Posts Tagged ‘Iron Bedstead’

Romantic Bedroom moods for men

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Romantic bedroom themes need not be the sole preserve of the fairer sex and it’s certainly not all about satin sheets, shades of pink and rose petals. For romantic colour and accent themes have great relevance in more masculine room settings where clever colour combinations and choice of furnishings come together to create chic and sophisticated bedroom moods that are anything but overtly feminine but have huge appeal across both genders for a captivating style statements.

Think laterally and choose colour and accessories that suggest a flavour of freshness. Put deep scarlet’s and hot pinks to one side as a bright and cheery bedroom with clean fresh lines and some plush textures and fabrics, even if they are casual, can inject just the right amount of spark into the bedroom theme. Go with a white down bedspread and linens and white cotton accents. You could even introduce a potted banana leaf plant and other green accent pieces for spots of colour and an element of nature. Beach inspired blues and greens will also add a bit of whimsy if you fancy a natural coastal flavour.

Girly hues also have a part to play in our male biased environment, so take a hint from the ladies and incorporate a traditionally feminine colour scheme into the bedroom décor. Be daring and go with a lilac hue with an eggplant coloured accent or two in the form of fabrics and bed dressings. The key to retaining the masculine and elegant look is breaking up the purple with plenty of mid tone to light coloured wood in the form of a wooden bedstead, matching furniture, the floor materials and featuring elements such as bamboo, oak and teak with clean straight lines to add a touch of sophistication. Materials such as brass will also harmonise well here, breaking up any colour domination so consider a contemporary brass bed with matching bedside tables, and dress with a plain faux fur bed throw or quilt that complements the visual verve of the bedstead allowing the bed itself to form the focal point of the room.

Should you prefer to stick with the basic masculine colours such as blue shades, bottle greens, browns and black derivatives there are ways to bring a flavour of romantic style into those hues also. It’s all about the finish and texture that you choose for each colour, so for instance, you might want a cobalt blue bedspread, but getting one in combed suede adds a romantic texture that would be lacking in plain cotton. Use black only in small accent pieces to avoid the room looking like a bachelor pad rather than a romantic haven. Likewise use a textured finish on walls such as a faux linen or suede effect rather than ordinary eggshell or matt paint.

Keep the mood romantic and warm and remember that cool tones tend to energise and open up a room while warmer ones create an enveloping and soothing environment. Exceptions exist however, as a cool tone like purple may have a warm undertone depending on the hue, particularly if it is muted. Look for colours that achieve both and use them as a colour backdrop or on accent walls. You might consider a black upholstered headboard with a teal accent wall that features white framed wall art. In this instance the black and teal combination warms up the space, whilst the white accents cools it down, as does the teal as it’s a cool tone with a warm undertone.

A little experimentation is the key here, but get the texture, colour and furnishings  mix just right, and the results can be romantically ravishing..!

Garden style in the bedroom

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
Kendal Brass Bed from Original Bedstead.

Kendal Brass Bed from Original Bedstead.

For a gentle decorative style that encompasses a variety of design themes ranging from Shabby Chic to Country rustic, look no further than a Garden style inspired bedroom to impart a relaxed, almost whimsical quality to your nightly retreat.

There are several ways to achieve the Garden look, none of which entail dragging in great swathes of your green and pleasant “great outdoors” into the bedroom, although the occasional accent might be a nice touch!

For example, it’s great fun and hugely effective to adapt garden items for use as bedroom accessories. An old weathered outdoor bench might look lovely when scattered with a few cushions or a soft throw and could be the perfect spot to drape a bedspread during the night. Likewise a large old stone urn could make a great catch-all for nic-nacs and bedtime reading material.

If you’re investing in a new bed, choose one that has a sense of lightness about it. This can be achieved with style and colour, so for a romantic iron bed, consider a design with fluid lines in an ivory or satin white finish, or select a graceful brass bed design with a rich antique patina, that would form the perfect focal point in any Garden themed room.

If you opt for a brass bedstead , best to choose a style that is invitingly delicate rather than too assured and assertive, as some of those more gregarious Victorian designs tended to be.

Dress the bed lightly too, in fabrics such as old fashioned cotton chenille, lace, gingham check or a dainty faded floral design.

Selecting bedside tables that continue the theme will help tie everything together. Glass topped tables that match the traditional bedstead , or even one made for outside use, will look good in your garden bedroom, or select round styles, skirted in a fabric that coordinates with the bedspread, curtains and scatter cushions.

Painted weathered wooden occasional tables would also be at home here, imparting a cottagey feel, and look for chests of drawers in pale wood or painted wood with a distressed finish. A small vintage lace tablecloth or something with a 1940s floral print makes for a great accessory to top these and other furniture pieces, and it’s possible to add further accessory appeal with ornate floral vases containing fresh flowers, dried flowers and potpourri.

Include an old wooden birdcage atop a lace doily for added charm and hang pictures on the wall that feature garden or floral themes. Landscape, botanical prints and still life subjects are all good choices and pressed flower prints make great garden style art.

And finally, hunt down some gentle decorative lighting options that will illuminate the garden theme to best effect. Plain terracotta or wicker based lamps might work well in this instance, or something with a candlestick design in china or wrought iron, with a pretty floral pattern shade for that fabulous finishing touch…

Pretty in Pink…

Thursday, December 9th, 2010
Carie Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

Carie Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

Whether you have a young daughter, one on the way, or maybe you’d like to experience some colour indulgence for the guest bedroom, (or your own!), pink might just tick the right boxes.

It’s certainly a colour that is hugely popular at the moment, especially so in fashion circles, and by the same measure, it can be a great way of incorporating some feminine style into the bedroom.

As a word of warning though, it’s one of a group of colours that is easy to get wrong with unintentional mismatching, so planning is key.

But with a cautious approach it can yield enchanting results when combined with bold accent pieces and classic elements to bring personality and contrast interest to the room scheme.

The first port of call should be to the home improvement or paint store to pick up some colour swatches. Choose a few shades of pink that work well together and stick with them as you shop for other complementary room elements.

Choose one colour or wallpaper design for the walls that will establish the tone of the room. A brighter pink can be a great choice for a young girl’s room, whilst a deeper dusky pink has a more elegant and mature feel, with almost a Victorian vintage style quality. Ultimately the wall colour scheme will be the backdrop against which you measure all the other room elements in pursuit of visual harmony.

Equally important, as the room focal point is the bed. Whether a wooden design or traditional metal bedstead, the style and colour needs to gel with the pink theme of your choice, and the same applies to other furniture items.

Dark woods are in keeping here with moodier pinks, and cherry wood finishes are fine. If you prefer a metal bed in your pink bedroom, then a pretty glossy ivory or satin white design is sure to lend a romantic quality to the room theme.

Careful choice of bedding and linens will breathe life into your chosen bedstead style, and although solid colours are less likely to conflict with other room elements, patterns can also work as long as the design is not distracting. And bed dressings do not need to be pink. In fact a contrast here of cool green or a gentle blue, might accentuate the pinkness of the room by grounding the colour palette.

When you’re looking for those all important room accessories, take along a paint swatch or pillowcase to avoid colour clashes. Buying bold and colourful items will reap visual dividends, such as a picture frame or lampshade in deep salmon pink tone to bring a dramatic look in a neutral room with soft pink decor.

Accordingly, a brighter pink child’s room might benefit from more gregarious colour accents, such as a dark purple rug or leaf green curtains.

As with most room decor, a little experimentation might be required, but by resisting the temptation to go overboard with too many pink shades or patterns that don’t fit in, inviting room makeovers with enticing feminine appeal are surprisingly easy to achieve…

Sophisticated bedroom colours to cosset…

Friday, November 19th, 2010
Liddlesdale brass metal bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Liddlesdale brass metal bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

There’s no doubt that sophistication and luxury often go hand in hand when it comes to the subject of interior design.

No more so than within a bedroom environment, where we are invariably striving to turn up the comfort levels to create a feeling of enticement and intrigue. It is in these situations that the importance of colour balance and sympathetic lighting become particularly relevant.

It’s true that nearly all colours can take on a sophisticated quality, dependent upon saturation, intensity and texture, although more importantly its how those colours interact with other counterbalancing elements within the room. However there are certain colours of the spectrum that are the natural default choice of the Interior designer when the brief is for a sophisticated and timeless look.

In this regard, gold, brown and purple are trusted choices with historical connections that still have great relevance in 21st century times. As colour options that also help to nurture and renew the spirit, they have few equals…

Gold across the centuries, has been a powerful symbol of wealth and prestige. In eastern cultures it denoted strength and is often associated with royalty and grandeur. When gold is used within the bedroom it can be used within any decorative element or free standing object or accessory. A voluminous silk or satin comforter billowing about a traditional metal bedstead, provides a wash of sumptuous colour, perhaps making the bedstead the focal point of the room. Gold voile suspended from bedposts or from a romantic four poster bed, creates a sheer, gauzy bed sanctuary, to heighten the sense of luxury. When tastefully applied, gold trim on wall mouldings, skirting boards or sconces can instantly boost the elegance factor of the bedroom, and few features are more opulent than the luxurious sweep of heavy brocade window dressings.

Brown denotes an earthy stability. In fact it is often viewed as mundane, neutral or an afterthought with its muddy organic connections. And yet, visualising the rich, luxurious colour of dark oak, mahogany, chocolate and espresso, may prompt a realisation of its powerful potential and inspire you to look at this colour from a new perspective. Even an unmistakably contemporary bedroom space can benefit from the addition of a dark chocolate upholstered leather headboard or bedstead. The stately dark oak or mahogany four poster bed, has been synonymous with bedroom style and luxury for centuries, whilst dark Brazilian walnut flooring offers natural sophistication from one of the earth’s most dynamic regions.

A brown and cream colour scheme is particularly inviting and brown satin curtains will help to ensure the luxury of a deep comfortable sleep, with brown silk scatter pillows in shades from caramel to espresso that add elegance when added to beds, chairs, window seating and floors. A coffee coloured faux fur bed throw might just be the finishing touch. Team up with white or creamy bed linens for a look that can’t fail to please.

Purple is another colour with royal connections, as well as having long rooted associations with spirituality and mystery. Purple also invariably exudes an air of intrigue and fantasy making it the perfect choice for a sensual bedroom mood.

Purple demands to be treated with respect, so for major design or colour elements, choose a shade that you will be comfortable to live with on a daily basis. Eggplant, pansy purple and concord grape(purple with black influences) all have a part to play within the bedroom, whilst more vivid shades such as fuchsia or violet are best confined to accent pieces or soft furnishings.

Brass is the perfect counterpoint for a purple room scheme, and in this regard an antique brass bedstead would provide a glamorous and beguiling visual focal point. Swath the bed in an eggplant coloured bed throw or duvet for added appeal and instant comfort, whilst mounds of complementary bolsters and pillows will complete the look.

Amethyst lamps, tassel tieback curtains and rich accent rugs in shades of purple or with purple highlights to pick up on other room elements for a sense of visual rhythm and continuity, will ground the theme for a sophisticated and enduring decorative statement.

Parisian inspiration

Friday, October 15th, 2010

Iron Beds from Original Bedstead.

Practically every bedroom theme relies on the three fundamentals of colour, furniture and accessories to establish the theme.

A chic Parisian inspired bedroom is no exception to the rule, and even for the most creatively challenged, great results are possible that needn’t break the bank.

Black and whites often predominate in Parisian bedrooms. Soft, warm whites or ivory are particularly popular for the style with a few gold accents to convey haute couture. Warm ivory wall tones or soft beiges make a wonderful backdrop for black and white colour schemes, whilst for a more feminine flavour, think romantic pink or rose tones.

Incorporating architectural details that echo classic design will complement any Parisian bedroom and any accessories with a French accent, such as toile prints, lace and fresh flowers will help to evoke fabulous Gallic allure.

Mix and match companion fabrics in black and white. Black and ivory striped ticking or checks, natural linen, lace or moiré in solid black or ivory, can be mixed together with abandon to create authenticity, whilst a cream damask  bedspread would be the perfect partner for an opulent iron bedstead.

If you decide to splurge on anything, make sure that it’s the bed; the focal point of any bedroom. Perfect choices would be a traditional Victorian inspired metal bed with perhaps some brass ornamentation and beautiful sweeping styling with delicate solid metal castings.

Originals are scarce, expensive, and often oddly sized but latterday reproductions are no less attractive and infinitely more accessible, whilst offering strength and practicality. Partner the bed with wooden furniture accessories; the perfect counterpoint. Antique originals would work well in this environment, although again there is the high initial cost to factor in. Painted reproductions in the recurring black/white theme might work equally well or alternatively consider upholstering a headboard in one of the fabric selections and adding detail with twisted cord piping or black gimping for charming effect.

Any well loved comfy bedroom chair can be transformed with some simple re-upholstery in the appropriate fabric, as long as the padding and structure is sound. Toile pastoral prints or black and white stripes would be perfect but for an even easier solution, a simple slipover cover might be all that is required.

Small fancy wrought iron or wire tables with a glass or marble effect tops make great bedside tables whilst one to match the bed design would be equally effective. Black wood or marble topped tables are also in keeping here with perhaps a small creamy coloured lace tablecloth for contrast. Top with a little collection of silver framed monochrome family photos for a touch of homely individuality.

Accessorise; after all, the key to success is in the detail. Some throw pillows and bolsters on the iron bedstead will add appeal and comfort as would a pink mohair bedthrow. Reupholster old stools to use at the dressing table and seek out old cast metal or black wire lamp bases and transform with silky black shades for use as bedside illumination, or indeed anywhere within the room.

Some accent photographic prints of Paris would look great on the walls and dado shelves in wood and cast iron would support small displays of personal treasures or maybe a marble or gilt French mantel clock for the final Parisian flourish!

Glamorous, evocative, and undoubtedly inviting, the Paris styled bedroom cannot fail to stir the emotions…

Romantic French Country bedrooms

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Hankering for a touch of French Country romance to add a splash of Gallic nostalgia to the bedroom?

It’s an increasingly popular look and it’s certainly not difficult to find plenty of inspiration on the internet and within magazines to set the ball rolling.

And indeed, as with most decorative projects, there are only a few simple elements that form the basis of great results that are sure to captivate!

Firstly we need to look at colour and style. The majority of French Country decorative designs are set against a background of gently whitewashed woodwork and accordingly are able to harmonise with a wide palette of colours.

In a bedroom setting, toile and flower patterns can be used to great effect and wherever possible choosing materials that are luxurious to the touch will set the tone. Consider also adding some traditional French lace to the room design or even some traditional brocade for a truly vintage feel. For those fond of a splash of colour, it might be nice to consider a light sky blue or light leaf green wall treatment or even that soft gold colour, so quintessentially French. The trick is to make the colour palette look a little faded and sun bleached, although not tatty.

Match the colours in the walls with accent colours in the rugs, bed linens, curtains and accessories to ensure a common thread that holds the theme together. Including some antique painted wooden furniture and accessories in the room, that appear well loved and worn or even a little chipped will evoke an authentic look of rural French living that is hard not to adore.

The days when genuine old French furniture pieces could be picked up for a song, is long gone, although a trip to France might unearth some old treasures for the truly committed, and closer to home there are still the odd bargains to be found.

Alternatively why not achieve the look with a little artistic flair a pot of paint and a paintbrush? Many a tatty old piece of English furniture can be distressed with ease in a somewhat Shabby Chic fashion to achieve the French country look. Or for the less adventurous, replicas abound!

And of course, please don’t overlook the bedstead. Again, genuine French original metal beds are hard to come by and anyway were often oddly sized.

Better to opt for a romantic reproduction with graceful lines and lovely detailing that would look totally at home in any French Country themed bedroom and form a charming centrepiece from which to take inspiration for the soft furnishings, linens and accessories.

Take your pick from a host of different traditional designs.

As an expression of our tastes and personality, a French design inspired bedstead is sure to do just that.  Inspire…..!

Coming next: More French Country bedroom romance…

More Cottage comforts…

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Another nice touch (when space permits) is to angle your Iron Bed at 45 degrees to a corner of the room.

It might sound like an odd idea, but in practice in a cottage styled environment, it works particularly well, adding visual interest and introducing an air of inviting informality. Reduce any boxy-ness further still with complementary furniture that has smooth organic curves and gentle detailing.

Once again, it doesn’t all have to match and flavour of Shabby Chic is to be welcomed, as long as there is a central design or colour theme that ties it all together.

If you have a vanity or dressing table, try personalising with antique white table dressings and Victorian vintage lace. Other nice touches would be a collection of clear or coloured glass antique scent bottles or a little cluster of monochrome family photos in silver frames. Cut glass vases filled with roses will never look out of place and a small ornamental jewellery box might just provide the perfect finishing touch for true vintage style.

Straw hats, boaters, leather riding boots and an old silver topped walking cane are other great accessories that will work well within our cottage themed bedroom. A hat stand or corner table makes a great resting place for these type of accessories for a multi-dimensional grouping.

Mixed together with some delft type china and an old floral patterned teapot filled with summer blooms, the look is sure to appeal.

As always it’s the little details that make all the difference and a few whimsical flourishes will go a long way.

Bunches of lavender tied to the headboard of your romantic iron beds are a nice touch and might even help to induce slumber! Or how about a collection of floral and striped hat boxes perched on top of the wardrobe?

Bringing in architectural and garden pieces from days gone by can introduce a truly enticing look such as a an antiquated wrought iron garden gate, perched against a wall as a display point for those aforementioned accessories, or maybe an old wooden bird cage as a focal point on a corner table or to keep the hat boxes company atop the wardrobe?

A large garden urn transformed into a bedside table is another great example of forming that link with the outside and an old birdbath similarly treated is sure to please or might be the perfect display stand for a lush green Aspidistra.

Even simple smaller items such as some moss covered antique terracotta garden pots can be given a new lease of life as candle holders or as a holder for scented potpourri.

Quietly romantic and maybe a little quirky, the Cottage Garden bedroom presents a timeless decorative solution with  a unique and undeniably inviting charm.

As the perfect canvass for self expression and a little British eccentricity, there is surely very little that compares!

Romantic Bedroom must-haves

Thursday, September 9th, 2010
Alva Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

Alva Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

Even in today’s helter skelter world, there’s surely time for a little romance, however frenetic the rest of our lives may be?

In the home, and across the centuries, the bedroom has provided the perfect oasis for romantic encounters and a sea of calm away from the pressures of the world.

And yet many of us still treat the bedroom as somewhere to crash at the end of the day, with little attention paid to decor, style or ambiance, when with a little extra imagination it might be possible to spice things up with a come-hither look to please the eye and senses!

A few simple essentials is all it takes to transform “boring” into “boudoir” and no surprise then to discover  that  colour is the fundamental start point.

So ditch the magnolia look and dress the room in a sensual colour palette that evoke feelings of comfort and relaxation. Some of your favourite darker hues might be at home here with perhaps even some moody crimson,olive or purple hues for a particularly strong theme.

This isn’t the living room. It’s the ONE room in the house where you can afford to be daring. Choose colours that spark passion and emotion and use them. It’s a sure-fire way to set the tone for an environment that will cocoon and inspire.

Likewise, lush fabrics are an essential addition for any glamorous bedroom theme. And once again it’s the one room in the house where it’s perfectly ok to go over the top with rich fabrics. Plush bedding makes a great start, but for a truly “wow” look, it’s important to think beyond the pillows and bolsters and choose rich, heavily textured fabrics for the bedthrow, curtains and upholstered furniture also. Or how about a faux fur bedspread for a real touch of decadence?

Add invitingly soft accent rugs for bare feet and indulge the senses with soft squashy pillows scattered on the bed and dotted about the room.  A tasselled throw would be another great addition to hang over chairs or for end of bed benches to catch the eye and create a feeling of inviting warmth and cosiness.

Of course, it goes without saying that the biggest player in the bedroom has to be the bed. Big and bold or ornately appealing; the choice is yours.

Start with the best mattress that you can afford and team it up with a bedstead that stirs the emotions. Solid antique brass beds are always a winner in the bedroom. The absolute essence of romance. Or how about a beautiful cast iron bedstead full of intricate detailing and intrique?

Moody satin blacks, gentler glossy ivories, or rich hand painted patina colour finishes. All are sure to promise a timeless appeal that that will form the focal point of any romantic room setting.

Set the bed high and furnish it with those pillows, cushions, bolsters and fabulous fabrics for a wonderful effect, or for extra impact add a canopy or sheer screens for a touch of exotica and a real flavour of uncompromised romantic style…!

Coming next: “More Romantic bedroom essentials”

Simple tips for tranquil bedroom style.

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Iron Beds from OBC.

Iron Beds from OBC.

Effective bedroom makeovers needn’t be complicated or challenging.

Indeed, often the most effective decorative solutions are the simplest to execute, and no more so than those basic guidelines to follow for a tranquil bedroom theme. Let’s face it, the majority of us want such a space where we can relax, recharge and dream.

There are huge reams of information out there, within the pages of this blog, in Interiors magazines and elsewhere on the internet as inspiration for achieving that perfect haven of tranquility.

In fact, so much so that it’s pretty easy to become perplexed by the vast array of advice on offer.

And yet actually, as with much in life, the basic building blocks are all just good common sense and like all decorative styles rely on sympathetic colour, textures and furniture choice for great results that wont break the bank or dent the decorative ego!

Colour is the backdrop that establishes the mood in any tranquil bedroom scheme, and here the choice is really between neutrals such as black, white and grey tones or natural earthy colours. Blues to represent water shades are also important as are soothing greens.

You could actually get away with using a combination of the above colour palettes, although for best effect it might be wise to use as few colour combinations as possible and keep patterns in wallpaper and soft furnishings and linens to a minimum. Too much visual clutter is hardly conducive with a tranquil room mood and for the same reason, the contrast between light and dark colours should be minimised. Within the most effective tranquil decorative themes, there are no overly dark colour values.

Darker colours in the floor coverings and soft furnishings, should at most be mid-tones with few if any, white highlights.

In this instance use the carpet to ground any other bolder tones to be found within the room. Keeping patterns totally out of the carpet is the best option and the same applies to accent rugs.

Natural sisal floor coverings work well in this regard and harmonise well with light colour walls and ceilings for a light airy feel.

A simple traditional iron bed design would introduce a great focal point to any tranquil bedroom setting. Opting for a gentle style with perhaps a floral overtone might be just perfect.

Lighter colours such as glossy or textured ivory would set the mood and provide inspiration for the room décor and any little accessories that establish the personality of the space as a whole.

These might include a cluster of monochromatic family photos or some wall paintings or prints that help to soothe the mind.

Landscapes and seascapes are particularly beneficial in this regard, as are any abstract pieces that have special appeal or poignancy. As always it’s the sum of the parts as well as the finer details that make the difference between good results and simply fabulous outcomes.

With an eye for colour and by following a few simple guidelines a haven of restfulness can be wonderfully easy to achieve.

Headboard heaven

Monday, August 16th, 2010

WHILST THE MAJORITY of bedroom style updates might involve a new paint job, some enticing new window dressings and soft furnishings, new accessories and perhaps even the expense of updated furniture, there is a simpler way to give the bedroom a fresh new look.

The humble headboard has been an integral part of bedroom design throughout recent history, performing a functional and aesthetic task. But for those homeowners who do not want or perhaps have the space for an iron bedstead or wooden bedstead in their bedroom, the headboard option is the usual alternative. Within most bedroom settings the bed itself becomes the focal point, and accordingly the headboard is bound to draw the eye.

For many, the obvious choice when looking for a theme change might be to opt for a traditional headboard or contemporary headboard design in metal or brass or a combination of the two, and we would of course be the first to endorse such a wise decision!

For others, looking for a slightly wacky alternative or something unique that can be changed on a whim, there are several inexpensive solutions that might just fit the bill.

In fact for some designs, you may just have everything that you need already to hand whilst for others, a little ingenuity and artistic flair can realise some great results that are sure to please. So, why not consider a few of the following as just a few quick suggestions to whet the appetite and get the creative ball rolling..?

Make your own – the simplest upholstered headboards are just that. Simple! With some elementary carpentry skills, some fire retardant foam and some enticing fabric of your choice, it’s dead easy to create a headboard that’s totally unique.

Better still, just take a tired old headboard and have it recovered. Easy!

Wall hangings – offer a great alternative solution that can work well in most room settings. Throw out that old headboard and replace it with a hand crafted quilt, woven rug or a tapestry. Framed, hung or draped, you can be sure of an innovative and cosy effect.

Garden headboard – wood or iron picket fencing hung at the head of the bed is not as odd an alternative as it might first sound.

If you’re looking for comfort it might not be the obvious choice, but with a little flair and perhaps some interwoven ivy or floral detailing such as stencilled vines, a truly appealing look is possible.

Shelves and bookcases – are a great solution when space is at a premium. A bookshelf behind the bed can solve all sorts of storage problems or consider installing a shelf above the bed to display books, family photographs or accent accessories.

Added appeal can be achieved with in-built soft lighting and floral displays for a welcoming touch. For teenage rooms, a surfboard hung at the head of the bed might be a really trendy headboard solution and what about creating a tiled headboard using ceramic or terracotta wall or floor tiles?

Either glued straight to the wall behind the bed or attached to a length of free-standing plywood, all sorts of gregarious or more subtle designs are possible.

In fact, the only limitation when it comes to bespoke headboard design, is the scope of our imagination. These suggestions or a variation of them are just the tip of the iceberg.

With a bit of experimentation all sorts of inspired creations are undoubtedly possible!