Pillow talk: the 2023 bedroom trends you need to know

Article by Your Home and Garden by Shelley Tustin

From elaborate bedheads to colour drenching, these are the bedroom space trends to know for 2023 and beyond

A beautiful bedroom is the type of indulgence we all deserve – it’s a private space that’s designed to bring joy every day. The idea of embracing individuality is behind all the major trends hitting sleep spaces right now. It’s about designing a space that serves as your personal wonderland, an escape from the stresses of the outside world. Read on for the experts’ top trends to play with in a room of one’s own.

(Bed)head of the class

Bedheads are back and ready to step up as the star attraction of the bedroom. The new bedhead goes well beyond comfort and functionality and is designed to make a bold statement and become the defining feature of the room. “We love feature headboards. They are the perfect way to give your bedroom a sense of luxury,” says interior designer Vanessa Webb of Dress My Nest, who uses custom-made upholstered headboards to introduce colour and pattern.

The stand-out bedhead is an embodiment of the broader trend of luxe maximalism, with a move towards voluptuous curves, interesting shapes and statement-making features. Square upholstered bedheads barely scratch the surface here – and a quick scan of the inspirational options reveals scallops, waves, arches and oversized (wide or high) bedheads. Fabrics are luxurious and tactile – the interior trend for velvet is still popular, either richly coloured or even patterned.

Long, low headboards are a sleek and contemporary alternative. These are built in, stretch the entire length of a wall and might incorporate a narrow shelf along the top and even floating bedside tables. If a bit of DIY is your thing, try making your own.

Sweet nostalgia

Call it a throwback to simpler times in reaction to a complicated world, we’re taking a nostalgic trip in our bedrooms. The emphasis is on sweet and comforting patterns, detailed edges and soft, romantic colours.

“Prints such as ginghams, stripes and checks continue to be strong in bedroom trends,” says Annelies Leitch of Home Lab. “I think we will start to see combinations of a stripe with a ruffle edge or gingham with contrast piping detail – everything is about creating that feeling of comfort but with a side of old-school romance and nostalgia.”

Florals will also be big. “Florals are key and range from large painterly florals to small, ditsy designs. Our floral prints are hand-painted and will be ranging from deep, moody and abstract, to soft, romantic watercolours and gorgeous, ditsy florals. We will also be seeing some beautiful leafy prints coming through, too,” says Zoe Horner, textile designer at Wallace Cotton.

Scalloped edges are also popular and add a sweetly nostalgic finish to pillowcases, cushions and bedspreads.

Death to all-white bedding

Where crisp white cotton once dominated, people are now choosing a kaleidoscope of colour over hotel-style uniformity. “Prints and bold colours are being used much more and people are getting bolder with their choices, which is super exciting,” says Annelies. “Deeper, richer linen colours are being used, whether it’s in sheeting or on top of the bed, or even just layering pillowcases and cushions in these colour palettes.”

Incorporating colour and pattern is easy. You can dip your toe into the water with a patterned sheet peeping over the edge of the duvet, or go for a tonal mix and match of pillowcases, sheets, duvets and cushions. Bedding suppliers are all over this trend and will often make it easy by curating their range with an eye to complementary colours. Zoe recommends using “a duvet as a colour-carrier to be layered with complementing tones in sheeting and top of the bed items such as quilts, throws and cushions. For example, a duvet with tones of navy, greens and toffee can be layered with lush velvets in these colours for a cosy, luxe look”.

Choose the colours that speak to you. Annelies says, “This winter you will see some deeper linen colours in greens, terracottas and plum tones. It’s all about creating warmth and a feeling of comfort in the bedroom. Cosiness is a must and adding colour is all part of creating that ‘sanctuary’ feeling in the bedroom.”

If you’re not ready to let go of white just yet there’s “still see a place for white bed linen, but with a focus on texture or detailing – for example white matelasse or seersucker duvets, or fabrics with natural texture such as linen, cotton and hemp blends, and muslin,” says Zoe. In short, make it white, if that’s what you find most calming, but make it your own.

Colour drenching

Feeling bold? The most daring trend in bedrooms right now is colour drenching, which involves splashing the same colour across multiple surfaces from top to bottom, including the ceiling, architraves and even cabinetry.

“As Kiwis, we tend to stick to neutrals and we have definitely embraced the trend of drenching the room in white in the past,” says Vanessa. “But we are seeing more use of the ceiling as the fifth wall. Depending on the feeling you are trying to create in your bedroom, drenching the room (including the walls, trims and even the ceiling) with a soft colour can give a sense of immersion and
a deep sense of calm.”

Aside from the double-take value of doing something very different to the norm, colour drenching has other benefits. It tends to make the walls and ceilings and architraves recede so that whatever you put in the room shines. It also blurs the boundaries between walls and ceilings, which can help disguise a low ceiling or small room.

A colour-drenching idea for nervous newbies is to use different shades of the one colour, instead of the same colour all over. This tonal alternative is softer and more user-friendly while still creating a calm, creative and colourful effect.

Bedroom eyes

Turn your sleep space into a come-hither boudoir with these easy tips for instant sex appeal.

Dim the lights Bright white lights are great for an operating theatre, but a guaranteed mood killer in the bedroom. Create a golden glow using gold or rose filament bulbs, or lamps with fabric or amber glass shades. And don’t underestimate the magic of a dimmer switch.
Between the sheets What’s the sexiest sheet option? Hint: It’s not satin – and steer clear of anything polyester. Instead, think about texture and go for whatever makes you want to dive under the covers, whether that’s the subtle scratch of cool linen, hotel-style cotton, or the slip of silk.
Clear clutter Nothing kills the mood like mess – and a cluttered surface is basically a visual reminder of what’s on your lengthy to-do list. Not sexy. Even if clutter piles up elsewhere in the house, keep the bedroom a pristine temple.
Sexy scents Engage your senses by filling your boudoir with the sweet fragrance of fresh flowers. Or opt for a scented candle or two, which brings the added bonus of bathing you in a flattering glow.
Mirror, mirror This might be one for the brave, but mirrors can be a serious mood enhancer. Go for a large mirror in a beautiful frame, ideally a freestanding one that can be moved around as the mood strikes.

Lit from within

Downlights are bad news for bedrooms and traditional bedside lamps are also being edged out in favour of matching pairs of low-slung pendants or wall sconces.

“Whether it is a functional reading light or a beautifully hand-blown glass pendant, we are seeing pendants and wall sconces used more and more in bedrooms,” says Vanessa. “We also love that by moving the lighting to the wall or by using a pendant we can keep the bedside table uncluttered.” More room for scented candles and piles of BookTok must-reads? Yes, please.

This look is more elegant than a chunky lamp and can become a design statement. “Lighting is often referred to as the jewellery of the room, adding luxury and giving a hotel vibe,” says Vanessa. Use it beyond the bedside too – a sculptural pendant hung in one corner can frame a reading nook and looks stunning from all angles.

Mattress matters

A good night’s sleep is vital for health and wellbeing. Sleepyhead expert Felicity Turner has some tips to finding the mattress of your dreams

Determine your sleep position Different types of mattresses are better suited for different sleep positions. For example, a medium to firm mattress is better for back and tummy sleepers, while a softer mattress is better for side sleepers.
Types of mattresses Memory foam offers incredible pressure relief, conforming to your body and reducing pressure points, while pocket-springs are the best solution to virtually eliminate partner disturbance.
Temperature control Do you find yourself waking up in a sweat or struggling to sleep because it’s too cold? Finding a mattress that helps keep your body at the optimal temperature is essential in getting the best sleep.
Elevate your sleep Adjustable bases are becoming popular due to their health benefits, such as improving circulation, easing joint pain and promoting easier breathing.
Try before you buy Lie down on the mattress in your typical sleep position for at least 10-15 minutes to find out how it feels. And be sure you have the right pillow – you’d be surprised at the difference it can make.