5 bedroom trends that are robbing you of a good night's sleep – and the simple swaps experts recommend

Hardwood flooring, statement lighting and a home office set-up in the corner could be among the bedroom trends ruining your sleep without you even realising it.

There's no shortage of stylish bedroom trends promising to transform your space, but some of the most popular looks may be making it harder to unwind at the end of the day. 'We're seeing a real shift towards designing bedrooms that support wellbeing rather than simply looking beautiful,' explains Alisdair Gray, director of interior design studio Cousins & Cousins. 'Many of the trends that have become popular in recent years can absolutely work, but it's all about balance.'

From home offices that blur the lines between work and rest to hard flooring that reflects noise, experts say these are the trends you might want to rethink. The good news is, you don't need a completely new bedroom design for better sleep - a few simple swaps can do the trick.

1. Hardwood and laminate flooring

Hardwood and laminate flooring have become some of the most popular bedroom flooring choices in recent years. 'This is thanks to their contemporary look, easy maintenance and ability to complement the rise of natural, biophilic interiors,' believes Alisdair.

While hardwood and laminate don't create noise, they don't absorb it either, which is where the problem lies, explains Dr Maja Schaedel, co-founder of The Good Sleep Clinic. 'Instead of the noise being dampened, any sound tends to bounce and linger which can be more disruptive,' she says.

Thankfully, you don't need to ditch your hardwood flooring altogether. 'Pairing hard floors with rugs, upholstered furniture and other soft furnishings helps absorb sound and creates a much calmer environment,' says Alisdair.

2. Home offices in the bedroom

Since hybrid-working became the norm, the demand for home offices has increased. For many households, that means utilising the space you have - such as a corner of your bedroom. But according to sleep experts, this is one of the most common bedroom trends robbing you of a good night's sleep.

'When the bedroom is repeatedly used for work, the brain may begin associating the room with concentration, deadlines and problem-solving rather than rest,' explains clinical psychologist Dr Tracy King.

Working in the bedroom is a definite no-no, believes Dr Schaedel. For anyone who struggles with insomnia, she says one of the most effective therapy treatments involves keeping bedrooms solely for sleep.

'If you use your bed as a desk, your brain can get confused at bedtime, asking "Is it nighttime or daytime?" which can get in the way of being able to fall asleep and also impact the quality of our sleep,' she says.

If you can't move your workspace elsewhere, some clever home office storage ideas can help to separate work and rest. Alisdair recommends clever furniture placement, concealed storage or flexible layouts that allow your desk to be tucked away at the end of the working day.

3. Bright, layered lighting

Layered lighting has become a staple of modern bedroom design, helping to create a cosy atmosphere while making the space feel more functional. But the type of bedroom lighting you choose can make a difference to how easy it is to drift off.

'Layered lighting is one trend that's definitely here to stay because it allows people to adapt a room throughout the day,' says Alisdair. 'The key is choosing warmer light sources, rather than cooler, blue-toned lighting, which can interfere with the brain's ability to wind down.'

Dr Schaedel explains that lighting plays a key role in helping to regulate our natural body clock, making it one of the most important aspects to focus on. 'When you have dimmed lights in the evening, this encourages the release of melatonin, which signals that it's time for sleep,'

Opting for dim and warm lighting for two hours before bed, and using lamps rather than overhead lights can help, adds Dr Schaedel.

4. Overly layered textures

Adding texture - such as bouclé headboards, cosy throws and tactile cushions - has become a defining feature of bedroom design. Experts warn, though, that they could also be one of the bedroom trends ruining your sleep.

'Bouclé and heavily textured upholstery continue to be popular because they introduce warmth and tactility,' says Alisdair. 'However, layering too many competing textures, patterns and materials can create unnecessary visual noise.'

Dr King explains that our brains are constantly filtering the space around us, even when we're trying to relax. 'When a bedroom contains lots of competing textures, patterns, cushions, throws and decorative objects, it can begin to feel visually busy,' she says. 'The most useful question is “Does this room feel comforting or crowded?”'

Your bedroom doesn't need to be minimal or stripped of texture, though. Instead, try and focus on balancing soft textures with lots of visual breathing space to create a calmer, more restful sleeping environment.

Linen bedding is one of the easiest ways to do this - M&S Pure Linen Bedding is highly rated for its relaxed, textured feel without adding visual clutter.

5. Bold colour schemes

Bold colour drenching has become one of the biggest paint trends over the past couple of years, but certain shades might not create the most calming backdrop for sleep.

'Bold colour schemes, particularly strong reds, bright pinks and high-contrast palettes, remain popular as statement design choices, but these colours can be more stimulating than calming,' says Alisdair.

There is no blanket rule, though, when it comes to bedroom colour choices. As Dr King points out, what one person may find relaxing and calming, may have the opposite affect on someone else.

'For one person, deep red may feel warm, intimate and cocooning, while for another, it may feel intense, claustrophobic or agitating,' she explains. 'Bright pink might feel joyful and comforting to one person, while somebody else experiences it as stimulating or difficult to switch off from. This is why it is too simplistic to say that red is bad for sleep or that blue is always calming.'

So the good news is you don't necessarily need to pull out your paintbrush if you are drawn to bold, vibrant colours. You can look at using richer shades as accents, pairing them with softer, neutral tones and warm lighting to create a space that feels both stylish and relaxing.

Sleep-friendly bedroom buys

If any of these bedroom trends sound familiar, a few, small mindful tweaks could be all that's standing between you and a good night's sleep!