Whether you’re shuffling off to sleep after a long day of work, curling up for a quick Saturday afternoon nap or just seeking a moment’s escape from the rigors of everyday life, there’s no place more personal and private than your bedroom. It’s for that reason local interior designers say the bedroom should reflect your personality and cater to your own sense of serenity. Personal preference should dictate every design choice, from bed style and fabrics to decorative accents and color schemes. But once you’ve taken a look at what you need and want, the pieces fall into place—and the only limit is your own imagination.

“The most important thing to keep in mind when designing a bedroom is comfort,” says interior designer Ann Wisniewski, ASID, president of AJW Designs Inc. “Our bodies need sleep to repair and regenerate. Creating a comfortable environment that gives us a greater opportunity for this is not just nice, it’s vital.”

FORM REFLECTS FUNCTION
Since the bedroom should be a reflection of lifestyle, that might mean saying no to white linens for the couple who lets the family dog hop onto the bed, creating a collection of decorative pillows for the frequent napper or choosing silk sheets for the person who likes that first morning cup of coffee in bed.

Jackie Barkley of jBarkley Designs Inc. says there are many different types of family situations and rituals, all of which affect bedroom design. Early risers should choose different window treatments than those who prefer to sleep in; and whether a husband or wife likes to read at night, watch television or work on a laptop can mean a separate seating area is crucial so that one spouse can sleep while the other is awake.

Interior designer Vicky Panev also points out that while carpet is usually the most popular choice for the bedroom, those with allergies may prefer a hardwood floor with small rugs to eliminate allergens that prevent a restful night’s sleep.

CALMING COLORS
Bedrooms should be calming, comforting and intimate. Good rules of thumb include avoiding bright or loud colors, paying attention to the room’s balance and staying away from clutter and overcrowding.

“I tend to prefer more demure colors for the bedroom,” says Dianna Boykin, president of Signature Interiors. “You don’t need big, bright, bold colors and patterns in a bedroom.” She likes softer colors such as pastels or rich, deep earth and spice tones, and she notes that painting the ceiling darker than the walls can add an element of contrast to the room and can limit light reflection, which adds romance and coziness.

Wisniewski says ideal bedroom colors come more from the pastel end of the spectrum, such as blues, greens or neutral tones. While she tries to avoid more stimulating colors like red and orange, she says splashes of those livelier colors can work their way into the bedroom. Interior designer Shirley Mitchell, ASID, prefers shades such as soft taupes or shades of blue, sage greens and other muted colors. “If it’s too bright, it’s like a jolt,” she says. She adds that painting the ceiling a neutral color can add warmth to the room.

BEDROOM BALANCE
Symmetry and balance are also important to consider when designing the bedroom. Panev suggests incorporating repeating patterns or themes throughout the room, such as using the same fabric for a decorative floor pillow and a comfortable chair. Nightstands on either side of the bed with matching lamps or similar pictures also can lend a sense of symmetry.

“Generally speaking, they say we as a people seek symmetry,” Mitchell says. She points out that balance doesn’t necessarily have to come through matching pieces or fabrics—weight can be conveyed through details like color. A deep red, for example, will look heavier than a soft yellow.

CLEAR A SPACE
When it comes to items in the bedroom, less is definitely more. A room crowded with furniture won’t offer the relaxed feel that’s so important for a bedroom. If space provides, the bed, nightstands, one or two comfy chairs, a small table and a reading lamp should suffice. While other items, such as a bookshelf, can add interest, many experts say dressers, armoires and chests of drawers only serve to cramp space. That in mind, a well-designed closet is a vital component of a well-designed bedroom.

"I say max out your closets and make them as functional as possible,” Barkley says. “Don’t have a dresser if you don’t need one. Use the closet and put in shelves. Don’t have a chest of drawers if you don’t need it. You will just put stuff on top and clutter, clutter, clutter.” She recommends using a professional closet company or a do-it-yourself store to add shelving or drawers to allow your closet to hold more.

Boykin says her company frequently remodels clients’ bedroom areas to add more closet space. The main area of the bedroom should house only items that are there for comfort, she says, such as the bed and oversized chairs for curling up with a good book.

Hand in hand with overcrowding is the all-too-common problem of clutter. Simply cutting down on excess items in your bedroom and avoiding pieces of furniture that collect dust, such as glass-top nightstands, will help transform your bedroom into a peaceful oasis.

One final tip from many interior designers is to keep the television hidden in order to further create a sense of serenity in the bedroom. Some newer bedrooms have recessed areas for plasma televisions; small armoires or shutters can also hide the TV.

OFF TO BED
Whether you’ve got a lofty space or a tiny room, the bedroom’s primary focus will be, of course, the bed. Wisniewski recommends placing the bed first, preferably against a wall rather than a window. “According to feng shui principles, placing the bed against a wall provides a feeling of safety and support,” she says. “Placing the bed as far away from the door as possible and behind the midline of the room provides a quiet place away from the ‘chi,’ or energy, of the rest of the house, making it easier to settle down and fall asleep.”

The type of bed you choose depends largely on your own sense of style and the look you are trying to achieve. Wisniewski notes that fabric headboards are popular and can be designed to fit “any space or whimsy.” Boykin adds that sleigh beds are popular for those seeking a touch of an old-world feel. Many people, she says, are also moving toward a lifestyle-casual look for the bedroom—more simple lines and pieces in contrast to the heavier, carved look.

Your bedding provides another focal point for the bedroom, and the right choice can make all the difference for a well-designed retreat. Kathy Porter, The Linen Lady, says that when it comes to bedding, “reality dictates and comfort sells.” That concept includes choosing your fabrics according to your lifestyle and making sure you buy the right size bedding for your bed and mattress.

While the variety available in the world of bedding is extensive, Porter says traditional colors remain popular. Gender-neutral bedding, she adds, is important for married couples. “The bedroom is the place where you rest your body, rest your soul,” she says. “It should be comfortable. What’s soothing for one person isn’t necessarily soothing for another person.”

MAKING IT YOUR OWN
The bed, furniture, walls, floors and lighting all add up to an array of options for making your bedroom a unique reflection of your personality.

Local interior designers say they have seen a variety of recent trends in bedroom design, from a more contemporary look to the luxurious, upscale hotel or spa/resort look. Boykin says as younger consumers enter their 30s, they’re increasingly drawn to the urban loft look. Others are creating sitting areas that make a welcoming environment for children and parents to gather and read books or spend time together—almost like a little family room.

THE LITTLE THINGS
It doesn’t take a big budget to make big changes in the bedroom. Small touches can make a difference in creating a cohesive look. Boykin says focusing on solid colors when creating contrast can be much less expensive than trying to incorporate a specific pattern into a room.

Mitchell says thinking creatively can open doors to a beautifully designed bedroom. A table can be made using an old drum or a piece from a garden shop—the possibilities abound, she says. Art, too, can add interest and doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

One other bit of advice from Mitchell: Choose your expensive pieces carefully and build around them. “Never purchase any large piece quickly,” she adds. “Always think through your purchases.”

Barkley says decorative pillows can also make a bedroom blossom on a budget. “They add dimension, interest, texture, color and luxury. It doesn’t cost a lot to make a pillow, and it can give you a lot of bang for your buck.” Another tip that applies for all bedrooms is to keep them clean, with the bed made. Last but not least? “Keep some fresh flowers next to your bed,” she says. “Nothing is more beautiful than a fresh flower, even if it is only a single rose.”

No matter the style, size or budget, experts say a well-designed bedroom is one that gives you that certain sense of serenity and relaxation. Panev says, “If you feel good in the room, it’s probably right for you.”