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There’s something irresistibly indulgent about hotel stays. Whether it’s the plush bedding, the fancy mini toiletries, or the calming ambience, the sheer luxury of it all makes for a real treat. Although I often stay in AirBnBs to keep costs down when travelling, I like to treat myself to a boutique or luxury hotel stay from time-to-time.
Over the last 10 months or so (well, up until recently, at least – cue two international trips in the space of a month!), I’ve spent more time at home in Cardiff, Wales, and it’s got me thinking: how can I recreate the hotel room experience in my own bedroom? While my bed was the first thing that sprang to mind – and certainly shouldn’t be overlooked, by any means – when I gave it more thought, I was surprised at just how simple it can be to transform your bedroom into a calming space that could rival many five-star hotels.
From treating myself to a new mattress, to decluttering my space, here are some of the ways I’ve updated my bedroom to give it that relaxing hotel vibe.
Invest in a new mattress
Why is it that the we often tend to put off the things that will benefit us the most? I’ve been postponing buying a new mattress for years due to the cost, although I always knew it would help to improve the quality of my sleep and, therefore, my overall health.
Since splashing out on a new Emma mattress as a Christmas present to myself last year, I’ve never looked back. I don’t think I was fully prepared for just how much difference the quality of your mattress can make to how you sleep. I went for the Elite mattress, which benefits from springs, memory foam and an AirGrid layer for greater support and temperature regulation. The transformation in my sleep routine and energy levels throughout the day has been profound, and I genuinely wish I’d done it sooner (although I appreciate it’s not an investment we can all afford to make!)
Opt for quality bedding
If you can’t afford to pay for a new mattress, don’t fret. Your choice of bedding is key when it comes to kitting out your bedroom, hotel room-style. As hotel beds are often topped with high thread-count sheets, cloud-like pillows and fluffy duvets, you could try to replicate this by buying cotton sheets with thread counts of 300+, soft pillows, and a duvet filled with down feathers. Some hotel brands actually offer their duvet range to buy online.
Before making your bed, place a soft topper on the mattress, followed by a mattress protector. Place your sheets over the mattress and cover the duvet, finishing with a few scatter cushions or pillows and a cosy throw, depending on the temperature.
Create a relaxing atmosphere
There are several ways to make your bedroom feel more calming and serene, like a luxury hotel room. Some of the ways I’ve achieved this at home include introducing a small table lamp I can use in place of my main pendant light for a softer lighting effect; using mood-boosting essential oils like lavender and orange in my aromatherapy diffuser; lighting candles to relax, scent my room and create low light; and adding a black-out roller blind to my curtain set-up to block out all light, even if I decide to take a nap during the day. You can also add a stunning art piece from thegoatwallart.com to instantly make your space feel curated and high-end, like a boutique hotel.
Aim for a minimalist approach
Less is often more when it comes to your personal space. It’s a well-known fact that clutter can impact on how we feel in a given environment, and even limit our ability to perform simple everyday tasks.
While our bedrooms are often littered with our personal belongings, I’ve managed to reduce clutter in my room by aiming to throw one thing out every day, no matter how big or small it is. If I’m short on time, it could be as simple as getting rid of a shampoo bottle that’s just about empty; if I can spare the time, however, I might spend 10 minutes or so sorting through a drawer, or tidying up my dressing table.
While some things can be harder to part with than others, I’ve always been a fan of under-bed storage for keeping my stuff out-of-sight. While I’ve previously used plastic container-style storage, recently, I’ve upgraded to more aesthetically appealing storage baskets and fabric boxes to align more with the hotel room feel I’m trying to create.
Control the room temperature
Room temperature can have a big impact on the quality of our sleep, which is why hotel rooms often use air conditioning to keep rooms on the cool side. I usually find I sleep best if I set my thermostat to somewhere between 15-19°C (60-67°F).
Similarly, I opt for breathable fabrics to avoid overheating, and keep a spare blanket to-hand (in my under-bed storage) in case I get cold during the night.
With just a few simple tweaks, you can transform your bedroom into a hotel-like haven. Sweet dreams are made of these!
Have you ever updated your bedroom to make it feel more like a hotel room? What changes did you make, and do you feel that it worked? I’d love to hear all about it.
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