A boldly designed bedroom might just help you sleep better
Minimalism is out, maximalism is in. Packed with personality, statement-making beds can transform even the most boring of bedrooms.
Despite what the minimalists and Scandi enthusiasts may think, soothing tones and pared-back furniture aren’t the only ways to achieve a restful bedroom environment.
Increasingly, designers are rebelling against the boring bedroom with the introduction of eye-catching headboards packed with personality, vibrant colours, a mix of materials and dynamic shapes. Whether it’s a four-poster, a daybed, built-in bed, bunk or platform, designers and their clients are dreaming big.
“I’m not sure if people really do feel calm and safe surrounded by 50 shades of beige in an empty room,” says interior designer Charlotte Coote, whose own bedroom in Mount Macedon is a riot of heavy green Kendal Leaf fabric by Colefax and Fowler.
Don’t miss your copy of the Mansion magazine, out this Friday, April 25 inside The Australian
“Did a two-week trend suggest it was a good idea? People need to feel confident to express themselves and be surrounded by colours they are drawn to, and furniture that is comfortable, practical and generous.”
It was a no-holds-barred approach when it came to Coote’s canopy bed, a magnificent centrepiece constructed from roof pelmets mounted into the ceiling and finished with grosgrain ribbon to add structure and contrast.
Infused with a spirit of romanticism, Coote says that the traditional canopy bed works especially well in larger spaces.
“I love that it feels like a room within a room,” she says. “It feels luxurious, restful and like sleeping in a cocoon.”
Historically, the canopy bed served a practical purpose, intended to preserve privacy, provide warmth and block out the light, but its size and scale now offers a hefty dose of design drama.
Similar to a canopy bed but minus the fabric, today’s four-poster beds are being modernised with minimalist posts, on-trend colours and stylistic silhouettes.
At Osborn House in the NSW Southern Highlands, interior architects Mac Design Studio restored the hotel’s 19th-century suites with a contemporary twist, adding features such as scalloped timber to the top of the posts. The effect? A whimsical addition to what would otherwise be a dated antique.
The April issue of Mansion magazine will be out in The Australian on Friday, April 25
“In our projects, we are definitely seeing more clients open to taking risks with bedroom decor and showing an interest in design pieces,” says Marjolaine Leray, director of Studio ALM.
The retailer, who stocks the showstopping Pierre Augustin Rose curved Ritz bed, says that although a muted green colour would create more of a sanctuary-like atmosphere, the sage green with its integrated lacquered bedside tables is more energetic.
“The bed is often the focal point of a room and many people are now embracing bold pieces or unique designs that reflect their personality. There’s a growing trend towards investing in statement pieces that add excitement, without compromising on comfort.”
From decorative headboards to tufted techniques and rattan frames, it’s all about elevated comfort.
Working within a limited space? A wide, extended headboard with integrated lamps or sideboards can trick the eye into making the volume feel bigger than it actually is.
For interior designer Christopher Elliott’s South Yarra project, he incorporated a long, horizontal bedhead in individually upholstered panels with brass edging for a polished finish.
“We chose this shape to emphasise the room’s width and balance compared to the high ceiling, which is a characteristic of Victorian architecture,” he explains. “Although built-in bedheads are not something we typically create, when we do we ensure that the execution is meticulous and well integrated, making it appear architectural rather than a styling element.”
His design also features built-in light switches and power points to enhance the functionality and avoid disrupting the clean wall, making it feel like one big piece of furniture.
Although Elliott believes that a calm atmosphere is essential for sleeping well, he says that a neutral and muted palette isn’t the only way to achieve it.
“There are other ways to add interest while still maintaining an overall subdued vibe,” he says. “One effective approach is to choose a bold colour and use various textures and finishes within the same hue range, which creates a strong yet cohesive and soothing look.”
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
This story is from the April issue of Mansion magazine, out on Friday, April 25.
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