97 bedroom ideas for every style of interior

Your one-stop-shop for brilliant bedroom ideas, whether you want a full-look four-poster or something a little more contemporary
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The perfectly soothing main bedroom in a west London house by Stella Weatherall, with a very elegant half-tester half-tester made up in Pierre Frey’s ‘Cabrieres’ in ocre, lined with mustard ‘Torchon Stripe Linen’ from Inchyra. The headboard is in Robert Kime’s ‘May on Linen’ and the cushions on the bed are from Penny Worrall.

Christopher Horwood

Buying bedroom furniture

The bed is obviously the most important feature in the room, and there's a huge variety to choose from. Perhaps you'd go down the traditional route with a box spring, prettily finished with a valance, and accompanied by a headboard upholstered in a beautiful fabric. For a more contemporary look, a wooden bed frame can be a stylish option, harking back to Arts & Crafts or mid-century design. These also take up less visual space in the room. We're also huge fans of four-poster beds, which can work well in both traditional and modern interiors. "If I have a small room, I try and overscale the furniture," says renowned hotel designer Olga Polizzi. "Putting itsy-bitsy furniture in just makes it feel smaller." Many of the interior designers on our pages agree, and we've seen brilliant examples of imposing four-poster beds used successfully in very small rooms. And above all else, don't skimp when choosing a mattress. You may be sleeping on it for many years to come, so make sure you get it right!

A mix of interesting pieces can help elevate a bedroom beyond the ordinary as in this space in the Yorkshire home of...

A mix of interesting pieces can help elevate a bedroom beyond the ordinary, as in this space in the Yorkshire home of Jonathan Reed and Graeme Black. An ink drawing by Graeme hangs above the bed, which was designed by Jonathan and made of oak-bark-tanned leather from J&FJ Baker. Above the radiator is a panel of 1930s tiles by Bernard Leach, and the rug is by Christabel Balfour.

Michael Sinclair

Beyond the bed, you'll obviously want to think about bedside tables, preferably something big enough for a lamp, a book, and a glass of water. In a very small bedroom, we've seen interior designers build nooks into the wall or into built-in wardrobes either side of the bed, a neat solution we adore. And speaking of wardrobes, clothes storage is an essential. Hanging rails can be a great alternative to bulky wardrobes if you're short on space. If you have some space to play with, it's always rather civilised to have a dressing table where you can get ready in the morning and prepare for bed in the evening. And last but not least, a smart little armchair in the corner of the room is always lovely when you need somewhere to sit and put your shoes on - although it inevitably gets covered in yesterday's clothes.

Choosing bedding for your bedroom

Rita Konig knows how to make a beautiful bed, and emphasises the importance of what's on it. "Beds – and bed linen – really make bedrooms. It is not unusual for people to skimp on the linens – if not financially, then mentally, when coming up with the design for the room. All-white sheets and a duvet create a colossus of white in the centre of the room that can detract from the rest of the space. The bed linen, quilts, blankets and eiderdowns you choose make a huge difference to the room, how it looks and how inviting it is to you and/or your guests." If you do love crisp white bedding, consider adding a patterned blanket at the bottom of the bed to brighten things up. We're also big fans of relaxed coloured linen, pretty pillowcases (or even silk pillowcases) and some patterned bedding from time to time.