Your ticket to tranquillity
When your daily schedule is hectic and life keeps coming at you relentlessly, you need to take the time to pause and find equilibrium. You need zen. A branch of buddhist teaching, zen has been embraced by the west for its philosophy of stillness and simplicity in everyday life. Finding inner peace by slowing down certainly has its appeal and nowhere more so than in our homes.
Our bedrooms are the last port of call in the day, the place where we recharge our batteries, so if there’s anywhere that could use a little bit of zen, it’s right here. And this new sense of serenity doesn’t have to be hard to achieve. With our 18 zen bedroom ideas, we can help your space transform from cluttered chaos into a distraction-free sanctuary…
1. Build in plenty of storage
It’s a sad fact of life that clutter breeds stress.
So in order to make your bedroom a placid oasis, banishing the mess should be priority one! If you don’t want to get rid of everything, the best way to manage your things is with better storage.
Installing fitted wardrobes is one bedroom idea that gives you substantially more space than freestanding options and helps you to hide anything you don’t want on show.
But you can also add in other smart storage options like bay window seating, ottomans and over-bed cabinets to max out your clutter combatting abilities.
Another way you can use your space more efficiently is to bring it right up to the ceiling and into any awkward nooks. Corner wardrobes are fantastic for this and can elevate the usability of your space massively by making better use of tricky angles.
2. Reinvigorate with fresh neutrals
What better way to reflect a sense of clarity than with a splash of fresh neutrals?
Soft whites, creams and greys essentially bring your space back to that of a blank canvas, creating a relaxing interior where nothing is vying for attention.
This low-key look is fantastic for getting yourself into the right headspace for relaxation and makes the perfect antidote if your previous colour schemes were too loud or vibrant.
Neutrals set the scene for chill and look fantastic used alongside natural materials and finishes. If you need an easy zen bedroom idea that completely transforms your space, this is definitely one to try.
3. Grounding wood finishes
Speaking of natural finishes, no zen bedroom would be complete without wood somewhere in the design.
What’s so wonderful about a wood finish is that it provides that natural connection, bringing a touch of the outdoors indoors. And it's natural elements like this which help us to disconnect from our fast-paced world and unwind.
If you need some inspiration on working wood into your bedroom, take a look at our Nordic Oak finish. With its tactile grain and rich wood tones, this versatile finish can be used to incorporate a zen feel into bedrooms, living rooms and beyond.
4. Calming colour palettes
Green is synonymous with nature, of silent forests and pastoral countryside - environments that uplift our spirit and clear our heads. So if there’s any colour palette that’s a shoe-in for bedrooms, you can never go wrong with green.
This is such an easy zen bedroom idea to work into your space, whether you’re just adding a lick of paint or bringing in some new furniture.
Did we also mention our Willow Green range is a super popular choice with customers?
Now you know why!
5. Wooden slats for a Japandi aesthetic
Want to add a touch of nature but keep your look quite contemporary? Bring in slatted wooden panels. They’re becoming hugely popular at the moment and it’s easy to see why. Creating a sense of warmth and texture, they’re perfect for any design that draws inspiration from nature, whether that’s Japandi design or zen minimalism.
And the great thing is, you can add slatted wooden panels into your fitted furniture with Sharps. With two finishes to choose from, as well as the option of integrated Vega shelf lighting, you can enjoy a gorgeous room centrepiece that adds plenty of ambience. A zen bedroom idea that’s made for contemporary homes.
6. Keep the bed low to the floor
Low bed frames aren’t just stylish - they can also help to create a feeling of being grounded and connected to your surroundings. And if you’re someone who tends to overheat at night, keeping your bed low to the floor will help you stay cool and comfortable as you sleep so you can wake up well rested.
Visually, wooden pallet beds and platforms are reminiscent of styles you might see in Japanese interior design, where minimalism reigns supreme. Another great thing about low-height bed frames is that they open up the rest of the room, creating a more spacious and airy feel - a fantastic choice if your bedroom is where you come to destress of an evening.
7. Let in plenty of natural light
Another fantastic zen bedroom idea is to let the light shine through. Natural light is a mood-booster so make sure your windows always allow sunshine to flow in freely. Not everyone has large windows to take advantage of, and in this instance, you can pair up any smaller windows with lightweight treatments so the maximum amount of light can stream in.
To increase the brightness of your room even further, it’s always a good idea to add in a mirror or two which will help reflect light into every corner of your space. Go for a big statement piece or even something functional and stylish like a mirrored wardrobe - it’s a game-changer for petite bedrooms where good lighting is essential.
8. Pare back your style
As exciting as a maximalist interior can be, it can create sensory overload - not exactly the feel you want when you’re styling a bedroom. Take your cues from minimalism instead. Zen, at its heart, is all about understated practicality.
Stand back and view your bedroom then remove anything surplus to requirements. We’re looking to create a pared-back aesthetic that gives you room to breathe.
This is perhaps one of the more important zen bedroom ideas we’ve got in our list because a tidy space makes for a tidy mind.
Strip back the clutter, donate what you don’t need and hide anything you don’t want on show.
The end result should be a space that feels practical, comfortable and more sophisticated.
A tranquil oasis where your mind and body rests.
9. Bring in soft lighting
It’s just as important to set the right tone in the evenings so this zen bedroom idea is all about layering your lighting. Don’t just rely on your main light - bring in lamps for a soft, warming glow.
Diffuse light will be gentler on your eyes as you’re getting ready to turn in for the night so look for options that aren’t too bright or dazzling.
For a bit of eastern style, paper lanterns bring a super cosy feel to your bedroom interior. You can either have them as standalone floor lamps, or you can add a paper lampshade to your main light source to soften its effect.
10. Use a monochrome palette
If you find neutrals a little bit bland and crave contrast in your interior design, a fantastic way to do this (and still create a calming layout at the same time) is with a monochrome palette.
With a greater scope of shades to work with, you can create a pleasing interior layout that’s also easy on the eyes.
Monochrome bedroom designs are also wonderfully timeless and versatile, so if you want to make changes further down the line, you absolutely can.
To keep your style zen and avoid it becoming too bold, try to bring in different patterns and textures to soften its overall look.
11.Add in some greenery
Plants are shown to reduce anxiety levels and taking care of them is a fantastic way of disconnecting from the rigours of modern life.
While you can choose any house plants that take your fancy, keep in mind that if they have a fragrance you like, it can be a nice bonus to help you relax in the evenings.
Jasmines, orchids and scented geraniums make brilliant choices and are a shoe-in for creating the right atmosphere.
12. Think about spacing
A harmonious interior isn’t just about curating the right objects; it’s also about considering the negative space around them.
Making sure that everything has breathing room is so important, especially in smaller spaces that get cramped more easily.
There is a natural serenity in emptiness, so if your bedroom is feeling too visually busy, try taking out any extra pieces and moving them into another room. It can have a huge effect on the look of your space and your overall wellbeing at the same time.
13. Create a meditative environment
This zen bedroom idea might be a little more tricky to get right but it’s well worth the effort. It’s all about creating a quiet, meditative environment. Is your bedroom above a noisy room in the house? Or next to a busy street? It could be stopping you from getting the rest you need.
If this sounds familiar, take some steps to insulate your room from sound. A thick rug can work wonders for reducing noise coming from below so try a super comfy, deep-pile that looks great and feels luxurious.
For minimising the clamour of outdoors, soundproof curtains and acoustic wall panels are the way to go.
14. Sliding doors for a Japanese feel
A little nod to the design of Japanese houses, why not add some sliding wardrobe doors to your bedroom design? This chic fitted storage can be customised in a wide variety of panel styles and colours to create stunning yet beautifully low-key looks that bring your interior design together.
Style it up with a wood finish or go for sophisticated glass panels - there are so many ways to make it personal to your home. And as an added bonus, they’re a fantastic choice if you have a smaller bedroom because their doors gently sweep to the side to reveal your clothes. Elegant and practical - how very zen!
15. Keep your furniture feeling organic
When choosing furniture for your sleepy, peaceful bedroom, try to look for pieces with soft curves and flowing lines. The more organic in style, the better.
Hard edges will often look too severe in a zen bedroom so try to avoid them if you can.
Any soft furnishings should be cosy and welcoming, but when you’re adding your finishing touches like scatter cushions and blankets, remember not to overdo it.
Be selective and make sure that anything extra you add doesn’t make your finished look too hectic.
16. Make it symmetrical
There’s a natural order in symmetry. It can give rooms a much-needed visual balance, the unspoken language of harmony and organisation. So if your room already has a layout that lends itself well to symmetrical design, try leaning into it. Accentuate its features with matching decor on either side of your room.
For anyone who can’t stand being untidy, a great benefit of symmetrical designs is that you can instantly see when things are out of place because it sticks out like a sore thumb. And there’s no better reason to pick up after yourself than to maintain that pristine symmetrical look.
17. Clear out or hide the tech
Technostress is real and it almost goes without saying that any zen bedroom should be a tech-free zone. No phones, no TV. But that’s often a tall order for most people, especially for those who get nervous from not having their phones easy to hand.
In this instance, we propose a compromise. Hide your tech away with clever storage solutions like built-in TV units, that give you the option of concealing it whenever it’s not in use.
This makes sure that the look of your space isn’t interrupted by technology, but still gives you the option of dipping into your tech when needed.
18. Use natural bedlinen
As you might imagine with a zen bedroom, synthetics take a back seat to more natural materials.
When it comes to your bed linen, opt for fabrics like organic cotton, linen, bamboo and hemp to keep you connected to the elements. Not only do they look fresh and crisp but they’re great at keeping you cool and comfortable at night.
For thicker blankets, try wool or some super sumptuous cashmere to make snuggling down into your bed feel extra relaxing. Once you’ve felt the difference good-quality linen can make, you’ll never go back!
Find your zen with clutter-free living
Need the tranquillity a zen bedroom can bring? We can make it happen with better storage. Our experts at Sharps know exactly how to optimise your space so that you’ve got the most storage to play with, leaving the rest of your bedroom interior to be a neatly organised retreat.
It’s simple - just book a Free Design Visit and you can discuss exactly what you want with your designer. The path to inner calm is just a few clicks away…
