Inspiration

If we’re honest, we probably spend a fair amount of time thinking about the decor of our bedrooms but a lot less time consider the art with which we decorate the space, and the effect it can have on our sleep quality.

Our bedrooms should feel soothing and tranquil, places to unwind and drift gently to sleep. Art can evoke powerful emotions which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to relax, so selecting pieces that help create a soothing environment is important. Cool, soft colours such as blues and greens will work much better than energetic brights, but the subject matter and even placement of pictures will play an important part in helping to create a good sleep space.

Here are our top tips for finding the right art to fall asleep with.

• Art in your bedroom should feel innately personal to reflect the room’s sense of privacy. This is not about making a public statement about your art tastes but about surrounding yourself with things that mean something to you.
• Nature, undulating landscapes or seascapes and abstract sketches can be soothing; anything with curves and soft lines will create a feeling of safety, unlike angular, dynamic designs which will feel more confrontational. Save the action or stimulating artworks for more public areas of the house.
• Large portraits or banks of family photos are not great ideas in bedrooms: you don’t want to feel like you’re being watched as you go to sleep. Instead, keep small photo frames of loved ones on a bedside table or dressing table.
• Consider hanging a tapestry, needlepoint work or even a kilim or quilt as an artwork. The tactile textiles have the added attraction of being sound-absorbing as well as softening the look of the room.
• While you don’t want to ‘match’ your art to your decor, do think about colour schemes. Maybe pick up a colour in your walls or upholstery and reflect that in the painting to help the space feel cohesive.
• Position a large painting above the bed, as long as the bed frame isn’t too high which can make the arrangement feel squashed. If there isn’t enough room, hang the large piece opposite the bed rather than on the side walls. Bedrooms should feel clutter-free so pictures hung on walls that see you brushing past regularly can feel unsettling.
• Symmetry offers a well-documented sense of calm, it feels easy on the eye so consider hanging smaller frames on either side of a bed – perfectly lined up – above the bedside tables to emphasise the sense of balance in a room. Or add some height by stacking three similar sized prints in a vertical row above the bedside table.
• Finally, if you’re lucky enough to have a four poster bed, the posts can be used effectively to ‘frame’ a painting against a wall. As with hanging all art, it’s about creating a sense of placement – the picture is meant to fill the gap on the wall.