Your bedroom should be your sanctuary – a place where stress melts, light softens and your surroundings gently invite rest. However, creating a calming space is not about following every trend, it is all about designing for how you want to feel.
Emma Taylor, Henley's Senior Interior Designer, believes that a beautifully relaxing bedroom is less about ‘rules’ and more about layering intention, comfort and a little creative freedom. Here, she shares her design approach to turning any bedroom into a deeply personal retreat, with inspiration from our latest display homes.
Choose hues that quiet the mind
If your bedroom feels busy, your brain stays busy. Soothing colour palettes, rooted in nature, are one of the simplest ways to signal calm. Soft blues, sage, clay, sand and warm whites are the tones Emma reaches for when curating restful bedrooms.
“There is a strong move towards colours that feel grounded,” Emma says.
“Blues and greens are timeless. Sage and emerald add depth, however, still feel soft. And the classic white-on-white look, when done with warm undertones, creates a calm and cloudlike feel.”
Don’t be afraid to play. Emma suggests starting with neutral foundations, then layering in muted tones through cushions, bed linen or art. “You can always inject a soft pastel pink or dusty olive green with a sheet set or a single cushion.”
Position and flow - where you place the bed matters
Designing a relaxing bedroom goes beyond just how it looks, it’s also about how it flows. The position of the bed has a major influence on the energy of the room.
“In Feng Shui, we place the bed where you can see the door without being directly in line with it. It’s called the commanding position and helps create a sense of safety and calm,” Emma says.
Indian design principles, such as Vastu Shastra, recommend placing the head of the bed towards the south or east to support clarity and positive energy.
“Whether you follow a cultural tradition or just go by feel, getting the position right can make your whole room feel more balanced,” Emma adds.
Texture, tone and restraint
A beautifully styled bed makes you want to fall into it. The trick is to focus on layering texture and creating visual softness.
Emma starts with pure and breathable bedding - 100% natural linen in white, cream or dusty hues. Then she builds up the bed with two or three well-chosen layers: think velvet cushions, faux fur throws, a touch of Mongolian wool or a piped and tailored pillow for structure.
“A mix of textures, such as French linen, velvet and embroidered finishes, creates interest without shouting for attention,” Emma says.
Swap pieces seasonally to keep the look feeling fresh. For summer, try crisp white linen with feather-filled pillows. For winter, bring in a plush velvet cushion or warm boucle throw.
Display home inspiration - take cues from calming spaces
We have designed some of the most inspiring bedroom spaces across Victoria. Here are a few favourites that capture the essence of calm:
- Valletta 453-D53RVE at Kalkallo: A masterclass in tonal layering. Sage greens meet neutral textures, French linen meets Eqyptian cotton. It feels luxurious yet grounded - like a five-star retreat.
- Allegra 442-D48 at Aintree: Featuring a soft boucle reading chair, bespoke feature lights and gentle, earthy tones. It’s both contemporary and inviting, with just the right amount of contrast.
- Geneva 210-S23 at Aintree: Statement wallpaper creates a subtle backdrop, while piped and studded bedheads add a bespoke, tailored finish. A modern take on elegance.
Light, texture and the power of details
Lighting makes or breaks the bedroom mood. Harsh overhead lights can undo all your good styling work. Emma recommends warm-toned globes, wall-mounted lights on either side of the bed, and soft feature pendants to create a glow, without the glare.
Artwork and mirrors also shape the atmosphere. A large, soft abstract painting above the bed, or a beautifully framed mirror to bounce the morning light, brings energy without noise.
And don’t forget tactile pieces. Curtains made of linen or velvet not only block out light, but add warmth and softness. A beautiful chair or reading nook in soft leather or brushed velvet offers somewhere to sit, reflect and unwind.
Do what feels like you
“The most common mistake people make is trying to do everything at once – every trend, every fabric, every feature,” says Emma.
“You don’t need to do it all. Start small. Swap a summer hemp cushion for wool-blend. Add a long tailored pillow or buy the pastel sheet set you have had your eye on.”
Emma’s best advice? Blend the personal with the practical. Mix old and new. Let your bedside table hold a book, not clutter. Choose art that speaks to you. And above all, make it feel like you.
With the right colours, considered textures and small moments of luxury, you can create a space that welcomes you home - every night.
Whether you know exactly how your dream bedroom will look, or need to see some inspiration first, we’ve got hundreds of bedrooms for you to explore across our network of over 50 display homes in Melbourne and Geelong.