Can sleep design be measured? Why do some bedrooms restore, and others just sit there? The right bedroom essentials make the space function like a system: one that protects sleep, supports recovery, and removes friction from how you move through the space. Here is a list of the most important bedroom features—some of which are going to surprise you!
1. Bed First, Then Room
No bedroom essentials are more vital in your bedroom interior design than the bed, and its placement can directly affect the quality of your sleep. According to Feng Shui principles, it should lie as far from the door as the room allows, and not in direct line with the opening. From this position, you can observe the whole room and the door from a stable angle, which gives a sense of control and keeps the nervous system from staying alert during sleep.
Moreover, when one side is blocked, circulation around the bed tightens, and so does sleep quality. Walls shared with bathrooms or kitchens carry water pipe noise—audible or not—which can also interrupt rest cycles. And if the bed sits under or beside a window, seal the frame and layer the drapery to block sound and light.
Pro Tip: Leave at least 24 inches of clearance between the bed setup and the other interior design elements.
Not sure what kind of bedroom essentials design to choose? Try our Free Interior Design Style Quiz to discover your ideal style today!
2. Light Off Means Design Worked
Blackout curtains and blinds are more than merely bedroom decoration. They are bedroom essentials that support uninterrupted sleep. Did you know that your eye can detect light through closed eyelids? Once detected, optic nerves signal the brain to reduce melatonin production. The less light in the room, the more the body can complete sleep cycles.
Install blackout layers that fully cover window frames. Curtains should extend past the edge of the window and reach the floor. Use a second track if needed to block side light, and choose fabric that absorbs light. Avoid visible LEDs from chargers, clocks, or equipment—tape them, unplug them, or move them out of sight.
Pro Tip: If blackout isn’t an option, wear a contoured sleep mask.
3. The One Bedroom Essential That Holds You for Hours
Pick the mattress like you’re buying the floor of your body. The wrong density can disturb your spinal line, whether you feel it in the moment or not. If your neck wakes up turned or your knees touch, the height’s wrong. Test also thickness and compression— a firm mattress that collapses under the hips is softer than one that distributes pressure evenly.
If you share a bed, test with weight on both sides, as foam behaves differently with two body temperatures. Innerspring performs more consistently across sleeping zones but transfers more motion.
Pro Tip: Place a full-body mirror near the bed and watch your spine when you sit and stand. The mattress should let you move vertically without shifting weight forward.
4. The Room That Calms You Down
Muted colors slow visual processing. Blue tones reduce pulse rate, while low-saturation greens, greys, and ochres maintain warmth. Use these tones tactically on walls, ceilings, and main textiles. In a bedroom, it’s better to avoid contrast-rich color blocks.
Apply texture where the pattern would usually go. Choose materials with visible grain, weight, and finish, such as organic fibers, raw clay, washed linen, or matte metals. Strip out items that serve no sleep function. Keep bedside zones clean and aligned; consider bringing in low-pollen plants only if the air quality is stable.
Pro Tip: Instead of accent colors, shift the temperature of your lighting. Warm-toned bulbs in opaque fixtures soften every object they hit.
5. The Worst Bedroom Essential: Glowing Screen
Recent studies tell us—yet again—that electronics and television in the bedroom are still a very bad idea. The duration and quality of sleep have been on a steady decline in the past few decades, while the use of electronics has been on a steady incline. These are not bedroom essentials: artificial light at night suppresses melatonin, while LED light triggers alertness.
Even ambient screen glow delays sleep cycles and reduces their depth. Instead, use dimmable wall sconces or floor lamps with shades. Choose bulbs under 2700 K. If you keep devices in the room, power them down at least 30 minutes before sleep and block any light they emit.
Pro Tip: Store phones in a closed bedroom drawer at night. If alarms are needed, use a physical timer or sound-only alarm.
6. Sound That Supports Sleep
Incorporate soothing nature sounds into the bedroom as sensorial interior design elements. Water promotes calm and helps to soothe the mind, making a real water feature one of the best additions. However, if that’s not a viable option, you can choose an integrated sound system with soothing music. Even though you should limit the light in your bedroom, the use of a sound system could benefit your sleep.
Set your chosen slow music track or nature sounds on a timer so that it may switch off once you’re carelessly off to dreamland. That way, you can avoid having the blue light on for the whole of your sleep cycle.
Pro Tip: Use analog devices or sound machines with no display in your bedroom. Choose one with an auto shut-off after 30 or 60 minutes.
Are you ready for the new sleeping experience with bedroom essentials?
If you need some expert personal advice, get in touch with our expert interior designers. They can help you create a magnificent bedroom design tailored just for you. Book your Free Online Interior Design Consultation to get started today!
