On average, we will spend almost one third of our lifetime in bed. So today I want to discuss my thoughts on how best to curate your bed, because I really do believe there is an art to getting that perfect combination. And hey, if I am going to spend a third of my life in my bed, I want it to be the best looking bed I have ever seen.
THE PLAN:
It is important to do some research and plan before you go hunting for the perfect bed linen. There is so much out there that if you go shopping without a plan you may fall into the ‘it is all to overwhelming’ scenario.
Get a shopping list together so you know exactly which items you are looking for. What is it that you want to achieve from your new bedding? Is it light and minimal? Dark and cosy? A new summer scheme? Narrowing down what sort of aesthetic you are really looking for before starting shopping, will help you achieve the right styling for your bed with ease.
Depending on the styling of your home or just personal taste, you may be more drawn to a symmetrical and formal bed, or perhaps an asymmetrical and casual approach is more your cup of tea. Regardless, here are some simple factors to take on board when styling your bed…
THE BASE:
Starting with a neutral pallet is really important. By having a neutral base this makes it much easier to change your bedroom styling frequently between seasons and trends with out having to start from scratch every time.
If you are working within a budget, the base is even more so essential to get it right first time round. Bed linen can be expensive, so the base is where you really want to make that investment and spend as much as your budget allows on the base.
When I say ‘base’ we are talking things that your skin are going to have direct contact with, such as; fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillow cases and a good duvet cover. Some of my favourite base textures are linen and stone washed cotton.
From there, you have set your self up with a great base to work with and add additional layers depending on the season, what’s on trend, and the overall aesthetic you are aiming to achieve.
THE FEATURE:
Now that you have your base settled, you can start thinking about your feature. A feature may come in the form of a colour, cushions, a throw, a headboard, layers and textures; anything that draws your eye and sets its self apart from the rest of your scheme.
Layering and texture is probably the most import factor when constructing the perfect bed. As discussed in my previous blog “Pattern & Texture”, layers and textures are key to adding depth and interest into your space. They make the difference between beds that look uninviting and boring, to a bed that could be out of your most recent Real Living Magazine.
When looking for things like feature cushions and pillowcases, try to find a variety of things such as fabrics, patterns, sizes and shapes. But also look for smaller details, such as buttons, zips, tassels, piping, pompoms, metallic, pleating and knots. All these small details add depth and texture to your bed and will create that point of difference that sets your bed apart.
Tie side pillowcase detail.
Fringed pillowcase detail.
Knotted velvet quilt with linen reverse detail.
MAKE IT A COMBO:
When choosing a feature, don’t be afraid to pick more than one! Check out some of the images below and see how although each concept is very different, they all use a combo of these key factors: Texture, Layers, Colours, Neutrals, Pattern and Detail.
The Black & White Monochrome Scheme : Always a classic and doesn't date.
The Pattern : This bedroom showcases a great example of how to mix pattern and bright colours together, even though they are completely different, they work!
The Pastels : This would be a teenagers dream bedroom! I love the combination of pastels with the olive green and tobacco colours.
The Ethnic : I adore this space, its bright and warm, ideal for summer! The ethnic look is so on tread right now with its highly textured finishes.
UPSIZING:
Now I’m not talking about an extra side of fries here, I’m talking about your duvet. Have you ever noticed when you stay in luxury hotel, or seen in a interiors magazine that the bed linen quite often comes down almost to the floor, if not draped on the floor. So when buying a new duvet inner, cover or quilt, go up a size to what your bed actually is to achieve a more luxurious, generous aesthetic.
BALANCE:
Another important factor to think about when arranging your bedding is balance. This may not be applicable to every single bed scheme, but at least consider if it is right for yours. The head of the bed we tend to favour as our ‘feature’ end and draw all the attention to, however this can often leave the foot of the bed looking a little bare and un-considered. So when styling your bed try to have something at both head and foot of the bed that create an even scheme that’s visually harmonious.
This bed shows a beautifully balanced scheme with blush pink tie side pillowcases, with a similar blush pink throw and fur at the foot. Furthermore, they have even added a bench at the end of the bed in a stunning marl grey quilted fabric, which references back to the grey linen bed head nicely.
PILLOWS & CUSHIONS:
A common question asked is how many cushions are too many? Well, that really depends on whom you ask. In my opinion, 9 pillows and cushions, or something around there, is the ideal amount to provide you with ample opportunity to inject colour, textures and patterns. 2x Euros, 4x Standard pillows and 2-3 feature cushions would be my best suggestion. You can arrange them in numerous ways, each arrangement creating a new look/mood every time. Listed below are some basic arrangements to experiment with and see which works best for your scheme.
Arrangement 1 : Try lying some standards flat and alternating the order of colours and fabrics.
Arrangement 2 : Slightly more symmetrical which tends to suit more traditional styles, but just by laying some pillows flat and adding a unique shape, such as a circle, you are still adding depth and interest.
TREND :
Briefly I want to mention a couple of current trends and a few items I am loving at the moment.
Olive green and tobacco are defiantly in this season. Thread Design have an absolutely stunning range of these colours and have great visuals on their website to give you plenty of inspiration, I would highly recommend their products. My other favourites are slightly childish but it’s hard not to be drawn to them, check out the images below for some of Urban Outfitters playful cushions, perfect for any child’s bedroom! The best part is they are highly textural, tactile and colourful, making them great stimulating pieces.
Tobacco and Nude bed linen.
Olive Green bed linen.
Leaf Cushion (Urban Outfitters)
Llama Cushion (Urban Outfitters)
Sloth Cushion (Urban Outfitters)
Some stores that I would recommend checking out to get your bed linen fix are: Thread Design, Penny and Bennett, Bianca Lorenne, Harrowset Hall, The Linen Store, Kip & Co, Indie Home collective, Superette, Wallace Cotton and Linen House just to name a few!
If you ever need assistance with finding that perfect combination of bedding, or even a full bedroom furniture refurb, we would be more than happy to help you achieve that ultimate space! Just get in contact with us via our contact page.
The Pocketspace Team