Today’s bedroom trends are eclectic—filled with references from the past, innovative technology of the present, and an emphasis on a future where the top priority is comfort over everything. Looking back to the bedrooms of previous periods sheds light on the interesting ways that sleep patterns—and the products we choose to surround ourselves with when snoozing—have evolved over time, and where they might lead us in the future.
Personally speaking, I’ve always found the old adage about spending one-third of your life in bed unrealistic. Do people really spend only a third of their lives embraced by pillows, underneath a warm comforter, their minds escaping the banality of real life? I’m half-kidding, but my sentiment stands. Sometimes, I think we forget that rest and relaxation should always be a priority as an inner sanctum–at the end of the day, they’re essential to your well-being.
While I may seem like an expert on sleeping, I’m more of a laywoman when it comes to design, so I also consulted with several interior designers who were eager to share their expertise on the boudoirs of the past and present.
Waterfall-style furniture, with its graceful, curved lines, finely complemented the geometric Art Deco bedrooms of the 1920s and 1930s.
Illustration by Sydney Hirsch1920s and 1930s: A Lushly Geometric Fantasy
I’ve written before about how Art Deco is experiencing a big revival right now, and I can totally understand why—it seems so much of what it represented one hundred years ago can be reflected in our current day-to-day life. “I’ve always been a huge fan of the Art Deco era—its glamour, geometric curves, and expression of color has always been a huge inspiration and love of mine,” says interior designer Shaolin Low of Honolulu-based Studio Shaolin. “In the bedroom, we saw textured wallpaper, velvet bed frames, gold hardware and the infamous Art Deco pink. When I think of Art Deco, I think of its signature dusty pink color, and black and white decor.”
Tiffany-style lamps, architectural sconces, and milk-glass pendant lights added to a warm, stylish ambiance. However soft the undulations of Art Deco were, they were matched with a striking, assertive glossiness. From beds, to dressers, to vanities, “waterfall-style” furniture was popular, with its sweeping curves fashioned out of dark wood or laminate.
