Teri Clar, an interior designer in Charleston, S.C., is a proponent of prioritizing as large of a bed as possible to create a serene sleep space. “In a bedroom, I like to keep it relatively simple,” she adds. “There is so much potential for clutter in a bedroom—like with clothes thrown about while looking for the right outfit that—I like to be intentionally minimal in this space.”

End-of-bed benches are total game-changers. As Brooke Lawer of Haven by Brooke says, “A chair in the corner of a bedroom usually becomes a dumping place. Instead, I like to add a bench at the end of the bed.” Not only will a bench make your bedroom appear more luxe, but it will also serve a functional purpose. “For some reason, we’re less inclined to throw clothes onto a bench, yet it provides a perfect perch when getting dressed and a boost for the furry members of the family,” Lawer states. Adds Lindsay Speace of Lindsay Speace Interiors, “A bench at the end of the bed provides a finished look and is the perfect spot to toss decorative pillows when you turn in for the night.”  

Be intentional when choosing light fixtures for your bedroom, notes Elaine Burns of Pistachio Designs. You deserve more than just an overhead light! “Lighting is always an important factor when designing a space—it has the power to make or break the ambience of a room—but it's particularly impactful in a bedroom,” Burns explains. A number of options will do. “Chic table lamps for nightstands or a floor lamp for a reading nook (make sure it's dimmable!) add texture and interest,” she adds. Meg White of Meg White Interiors agrees, noting, “The soft glow that a reading lamp gives off is much more relaxing than the bright, almost sterile light that overheads give off.”  Lindsay Atapattu of LEB Interiors appreciates the power of table lamps as well as sconces. “They can show your personality with color, and you can switch out the shade to make a whole new look,” she says.

You deserve a bedroom that will actually help you relax and unplug in the evenings. To get in a cozy mood, be sure to light a candle (or two). For an extra sophisticated look, place yours on an elegant candle holder. Valerie Darden of Brexton Cole Interiors is partial to these marble ones. “They look chic in the home on top of a nightstand or side table,” she says.

Looking for an easy way to add texture and coziness to your bed? “A pretty throw is a way to add color and comfort to a bedroom,” Darden says. “Bedrooms are a personal sanctuary after long days of work. Extra layers are needed!”