Among all the rooms in our homes and apartments, it is the bedroom that has the most personal function. It is not only a place to sleep, but also an asylum - a space of tranquility, rest, rituals and regeneration. We can say that it is our private sacrum - an intimate, inviolable zone, deeply inscribed in the daily life and needs of the body and mind. While this may sound pathetic on the surface, it's enough to realize that we sleep on average as much as a third of our lives. The quality of that sleep determines our energy, health and well-being for the other two-thirds. Sleep is not just a time off - it's a complex biological process that we support with the right rhythm of the day, the atmosphere and - especially important - the environment in which we fall asleep. So is it possible to design a good night's sleep?
Adequate spaciousness is essential - there must be enough space in the bedroom to move freely
© Domoteka Design Center
Complete instructions for anyone,
who dreams of the perfect space for relaxation
Determine the function of the bedroom
Designing a bedroom starts with understanding what function the room is supposed to serve. Modern bedrooms are no longer just sleeping spaces. Increasingly, they are also places where we work, read books, watch movies and even do yoga. Therefore, the first step should be to determine how much activity you want to do in this room.
If your bedroom will have more than one function, it is worth planning the zones in the room. For example, a work corner in the space where the desk stands can be separated from the rest of the bedroom by delicate walls or a curtain. If you dream of an exercise space, it is worth thinking about using a soft carpet or mat for comfort. With such solutions, the bedroom will become more functional, but still retain an intimate and cozy character.
Modern bedrooms are no longer just a space for sleeping, but also places where we work, read books, watch movies and even do yoga
© Domoteka Design Center
Spaciousness and ergonomics - how to ensure comfort?
Comfort in the bedroom is key. To make the space functional and comfortable, it is worth remembering a few basic principles. Adequate spaciousness is the basis - there must be enough space in the bedroom to move freely. The minimum distance between the bed and the wall is about 60-70 cm to ensure a comfortable passage. If the room is small, it is worth investing in multifunctional furniture - for example, a bed with a bedding bin, which will help save space for storage.
For small bedrooms , closets with sliding doors that do not take up additional space when opened are also ideal. If the room is extremely cramped, instead of large closets, you can consider open shelves, which will also allow you to store things in an orderly manner.
Thoughtful use of space will make the bedroom both functional and pleasant for daily use. Make sure you have enough space for nightstands, a table or lamps. Remember that small details, like a place for books, a cup of tea or a remote control, make a big difference.
In the bedroom, go for colors that promote tranquility and relaxation
© Domoteka Design Center
Interior architect and owner of the author's design studio Alina Bador emphasizes:
The first rule of a well-planned bedroom is a well-designed sleeping space. The bed should have a comfortable mattress, but also - and this is often forgotten - a proper frame - which means, above all, its size adjusted to the dimensions of the room. A common problem is to choose beds that are too large, which ultimately affects the functioning and communication - if we do not leave space around the bed, later every morning and every evening we will stumble over the bed, bumping against it. And this mistake can be easily avoided. If you do not use the services of a designer, you can tape the floor yourself at the planning stage, which will give you an idea of the final size of the bed. Just remember that a 160 cm wide mattress will not mean a bed of the same width. We should still add the frame. As the rules derived from ergonomics tell us, it is best to leave a minimum of 50 cm for free passages on the side of the wall or window
Thoughtful use of space will make the bedroom both functional and pleasant for daily use
photo: modern barn © CC BY-NC 4.0
Colors in the bedroom - how to choose the right color palette?
Colors are one of the most important elements that determine the atmosphere of the bedroom. Choosing the right color palette can affect our mood, quality of sleep, as well as mental comfort. In the bedroom, it is worth betting on colors that promote tranquility and relaxation. Soft beiges, grays, blues or pastel shades of pink, green and lavender are great choices for the bedroom. Such colors have a soothing effect on the nervous system and help you relax. On the other hand, darker, more vivid colors, such as navy blue, bottle green or burgundy, will give the bedroom an elegant and intimate feel.
My personal opinion is that the interior should be personalized, expressing you. The most recommended - and indeed popular among Poles - are natural colors: earth colors, warm beiges, grays, taupe color. From experience, I know that sky colors - shades of blue, blue, navy blue or the so-called Scandinavian sky - are also popular. The general rule is that combinations of different tones of the same color work best. I would only be against strong and aggressive colors. If we already want to decide on such an accent, we should balance it with a mild color scheme of the environment, such as light fabrics
- says Alina Badura.
Colors are one of the most important elements that determine the atmosphere of the bedroom
photo rawpixel.com © CC0 1.0 Universal
Lighting - the key to creating a mood
Lighting has a huge impact on the atmosphere of the bedroom. It's a good idea to plan it in several layers to adjust the intensity of light for different needs. General lighting, such as a ceiling lamp or plafond, serves as a baseline and provides the right amount of light during the day. At night, on the other hand, it is worth betting on bedside lamps or wall sconces, which provide a soft light, ideal for evening relaxation.
Light is an indispensable actor when it comes to creating the mood of tranquility we want in the bedroom. When I enter the room and turn on the dim, spot lighting, my body feels that I am slowly moving into a state of calm, rest. With the help of lighting elements, it is possible to design a real scenography for soothing the senses
- Badura emphasizes .
Small details - such as bedside lamps, curtains, photo frames or potted plants - create an atmosphere and make the bedroom truly your place on earth.
© Domoteka Design Center
Choosing a mattress and bed - the foundation of a good night's sleep
Choosing a bed and mattress is one of the most important decisions we make when designing a bedroom. The mattress should be tailored to our individual needs - depending on our preference for firmness and material. Foam and spring mattresses are the most common choices, but you should also consider options with memory foam, which adapts to the shape of your body for maximum sleeping comfort.
Comfort from the first step
- Warm flooring materials in the bedroom
In arranging a bedroom, it is of great importance to choose the right finishing materials, especially flooring. Particularly recommended are warm, tactile surfaces, such as natural wood or modern carpeting. Wood brings a timeless character to the interior, and soft carpets - thanks to technological advances - are nowadays easy to keep clean, making them a practical and aesthetic solution. Such materials significantly increase the comfort of daily use of the bedroom - especially noticeable when immediately after waking up we put our bare feet on a soft and warm surface, rather than on cold stone, stoneware or sinter. Choosing the right floor is not only a matter of aesthetics, but, above all, of comfort and pleasure in the daily use of the interior.
In the bedroom, it is worth betting on bedside lamps or wall sconces that give a soft light, ideal for evening relaxation.
© Domoteka Design Center
Bedroom, or offline space
Should a television set be in the bedroom? This question is asked by many investors and homeowners when furnishing this intimate space. Currently, there is a growing trend in designing the bedroom as an offline space.
Nowadays, more and more people are giving up on placing a TV in the bedroom space. This is perfectly understandable, especially if we have the option of locating the TV in another room, such as the living room. Currently we are exposed to a lot of stimuli - constant notifications from email, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Slack. In this situation, the bedroom can be a space of disconnection from screens and the outside world - in a word: tranquility
- stresses Badora.
Adding personal touches such as paintings, photographs, travel mementos or unique accessories will help create a space that is unique and full of character
© Domoteka Design Center
What, then, is conducive to tranquility?
The key to creating a soothing atmosphere in the bedroom is the presence of personal elements - those that arouse positive emotions and evoke pleasant memories: pictures from the past, family photographs, objects that bring to mind pleasant moments, such as memories of vacations. This brings a sense of security. Comfort is also brought by art - not only luxury accessories, but, for example, beautiful ceramics or a framed poster. A favorite fragrance sprayed in the bedroom space can also be a perfect addition to the whole.
In a world full of noise, accelerated rhythms and excess stimuli, creating your own space of tranquility becomes not so much a luxury as a necessity
© Domoteka Design Center
The bedroom as a personal retreat
A well-designed bedroom is not just a matter of aesthetics - it is an investment in daily well-being, health and balance. In a world full of noise, accelerated rhythms and excess stimuli, creating one's own space of tranquility becomes not so much a luxury as a necessity. It is in the bedroom that we regain energy, calm our senses, and return to ourselves - literally and metaphorically. When designing this space, it is worthwhile to be guided not only by the principles of ergonomics or fashion, but above all by our own rhythm, lifestyle and needs. What works soothingly for some may distract others - so the most important thing is to make the bedroom personal, functional and consciously designed. Because a bedroom is not just a room. It's a state of mind.
Anastazja Dżupina
Text prepared on the basis of press material from Domoteka Design Center.