Bedroom & work & exercise space
The Challenge
To create one room that could comfortably do three things: sleeping, full-time working from home and exercising.
The space needed less furniture and a more flexible layout, with practical but beautiful pieces that allowed room for a yoga mat and exercise, while still creating a comfortable and inspiring place to work.
With damaged flooring in need of an update, the design also needed to feel cosy and well lit, particularly through the winter months. As the room overlooks a busy street, bringing greenery into the space was important to off-set the grey view and give the illusion of nature.
Rethink how much bed linen you need
You don’t need multiple sets of bed linen to change the look of a room. Invest in two simple sets, then collect different pairs of pillowcases to ring the changes. They’re cheaper, take up far less storage space and are an easy way to introduce new colour and pattern.
Hide whatever is under the bed
You don’t need to invest in a costly ottoman or storage bed to make use of the space underneath. Add a bed skirt or valance to your existing bed and choose simple under-bed storage that works for you. Hiding everything from view has an amazingly calming effect on the whole room.
Free up space with plug-in pendants
Plug-in pendant lights are a clever alternative to floor and table lamps. Hang them from hooks or brackets to keep surfaces and floors clear — and make a feature of the flex too, with so many beautiful colours and finishes now available.
Bring nature to the window
If your window looks out onto a grey or urban view, bring the greenery inside instead. Botanical curtains or blinds can create the illusion of looking out onto nature, adding colour, softness and a connection to the outdoors.
Layer your lighting
A multi-purpose room needs more than one type of light. Combine task lighting for working and reading with softer, atmospheric light for cosy winter evenings, then use interesting shades and fittings to add character even when the lights are switched off.
Choose furniture you can move
In a room that needs to change function throughout the day, flexibility is everything. Choose smaller, freestanding pieces of furniture that can be moved easily, allowing you to quickly clear space for work, exercise or whatever else the room needs to do.