Interior designer Nina Takesh is one of Homes & Gardens' new Editors-At-Large for By Design, sharing her thoughts on decor. See the rest of her articles here.
Whenever I design a bedroom, I always return to a few guiding ideas. They’re never about chasing trends or making a space look ‘perfect’ – they’re about how a room feels when you’re actually living in it. For me, a bedroom should grow softer, cosier, and more beautiful with time, not the opposite.
Here’s what I always keep in mind.
1. Start with Layering
For me, layering is what makes a bedroom feel finished. Without it, a space can feel flat or one-note. Bringing in different textures and tones instantly adds warmth and depth. It doesn’t have to be complicated – just thoughtful combinations that make the room feel more inviting and lived in.
2. Lighting Changes Everything
Lighting shapes the entire mood of a bedroom. Overhead lights have their place – usually when you’re tidying up or changing the sheets – but beyond that, I rarely switch them on. Instead, I rely on layered, low-level lighting: lamps on the bedside tables, and, when space allows, a pair of sconces or even a soft-glowing pendant. Everything is dimmable, always. I want my bedroom to feel bright and energising in the morning, then melt into something gentle and tranquil by evening.
3. Less Really Is More
I think bedrooms get overwhelmed so easily. A few too many pieces of furniture, or surfaces covered with little things, and suddenly the whole room feels busy. I like to pare things back – just the essentials, with space to move and breathe. When a room is edited down, it instantly feels more restful.
4. Materials That Age Gracefully
This is a big one for me. I’d much rather invest in pieces that will still look beautiful years from now than buy something that feels ‘finished’ straight away. Natural wood, linen, stone, and leather all develop character over time. Linen curtains soften and drape beautifully, wood develops a rich patina, stone acquires little imperfections that make it feel authentic, and leather gains that warm, lived-in richness that only improves with age. These are the subtle details that make a bedroom feel truly lived-in and welcoming.
For me, these four materials are always the foundation of a bedroom that feels right. They may seem like small choices individually, but together they completely transform the way a space feels – today and for years to come.
