What Are Bedroom Essentials? (Quick Tips)

We’re building a new bedroom as part of our extension, so we’re putting a lot of thought into what should go in it. So what are bedroom essentials?

Bedroom essentials include your mattress, bed, pillow, bed linen, and nightstand. They also include your bedside light, shades or curtains, rug or carpet, comfy chair, and wardrobe. Not forgetting a dressing table, chest of drawers, a blanket box, and no electronic devices.

Let’s dive down into the subject of bedroom essentials in more detail, and discover what you need to make your bedroom a sanctuary that promotes relaxation and sleep…

What Are Essentials in a Bedroom?

A bedroom shouldn’t just be a place to sleep – it should be your personal sanctuary. Let’s start with the basics – a place to sleep – and go from there.

There are many choices of mattresses these days: traditional innerspring mattresses, memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses. Mattresses are very important but very personal choices. The type of mattress that’s best for you varies with how heavy you are and how you like to sleep – on your back, side, front or a combination. (We’ve also written an article on putting a hammock in your bedroom if you’d prefer it!).

If you are looking in a store, be prepared to test mattresses out in public. If you are buying online, do some research, read lots of reviews, be sure the mattress you buy has a reasonable return policy and then be mentally prepared to take it back if it doesn’t work out.

The pillow you sleep on is another important choice. Mattresses and pillows are critical to getting the rest you need and rest is critical to your health. Depending on whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper or front sleeper, the choice of pillow will change.

Next, bed frame. A bed frame should be stylish but comfortable, too. Consider the headboard. You may want a soft fabric headboard if you read or watch TV in bed. If you have small children who love to climb into bed with you, you may not want sharp wooden corners all around the bed.

A bed is a large piece of furniture and the most important part of the bedroom. Your choice of bed linens defines the style of the room. The color and texture are very important. When you have the perfect bedspread, comforter or duvet, mix and match your pillows for a layered look.

Then, you’ll need at least one nightstand next to your bed. Ideally, the nightstand should be large enough to hold a charging station, clock, glasses, glasses of water, books, and a table lamp. If you are a couple, consider having one at each side of the bed.

Human beings sleep better in darkness. So, if you have a window in your bedroom, you’ll need a pair of light dimming or blackout curtains or shades. Be sure to choose ones that also open for sunshine during the day. Human beings also need sunshine.

Light is very important in the bedroom. Consider having bedside table lighting bright enough for reading in bed but that dims for snuggling.

In many new houses, the closet is large enough that you can add drawers for folded clothes. If you don’t have a large closet, you’ll need a chest of drawers or a wardrobe to put clothes away. 

A bedroom is a great place for a cheerful and cozy rug. Rugs add color and texture to floors, and they provide extra insulation against cold floors. No one wants to have their warm, sleepy feet shocked by an icy cold floor.

If you still have room in your bedroom, consider a comfy chair to read in or just relax. You may need a small table beside it or a floor lamp that can hold a book and a cup of joe.

After all this furniture, be sure to decorate your bedroom in your own personal style. Save your favorite art, photos, plants, colors, and textures for your bedroom. Your sanctuary.

What Should I Buy First for My Bedroom?

We say that if you only have the budget for one thing for the bedroom, it should be the mattress. You can live without a lovely shaggy rug and bedside tables in your bedroom. But sleep is essential for a healthy life.

Sleep is critical for productivity, energy, a healthy immune system, overcoming depression, and much more. 

Here’s a video with answers to the most popular questions for people considering buying a new mattress.

How Do I Get Positive Energy in My Bedroom?

Feng shui is the art of arranging rooms to achieve a balance with the natural world. It mixes practical and mystical advice.

To get some positive energy in your bedroom, first, clean every inch. Strip the bed, chase the dust bunnies out from under the mattress, clean the windows and clear out the excess clutter. Clean the floors. Burn a sage candle to cleanse the space.

Then, according to feng shui principles, move out the electronics in the room. Move out the desk and chair you use to work from home. Find another place for your medicine ball and barbells. The bedroom is a place of rest, romance and relaxation. ONLY.

Consider painting your bedroom. Follow feng shui principles (earthy colors) or simply follow your heart. Find a color that is restful that you love and give your bedroom a fresh look.

Feng shui recommends that your bed have a soft headboard and that you have two bedside tables (not one). Position the bed and tables diagonally from the bedroom door but in a position where you can see the door. In feng shui, this is a commanding position.

Don’t position the bed under a window or push the side up against the wall. Try to avoid putting the bed against a wall that has a toilet on the other side. Don’t line up the bed with the door and never sleep with your feet in line with the door – the feng shui “coffin” position.

Find a way to bring nature into your bedroom, either with a window, a landscape painting, or plants.

Here’s an interesting article on what Feng shui recommends that you keep in your bedroom, and what to keep out.

How Do I Create a Sanctuary in My Bedroom?

A sanctuary is a place of refuge or safety. It is soft and warm. It smells good. You can create a sanctuary with your favorite colors, fabrics, and smells.

Find bed linens that you love. Think plush and fluffy. If you don’t really like fuzzy duvets or bedspreads, add a fuzzy throw to the bed. Make the bed into someplace you want to dive in and stay awhile. 

Add a warm, interesting rug under your bed that coordinates with your linens. Make sure it’s soft on bare feet. Then, once you have found the linens and rug of your dreams, paint your walls in a favorite, coordinating color.

Declutter your room, make your bed, and keep your room tidy. Get some candles in your favorite scent or try a diffuser with an essential oil. Purchase some lights that dim or string fairy lights.

Finally, decorate the walls with things that make you happy. 

Which Direction Is Best for My Bedroom?

Vastu shastra means the science of architecture. It was developed in India around the 6th century. The Vastu shastra combines architecture and nature through design and spatial geometry.

According to Vastu, the best corner of the house to locate your master bedroom is southwest. The second best direction is northwest.

If your bedroom isn’t located in one of these directions – and you can’t change it – then locate the bed in the southwest or northwest quarter of the room. Then, make sure your head is pointing in a southern or eastern direction, while your feet are pointing north.

Here’s more about Vastu shastra from Architecture & Design.

What Furniture Is There in Your Bedroom?

Most bedrooms have a bed frame, one or two bedside tables, and a wardrobe or chest of drawers. Larger bedrooms may have chairs or even a sofa for seating. Another popular furniture choice is a large bench at the end of the bed. Some benches have great storage for blankets.

Final Words

From personal experience, once you’ve got your bed, mattress, bed linen, and essential furniture in place – the most crucial thing you need to make your bedroom a sanctuary is to ban all electronic devices.

I used to sleep with my iPhone by the bed for years – using the excuse that I needed it for the alarm – but all I did was check emails and go on Twitter into the small hours.

I definitely get more sleep now I’ve stopped doing that and invested in a simple old-fashioned alarm clock!

Sweet dreams. 🙂