How to Create a Calmer Bedroom

I've always thought the bedroom should be the one room in the house where you can properly switch off. Somewhere you can close the door at the end of the day and feel like you've left everything else behind for a little while.  Of course, the reality is often quite different. 

There's the pile of clothes that haven't quite made it back into the wardrobe, the bedside table that somehow collects everything, and the phone that's never very far away. Before you know it, the room that's supposed to help you relax has become another place full of things that need doing. 

Creating a calmer bedroom doesn't necessarily mean redecorating, buying new furniture or turning your home into something you'd see in an interiors magazine. Sometimes, it's simply about making a few changes to what you already have. 

Start With What You Can See 

I think one of the easiest ways to make a bedroom feel calmer is to look at what's immediately around you. 

Not every surface needs to be completely empty, but there's something lovely about having a little breathing space.

A bedside table with a lamp, a book you're actually reading and perhaps a glass of water can feel much more inviting than one covered in things you've forgotten were there. It's worth spending ten minutes putting things back where they belong and finding somewhere for the items that tend to accumulate. 

And if there's a chair in your bedroom that's become a second wardrobe, you're certainly not alone. 

The aim isn't to create a perfectly tidy room that nobody ever uses. It's to make the space feel a little easier to live in. 

Make Your Bed Somewhere You Want to Be 

There's nothing quite like getting into a freshly made bed. 

You don't need expensive bedding to appreciate that feeling, although I do think it's worth choosing fabrics that feel comfortable against your skin.  Cotton and linen are lovely options, particularly if you prefer bedding that feels breathable and relaxed rather than overly polished. 

I'm also a fan of keeping things simple when it comes to colours. Warm whites, soft creams, muted greens and gentle earthy shades can create a lovely sense of calm without making a bedroom feel cold or clinical. 

That doesn't mean everything has to be beige. A little colour, a patterned cushion or a favourite throw can give a room personality. 

And honestly, I'd rather have a bed that looks comfortable enough to climb straight into than one that takes fifteen cushions and half an hour to arrange. 

Think About the Lighting 

Lighting can completely change how a room feels.  Bright overhead lighting is useful when you're getting dressed or looking for something in the wardrobe, but it's not always what you want when you're winding down in the evening. 

A small bedside lamp with a warm bulb can make a surprising difference. It creates a softer atmosphere and makes the room feel more welcoming. 

During the day, I love the look of natural light coming through a window, particularly when there's a light curtain moving gently in the breeze.  There's something about that which makes a room feel instantly more relaxed. 

If you can, make the most of the natural light you already have. Open the curtains, let some fresh air in and avoid covering the windows with anything unnecessarily heavy. 

Choose Things You Actually Love 

It's easy to get caught up in the idea that a calm bedroom has to look a certain way.  We see beautifully styled bedrooms online, complete with matching furniture, expensive bedding and perfectly placed accessories. And while there's nothing wrong with taking inspiration from them, your bedroom should still feel like yours. 

Maybe it's a photograph from a favourite holiday, a piece of artwork you bought years ago or a book you've read more than once.  Those personal details are what make a room feel like home. 

I'd much rather have a few things that mean something than fill every corner with accessories simply because they look good together. 

This is something we're increasingly drawn to at Maison Kasbah: choosing things because we genuinely enjoy them, rather than because we feel a space needs something new. 

Make Room for a Slower Evening 

A calmer bedroom isn't only about how it looks. It's also about what happens there. 

If your bedroom is where you answer emails, scroll through social media, fold laundry and mentally run through tomorrow's to-do list, it's understandable that switching off might not come easily.  I'm not going to suggest an elaborate evening routine involving candles, journaling and an hour of meditation. Most evenings, that's probably not realistic. 

But perhaps there's room for one small change. Putting your phone down a little earlier. Reading a few pages of a book. Having a shower before bed instead of rushing around doing one last job. 

Even something as simple as preparing your clothes for the next morning can make the evening feel less hurried. 

It's about finding what works for you rather than creating another routine you feel obliged to follow. 

Don't Feel You Have to Finish Everything 

This is probably the part worth remembering most.  You don't have to completely transform your bedroom in a weekend.  You might start by clearing your bedside table. Next week, you might rearrange the furniture or finally put up that print you've had sitting in a cupboard. 

You may discover that you don't need to buy anything at all. 

A calmer bedroom isn't about achieving a particular look. It's about creating a space that feels comfortable, familiar and somewhere you genuinely look forward to spending time. 

And sometimes, that starts with nothing more complicated than fresh sheets, an open window and finally putting away that pile of clothes. 

A Little Inspiration From The Home Edit 

If you're looking to make a few thoughtful changes, we've gathered some of our favourite bedroom essentials in The Home Edit. From soft bedding and gentle lighting to understated home accessories, they're pieces chosen to make everyday spaces feel a little more inviting. 

Explore The Home Edit →