Creating A Chic Contemporary Bedroom with Marks & Spencer

My bedroom is my sanctuary. It instantly makes me feel calm, and if I could, I’d spend a load more time just hanging out in there reading. That bit is a fantasy though - it never happens, except on my designated lie-in day (Sundays, if you’re wondering), and even then ‘reading’ usually means flicking through an interiors mag, whilst simultaneously scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest.

French For Pineapple Blog - Marks and Spencer Sleep Retreat - Chic Contemporary Bedroom

Image: Sam Mellish for Marks & Spencer

Anyway, I digress. As the weather turns colder and the days are shorter, it's even more important to turn your bedroom into a cosy sanctuary, somewhere you can escape the chaos of daily life and unwind. So here are my top tips for doing just that, using pieces from the Marks & Spencer Manhattan collection.

Lighting

Of course an overhead pendant is essential - especially on dark winter mornings and in the evenings for practical tasks, but come dusk, it’s lamps all the way for atmospheric lighting. One on either side of the bed, and if you have the space, perhaps another one or two on top of a chest of drawers.

Image: Sam Mellish for Marks & Spencer

Bedding

This is the easiest way to make your bedroom look cosy and inviting. Always buy the best bedding you can afford, and then layer and accessorise.

You'll need a fitted sheet and top sheet, duvet cover and pillowcases obviously, but a bed isn't properly dressed without the addition of a throw and some cushions too. For me, this is essential.

For the colder months, I like to layer my bed with mixed textures like velvets, silky fabrics and chunky weaves. Mixing it up keeps it casual and inviting, creating a bed that just begs to be crawled into.

Image: Sam Mellish for Marks & Spencer

Clear the Clutter

Keep clutter to an absolute minimum. This is not something I always manage to achieve, but I do try because it really does make a difference. Never has the phrase 'tidy house, tidy mind' been more relevant than in the bedroom.

Get into a habit of putting your clean washing away as soon as possible, and don't leave dirty clothes lying around. Keep on top of excess stuff gathering on your bedside table - too many face products for one face, and half-drunk discarded cups of tea anyone? Just these small things can make a really

big difference.

Image: Sam Mellish for Marks & Spencer

Image: Sam Mellish for Marks & Spencer Storage

This ties in with the above, but storage really is King. Think clever extra storage like an upholstered blanket box at the end of the bed that doesn’t feel like obvious storage, but can hide a multitude of sins. A larger bedside table with drawers can double as extra storage, or a divan base with drawers to house things you don't need to access every day. Anything that enables you to put everything away to avoid clutter.

Scent

Optional extras such as fresh flowers, a scented candle, room or pillow spray, help set the scene, and add a little luxury to the cosy room you've created.