The bedroom is part of the house where we recharge and rest after a hard day in the office or the daily stresses and strains of everyday life. To wind down, the room must be designed with a calming atmosphere – if you are planning on decorating a bedroom I hope these tips will help.

1. The bed
A bed is a really important investment, especially when you consider how much time will be spent sleeping over a lifetime. The best bed for you isn’t necessarily the most expensive bed, but spending as much as you can afford on a mattress is certainly worth it.

Consider the space you need at night – a standard double 137cm wide may not be large enough for a couple, so a kingsize 150cm wide gives will give you and your partner more room to relax and stretch out during sleep. Divans are very useful if you are tight on space, with drawers that provide additional storage. Bedsteads are generally more decorative, but take up considerably more room, whereas folding beds are flexible for overnight guests and take up a lot less room.

2. Bedding
Nothing beats getting into bed with freshly washed and ironed sheets – preferably cotton for that super soft feel. Try to buy bedding that fits well with the colour scheme of the room. If your bedroom is quite ‘jazzy’, opt for subtle tones and perhaps steer clear of too many patterns. On the other hand, if your bedroom has a neutral scheme, bedding can bring a burst of colour and life to the room.

3. Lighting
Try to avoid relying on a single pendant light, which can feel a bit stark. Take a tip from hotel bedrooms, which invariably have a number of different types of lights spread around the room – wall, floor and table lamps. Using a combination of these will create a softer, cosier ambience and including a dimmer switch means you can adjust the strength of the light depending on your mood.

Table lamps are probably the easiest way to update a tired bedroom, adding colour or pattern in a flash. Smart chrome lamps give a contemporary feel, or you could try a brass one with a lampshade for a more traditional finish. You can also get touch lights, which create a more subtle atmosphere.

4. Storage
Built in storage creates a streamlined look, and is much neater than free standing wardrobes. High gloss finishes in a variety of colours really give that boutique hotel feel, whilst wood can be used for a traditional style. If you have freestanding furniture and want to change it, painting it is a great way to give it a new lease of life.

5. Décor
Paint versus wallpaper is a long-standing argument that will probably never be settled – but whatever you choose, make sure you are happy with it and won’t tire of it quickly. A feature wall behind the bed can instantly update your room, and although big bright bold patterns may appeal to you when you are staying in a hotel – generally this is for a short period of time – they can be a little overpowering every night.

If you are wishing to create a calming atmosphere, choose more neutral tones for walls, furniture and accessories. Cushions and throws on the bed will add texture to a flat room, and a couple of pictures in the same tone as your décor will just finish the look off.

Lastly, try to avoid having a television and computer in the bedroom, and put your mobile on silent – we really need to switch off at night and these appliances can certainly disturb your sleep.