Creating a peaceful sleep sanctuary you can escape to at the end of a long day is paramount to a well-lived life. Feeling at home in your own bedroom means discovering what style suits you best. Below is a roundup of Emma Reddington's looks to get you started on figuring out your own sleep aesthetic.
The Minimalist Room
Do you tend to favour stripped back spaces with minimal ornamentation? If so, the minimalist bedroom is for you. The main tenet of minimalism is to live with less but it’s also about decorating with intention. As home organizing expert Shira Gill states, “A minimalist home is synonymous with an intentional home—it’s about surrounding yourself with items you need, use, and love, and stripping away the excess.” Everything you bring into your bedroom should be considered and thoughtful. Keep paint colours consistent throughout and choose a calming colour like a warm white. Bed linens in a similar colour to your walls will make the room feel restful. Don’t forget to invest in a good quality organic mattress and organic pillows. When you buy with purpose you don’t end up purchasing unnecessary pieces.
The Romantic Retreat
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If you love surrounding yourself with freshly cut flowers, heirloom pieces and feminine colours like pink and mauve then you may lean toward a romantic aesthetic. Setting the mood in a pretty bedroom is all about piling on the soft layers from a plush linen headboard, to overlapping sheets, a duvet cover, and a matelassé cotton throw. Instead of paint try plastering your walls which will give your room a sublime, airy atmosphere. Finish it off with ethereal flowers and surround yourself with your favourite items collected over the years.
The Artisanal Bedroom
Rooms that tell the story of their owners and emit an emotional feeling can be described as artisanal – they show the hand of their maker. Our bedrooms should not only look good but also make us feel good and this happens when we feel comfortable in our spaces. If this aesthetic appeals to you, dress your room in a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces that have soul. Rough textures, finishes and items that develop a patina over time are all helpful in establishing this look. Crinkled linens in organic cotton will give you that laidback, lived-in feeling.
The Midcentury Modern Room
If you’re drawn to more functional spaces that draw inspiration from the clean, unadorned style of the 1950s and 60s then you may prefer a mid-century modern aesthetic. Rich colours like indigo blue contrast beautifully with wood walls or furniture while rust and cream accent colours are a perfect foil. The mid-century modern bedroom can sometimes feel a little cold so think about adding softness to the room with a fabric headboard and a plush rug.
The Organic Modern Room
Finally, if you’re drawn to the sophistication of a modern home but want it to feel warm and cozy at the same time, the modern organic look is for you. This look combines the clean lines of modernism with earthy, natural textures which gives it a softness and livability. Look for furniture pieces made from white oak and layers with organic bed linens like a quilted comforter and perfectly wrinkled throw. Stick to neutral shades like white and oatmeal for your walls and bedding. Embrace the organic curves found in nature and look for rounded pieces for your table lamp, art and accessories.
Shop the Look: The Minimalist Room
300 Thread Count Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set by Coyuchi
Indulge in the cool, crisp and classic tailoring of Coyuchi’s Organic Cotton Sheets
Available in 6 sizes and 5 colours
$289 - $429
Kakun Customizable Organic Pillows
Available in Latex or Wool fill, these pillows are sustainable and fill adjustable to properly support the head and correctly align the neck
Available in standard, queen, king and travel size
Removable Kakun organic cotton canvas pillow protector included
$139 - $249
Shop the Look: The Romantic Retreat
Linen Designer Headboard by Obasan
Crafted in Canada using all-natural materials, this headboard adds a tactual sophistication to any bedroom
Available in twin/twin xl, full/double, queen and king
Height options are 60” tufted/untufted and 48” tufted/untufted
Colour options are flax, onyx and smoke
Matching foundation available
Prices vary by size and style
Cotton and Linen Duvet Covers
Dress and protect your Kakun Wool Comforter in beautiful, ethically made organic cotton and linen duvet covers by Coyuchi
Available in twin, full/queen and king sizes
Various colours and organic fabric options
Prices vary by size and fabric
Topanga Organic Cotton Matelasse Throw
This ultra-light throw has a crinkled finish with fringed edges
Throw size
Available in *variegated and solid colours (*while supplies last)
$199
Shop the Look: The Artisanal Bedroom
Linen Designer Headboard by Obasan
Crafted in Canada using all-natural materials, this headboard adds a tactual sophistication to any bedroom
Available in twin/twin xl, full/double, queen and king
Height options are 60” tufted/untufted and 48” tufted/untufted
Colour options are flax, onyx and smoke
Matching foundation available
Prices vary by size and style
Cotton and Linen Duvet Covers
Dress and protect your Kakun Wool Comforter in beautiful, ethically made organic cotton and linen duvet covers by Coyuchi
Available in twin, full/queen and king sizes
Various colours and organic fabric options
Prices vary by size and fabric
Topanga Organic Cotton Matelasse Throw
This ultra-light throw has a crinkled finish with fringed edges
Throw size
Available in *variegated and solid colours (*while supplies last)
$199
Shop the Look: The Midcentury Modern Room
Cascade Organic Matelasse Blanket
Layer up with this light and textured organic cotton blanket
Available in twin, full/queen and king sizes
5 colour options
$339 - $509
Wool Designer Headboard by Obasan
Crafted in Canada using all-natural materials, this headboard adds an element of sophistication to any bedroom
Available in twin/twin xl, full/double, queen and king
Height options are 60” tufted/untufted and 48” tufted/untufted
Colour options are stone, carbon, oatmeal and herringbone
Matching foundation available
Prices vary by size and style
Shop the Look: The Organic Modern Room
Diamond-Stitched Organic Cotton Comforter
Made from organic cotton crinkled percale, this light diamond quilted comforter is beautiful on its own, or it doubles as a duvet insert. This comforter features inconspicuous corner loops to keep it secure in a duvet cover.
Available in twin, full/queen and king sizes
4 colour options
$409 - $509
Pismo Organic Cotton Throw
With its geometric pattern, The Pismo is a contemporary take on matelassé.This light throw is stone washed with top and bottom eyelash fringed edges giving it a soft yet modern look and feel.
Colour options are lake, hazel and cypress
$159
Emma Reddington is a design editor, stylist and expert who has worked in the home industry for over fifteen years. She is the current Deputy Editor and West Coast correspondent for House & Home magazine where she formerly held the titles of Editor-in Chief and Style Director. A former VP of the Editorial Studio at Indigo Books & Music and Home Director at Chatelaine Magazine, she began her career as an Exhibition Designer at the Art Gallery of Ontario where she worked on the iconic Frank Gehry transformation. In 2019, she wrote her first book Nomad: Designing a Home for Escape and Adventure. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and two children.
