Tip #1 Start with a declutter
It is important that before you begin rearranging and/or renovating your new space you go through the room and clear out any decor items, clutter and furniture that you don't use frequently. This is a crucial step that helps you better visualise what space you have to work with, and how you are going to lay out the pieces you are reusing, along any new items too.
When going through your items you may decide they are better fitted to another area within your home, or just time to let go and be free of them! Donate, sell, give away, and remember the bedroom is meant to be a relaxing sanctuary and keeping it filled with unnecessary junk is not going to be the ideal situation when you are trying to relax before a kip.
Tip #2 Lay it out
We find the easiest way to do this is to grab a piece of paper and hand sketch the shape of your bedroom. Once you have a general shape you can mark up a few ways in which you could lay your larger items only - things such as your bed, drawers or shelving, side table and wardrobe etc.this is sometimes easier than moving it all around and let's you play with some options before committing to physically moving the items.
When laying out your items on paper, firstly always consider the way you want to be facing when you sleep, along with what looks natural to the eye when you first enter the bedroom. Consider your window placement, natural light and being mindful to not block out any light with oversized pieces. You'll also need to consider the opening and closing of any doors for functionality purposes and enough practical space between each item to ensure it is going to fit. It might be worth also measuring the larger things and then you'll know if you have any left over gaps or areas where you could place something new into.
Tip #3 Balance the space
Balance, a key interior design principle. When designing a bedroom try to visualise the whole cubic internal space, rather than just the floor area. The reason for this is that you need to create a sense of calm within your room from every angle, and not just the ground.
There a few different different ways you can can create balance when bedroom styling. Two of these use through the use of 'Symmetrical' and/or 'Asymmetrical' placement.
Symmetrical balance is as it sounds and refers to when two items are mirrored or repeated along an invisible axis to create balance. An example, a bed is placed centrally in the room and you symmetrically place 2 of the same bedsides either side of the bed to create an even symmetrical look. Asymmetrical is similar, but instead of directly repeating or mirroring the exact object you can use 2 different objects and focus on their visual weights to create the balance instead.
So an asymmetrical example in the same bed scene, would be placing a hanging pendant on one side of your bed and asymmetrically balancing it out with a bedside table on the other side.
The key to successful Asymmetrical balance here is having both objects either to a similar scale, or instead balance these through colour. Darker tones will always feel a little visually heavier, so you could balance this out against slightly smaller lighter pieces.
Picture above: Asymmetrical balance example via Pinterest
This works with any objects and as long as you follow the invisible axis in the middle of space and you can use this technique as many times as you like within a space.
Tip #4 Use Colour to set your mood (and don't be afraid of it!)
It's human nature to stick with what we know and are comfortable with!
When it comes to colour, most people will stick to neutrals and whites because they subconsciously know they are safe. Why are they safe? Because we see white and neutral colours used everywhere on both small and larger scale, so we can safely assume if we use these similar tones in our interior design we know the end result will look OK. However, it would be safe to say that on many occasions you may have seen an awesome design that used a mix of colours, but may have not have had the confidence to create something similar for the fear of not knowing how your end result would look, and decided to just play it safe and stick to whites and neutrals.
If you want to bring in a feature wall/walls, I say go for it! You can always paint over it later if you change your mind. If you aren't quite comfortable with going all in with paint or wallpapers then bring in some colours you love with your linen bedding, linen duvets, pillowcases, cushions, headboard, artwork and any other homewares. At least this way you can mix this look up whenever you feel like it.
Tip #5 Soften with Texture
The fun starts! Adding textures to your bedroom is absolutely pivotal and without this your bedroom will feel sterile and boring. Texture can be added through furniture, décor, bedding, your duvet cover, throws, cushions, artwork and even on the walls and floor!
Pictures left to right: Pinterest, Aspen & Fern, Pinterest
Balance will also play a part when adding in texture and it's important that you mix up different kinds pattern and surfaces - rather than just going crazy on one particular look. For example, you are going for a 'boho' look and you decide to select some rattan bohemian interior bedside tables - I then wouldn't suggest also selecting a matching rattan bedhead, rattan pendant lights, a rattan mirror and some rattan baskets on top of the bedsides. Try make the rattan a feature element within your design by selecting a few pieces and compliment this look with complementary materials and textures. Perhaps some fitting bohemian textured bedding or some textured artwork or other homewares to bring out this interior style.
Creating a dream bedroom should be fun. Make sure you don't hold back and most importantly have confidence in yourself to mix and match your colours, textures and patterns. Your bedroom should be a representation of yourself, your loves and a space that makes you happy!
Aspen & Fern - Linen + decor :)