The Formula for a Perfect
Bedroom Layout

Let’s be honest — a bedroom is much more than just a place to sleep. It’s where your clients recharge, unwind, and escape the hustle of daily life.

When you’re redesigning a client’s bedroom, your goal isn’t just to make it beautiful — you’re creating a space that feels effortless to live in and reflects their personal style. That’s where smart space planning comes into play.

A well-designed bedroom strikes the right balance between comfort, functionality, and aesthetics. And there’s a simple formula to help you achieve exactly that.

Step 1: Know How the Space Will Be Used

Before moving even a single piece of furniture, take time to understand how your client actually plans to use the room.

Ask questions like:

Is this the primary bedroom, a guest retreat, or a child’s room?
Will the space need to multitask — perhaps doubling as a home office, reading nook, or yoga corner?
How many people will regularly use the space?

The answers to these questions set the foundation for everything that follows, from furniture choices to traffic flow.

Step 2: The 60-30-10 Rule: A Foolproof Layout Formula

Think of bedroom space planning like following a recipe — with the right proportions, everything falls into place. Use the 60-30-10 rule as your guide:

60% of the space is dedicated to furniture — the bed, nightstands, dressers, and seating.
30% of the space should remain open for comfortable walking paths, ensuring the room never feels cramped.
10% of the space can be reserved for decorative accents — artwork, plants, or a cozy bench at the foot of the bed.

This simple breakdown helps create a functional flow while maintaining visual balance, keeping the room from feeling overstuffed or sparse.

Step 3: Find the Focal Point & Build Around It

Every well-designed bedroom needs a focal point — something that naturally draws the eye and anchors the design. Depending on the space, this could be:

A statement bed with an eye-catching headboard.
A large window framed by beautiful drapery.
A fireplace or custom-built shelving unit.
The longest wall, transformed into a feature with artwork, bold lighting, or an accent color.

Once you’ve identified the focal point, arrange the remaining furnishings to enhance (rather than compete with) it, ensuring a harmonious and cohesive layout.

Step 4: Traffic Flow – Guide the Movement

A well-planned bedroom needs to be functional. Good flow ensures a sense of calm and openness, making the space feel larger and more inviting.

Avoid placing furniture directly in the main walking paths.
Guide foot traffic along the room’s perimeter, leaving the center open.
Maintain clear paths to doors, windows, and closets for both ease of movement and accessibility.

If the room feels cluttered, reassess the 30% open space rule from the 60-30-10 formula!

Step 5: Ergonomic Spacing – Give Your Clients Room to Breathe

A beautiful bedroom should function comfortably. Keep these spacing guidelines in mind for seamless movement:

Leave 24 to 36 inches of clear walking space around the bed.
Nightstands should sit level with the mattress — high enough for easy reach but not awkwardly tall.
Chairs, benches, and accent seating need at least 24 inches of pull-back space.
TV Viewing Distance: Multiply the screen’s diagonal size by 2.75 to find the optimal seating distance. (For a 52” TV, that’s about 11.9 feet.)
Ensure doors, windows, and closets remain easily accessible — form should never come at the cost of function!

Comfort + Style = Bedroom Success

A well-designed bedroom is about creating a space that fits your client’s lifestyle, promotes ease of movement, and feels like a natural extension of their personality.

By following smart space planning strategies, functional layouts, and the 60-30-10 rule, you’ll create bedrooms that are both inviting and effortlessly functional.