Get cosy in your snug sanctuary

Chilly autumn days make us yearn to be cosy and warm, and the bedroom’s the ideal place to conjure a snug sanctuary in your home.
The Nara range, with a delicate design of hand drawn cherry blossoms on a champagne background. PA Photo/HandoutThe Nara range, with a delicate design of hand drawn cherry blossoms on a champagne background. PA Photo/Handout
The Nara range, with a delicate design of hand drawn cherry blossoms on a champagne background. PA Photo/Handout

After all, this is the space where we retreat not merely to sleep, but to recharge, relax and rest. And to be truly successful, it should reflect our taste in its furniture and pander to our desire for comfort and pampering in its furnishings.

“This season, my bedroom’s been inspired by fashion and the classic white shirt,” says Julie Hall, head of home design at bed linen specialists, Bedeck.

“Pure white and cream cotton linens are calming and tranquil, and they give a timeless, elegant look. I like the way pale shades create tone and texture, and can be easily accessorised with a luxurious faux fur or chunky knit throw to cosy up under on a dark, winter night.”

Relaxed elegance is at the heart of the decor trend for bedrooms this autumn, she says, and followers of fashion should consider a vibrant palette of plum, denim and copper, complemented by soft aqua, champagne and rose pink.

Touch me texture

“A great bedroom should feel like a sanctuary, which is aesthetically pleasing yet functional, and should contain thoughtfully selected pieces that mirror your personality,” says Julie Paul, head of interior design at OKA.

Style tips: Aim for a mix of great textures and colours, and always include stand-out pieces, like a striking lamp or a bright throw.

Light and shade

“The most important piece of furniture in any bedroom is obviously the bed, and it should take centre stage, so always get the largest one you can accommodate,” says Wayne Clarke, creative director for And So To Bed.

Style tips: Luxury and layering are essential, he says, and suggests white linen bedding with a high thread cotton count, silk bedcovers and cashmere or fox fur throws.

Serene sanctuary

“A bedroom must be a haven of tranquility and a place to escape at the end of the day, which means that well-designed storage is vital,” says Wendy Morris Lea, product designer at John Lewis of Hungerford.

“Built-in furniture ensures there’s no clutter and there’s a feeling of order; every inch of space is used. My dream would be a built-in vanity unit.”

Style tips: Mixing old pieces with newer ones in varied grey tones has been popular, and if this is used with pink hues, it will give a feminine feel to a room.

Trends: A brighter, fresher colour palette with turquoise and shades of yellow will star next year, says Morris Lea.

Best buys: The new fitted bedroom furniture collection starts from £5,000, and a free-standing Vanity Unit, from £1,600, John Lewis of Hungerford.