Transform your bedroom into a luxurious retreat that rivals any five-star hotel

Sure you spend most of your hours in the bedroom asleep, but you still want to create a retreat that embodies, comfort, relaxation, and the luxurious feeling of stepping into a 5-star hotel.

You can’t beat the feeling of checking into a hotel and basking in that instant feeling of relaxation that welcomes you. So, in order to design a bedroom like a hotel room, you’re going to want to begin by building a space built for dreaming.

If you’re wondering how, we’ve spoken to expert interior designers for their very best tips on how they approach designing hotel bedrooms – or bedrooms that feel just like one. Here’s what they had to say.

How To Design Your Bedroom Like A Luxury Hotel

‘If you want to create a bedroom that is as seductive as a luxury hotel room, the key word is indulgent,’ says Christine Carney, director of design for Blackberry Farm Design. ‘Cover the bed in the most luxurious bedding, coziest duvet, and luscious throws. Layer on sumptuous, plush pillows for an elevated sleep. And hide the television and electronics – make the space a sanctuary from the noise of the day,’ she advises.

1. Start with a plump and plush bedscape

Comfort is king. To create a dream sanctuary – and maximize on beauty sleep – the making of the bed needs to take center stage. And while we know you know how to do that in principle, there are a few expert-level tricks to learn.

Toronto-based interior designer Jessica Cinnamon of Jessica Cinnamon Design agrees that creating a hotel bedroom vibe starts with the bed. ‘Select the most luxurious bedding and a good mattress, then source the fullest and fluffiest pillows,’ she suggests. ‘Luxury hotels generally use pillows that are made with 100 percent duck or goose down for that ultra soft comfort and for sheets, opt for crisp white sheets at least 300 thread count and look for sateen and percale sheets.’

‘Use a pair of large Euro square pillows to add height to the bed and layer in pattern or texture,’ she explains. ‘A good of rule of thumb is to match your shams to your duvet or quilt. Place your duvet on top, turned halfway down, with the quilt turned down over it and introduce a new texture with a throw.’

Lastly, treat your own bedroom like you would any hotel turndown service and remake the bed each morning.

2. Stick to a palette of hushed, soft, and soothing tones

When considering which color is best for a bedroom to make it feel like a hotel space, the answer is always to stick to neutral bedroom ideas.

‘Start with a neutral color palette,’ advises Regina Sturrock of Regina Sturrock Design. ‘Shades of white, beige, and soft grays create a calm and serene atmosphere, similar to luxury hotels. This provides a perfect backdrop for elegant and sophisticated decor,’ she adds.

Hushed tones not only make a room feel more peaceful for a better nights sleep, but they also help to visually expand the space, giving it an open, airy feel. You can then accent your neutrals with color, pattern, and texture like soft pale blues, gentle greens, or blush tones, which all promote relaxation while still adding a bit of character to the room.

3. Mood lighting is key to ambiance

‘Think about the atmosphere you’d like to create in your sleep space,’ advises Jessica Cinnamon. ‘Hotels always offer various lighting and is essential to creating a moody and soft bedroom, so be sure to have indirect lighting and dimmer switches.’

Lighting is the most important factor when creating mood, especially in a bedroom. Aside from ensuring you have plenty of natural light streaming through with some clever bedroom window treatment ideas, but your artificial light sources should also be soft, diffused, and adaptable. To create this layered bedroom lighting idea, think beyond basic overhead lights and incorporate a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting.

‘A statement chandelier will add a touch of glamour,’ adds Regina. ‘Combine it with bedside lamps that offer both functionality and style. Soft, diffused lighting creates a warm and inviting ambiance.’

4. Keep decor to thoughtful, pared-back amount

Instead of filling the space with numerous objects or accessories, hotel designs focus on carefully chosen, high-quality pieces that have a purpose – rather than serve as clutter. ‘Embracing a ‘less is more’ approach is key to achieving a luxurious look so focus on high-quality, simple finishes,’ suggests Sonya Haffey, CEO at V Starr.

‘Keep surfaces uncluttered and free from personal items,’ agrees Regina. ‘This enhances the feeling of a clean, hotel-like environment. Use minimal and thoughtfully chosen decor to maintain a sophisticated look.’

But, this doesn’t mean you can’t show personality. Provide enough bedroom storage for odds and sods like stray hair ties and glasses, but a framed family photo for your bedside is certainly allowed.

Each item should feel deliberate, contributing to the overall mood of the room without overwhelming it. ‘High-end hotel rooms are often thoughtfully curated with just the right amount of decor,’ says Jessica. ‘I advise to always take this approach with your own bedroom interior and look for minimal visual clutter within.’

5. Consider your furniture arrangements carefully

‘Transforming your bedroom into a luxurious hotel room can be done by simply incorporating thoughtful design details common in high-end hotels,’ says Enrique Vela, director of strategy at V Starr. ‘Elevate your space with a banquette or cozy seating area where space allows, stylish bedside reading sconces, and convenient power outlets in your nightstands.’

When recreating this look in your bedroom, it’s important to think carefully about how your furniture is arranged to ensure a sense of flow. In most main bedrooms, the bed is centered against a wall, with nightstands on either side for symmetry. ‘Symmetry is key in luxury hotel rooms,’ agrees Regina. ‘Place matching bedside tables and lamps on either side of the bed for a balanced look. This symmetry provides a sense of order and calm.’

Additionally, a small armchair or bench at the foot of the bed can be both practical (for getting dressed or for suitcases in a hotel) and a touch of comfort, while a console table or dresser placed thoughtfully along the wall provides extra storage and somewhere to get ready.

6. Scent the space for ultimate relaxation

Scent has a pretty powerful impact on mood and can instantly transform how you feel in a space. By introducing the right fragrances into your bedroom, you can enhance the feeling of relaxation and make the room feel like a truly restful space.

Interior designer Kathy Kuo says: ‘The key to making your bedroom feel like a luxury hotel is actually quite simple: invest in top quality bedding and invest in luxury home scents.’

‘Of course wall art, rugs, decor, and furniture matter too, but I promise that home scents – either candles or oil diffusers – can also work overtime in delivering that hotel-like experience,’ she suggests. ‘Take some time to figure out the scent that brings you the deepest feeling of joy and relaxation and make it a permanent fixture in your bedroom.’