting because they draw so heavily on our sense of touch. Seeing a warm throw blanket or a plush pillow will immediately make you think of their comforting qualities. Playing with different contrasting textures can also accentuate these feelings even further, for example, a soft rug on a hardwood floor will heighten the softness of the rug. There are plenty of ways to experiment with these and in doing so you'll also make your room more visually interesting too.

Combining textures, like the natural hardwood bed frame and soft bedding of this gorgeous South Island home, adds warmth and visual interest to a bedroom.

10. Feel the warmth of a fireplace

There are few things more soothing than the warmth of a fireplace, especially during those cold winter months. It's not just the heat from the fireplace that works wonders here too but the noise, smell and shimmering glow of the crackling fire, adding a lovely ambience to your space. It'll give your entire room a great focal point, something interior designers always encourage, mesmerising one and all.

A roaring fireplace in a bedroom makes it an easy place to retreat to, seen here in this marvellous villa renovation in Herne Bay.

11. Create a personal sanctuary spot

If you're lucky enough to have a reasonably large bedroom, one of the most peaceful bedroom ideas to consider is to create your own personal sanctuary spot. This can be your own little space in the room that you can have just to yourself to enjoy. An example of this could be a simple reading nook with a comfortable armchair, a soft throw blanket and a floor lamp. Another option could be a meditation and yoga space or something really casual like a bean bag. Whatever your choice, it'll allow you to spend more time in your bedroom winding down, allowing it to become the peaceful haven you deserve.

A bedroom with its own personal living space, seen here in this stunning coastal home in Mt Maunganui, will make it a much more comfortable place to spend time. | Photography: Amanda Aiken

12. Take advantage of a view

There is no shortage of incredible vistas in New Zealand with plenty of houses built in and around them. If your home is in an especially idyllic location, then you're almost obliged to ensure your bedroom takes full advantage of them. This could involve a range of measures from the drastic, like installing new windows in your room, to subtle, like replacing your heaving drapes with sheer curtains. The ability to include stunning surroundings in your bedroom will have a huge impact, especially natural surroundings which will infuse your space with tranquillity in a very calming way.

Incorporating spectacular surroundings into the design of your bedroom, seen here in another amazing Mt Maunganui home, enhances its serenity appreciably. | Photography: Matt Quérée

13. Showcase some art and décor

The bedroom is your personal sanctuary so it makes sense to furnish it with items that are personal and meaningful to you. Artwork and décor items are excellent ways of doing this as they are often a true reflection of your tastes, passions and interests. Obviously, the specific choices will be different from one person to the next. Some enjoy serene landscapes while others prefer abstracts with soft colours. The same goes for ornamentals and sculptures which are equally diverse. So long as they resonate with you in a pleasant and peaceful way, you'll find they impart the mood you need them to.

Artistic choices, like this beautiful feature wall in this lovely home in Kerikeri, can personalise your space in a style that is unique to your passions and interests.

Creating a serene bedroom that's a sanctuary for you

As you can see, there are some great relaxing bedroom ideas for you to consider to help you create a private space that is calming and meaningful to you. From selective choices of bedroom furniture to warm overhead lighting and decorative pieces that are deeply personal, you've no shortage of options to help make your bedroom a serene sanctuary where you'll want to spend your time.

(This article was updated on 11th December 2024)

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