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Beauty may be subjective, but there are some factors we can all agree on. Get inspired by these designer ideas to create a cosy and eye-pleasing bedroom.

What is it about Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa that makes it the iconic portrait that we know it as today? Some may point to her enigmatic smile, the detailed background, the possibility of it being a self-portrait, or even the array of time-worn details that add to its mystique. When art experts attempt to quantify the reasons that the Mona Lisa is so endearing and prevalent, we arrive at a set of factors that could not possibly have been known to even the original Renaissance man himself.

Even the grandmasters of the past could not have accurately predicted the outcome of every artistic endeavour, and yet the presentations that we appreciate as masterpieces today could not have been drafted without the necessary know-how and some form of forethought. To enable you to create your own masterpiece, we cut through the fog of various materials, styles, and other decorative options available, and summarized our top designer tips for creating truly striking bedrooms.

Open Layout

Space being the luxury that it is in urban homes, bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms get a dose of extravagance from an open layout. Removing the walls between the bedroom and the en-suite bathroom makes the space larger - and paradoxically, more intimate. In tight quarters, opaque brick walls could be replaced with transparent or semi-transparent glass curtain walls to keep the bedroom dry. With adequate space, visual segregation could be achieved with bathroom fittings installed slightly higher to rest on a raised platform or with subtle transitions in architectural finishes.

Natural Materials

Ecological consciousness is apparently back in favour, resulting in a resurgence of natural materials dominating interior spaces. Even laminates mimicking stone or wood are useful for evoking a rustic or country ambiance - though for the sake of authenticity we highly recommend building up a thin façade of natural materials over existing walls.

Simple Geometry

Where complex patterns and classical decorative elements may be overly imposing, consider less robust patterns or geometry in simple forms instead. Simple patterns and geometric shapes take up less visual weight, making small bedrooms seem larger, complementing modern and minimalist interiors.

Transparent Storage

Instead of opting for opaque cabinetry with glossy or matte doors, which add weight to the space, showcase your clothing and maximise the spatial potential of your bedroom with transparent wardrobe doors. If your wardrobe choices result in haphazard bursts of colour, you can always tone down the effect of your collection by using slightly opaque wardrobe doors with a reflective sheen to reduce the visual impact of your garments’ colours.

Reflective Accents

Aside from the widely understood fact that mirrors expand the perceived space, reflective materials such as mirrored glass or polished metal cut in simple lines or shapes serve to highlight transitions with a greater degree of elegance. When utilised in measured doses in conjunction with lighting fixtures, reflective accents cast an additional glow of redirected light to complement modern interiors.

Dim Lighting

For some, lighting of the warm white variety does more for a cosy atmosphere than cool white. While the latter is appropriate for a clean and breezy interior, the soft yellow glow of the former is reminiscent of candlelight or natural light at dusk and dawn - and is consequently more conducive for relaxation. Mix fixtures with cool white and warm white bulbs together for a little extra glitter and glam, or go completely warm white for a softly lit den.

Plush Fabrics

There are few sensations as comforting as bare toes buried in deep fabrics. Incorporate thick drapery and deep-pile carpeting into a bedroom of any size to increase the depth of your furnishings and to make for a cosier space. To add more depth and push the comfort factor all the way to the top, alternate between layers of silky and fluffy textures with fabrics composed of differing materials and thread counts.