6 Interior Designers Share Advice for Making a Bedroom Feel More Cozy — They're Easy Ways to Add Warmth
"A great bedroom is cozy enough to rest in, quiet enough to sleep in, and whimsical enough to dream"
I can't think of a space in the home more important for creating a sense of warmth and coziness than a bedroom. Our sleeping space should be a sanctuary, a relaxing haven we can escape to after a busy day.
And it all comes down to a feeling. A feeling of a personal, safe space that is comforting and inviting — unapologetically authentic. And while there are a plethora of cozy bedroom ideas for inspiration, there are key elements that interior designers always incorporate to capture this cozy mood.
From lighting and layering to color, these elements can make or break the atmosphere. These are the experts' six top tips for designing a bedroom that encourages you to unwind and feel pleasantly 'snug'.
1. Josh Greene Design — Pattern
Decorating with patterned curtains can make a room feel more curated, adding a dynamic layer to your scheme.
For Josh Greene, founder of New York-based interior design studio Josh Greene Design, the key to a modern bedroom that's inherently cozy is pattern.
"Whether you mix contrasting prints or repeat one soothing pattern throughout, the key in a bedroom is balance, scale, and color value. Remember, it’s the first thing you wake up to!”
Pattern-drenching's subtle sister, 'pattern sprinkling,' is a great way to add 'sprinkles' of pattern without overwhelming a space for a cohesive and cozy feel.
2. PlaidFox Studio — Color
As this space proves, decorating with color doesn't need to be bold and 'in-your-face' to make a lasting impact.
Ben Leavitt, creative director of design studio PlaidFox, shares that "Calmness is synonymous with cozy — keeping the color palette limited but all-encompassing makes a bedroom feel instantly more relaxing; dark or light, leave no wall white."
Cozy paint colors — predominantly earth tones — add enveloping warmth for a space that soothes and embraces. And, going hand-in-hand with coziness, the most calming paint colors also come in a range of shades, from light to dark, and help cocoon a space into a calm and cozy haven.
And if you're not interested in redecorating your walls, incorporating color through decor details and bedding will make a huge difference.
3. The Interiors Concierge — Whimsy
You don't have to stick to strict 'rules' — that's the joy of design; be playful, and add unexpected details that make you double-take.
"Whimsical details for me are what turn a cozy bedroom from a place to sleep to a place to dream", says Joel Donovan, founder of creative interior design studio The Interiors Concierge.
Whimsical styling is what turns a space from boring to surprising, and it all comes from unexpected details. Whether it's a pattern that interrupts or a detail that looks slightly out of place, whimsical details add tension to a design, giving a space more personality and depth.
"A great bedroom is cozy enough to rest in, quiet enough to sleep in, and whimsical enough to dream," says Joel.
4. Laura Hammett — Lighting
Not just confined to the bedroom, a layered lighting scheme is key to a balanced design which shapes mood and creates depth and warmth.
"Lighting is the single most powerful tool to create a cozy bedroom atmosphere, and the secret is layering," advises Laura Hammett of husband-and-wife London design studio Laura Hammett Design.
"A single overhead fixture can make the space feel flat and uninspiring, whereas a combination of ambient, accent, and task lighting helps create depth, warmth, and mood. I love integrating wall lights, table lamps, and concealed LED strips along joinery or architectural details to softly define the room’s features.”
Planning a bedroom lighting scheme is integral to setting the right tone; of all the rooms in the home, the bedroom calls for a warm, inviting, and relaxing atmosphere.
5. Nashmita Rajiah — Texture
From sheer curtains to bobbles and fringed edges, this cozy space is full of pops of texture.
For Nashmita Rajiah, interior architect and designer, and founder and creative director of the eponymous London-based design studio, texture is the secret to a cozy-feeling sleeping space.
"Texture is what turns a calm palette into a cocooning one. When the walls, bed, and rug all invite touch, from grasscloth to bouclé to a deep wool pile, the room wraps around you and becomes a truly restful sanctuary," Nashmita explains.
The key is not to be one-note with your texture design, either — layer different textures together for more depth and visual interest, and don't forget your walls.
6. Studio Vero — Finishing Touches
'The devil is in the details', as they say — the seemingly minor 'finishing touches' in a space are what complete it, and without them, they can feel lackluster and even clinical.
While finishing touches can sometimes be more of an afterthought, it's these elements that make a space feel truly authentic, personal, and considered — and a space without these details is unlikely to feel deeply cozy.
“It’s the final layers — art, books, beautiful bedding, and the things you’ve collected over time — that make a bedroom feel personal, comfortable, and properly lived in,” say Venetia Rudebeck and Romanos Brihi, founders of London-based interior design practice Studio Vero.
Buying the best bedding is as much about comfort as it is about style and quality — and as we head into the colder months, the cozier, the better.
For more ways to prepare for the cozy season, our edit of the 50 very best things to buy for your home if you're design-inclined this autumn is a great place to start.
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