The Bedroom Layout That Creates The Coziest Environment

Having a thoughtful bedroom layout leads to a good night's sleep, whether you think of the room as a sanctuary or simply the place you retire to at night. There's no single right way to create a cozy space. Factors like window and door placement come into play when you're designing your bedroom, but your comfort should be top of mind. You can start at the bed, the primary piece of furniture — without it, you just have a room. Once it's in the right spot, the rest of the furnishings more easily fall into place.

If your layout allows it, the bed should face the doorway, though it shouldn't be directly in front of it. When you're trying to properly feng shui your bedroom, an offset bed with a clear view of the entrance is ideal. But these arrangements may not be possible because of where the windows and HVAC vents are or if the room has dormers or a sloped ceiling. The bed may have to simply go where it will fit. Try not to cram it into a corner, unless that's the only place for it in a small room. Make note of where the electrical outlets are, leaving any necessary receptacles accessible. 

To help envision the best bedroom layout without arranging and rearranging the furniture, draw a sketch of the room. Cut out pieces of paper representing the furniture, and play around with different arrangement ideas. With your bed anchoring the layout, you can surround it with items like ottomans at the bed's foot, nightstands on either side, or a large rug underneath to get all the personality you need to make a snug and relaxing space.

Leaving space around the bed so you can comfortably get in and out is critical for a cozy bedroom, but larger beds typically need more room around them. A queen should have at least 30 inches of clearance around it, while a king bed should have a bit more to avoid looking too big for the space. Your bedroom furniture doesn't have to match; in fact, matching furniture may feel cold and regimented rather than inviting and comfortable. Using items that mesh but don't match creates a lived-in, character-rich space, and you can prioritize the function you want for a comfy, convenient, and clutter-free room.

Don't push all of the furniture against one wall. Keep the space balanced — try a short dresser under a window and a blanket chest at the foot of the bed, and create more closet storage with a tall dresser in it. Add at least one nightstand to manage and store items like makeup and jewelry. Use the remaining area for a comfy reading chair. Make sure walkways are clear and that doors open freely.

Accessories go a long way toward making a bedroom feel homey. Scatter rugs around the room, even if you have carpet. Arrange colorful throws and mounds of pillows on the bed. Invite a few house plants into the room, but maintain open space and avoid clutter. Too much "stuff" increases anxiety and restlessness, so consider how to create a bedroom layout that may actually improve your sleep quality. Choose soft, soothing lighting. Warm task lighting in a reading nook or on a nightstand creates intimate atmospheres, and if you need a light fixture over the bed, put it on a dimmer so you can dial in just the right level of coziness.