Relaxing bedroom ideas – 10 ways to create a restful and chic sleep space, as told by interior designers

Designing a bedroom is not just about making it look great, but ensuring it's a comfortable, relaxing space to unwind in to get a good night's sleep.

From choosing the right color scheme to eliminating clutter; focusing on soft, cozy furnishings, and opting for ambient lighting, there are many design and decor decisions to consider to create relaxing bedroom ideas.

To help you on your way, we've rounded up a selection of our favorite relaxing bedrooms, including interior designers' top tips for how to create your own calm and restful sleep space that looks wonderful too.

Relaxing bedroom ideas

While the bedroom color ideas, bedroom lighting, and the bed ideas you choose are all key factors in designing a bedroom, for interior designer Nichole Schulze, co-founder of Los Angeles interior design firm cutlerschulze, creating a restful space all starts with well-thought-out bedroom layout ideas.

'A bedroom should be serene and conducive to relaxing and restful sleep. With that in mind, we try to avoid overly complicated furniture layouts, furniture placed at odd angles, or beds under windows. All of which could be distracting and impair a good night’s sleep.'

'As a basic rule of thumb, we generally try to place the bed on a wall away or opposite the entry door, it helps ensure there is enough circulation and a natural walkway around the bed,' adds Nichole Schulze.

1. Design your room around light neutrals

Decorating with neutrals goes hand in hand with relaxing bedroom ideas. Creating a peaceful retreat from the busy pace of life, light neutral tones used across paint ideas, furniture, and soft furnishings keep things calming, allowing you to unwind at the end of each day.

'My favorite way to create a relaxing bedroom is to combine soft neutral colors with an upholstered headboard and lots of nice bedding,' explains interior designer Caroline Kopp. 'A cozy rug in soothing tones is also needed to dampen sound and provide a soft place to step out of the bed. Enveloping yourself in quiet hues and cozy textiles like velvet and fine cotton bedding allows the body to relax and prepare for sleep.'

2. Incorporate soothing colors from nature

As well as soothing neutral tones, certain bedroom color trends that feel linked to the natural world, such as greens and blues, promote a relaxed feel. Crucially, go for muted variations of these two hues rather than anything too saturated, which can feel too energizing in a bedroom.

'At KAVINA STUDIO, we believe a relaxing bedroom starts with a calming color palette – soft neutrals, muted blues, or gentle greens, while layered lighting, such as bedside lamps – creates a warm, cozy ambiance,' explain designers Katarina Esteve and Victoria Ymar, owners of KAVINA STUDIO. 'To enhance the relaxing, cocooning vibe, incorporate soft textures like plush carpets and flowing curtains.'

3. Incorporate a seating area

'A well-designed bedroom should feel like a retreat, and incorporating a sitting area can enhance that sense of relaxation,' says interior designer Sarah Hargrave of The Collective. 'If space allows, consider adding a pair of comfortable chairs or a small loveseat to create a cozy nook for reading or unwinding at the end of the day.'

'This subtle separation from the bed helps define different zones within the room, making it feel more spacious and versatile. We also highly recommend adding a natural textured wallcovering in a bedroom, especially the primary suite. This is typically the largest bedroom and the addition of textural walls gives that enveloped feeling that is comfortable and warm,' adds Sarah.

Take inspiration from this relaxing bedroom and make space for a comfy armchair in your bedroom layout. Positioning your seating next to a window, as seen here, is ideal if space permits, creating a truly relaxing corner.

4. Add interest through different textures

Since relaxing bedrooms often stick to a pared-back color palette, incorporating different textures is a great way to add interest while keeping things calm.

'Create a cocooning effect with a very soft neutral palette and layered textiles,' recommends Susan Galvani, interior designer and founder of Spruce Interior, who designed this bedroom that shows interest through texture with the bedframe and soft accents. 'Keep to a tight color palette and incorporate natural materials such as cane and woven fiber window shades,' adds Susan.

5. Decorate with textured wallpaper

'My favorite way to design a truly relaxing bedroom is by incorporating textured wallpaper – it instantly envelops the space in warmth, creating a sense of coziness and refinement,' says Allison Garcy of Allison Garcy Interiors.

'This subtle yet impactful detail adds depth and dimension, making the room feel effortlessly inviting and cocoon-like as shown in this Park Avenue apartment. I love to enhance the tactile warmth of textured wallpaper by layering in a plush rug and understated window treatments. These elements work together to create a sense of softness and sophistication, making the space feel effortlessly serene and inviting,' says Allison.

6. Go for a dark green wall color

Relaxing bedrooms aren't just about light neutrals. In fact, dark paints can be incredibly effective in creating a cozy, calming space that's easy to unwind in. In this bedroom, interior designer Nicole Lanteri, principal designer at Nicole Lanteri Design used Benjamin Moore's Dragonfly, a dark green paint on the walls.

'To create a truly soothing retreat, take inspiration from nature – its colors, materials, and shapes. A deep, luxurious green on the walls sets a timeless, comforting tone, evoking both elegance and relaxation. Maximize practicality with ample storage, seamlessly blending it into the design by painting it the same rich hue. This creates an enveloping, organic feel that is both moody and refreshing, making the space as functional as it is serene,' says Nicole.

7. Choose ambient lighting

Bedroom lighting is an important consideration when thinking about cozy bedroom ideas. Below, designer Prudence Bailey of Prudence Bailey Interior Design explains how she uses soft lighting ideas as well as a calming color palette to create a soothing space:

'Creating a relaxing bedroom starts with a soothing color palette and layered textures that promote tranquility. I love using soft tones like pale blues, lavenders, and warm grays, as they create a calming atmosphere without feeling overwhelming. Incorporating plush bedding, cozy throws, and a mix of natural materials – like linen, wool, and wood – adds warmth and depth to the space.

'For lighting, I opt for soft, ambient options like bedside sconces or dimmable table lamps to create a peaceful glow. A key element is keeping clutter to a minimum by incorporating stylish storage solutions, ensuring the space feels serene and uncluttered.'

8. Consider window treatments

Window treatments can easily be overlooked, but they provide the essential function of controlling light levels and privacy and can instantly alter the mood of a room. When it comes to bedroom curtain ideas, 'sheers and lightweight fabrics made from natural fibers would be the best option for a relaxed, soft and floaty look,' advises Hayley McAfee of Villa Nova. However, for a restful environment, she also suggests choosing something with a blackout fabric.

'This is tricky if you want to create a soft, floaty feel, so you could either layer two pairs of curtains a sheer at the window with an additional heavier or blackout fabric that you draw at night-time or pair the lightweight curtains with a blackout blind, in a soft color,' adds Hayley McAfee.

9. Choose a cozy carpet

'In 2025, the sensory experience of your space matters more than ever,' says Jodie Hatton, Design Manager at Brintons. 'Premium wool rugs lead this tactile revolution, offering an irresistible combination of plush comfort and enduring quality. High-pile designs create an almost cloud-like sensation underfoot, transforming everyday spaces into luxurious retreats. This focus on touch reflects our deeper understanding of how our home environment influences our well-being.'

'These plush surfaces are particularly transformative in bedrooms, where comfort is paramount. Their natural insulating properties and sound-dampening abilities add functional benefits to their undeniable aesthetic appeal, making them a smart investment in your home's future,' says Jodie.

10. Invest in good quality bed linen and throws

When it comes to relaxing bedroom ideas, arguably the bed and bed linen are the most important purchase. Whether you prefer sheets with a luxurious silky-satin feel, or something light and breathable, getting the bedding right is important for getting the best night’s sleep. It’s handy to have a selection of throws and throw pillows to layer up – these not only provide extra warm layers at night but also help create texture within the room which is essential if you’re considering neutral bedroom ideas.

When choosing bedding, be sure to consider quality advises Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company: 'Invest in a high-quality bed and mattress that molds and supports your body correctly, plus great-quality linen, duvet, pillows, and a cloud-like mattress topper. It can feel like a big investment but, in the long term, it is worth it as great quality will feel better and last longer.'

Elevate your bedroom with these soft furnishings

From choosing calming colors to opting for ambient lighting; investing in high-quality bedding to layering textures, there are many ways to create a relaxing bedroom.

Even if you're not in the process of doing a bedroom remodel, just a few simple decor swaps can have your sleep space feeling calm and restful to unwind in at the end of each day.