We spend a lot of time asleep over our lifetime, so let’s take ownership in 2022.
Bedrooms are probably the room in our house where we spend the most amount of time during our lives – we all like to think we get a solid eight hours sleep a night even if it’s not actually the case, and even with curtailed sleep patterns we’re still going to be in the bedroom more than the kitchen unless we’re Jamie Oliver.
This doesn't even take into account the additional time we spend in our bedrooms relaxing, watching TV, walking in and forgetting what we even went in for in the first place, or doing a host of other activities like yoga, shopping online, or just sitting around.
Taking all this into account, the bedroom is surely one of the most important rooms to design in a way you love, and in a way that loves you too.
An aesthetically pleasing, comfortable bedroom that you love isn't just something to aspire to for gold stars on the interior design front. It can be good for our health too as it will make it much easier to relax, relieve stress and, of course, get a good night's shut-eye.
With all this in mind, and already dreaming of a lie in come the weekend, here are some of our top tips and trends for bedroom design in 2022 to help you create a dreamy room that you'll be delighted to drift off in.
Check out the ‘Gram, and the ‘Rest
In the age of social media, interest in interior design has skyrocketed. People actually make a living out of putting photographs of their bedrooms online, and strange though that may be many others are inspired by the posts they see of influencers’ homes, and actively search for the latest trends on visual platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.
One good place to start is undoubtedly Instagram. the hashtag #bedroominspo, for example, currently has close to two million posts – so you'll definitely find something that sparks some inspiration for what you can achieve in your own home.
The popular trend of posting our interior design tips and pics on social media is a great way for people to realise they can totally transform a room with simple changes, so it is definitely a good starting place to look for ideas and the latest trends. It's also spurring people on to be more adventurous with their design choices, and join in on the fun of designing a room you're proud of to share with others online.
Mix style with functionality
How you design your bedroom is very much a personal choice, but room design isn't just about aesthetics. It should also look at seeking new ways to make rooms more functional to meet our day-to-day needs.
A trend that looks set to become even more popular in 2022, for example, is the move towards stylish storage beds with drawers and ottomans as we all seek to make the most of the limited space available to us at home.
Use your bed to make a statement
Beds are often the largest piece of furniture in our bedrooms, although those with the benefit of an enormous wardrobe may beg to differ. So opting for a statement bed is a great way to give your room a refresh.
Sleigh beds are expected to be a big trend in 2022 as well as beds with big statement headboards – which are definitely a way to add a luxury feel and totally change the look of your room in an instant.
Alternatively, why not give your bedroom an olde-worlde feel with a gothic wraught iron number or go all out with a dramatic four-poster? Or make the most of a small bedroom by opting for a bed with storage underneath?
Failing that, you might be living in a broom cupboard in London, in which case a sofa bed with storage included might be a desirable option, but whatever choice you make you should give it some serious thought – you’re going to be spending a lot of time in bed at the end of the day, both literally and figuratively.
Upcycle old furniture to match your new colour scheme
Lots of design trends for bedrooms in 2022 are directed towards creating light, neutral, calming spaces. People are achieving this through painting rooms in neutral colours such as creams, whites, light greys, or pale, earthy greens.
Choosing neutral coloured furniture, such as white, greys, and creams can create a whole new look for your space and maintain a light neutral theme throughout, as well as promoting an atmosphere of calm and relaxation. One good way to affordably and easily change all your existing furniture could be to upcycle drawers and wardrobes by painting them and changing handles.
There are many options to pick from in terms of shapes and colours for handles, for example, matt black, rose-gold and gold are popular choices at the moment. This can make your room look like you've spent thousands on high-end luxury items in a few simple steps, when in reality you’ve just spent a few minutes browsing online and waited for next day delivery.
Make your style your own
The biggest thing to consider when redesigning your bedroom is making it work for you. It's your very own personal, tranquil, private haven and it should reflect what you want your space to be. The light neutral look isn't for everyone, so if that’s not you, bring out the neon colours and bold statements.
As people have become braver with design, there is an increasing trend towards more striking choices that show off peoples personalities and favourite colours. Bold blue schemes including blue beds are on the rise – I was somewhat ahead of the curve here as I had a blue bedroom as a child, though in fairness that was more to do with Manchester City than anything to do with my pre-teen aspirations as an interior designer.
Adding wooden panelling behind beds has also become a sought after trend, which is how many people are adding in a pop of colour without going overboard too.
Lastly, a quick tip to transform the look and feel of a bedroom on a budget, or if you can't redecorate, for example if you're in student accommodation or a rented home where the landlord isn’t happy to let your artistic leanings loose: Simply change or add in some easy styling details, such as switching to a bolder choice of bed linen, adding a throw and scatter cushions, or putting up some artwork using damage-free command strips. It may only be a minor change, but it adds that touch of personality, and while we all love to stay in a bland hotel bedroom once in a while, we wouldn’t want to live there after all.
