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Crave change but don’t want a full overhaul? These easy, budget-friendly tweaks will instantly transform your bedroom
Winter has a habit of leaving us craving change — and the bedroom is often the first place we feel it. By the time the heavy grey cloud finally lifts, we’re firmly in clean-and-declutter mode, ready to shake off the last of the winter blues. It’s only natural that our interiors begin to feel ready for a refresh too, but a full redesign is rarely practical.
So we asked designers and stylists to share the best seasonal updates for the bedroom that are affordable, achievable and high impact. Here are 10 simple ways to refresh your bedroom for the season ahead — because it’s the room where every day begins and ends.
The bed sets the tone for the entire bedroom, so it’s the first place to start when the seasons change. 'Swap out your heavy winter throws and chunky knit cushions for something lighter,' says Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director of Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio. 'Think linen, cotton, or a soft waffle weave in a colour that feels a little more alive.'
It's also an opportunity to bring in fresh colour. 'Sage green, warm terracotta, a soft butter yellow – anything that feels like it belongs in spring light,' she adds. 'You'll be amazed how much a duvet cover change alone transforms the mood of a room.'
Pictured: Misty Green Herringbone Bedding & Bedsheets, Soak & Sleep
'Next, and this is the one people always overlook, clean your windows,' Lisa continues, adding that it's a simple task with an enormous effect. 'Winter light is flat, and spring light is golden and gorgeous. Let it actually get in there. While you're at it, take down any heavy curtains and swap them for something more lightweight.'
Pictured: House Beautiful Ripple Blue Pleated Blinds, Hillarys
Lisa's final piece of advice is tidying up what has a habit of becoming the bedroom's dumping ground. 'Have a good, ruthless clear-out of your bedside table. We all accumulate winter junk, half-read books, phone chargers and hand cream from three Christmases ago,' she says. 'Edit it right back: a lamp, one book, one beautiful object. Calm surfaces equal a calm mind, and that's the whole point of a bedroom, isn't it?'
• Need more inspiration? 10 best bedside tables that do more than hold a lamp
Another tiny tweak that makes a huge difference is tidying and tucking visible cables. 'A tidy home really does equal a tidy mind,' says Andrew Seed, managing director at The Odd Company. 'Loose wires and cables never look luxurious; hide them where possible and use zip ties to help keep them from straying.'
Pictured: Samena Ottoman In Air-Force Blue, OKA
For a change in atmosphere, consider swapping out some of the lightbulbs in your bedroom. 'Lighting can instantly change the vibe of your space from clinical to cosy cabin chic,' Andrew continues. 'The colour of your lighting is a good place to start. Change any white light bulbs to warm white or amber tones to create a more inviting atmosphere in your bedroom.'
Pay attention to the positioning, too. 'Place lamps in areas where shadows tend to gather and ensure the light is directed away from your eyes to avoid any harsh glares that might make you feel as though you're under interrogation, which can be rather off-putting and stressful,' he adds.
Pictured: Brooklyn Glass Cone Pendant Light, Industville
To bring your space back to life, literally, simply add a few plants or fresh cut flowers. 'Don't underestimate the impact of greenery,' stresses Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillarys. 'A couple of fresh stems in a simple vase – tulips are my favourite – or a plant that thrives indoors, makes a bedroom feel instantly more alive.'
Pictured: Lark Manor Caton Wood Bedside Table, Wayfair
Nothing instantly elevates a room quite like a fresh, spring-leaning room fragrance. 'Introducing a new scent through a candle or diffuser is underrated,' says Simon Mayhew, interior designer and founder of TXTURED. 'Scent is so tied to how we feel in a space and it costs very little to change it.'
Pictured: Light Pink Ceramic Pot Candle with Lid, Heaven Scent
You don’t need to buy anything new; reworking your existing pieces can completely change the feel of your bedroom. 'I’m a big believer in the power of rearranging what you already have,' says Victoria. 'Moving a side table, repositioning the bed slightly, or swapping lamps around can make the room feel "new" without spending anything. I do this all the time in my own home when I want a reset.'
Pictured: Woodchester Vine Cushion Cover, OKA
Upgrading your space can be as simple as introducing a different pattern, colour or texture. Rugs are a perfect vehicle for this. 'To keep the atmosphere serene, look for "gentle" patterns,' advises Maria O'Brien, vice president of design at Ruggable. 'Those characterised by soft edges and a palette of muted, earthy tones. Think delicate patterns on soft rugs that enhance the room’s sense of quiet and anchor it in peaceful tranquillity.'
Pictured: Bedroom project by Studio Duggan
Finally, if you're willing to splurge a little, consider doing a furniture swap. Smaller pieces, like lamps or bedside tables, are a great choice because they typically don't require a big financial investment.
'Consider the space you have and choose accordingly, for example, you could opt for mirrored bedside tables as something more fun and a way to maximise light, or a narrow table if you’re a little limited on space,' advises Laura Rich, creative product lead at Furniturebox. 'Building your room around key pieces can draw the eye and make you feel like you’ve done a drastic overhaul, when you’ve actually only done a simple swap.'
Pictured: Dahl rechargeable table lamp, dar lighting group
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