If you're loving the laid-back luxe of this room, you can recreate it with some of our favourite pieces from The Olive Edit. Start with our Blousey Cotton Ruffle Duvet Cover Set in crisp white as your base. Layer in a mix of Ellenvale linen cushions in olive and neutral tones, then finish with our Olive Faux Fur Velvet Throw for that soft, rich texture. It’s a look that’s timeless, calm and effortlessly cosy, just how a bedroom should feel.
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Top 5 tips for an effortlessly welcoming bedroom
When I’m designing a bedroom, I always start with the bed. It’s the anchor of the space – the part you gravitate towards after a long day, and the first thing your eye lands on when you step into the room. When the bed looks styled and thoughtfully put together, the rest of the space follows suit. Whether you're refreshing your own room or dressing a guest space, a beautifully made bed can make the whole room feel instantly elevated and inviting.
Inspired by our Olive Bedroom Edit, I’ve pulled together my top five ways to style a bed that not only looks great but feels like a little moment of calm at the end of every day.
Start with a blank canvas
Begin with a crisp, neutral base. White bedding is always my go to. It’s timeless, fresh and allows you to layer in colour, pattern and texture without things feeling too busy. For this look, we used the Blousey Cotton Ruffle Duvet Cover Set. It’s soft, breathable and the ruffled edges add that extra detail that feels considered but still relaxed. If you’re working with coloured sheets or patterned bases, just make sure they complement the tones you plan to add on top, your base should always feel consistent.
Iron or steam your bedding if you want that boutique hotel feel but if a slightly rumpled, lived-in look is more your vibe, embrace it. Real homes should feel cosy, not clinical.
Layer up with texture
This is where the magic really happens. Texture brings warmth and dimension to the bed, it’s the difference between a flat looking space and something you want to jump into. Mix different finishes like washed linen, chunky knit throws, velvet cushions and tactile trims. In this bedroom, the deep olive velvet throw instantly grounds the room and invites you to curl up with a book or coffee. It’s plush, practical and brings a subtle richness to the colour story.
Don’t overthink it. Drape throws loosely at the end of the bed rather than folding them too neatly. It should look like it’s waiting for you to settle in.
Use odd numbers with cushions (and mix your sizes)
Cushions are where you can have fun, but balance is key. I always style beds with an odd number of cushions, three or five tends to look more natural. Start with larger square pillows at the back, then layer in smaller shapes like rectangles or ruffled-edge accents at the front. For this scheme, I used a combination of olive green and pinstripe Ellenvale linen cushions, the mix keeps it from feeling too matchy, while the colour palette still ties it all together.
Try to mix textures as well as tones. Linen, velvet and cotton all play nicely together, and a hint of ruffle or trim adds softness without fuss.
Add a personal, lived-in touch
It’s easy to make a bed look styled. But the difference between staged and lived-in is all in the detail. I love styling trays with a few personal touches, maybe a sprig of greenery or a good book. These elements make the room feel used and loved, not just styled for a photoshoot. A woven breakfast tray like the one pictured is great for layering texture and practicality, it’s perfect for slow mornings with a cuppa in bed.
Keep a small stash of props on hand to switch out seasonally, fresh flowers in spring, candles in winter, or even a favourite magazine. It makes all the difference.
Keep your palette soft and cohesive
One of the easiest ways to make your bedroom feel calm is to work with a tight colour palette. In this space, I centred everything around olive green, a soft, earthy shade that feels grounding and sophisticated. I kept the rest of the colours neutral with warm whites, sandy tones and a few darker accents like black lampshades to anchor the room. It’s restful, timeless and easy to live with.
If you’re unsure where to start, choose one ‘hero’ shade, like olive, blush or rust – and then build around it with neutrals and textures. It’s a fail safe formula!