Whether you're styling to stay - serviced accommodation (SA), or for stage - flips, buy to lets (BTL), HMOs, every room should be styled. Out of all the rooms, the bedrooms are usually the 'safer' designed rooms. They're not a communal space like a kitchen or living room where a bold colour wouldn't feel like a bold move. Instead, a bedroom is a place of calm, to wind down and be rested. Therefore when it comes to more permanent features such as paint, there's not so much creative freedom and instead the styling does all the talking.
Let's jump straight into bed...
The Bed
Bedding
White is always best - not only does it look fresh, clean and inviting but it goes with everything. Incorporate texture and layers for a casual, effortless look. If you are just staging your property you therefore only need one set to dress all your rooms for photography. Pssst, an inexpensive handheld steamer will be your best friend on shoot day - here's our favourite!
tml top tip : If you are just staging, putting your duvet and pillows in a vacuum pack bag, with a set of neutral covers already on makes it so much easier to store and reuse again and again.
Cushions
When it comes to styling a bed, choose two or three pillow styles to layer, creating height at the back then sizing down. Mixing and matching different sized pillows creates both a relaxed and a curated feel. For cost saving, go for majority plain and inexpensive cushions and chose just a few hero cushions that are more expensive for that designer look.
For staging a 5 bed HMO we’d recommend :
2-4 x neutral covers (50 x 50cm)
2 x neutral (60 x 40cm)
1 x special (50 x 50cm - patterned or colourful)
1 x special (60 x 40cm - patterned or colourful)
Multiple combinations can be made from that concise set to make each room different but cohesive, and can then be left to stay on a sofa in the communal area afterwards - winning!
tml top tip : Having a few feather inserts from IKEA (ideally a size bigger than your cover) will give luxurious, plump cushions!
The Accessories
Mirrors
Aside from the practical, mirrors are great for bouncing light around a darker room and making spaces feel more open and connected. Maximise your natural light by hanging them opposite or adjacent to the window in the bedroom!
Art
No room is complete without art and that goes for the bedroom too. Above the bed, in an alcove or an area that you see as soon as you walk into the room would be our recommended location for art in a bedroom. When it comes to the type of art in your bedroom there aren't really any rules, just maybe nothing nudie-rudie (but then again, it depends who your target tenant is)!
Shelf styling
Invest in neutral “filler” props that you know will work time and time again, for years to come. We're talking books, vases, abstract ornaments and faux plants.
For properties being staged, these can be stored and topped up with smaller accessories and specific pieces to suit each property’s scheme, rather than buying a whole new staging kit every time.
With SA's, although these props will stay, the same rule applies to ensure that they don't date and can stay in the property with just small refreshes every so often.
To style, start with your largest pieces first then mix up plants, books, lighting and accessories to fill the gaps, always keeping a good space between each piece or cluster of objects (so you can see whats on
the shelf!)
tml top tip : For staging purposes only, take pictures on your phone of any styling setups you try out so you know exactly what goes where when the photographer arrives.
Curtains
Avoid curtains that only just cover your windows (they make them look teeny), instead hang curtain rods closer to the ceiling and slightly wider than the window to make them look bigger! Depending on the look, curtains can skim the floor or pool slightly. If using black out blinds, adding a sheer curtains (these are usually more affordable too) will add some finesse. The same rules apply for all rooms, not just bedrooms!
Lighting
Great feature lighting can make a standard space feel instantly stylish and like a high-end magazine. In. a bedroom you'll likely want 3 forms of lighting - an overhead ceiling light or wall lights to generally light the space, reading lights which could be wall sconces or bedside lamps, and a brighter light for anywhere your guest would be getting ready.
Whatever you do, go bold! Lighting can make a real design statement and help create a warm ambience throughout.
Styling a bedroom doesn't have to be daunting. By breaking the room down into key furniture and accessories needed and following tml rules, you'll have a super stylish bedroom in no time. If you want more guidance, download our 'Style my Property: Moodboard Guide' for tips on how to help you style every room.
