Calming Bedroom Ideas
Words by Emma Hughes
December 16, 2025
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5m
After a long and stressful day at work, there’s nothing quite like coming home and relaxing in your bedroom. For some of us, though, our bedrooms could actually be causing more worries than we realise, making it much harder to unwind.
We’ve put together some of our favourite calming bedroom ideas to help you redecorate your sleeping space. From furniture choices to storage solutions, our handy guide has all you need to turn a chaotic, cluttered mess into a peaceful sanctuary in your home. Read on to unleash your inner zen and start creating the perfect calming bedroom.
What are the best colours for a calming bedroom design?
When you’re choosing a colour palette for your calming bedroom design, it’s important not to let one shade overwhelm your space. Instead of going for bold accent colours and striking statement pieces, it’s best to keep your décor neutral, agreeable, and inviting.
Neutral colour schemes have been one of 2025's top bedroom trends, with colours like sage green and terracotta proving to be big hits. These shades are easy to style in a wide range of rooms, and their distinctive earthy tones add a natural feel.
For your walls, choose a bright, airy neutral colour that serves as a strong backdrop for the rest of your decorations. Off-white shades like eggshell, cream, and beige excel here, but don’t be afraid to blend hues to add texture to your room.
If solid colours aren’t to your tastes, you could also try adding a soothing wallpaper design to your bedroom. Floral patterns and vintage designs are a reliable choice, and their gentle looks will be much more relaxing than the crowded shapes of a modern geometric wallpaper.
How can I decorate my calming bedroom?
The key to a relaxing bedroom design is to take a measured approach, with understated and functional pieces that don’t take up too much space. Here are some of our favourite calming bedroom décor ideas that you can take inspiration from:
Create an inviting bedspread
Your bed is the main event when it comes to designing a relaxing bedroom, so you shouldn’t skimp on making it as inviting as possible.
/mattress-buying-guide First and foremost, investing in a quality mattress is essential if you want to look forward to bedtime, as you’ll want to get the best rest possible. Check out our mattress buying guide if you’re unsure what to look for when making your purchase.
Then, to ensure your bed looks just as tempting from the outside, a shabby chic look could be one option thanks to its soft colour palette and cosy vintage touches. Alternatively, you could take some inspiration from hotel-style rooms with neatly arranged bed sheets for a five-star feel.
Use soft furnishings for a homely feel
We all find it easier to relax when we’re surrounded by soft textures, so why not work them into your calming bedroom décor? Layer your furniture with cosy cushions and throws to help you wrap up and stay warm, or add a neutral rug to the centre of your room for a touch of softness underfoot.
One advantage of soft furnishings is that they're easy to customise and move around the room, so make sure you experiment with different placements to mix and match your options. Just don’t get so comfy that you drift off while you’re meant to be decorating…
Go all natural
By bringing the outdoors in, you’ll give your design a homely, relaxing vibe, and it’s easy to incorporate into any bedroom style. Wooden furniture is an especially versatile addition to any bedroom, and its naturally appealing look can fit easily into a range of colour palettes. Try pairing your pieces with other natural colours, such as stony greys and leafy green shades, to go all-in on the biophilic feel.
Looking for calming bedroom ideas on a budget? Try adding some plant life to your room, with stylish pots and planters to create a focal point. Plants can help to purify the air in your bedroom, turning carbon dioxide into oxygen and filtering out harmful gases, so you can breathe easier when you’re trying to take things easy.
Layer your lighting
Harsh overhead lighting can be difficult for your eyes to adjust to, so if you’re looking to create a relaxing atmosphere, try a layered approach. Use warm, ambient colours to illuminate your room, and incorporate light from a wide variety of sources.
Bedside lamps, reading lights, or even fairy lights and candles can help give your room’s lighting a soothing feel. You could also try installing a dimmer with your main light, letting you control the level to suit your mood.
How can I make my bedroom more calming?
Now that you’ve decorated your room, what can you do to take your relaxation to the next level? Here are some handy tips to make sure you nail that calming atmosphere:
Add plenty of storage
Clutter can be a huge source of stress when you’re trying to relax, especially if it keeps getting in your way. If you’re struggling to keep loose items under control, why not add some smart storage solutions to your room?
Whether you’re choosing a desk with drawers or keeping containers under your bed for spare sheets, it’s easy to incorporate storage into your room so that it won’t stick out. You could even get creative and style your own storage, like upcycling a box into a comfy stool!
Engage your senses
One of the most reliable ways to relax is to make sure all your senses are accounted for. The most obvious ones that we apply when designing a bedroom are sight and touch, but if you want to take your relaxation to the next level, think about how you could engage your other faculties.
If you have a specific scent that soothes you, try adding an incense burner or pillow spray to your bedroom to help you wind down. You could also try playing your favourite music, or switch it out for calming ambience like the sound of rain or waves on a beach. Many people find that gentle background noise can help them to get a good night’s sleep, so if you’re finding it hard to catch some shut-eye, try downloading a sleep sound app for your room.
Include personal touches
One of our favourite calming bedroom ideas is to add some personal memories to your design. We often feel calm when we can reflect on the things that make us happy, so why not put your favourite memories front and centre? Create a gallery wall of your favourite pictures and prints, or give your room a trinket tray to lay out your favourite items. No matter what relaxes you, adding some sentimental touches to your room will help you unwind when you come home after a long day.
Find calming bedroom décor for your home with Barker and Stonehouse
Now that you’ve got all the design inspiration you need to embark on your calming bedroom design journey, all you need to do is find your ideal décor. At Barker and Stonehouse, we offer a huge collection of bedroom furniture to suit all your needs. Start browsing today to find your new favourite furniture, or if you’re still looking for relaxation advice, try reading our guide on how to refresh your sleep!