How to Get the Bedroom of Your Decor Dreams, According to the People Who Design Your Favorite Hotels

From a bolstered immune system and decreased stressed levels to feeling more energized, alert, and well… like yourself, a good night’s sleep is quite literally the gift that keeps on giving. And while you don’t need a lot to score some shut-eye, your dreams are often the sweetest when spent in a well-appointed hotel room. Crisp percale sheets? Strategically placed reading lights? The turn-down service? Just thinking about all the wonders a good hotel room can bring makes us want to kick back, relax, and snooze. 

“Hospitality is all about anticipating needs and finding that sweet spot where functionality meets aesthetics,” says Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director of BHDM Design and ARCHIVE, who recently reimagined Hotel Avante in Mountain View, California. 

Unlike Eloise, most of us can’t spend every single night in a five-star hotel; however, we can take the best decorating lessons from our favorite accommodations and apply them to our personal quarters. Ready to level up your beauty sleep? Check out these beyond-awesome bedroom ideas from your favorite hotels. Sweet dreams!

Adam Macchia

1. Go Big With Your Bedding

For Eric Lemaire, general manager at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, the right bed helps provide “a luxurious and comfortable experience for guests.” While the Sofitel sells its bedding products to the public—including its eponymous MyBed, a medium-support mattress with a fluffy, cloud-like top layer—you can snag a five-star experience at every budget. 

The key: Spring for plush pillows as well as sheets made with top-shelf materials like organic, long-staple cotton. (Psst… if you’re not ready to buy a new mattress like the MyBed, consider upgrading your current setup with a topper.) Lemaire says you can also beautify your bedding by “[utilizing] a sophisticated and calming color scheme, incorporating neutrals and soft tones.” 

But why stop there? Mazzarini says the perfect finishing touch is to triple-fold the duvet at the end of the bed to “instantly elevate your space.”

2. Try Some Texture

The dreamiest hotels have perfected that lived-in luxury look so their accommodations are stylish and upscale without being stuffy. According to Mazzarini, a touch of textures is an excellent way to strike a delicate balance. “Hotel suites layer texture and color through tactile materials and tightly curated palettes,” he shares. “Follow suit by investing in your soft goods and incorporating a few variations of your favorite shades and textures throughout.” Opt for soft, soothing materials like a bouclé headboard, velvet armchair, or warm wood nightstand.

3. Next-Level Nature

Whether you’re basking on a sun-drenched beach or trolling the trails of a wooded forest, there’s something about being in nature that feels incredibly relaxing. Perhaps that’s why Oliver Haslegrave of Home Studios placed a heavy emphasis on the indoor-outdoor connection when designing Lodge at Marconi on California’s Tomales Bay. 

“The design capitalizes on the beautiful views outside, whether it’s lush greenery, majestic mountains, or tranquil waterscapes,” Haslegrave says. “This emphasis on natural light not only enhances the overall atmosphere but also promotes a feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation.”

While a set of semi-sheer window treatments is a great way to maximize Mother Nature in your own space, you can also bring the outdoors in by adding plants to your boudoir.

Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

4. Let There Be Light

Haslegrave might’ve designed Lodge at Marconi with the great outdoors in mind, but he didn’t skimp on the artificial glow either. For example, the guest rooms are equipped with fabric shades on bedside lamps to emit “a warm, diffused light that enhances the cozy atmosphere of the room.” 

Of course, there are plenty of ways to level up your lighting. Jay Jeffers, who is responsible for the charming interiors at The Madrona in Healdsburg, California, eschewed “harsh, overhead lighting” for more artful alternatives. 

“I like to incorporate unique hanging pendant lights or sconces on either side of the bed to add an elevated sophistication to a bedroom—both in a hotel and at home,” Jeffers says. “These lighting swaps also double as art, making a statement and adding depth to the room.” Talk about a bright idea!

5. Less Is More

We love a well-stocked shelfie and personality-packed gallery wall as much as the next design enthusiast, but when it comes to your bedroom, less is more. In fact, Lemaire says over-cluttering a bedroom is one of the biggest mistakes a person can make in their personal quarters. 

“It’s easy to get carried away with adding decorative items, excessive furniture, which can detract from the serene and minimalist ambiance typically found in hotel rooms,” he adds. Lemaire has a point: Studies suggest that clutter can have a major impact on a person’s stress levels, ability to focus, and, of course, sleep. The good news is that a pared-back approach to decorating doesn’t have to be boring. For example, trade in the gallery wall for large-scale art, which can be polished and personable.

6. Respect Your Roots

The hottest hotels are a far cry from cookie-cutter, so shouldn’t your bedroom have a one-of-a-kind look, too? One of the easiest ways to do so is drawing inspiration from your home’s rich history. “I wanted each of the guest rooms to pay homage to the property’s 1882 roots and Aesthetic Movement beauty—with a modernized touch,” Jeffers says of The Madrona. “We incorporated an antique from the original property owners in each of the guest rooms, ranging from bathroom mirrors to heavily carved and fantastical headboards.” 

But, if an antique mirror or fancy furniture is a tad outside of your budget, this might be your sign to flex your DIY muscle. Jeffers adds: “A hotel also needs some heart and soul infused, which for The Madrona, comes in the form of the pillows my mom sewed for the rooms!”