Bedroom design trends in 2012

Another year is well underway, and as the colour that comes with every spring begins to appear, it might well be time to inject a little life into your own home. Where better place to start that in your bedroom? With the property market still taking its time to recover in 2012, there’s never been a better opportunity to add a little value to your home by sprucing it up, increasing both its value and your comfort.

For many of us, our bedroom is our inner sanctum. Perhaps the most personal room of all, it reflects who we are, and when it comes to design, getting your bedroom right can have a huge effect on your quality of life. Of course, fashions are always changing in the world of interior design, so what are the bedroom design trends for this coming year?

First things first, it’s important to clarify your needs and wants before you start picking styles, because even the trendiest design ideas may not be right for your home. Think about things like the size of the room, how many people are using it and how much storage you need. If you live in a studio space, will it double as a living and sleeping space? Likewise, many older houses and apartments will not necessarily offer the greatest natural light, so make sure you choose a colour scheme accordingly. The best bespoke bedrooms will take all this into account, but once you’ve got these things clear, it’s time to start choosing your perfect bedroom style.

2012 is all about comfort. That might seem a given when it comes to bedrooms, but the sparse modern trends that have dominated the century so far have often sacrificed this essential aspect for style. Not anymore. This year is all about making your bedroom feel as warm and cosy as possible, with deep, rich colours, comfortable materials such as wood and furs, and exotic objects all at the forefront of the design palette.

What materials have you got to choose from? Well designers this year are combining everything from wood to leather, glass, different textile materials and even plastics to get the right bedroom finish, with trends very open to quirky and unconventional design solutions rather than standard finishes. Thinking outside the box can increase space and convenience. Why not combine storage with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, or add some cushions to a wood storage chest to create a comfortable bedroom seat?

One thing that remains at the heart of bedroom design, however, is mirrors, a timeless solution that creates light and depth in even the darkest rooms, and can also add a little fun. Remember, it’s all about thinking outside the box, so think how mirrors might add that extra sparkle to your room, whether by placing them on walls or ceilings, or even incorporating them into furniture.

Remember, the heart of making a bedroom feel like home is making sure that it includes your personal touch, and 2012 is all about including those signature pieces that scream ‘You!’. Whether these are your favourite paintings, or artefacts you have collected on your travels (ethnic goods are really big this year), don’t be afraid to use stand-out pieces that you might have preferred to show off in communal spaces in your bedroom. After all, you’re going to spend a lot of time there, so choosing select objects that are personal to you will help transform your bedroom into somewhere you call home.

Of course, these are just a few tips on trends to get you started, and the world really is your oyster. If you’re still struggling as to which direction to take, then it’s worth seeking advice from a bedroom specialist. With a whole range of bespoke and fitted bedrooms on offer, that can be made to suit your needs, they’ll have the knowhow to get you the bedroom you need.