5 Things You Didn't Know Your Bedroom Needed
Don’t miss out any longer – these additions to your sleep space can make life so much lovelier
Sarah Warwick
12 February 2021
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines and websites. A serial house revamper, I love great design, beautiful interiors and practical solutions.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines... More
Sanctuary from the world? Definitely. Decorated to please only you? Of course. Comfortable? Naturally. But what else does the perfect bedroom require? Take inspiration from these bedroom designs and introduce the extras that will help transform your space from fine to sublime.
1. A bedside pendant
This is an idea worth considering if you’re planning to repaint or redecorate your sleep space in the near future.
Wired-in lighting – in the form of pendants, as seen here, or wall lights – will free up your bedside table. That extra space generally feels more luxurious. (You can enjoy artfully styling your table for maximum tranquility, rather than balancing reading matter, phone and water glass around a lamp base.)
Another benefit is having controls on the wall permanently close at hand. No more scrounging (for some of us) for switches on dangling wires just out of reach down the side of the bed.
Call in an electrician for a quote and ask how disruptive the installation would be. This will depend to some extent on where the electricity already flows in your room. At best, if you have existing sockets or switches beneath the position of the proposed ones, it’ll just be a bit of sanding, filling and repainting on a narrow strip of wall where the new cable is chased in.
A final tip: Make sure you get the pendant height just right; you don’t want to feel like you’re under an interrogation lamp when you open up your bedtime tome. Wired-in wall lights may suit you better and, especially if they have flexible features such as swing arms, will be easier to adjust.
This is an idea worth considering if you’re planning to repaint or redecorate your sleep space in the near future.
Wired-in lighting – in the form of pendants, as seen here, or wall lights – will free up your bedside table. That extra space generally feels more luxurious. (You can enjoy artfully styling your table for maximum tranquility, rather than balancing reading matter, phone and water glass around a lamp base.)
Another benefit is having controls on the wall permanently close at hand. No more scrounging (for some of us) for switches on dangling wires just out of reach down the side of the bed.
Call in an electrician for a quote and ask how disruptive the installation would be. This will depend to some extent on where the electricity already flows in your room. At best, if you have existing sockets or switches beneath the position of the proposed ones, it’ll just be a bit of sanding, filling and repainting on a narrow strip of wall where the new cable is chased in.
A final tip: Make sure you get the pendant height just right; you don’t want to feel like you’re under an interrogation lamp when you open up your bedtime tome. Wired-in wall lights may suit you better and, especially if they have flexible features such as swing arms, will be easier to adjust.
2. A proper breakfast tray
As rare as breakfast in bed may be, for those special days, a tray with legs is a boon, avoiding the need to balance a flat version across your legs or, worse, juggle plates and cups. Go for a tray with folding legs and it won’t be a storage hog when not in use.
Of course, these are quite handy for holding laptops and tablets too, but the experts say these devices should stay out of our bedroom for better sleep, so save your tray for croissants, juice and coffee.
These are the cosiest and the most inviting bedrooms
As rare as breakfast in bed may be, for those special days, a tray with legs is a boon, avoiding the need to balance a flat version across your legs or, worse, juggle plates and cups. Go for a tray with folding legs and it won’t be a storage hog when not in use.
Of course, these are quite handy for holding laptops and tablets too, but the experts say these devices should stay out of our bedroom for better sleep, so save your tray for croissants, juice and coffee.
These are the cosiest and the most inviting bedrooms
3. An upholstered cube
One (or more) of these is a multitasking marvel for any bedroom, and it won’t take up much floor space. Use an upholstered cube as a seat when pulling on your jeans, team it with a dressing table and you can tuck it out of the way, or swap it in as a simple bedside surface.
The ones seen here are rugged in leather, but there’s a world of patterns and colours from which to choose.
Find a designer to design your bedroom
One (or more) of these is a multitasking marvel for any bedroom, and it won’t take up much floor space. Use an upholstered cube as a seat when pulling on your jeans, team it with a dressing table and you can tuck it out of the way, or swap it in as a simple bedside surface.
The ones seen here are rugged in leather, but there’s a world of patterns and colours from which to choose.
Find a designer to design your bedroom
4. A bookshelf
Bedroom book nooks are the place for about-to-reads, favourites to which you’ll always return or (whisper it) the volumes you’re not willing to lend out.
Even a small bedroom can accommodate one if you opt for over-the-bed shelving like this, which won’t impinge on the floor area. (Over the door is another good use of dead space.)
Alternatively, built-in shelving along one side of the room can work in bigger spaces, while a display opposite the end of the bed makes for a pleasing view when you’re tucked in.
Take a look at these ingenious bookshelf designs
Bedroom book nooks are the place for about-to-reads, favourites to which you’ll always return or (whisper it) the volumes you’re not willing to lend out.
Even a small bedroom can accommodate one if you opt for over-the-bed shelving like this, which won’t impinge on the floor area. (Over the door is another good use of dead space.)
Alternatively, built-in shelving along one side of the room can work in bigger spaces, while a display opposite the end of the bed makes for a pleasing view when you’re tucked in.
Take a look at these ingenious bookshelf designs
5. Pillow and throw stash space
Extra pillows and throws are the daytime layers that dress up a bed, but discarding them sideways at bedtime isn’t a good or relaxing look.
A storage ottoman or blanket box isn’t a novel idea, but dedicating it to the pieces used for styling might be. The end of the bed can be a convenient position, or use the space under the window instead.
Read more:
Designing Your Bedroom: 7 Secrets to Know
Tell us:
What accessory or piece of furniture makes your bedroom work better for you? Please share your tips in the Comments below.
Extra pillows and throws are the daytime layers that dress up a bed, but discarding them sideways at bedtime isn’t a good or relaxing look.
A storage ottoman or blanket box isn’t a novel idea, but dedicating it to the pieces used for styling might be. The end of the bed can be a convenient position, or use the space under the window instead.
Read more:
Designing Your Bedroom: 7 Secrets to Know
Tell us:
What accessory or piece of furniture makes your bedroom work better for you? Please share your tips in the Comments below.
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I would love lamps off the pedestal which is small. I have a bench for linen but my present bedroom is too small so it is elsewhere. I also have a fan but not over the bed - bad feng shui to have anything over the bed but I always have books in the bedroom and would love to put up a shelf for them but not over the bed. Cubes a waste of time and space.
agree with some. The bookshelf? Hmm, I adore books but mostly read on a device now. So if you don't have the space for the shelf, don't fret.
For me, it was a remote (nonwired) light switch for my overhead light - no need for lamps by the bed! Attached to my headboard, the light goes out without getting up. Love!