Zen Bedroom Ideas: How to Make your Bedroom Peaceful

Struggling to sleep? Perhaps your bedroom is to blame. Most people would agree that enjoying a good night’s sleep is made all the easier by being in a peaceful, stress-free environment. Thankfully, creating the perfect ambience for slumber is very simple with the right know-how. With just a few touches you can bring some added zen into your bedroom, and hopefully get a good night’s sleep in the process.

Whether you’re looking to overhaul your décor or want a few simple yet modern bedroom design ideas to implement in an instant, we’ve got plenty of great ways to create a zen space here at Neville Johnson.

How to make your room zen: Your essential tips

A zen bedroom is one that brings a sense of calm. You want a relaxing space that helps you float off to sleep every night, not one that adds to the stresses of the day. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary.

When it comes to how to make your bedroom more peaceful, here are some of our essential tips.

1. Simplify and de-clutter

A tidy house can encourage a clear mind. It will come as no surprise that de-cluttering is the first step to making your bedroom zen. Having everything put away, with no clothes, cosmetics or other items strewn across your surfaces or floor, will immediately make the space feel more relaxing. Good storage is the key to this. Why not browse our portfolio of fitted wardrobes for more inspiration?

You also want to simplify your bedroom furniture too. A room jam-packed with furnishings is bound to feel a little claustrophobic after a while. Space out your furniture where possible and remove anything that’s not necessary. Don’t pack your room with bulky items, instead look for solutions that work with your space. Fitted bedroom furniture is ideal, especially if you’re working with a uniquely shaped room like an attic bedroom.

2. Calming colour palette

Specific colour schemes are more peaceful than others. For example, bright shades like sunshine yellow or apple red might seem cheerful at first, but they’re not going to do much to keep your mind restful and calm.

Instead, try to adopt warmer neutral tones in your walls, furnishings and interiors. They’ll help create a feeling of serenity in your bedroom and provide less distraction when you’re trying to drop off to sleep.

3. Natural elements and materials

Natural textures are also very important to create a zen style in your bedroom and connect your mind with the calming side of nature. Soft wood and stone are great natural materials to incorporate into your bedroom design.

You can also bring in cottons in your bedclothes, linen in your curtains and wool for your bedroom rug. You’ll be at one with nature in no time.

4. Zen-inspired furniture and layout

Where you place your furniture in your bedroom makes a big difference to how zen it is. You want your bed to be in the middle of the room – ensuring it is positioned centrally with a gap on either side of it, will help balance out the space. Also try not to align it with the door as this can pull your energy out when you sleep at night. If you can, opt for a bed with a headboard as this brings a feeling of security while you sleep. Headboards are not only for supporting your back when you’re sitting up in bed, but they’re also an important design feature. A plush fabric option will give your bedroom a luxurious feel. At the same time, a pared-back wooden style plays into bringing the outside in.

Choose functional furniture, as it teaches us that things have a place and space and that everything is ordered. Bookshelves are ideal as are fitted wardrobes that help you to organise your possessions. Also try and keep your electrical items to a minimum in your bedroom – remember it’s a place for sleep and deep relaxation. You may even consider charging your mobile phone outside your bedroom.

Mirrors are great for your bedroom as they open up the space. But they also bounce energy around the room, so it’s important to consider where you place them. Hanging them opposite windows or directly opposite your bed can disrupt your sleep.

Finally, place your bedroom furniture in a symmetrical layout, if possible, as this promotes calm as you enter the space before sleep. 

5. Lighting for tranquillity

A dull, dingy room is never an inviting place to be. Instead, ensure your bedroom gets plenty of natural light through windows and a skylight if you have the option. You can also create the illusion of brightness with soft lighting solutions, from eye-catching pendant lights to bedside lamps featuring warm bulbs or by bringing candles into your room (just remember to blow them out before bed). Dimmer switches are ideal to create the perfect light at different times of day.

6. Indoor plants and greenery

Is there anything more soothing than the natural world? Bringing the outside in with some earthy paint tones or a few lush houseplants is key to a zen bedroom.

Indoor plants and greenery enhance the look of your room and can help to create a calming atmosphere. But they can also boost your health and wellbeing too. Options like peace lilies are popular (the clue’s in the name) to enhance your mood. Lavender obviously has fantastic calming qualities for sleep, but it also works to purify the air in your room. Snake plant, rubber plant and spider plant are all great air purifiers too.

Zen bedroom inspiration

Once you’ve cleared away the clutter, solved your storage, adopted a neutral colour scheme and placed your furniture in the optimum position, you’ll be well on your way to creating a blissful bedroom.

And you can really give your bedroom a zen makeover by keeping all your belongings tucked away in bespoke fitted furniture. Browse the full Neville Johnson range to discover wardrobe designs and dressing room options in a wide selection of elegant finishes. You could also request a free design visit from one of our expert consultants.