We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms, so it is important to get their decoration right.

Jeni Madden, owner of Bromley-based interior design consultancy JMdesign, dispenses some valuable advice.

“The most important piece of furniture in a bedroom is of course the bed, so this should be the first consideration in your scheme.

The current fashion is for the ‘Hotel’ look with an upholstered bed and oversized headboard, which can be found throughout the High Street.

Depending on budget, a bespoke colour or fabric will make this look feel more individual – companies such as Sofa.com or Loaf offer a range of fabrics.

Using a large-scale pattern wallpaper, a feature paint colour on the wall behind the bed or an oversized headboard all help to make the bed a clear focal point and visual statement.

Alternatively, this is a good place to hang artwork to bring the colour scheme together.

Clothes storage is also key and should be planned to allow clear circulation around the bed.

Built-in wardrobes help maximise storage space and create a much more spacious feeling to a room than freestanding wardrobes. If circulation space is at a premium consider sliding doors.

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Lighting should be flexible – a pendant is fine for general light but we usually need a softer light to ready our bodies for sleep. Bedside reading lamps are essential for creating a softer ambiance.

Many people prefer their bedroom to be dark at night so think about light leakage when choosing a window covering. Curtains will help block more light than blinds, but in either case a blackout lining can be used to stop any light penetrating the room.”

 Jeni Madden, owner of JMdesign provides affordable interior design consultancy, and can be contacted through jmdesigninteriors.co.uk or 020 8462 1572.