Longing to escape to a restful retreat right now? With far-flung hotels and holidays out of the equation for most of us, giving your own bedroom a fresh face for summer might be the next best thing.
In fact, this could be just the staycation solution you need, as a few simple styling tweaks and updates really can go a long way.
Whether you want to unwind your mind with sun-bleached bed linen, pimp up your boudoir with some Hollywood-esque glamour, or introduce some natural timber and exotic foliage into your own private sanctuary, the options are endless.
Revamp your bedroom with these easy style upgrades
Need some inspiration? Check out these top picks…
1. MM Linen Arlette Duvet Cover Set – Multi, from £95-£115, John Lewis
Statement florals and big blousy prints always look inviting and fresh – and don’t feel like you have to curb your fondness for big bouquets if your flower bed is a single plot.
Whatever size space you’re working with, bold blooms can create spectacular impact, especially if you scatter inviting cushions in solid pastels among the flora. Bethan Harwood, home design stylist for John Lewis, suggests pairing floral bedding with real and faux plants, to bring the outside in and create a an ultra-calming sanctuary.
“Start by making sure the room is cool enough to sleep in,” Harwood adds. “You can use temperature controlling sheets, pillows and mattresses to make sure your sleep is uninterrupted. Try our specialist temperature-balancing 400 thread count cotton sheet, made from 100% cotton; the natural construction helps to wick away moisture lost during sleep to keep you cool. If needed, fans are also a great way to circulate air into the room.
“You can also use a lavender sleep spray to send you off to sleep and make sure your bedding is smelling fresh. Finally, add candles, soft lighting and a blackout blind so no matter the weather, you can drift off to sleep.”
2. Antonia Grey Mother of Pearl Chest of Drawers, £1,296, Graham & Green
If you really want to make those blooms best in show, this handcrafted Indian chest is studded with carved mother of pearl in a pretty floral design. Proving furniture can be far more than just functional, this striking piece will easily transform a bedroom wall – especially if you hang a mirror above to create the illusion of more space and light.
3. Harlow Duvet Cover Set, from £100, By Caprice Home
Hello Hollywood! If you fancy treating yourself to a little décor decadence, this geometric jacquard design, with subtle metallic yarn, shimmers when it catches the light. It could even be dressed with coordinating diamante cushions, sequins and sparkly trimmings from Caprice’s range of accessories inspired by other glamorous leading ladies, such Hepburn, Loren and Ava.
4. Rochelle Storage Dressing Table, £599, Next
Super swish, this mirrored dressing table evokes art-deco elegance; think feather-trimmed satin robes and vintage star power. Opulent and yet practical, you can maximise your dressing table space with beauty bits and bobs in the drawers, and style up the vanity table with fresh flowers and scented candles. A satin or velvet footstool completes the look.
5. Mirador Bed Linen Collection – Duvet Cover, from £115; Flat Sheet, from £70, and Oxford Pillowcase with Border, from £35, The White Company
Inspired by five-star luxury and a romantic escape, The White Company is a one-stop shop for bedroom bliss and their new Mirador collection ticks all the right boutique hotel boxes with its cool, silky feel.
“Crafted from exquisite Egyptian cotton sateen and finished with a neutral, stylish linen border, it makes for the perfect summer update for any bedroom,” says Chrissie Rucker OBE, founder of The White Company. “Cotton sateen has a smooth delicate finish coupled with a slight sheen and drapes beautifully.” Styled with an Indian jute rug and natural seagrass baskets, you’ll be a tip-toe away from a sultry, Mediterranean breeze.
6. White Company Sleep Collection, from £10, The White Company
With the promise of a good night’s sleep and sense of wellbeing, bedtime rituals – such as spritzing the bed linen with soothing essential oils infused with lavender and chamomile – call to mind a relaxing spa treatment. White Company’s Sleep Collection includes a Sleep Soothing Pillow Mist, Sleep Diffuser and Sleep Candle – you’ll be out for the count come nightfall.
7. Bali Wooden Bed Frame, from £199, Carpetright
As the focal point of the room, a new headboard or bedstead can be a game-changer – and as Damian Topping, head of beds buying at Carpetright, points out, updating the frame allows you to effortlessly rejuvenate a space and instantly set the tone of the room.
“Understated wooden frames give a light, natural feel,” says Topping. “Consider a neutral painted style if you’re looking for a harmonious space that allows other elements, such as bedding and accessories, to make a statement and can be changed to suit the season and your mood.
“Hanging a lightweight canopy above the bed creates a cosy sanctuary, whilst adding elegance that won’t overwhelm the space. Ideal for those looking for staycation-style décor, this is perfectly suited to a laid-back coastal scheme. Particularly when combined with pared-back flooring in muted colours and simple accessories that give a nod to the seaside,” suggests Topping.
If you’re looking for inspiration, Amazon have a mosquito net bed canopy that looks the part, and a new bed could even improve your sleep too. Topping says to look for a design and mattress that balances practicality and indulgence; functionality and style is important but comfort is king here.
8. Original Home Gradient Tassel-Trimmed Recycled Cotton Throw, £85, Selfridges
Blue cotton throws echo coastal colours and add a calming touch. Lightweight enough to be draped on the end of the bed in summer, a cotton throw won’t slide off or pack in too much heat.
9. Grey Tiger Bedspread, from £75, Graham & Green
If you want to ditch the duvet and introduce some nomadic flair and eclectic finds, we love this cotton bedspread with its little grey tiger print and decorative top stitching. Mix and match with pom-pom cushions, a cotton tribal rug or kilim and antique cotton pillowcases, for a feminine, boho chic vibe.
10. Golden Palm Leaf Ornament, £108, and Gold Sunburst Mirror, £145, Audenza
Some say the brighter the better, and with a generous coating of glitz, this timeless sunburst mirror, paired with a plush palm leaf deco, is bound to bring a ray of sunshine to your space.
11. Skinnydip Domenica Duvet Cover Set, from £28-£46, John Lewis
For a taste of the tropics, statement palm prints teamed with fancy leafy accents, ferns, succulents and rattan furniture will make any bedroom retreat feel like the real deal. So much so, you might even be tempted to call room service and ask for a piña colada before bedding down for an afternoon siesta. We love this scene-stealer set.
12. Santorini Bed Linen Collection – Duvet Cover, from £65; Flat Sheet, from £20, Oxford Pillowcase with Border, from £20, The White Company
If classic and understated is more your style, take inspiration too from The White Company’s gorgeous Santorini bed linen collection. Made from 200 thread count, pure cotton percale, with hand-worked ladder stitching along the edges, you can’t go wrong.
Looking for a new headboard? Read our headboard guide – how to choose the right headboard for your bedroom.
