Start with the position of the bed
When designing a bedroom layout the most important decision to make is where to position the bed – being the largest piece of furniture in the room it will have a big impact on how the space functions, looks, and feels.
‘When designing a bedroom, the bed always goes first and you design around it,’ says Interior designer Esther Dormer. ‘The most typical bedroom layout has the bed headboard facing you as you enter the room.’
When positioned opposite a doorway a bed, ‘can be a focal point that draws you into the room and gives you a sense of balance and symmetry,’ adds Zac Houghton, CEO at Loftera. ‘If a bed is placed in front of a window, it can block natural light and create a sense of imbalance.’
It’s also important to think about the size of the wall the bed sits against and other architectural features in the room explains Bria Hammel, creative director of Bria Hammel interiors. ‘In most of our bedroom designs, the bed is positioned on the main, longest wall with no obstruction. If a bedroom has a fireplace, we love to place the bed on the opposite wall and ensure that it’s in alignment with the fireplace.’
2. Make the most of beautiful views
There’s nothing like waking up to a beautiful view to put you in a good frame of mind for the rest of the day, so if you’re lucky enough to have a country bedroom with beautiful views then be sure to position the bed with a clear line of site to the window in order to make the most of them. Take care to create a bedroom layout where the furniture does not obscure or obstruct the window – and choose window treatments that can easily be pulled back.
3. Take a cue from the architecture
With so many bedroom layout ideas to choose from it can be hard to know where to start, but often there are clues in the architecture of the space. If you have a beautiful period home full of original features such as an exposed stone wall then why not set your bed against it as a way to really showcase it as part of your design?
4. Create a seating area
If you have a large bedroom or are looking for main bedroom ideas then why not consider creating a relaxing seating area?
Having an additional seating area alongside the sitting room offers an extra place to escape to at the end of the day, especially when you want some quiet time away from the bustle of the main household. If adding a seating area consider arranging it near a window where views can be enjoyed.
5. Add an ensuite
Perhaps the ultimate in luxury bedroom ideas, an ensuite bathroom is the perfect addition to a restful sanctuary, allowing you to bathe, relax and unwind for bed in the privacy of a self-contained space.
Reminiscent of boutique hotels, it’s popular for an ensuite bathroom to be tucked behind a partition wall with a doorless entryway. When an ensuite is in the same line of site as a bedroom think about decorating the rooms with complementary materials and finished to help unite the space as demonstrated in this design by Humbert & Poyet. Designed in tandem, both spaces display dark wood warmed up with metallic detail.
6. Link your bedroom with a walk-in closet
Walk-in closet ideas are one of the best ways to maximize space in a bedroom layout. Dedicating a separate room to store clothes, shoes and bags will free up valuable floor space in a bedroom leaving the area feeling neat, tidy and clutter-free.
Fitting bespoke closets is a brilliant way to make the most of the height of the space. ‘Fitted wardrobes are the perfect solution for individuals looking to store lots of clothing items, without dominating too much space in the bedroom. The big advantage of fitted wardrobes is of course that they can fill the space and cope with any idiosyncrasies’, says senior designer at Neville Johnson, Simon Tcherniak.
‘We ask our clients to do a big clear out and count every piece in their wardrobes,’ says Irene Gunter of Gunter & Co. ‘We then have a great basis to work out what takes priority in your wardrobe – is it shelving, hanging space, or the shoe collection that are the key drivers?’
7. Make the most of awkward angles
While they may boast characterful features like wooden roof beams, bedrooms with sloping ceilings such as loft conversions and attic bedrooms can make designing bedroom layout ideas particularly tricky. However, with some clever thinking these awkward spaces can make beautiful multifunctional bedrooms as demonstrated in this ingenious layout.
In this beautiful guest bedroom idea, the interior designers at Vanrenen GW Designs have made the most of awkward alcoves by fitting them with bespoke closets as well as a luxurious roll top bath set behind a curtain to create a fun ensuite bathroom idea.
8. Create a window seat
Whether used to curl up with a good book before bed or to enjoy aerial views of a garden, adding a window seat in a bedroom is a brilliant way to enhance a restful sanctuary. If created by a bespoke joiner, the seat can be fitted perfectly around the architecture but can also be designed with a chest underneath and a lift up lid in order for it to double as a bedroom storage idea.
9. Try a twin bedroom layout
Reminiscent of boutique hotels, twin bedroom ideas can serve multiple functions. If you often have visitors staying you may want to consider a twin bedroom as a flexible alternative to a traditional double guest room as it offers multiple sleeping options with the ability for two beds to be moved together for when couples stay. This type of layout can also work well for bedrooms for siblings or, as a single child’s room that offers an extra bed – perfect for sleepovers.
When it comes to twin bedroom layouts symmetry is a common theme. Opting for matching bed designs separated by a single nightstand will create visual harmony. If the twin bedroom is reserved for guests and not used regularly then you can afford to be a bit more experimental with interior design so why not create a talking point with matching upholstered headboard ideas?
10. Make space for a dressing area
If space allows consider dedicating an area of your bedroom layout to a dressing area. No dressing room idea is complete without a large mirror and dressing table – for a chic, streamlined look consider fitting a table between built-in closets as done here in this design by Gunter & Co and be sure to include a stool for perching on while fixing hair or make up as well as a comfy chair to sit on while putting on shoes. Where possible it’s a good idea to position a dressing table near to a natural light source.