How to create a hotel-style bedroom at home

A good hotel room feels calm, comfortable and uncluttered. You can recreate that feeling at home with a few deliberate choices, starting with the bed.

1. Make the bed the star

Hotel rooms are built around an impressive bed. A tall, upholstered headboard instantly gives that look: think panelled, winged or buttoned designs in velvet, chenille or boucle. Our hotel beds and upholstered beds are a good starting point, and our upholstered bed buying guide explains fabrics and headboard styles.

Go as big as the room comfortably allows. A king or super king feels luxurious, but only if you can still walk around it easily. See double vs king.

2. Layer the bedding

Crisp white or soft neutral bed linen is the classic hotel choice.
Add a throw or bed runner across the foot of the bed.
Use two layers of pillows: sleeping pillows plus a row of decorative or square pillows in front.
A mattress topper adds that sink-in feel, but check the bed's maximum mattress height if it has an ottoman or deep frame.

3. Symmetry and lighting

Hotels love symmetry: matching bedside tables either side of the bed, each with a matching lamp. Use warm white bulbs and add a dimmer or lamps you can switch from bed. Our bedside lamp guide and bedside table height guide help you get the proportions right. Our bedside lamps include designs from Zuiver, SOLACE+CO and Woood.

4. A calm colour palette

Stick to two or three colours: for example warm white, stone and one deeper accent such as navy, green or rust.
Repeat the accent in the headboard, a cushion and a piece of art to tie the room together.
Choose textures over patterns: velvet, linen, wool and wood add interest without busyness.

5. Hide the clutter

The real secret of a hotel room is that there's nothing out. Give everything a home:

An ottoman bed hides spare bedding and suitcases.
Wardrobes with internal drawers keep surfaces clear. See our wardrobe checklist.
Bedside tables with drawers hide chargers and books.

6. Add a seat

A small accent chair or a bench at the foot of the bed gives you somewhere to sit and put on shoes, and adds a boutique touch. Compare accent chairs and see our guide to armchairs vs accent chairs.

7. Finishing touches

A large rug under the bed, extending well beyond the sides. Our rug size guide explains how big to go.
Full-length curtains hung high and wide make windows look larger and help with darkness.
A mirror, a piece of art above the bed, and a tray for perfume or a carafe of water.

Hotel-style on a budget

Start with the bedding and lamps: they change the feel of a room more than anything else for the money.
Add a headboard-style upholstered bed when you next replace your frame.
Clear surfaces and hide clutter in an ottoman bed or storage boxes.
Swap mismatched bedside tables for a matching pair.