Wake up to a dream in the bedroom

Even the most hale and hearty types have surely been tempted to linger under the bedcovers, or take a duvet day in these freezing, snowy times. But you're missing a trick if you're only using the bedroom for snoozing and loving.

You can really let your imagination take flight here with decoration and furnishing as it's the perfect private location for decor ideas or fantasies that may not be practical to indulge in anywhere else.

If you're uncomfortably aware your bedroom's not matching up to your interior dreams, there couldn't be a better time for a revamp as you can plunder the sales for bargains in beds and bedding.

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Before you spend though, try to have a concept of the room and the effect you desire. "There's a lot of talk about getting the 'wow' factor for rooms, but in bedrooms you're really seeking the 'aaah' factor," advises interior designer, Ryan Kohn at Living in Space.

"That means creating a room to your taste which envelopes you as soon you walk in. You should immediately feel your shoulders drop as you shed tension and realise that this is where you can truly be yourself and unwind."

Bedroom decor and furnishings can suit all seasons. You don't have to play it safe with neutrals but bear in mind that even if you love dark, closeting colours and heavy fabrics, in the winter you might find them overpowering on bright, sunny days. Lined curtains are a must, but have tie backs so they can be pulled back in the summer months for a lighter look and combine them with black-out blinds or voile for the windows," suggests Kohn.

"Bed linen is where you can go to town and have different sets for summer and winter to easily refresh the look. Make sure you have a satin quilt or faux fur throw over the end of the bed, too. It looks great and is, of course, very practical."

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A bed is obviously a focal point, and currently an oversized, padded headboard is fashionable, but this year will see a trend for functional headboards which double as storage or a place to display photos or treasured items.

Four-posters are the ultimate boaster bed, while the more rustic or ornate metal bedsteads are still hugely popular. But be aware that you need to stack this style of bed with oversized cushions, so you're not lounging back against a hard metal frame. Layer a bed with a throw, a runner, and cushions and bolsters in soft-to-the-touch fabrics, and make space for an easy chair and small table to sit and daydream. To avoid any more rude awakenings, choose a dreamy new look that will turn your bedroom into a beautiful sanctuary.

"Use soft paint colours on walls for a soothing atmosphere," says Charlotte Boyd, style editor of House Beautiful magazine. She suggests soft blues and lilacs such as Sea Lavender and Blue Ashes, both 24.95 for 2.5 litres, from Fired Earth. Monochrome is on trend and its classic purity would be an ideal partner for this style.

Kit a room out from the new Gloss collection at Bhs. A white Grange Sleigh Bed is 799, with a black and white print Linden bedding set from 20, and the Anglepoise-style white Mikko floor lamp can be yours for 200.

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House of Fraser's new Pied A Terre homeware range is the essence of chic. Try a soft grey buttoned headboard at 669 with grey Herringbone pleat bedlinen. The pillow case is 12, a double duvet cover is 65, and bedspread, 120, with all available in store and online from mid-February.

Alternatively, take a more funky, masculine approach with the black, white and citrus yellow Bark range, from La Redoute. Duvet covers are priced from 35, with pillowcases, 11.

Designer Margaret Muir's Jasmine bedding at House of Fraser, featuring a silver foliage pattern on white, is reduced online and starts from 56 for a double duvet cover. The White Company's silver faux fur throw is on offer online at 76, reduced from 95.

For a glamour boudoir don't spare the colour and texture, because it demands a full-on indulgent, luxurious and opulent approach. Rich berry colours, reds, plums and purples are ideal. "Have this bedroom as a gorgeous retreat, purely for rest and relaxation. There's no room here for a home office or ugly technology," says Boyd. "Add extra feelgood factor to the bed by using sumptuous bedspreads and throws made of silk or faux fur. And have dimmer switches and lamps so you can easily lower the lights for intimacy."

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Graham & Green's gilded antique mahogany Chateau bed, embellished with floral carvings is 1,395 but grand enough for any boudoir diva. Add the company's cerise cotton velvet quilt, from 99, and cushions from 29.50.

Take a traditional approach with Laura Ashley's Brompton Sleigh Bed 1,250, and plump for purple passion by choosing its Fitzroy Ombre bed linen from 20. Complement the shade with curtains in Marchmont amethyst fabric at 40 a metre. (All available end of March).

Designer Tricia Guild of Designer's Guild has produced a gorgeous bedlinen collection for online company La Redoute in a glowing scarlet and pink with pillowcases from 23 and duvet covers from 45.

The Asda Decadence collection has fruity, plum shades with plum felt loop cushions only 9 and a Plum Blossom embroidered duvet set at 20 double size. (Available at selected stores and online in March).

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Florals and crisp whites are another way to banish winter blues. "Designs inspired by nature, particularly florals, will be a strong theme in interiors this year," says Boyd. "Enhance the atmosphere by filling the room with fragrance. Use scented pillows and candles, perhaps with a soothing Lavender or Jasmine perfume."

The latest addition to the House of Fraser Linea range, Ren, is liberally sprinkled with delicate blooms. A double duvet cover is 45 and pillowcase 10. (Available early February).

I particularly covet the store's cerise and white Chinoiserie Butterfly bedlinen collection in the Pied A Terre range. A double duvet cover is 70, a pillowcase 12, and bedspread 135. (Available mid-February).

John Lewis's Maisie bedlinen collection has a contemporary folk-style pattern of blue and green blooms on white, with duvet covers from 45. (Available from mid-February).

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Beds can be expensive but Asda's range isn't. A charming painted double bedstead costs 120. Online, The Sleep Room also combines high quality with good value. Beds start from 185.

Bedding contacts:

Asda: 0500 100 055/ www.asda.co.uk

Bhs: 0845 196 0000/www.bhs.co.uk

Fired Earth: 0845 366 0400/ www.firedearth.com

Graham & Green: 0845 130 6622/ www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

House of Fraser: 0870 160 7270/ www.houseoffraser.co.uk

La Redoute: 0844 842 2222/ www.laredoute.co.uk

Laura Ashley: 0871 230 2301/ www.lauraashley.com

Living In Space: 020 7722 3131/ www.living-inspace.co.uk

Matalan: www.matalan.co.uk

Next: 0844 844 8000/ www.next.co.uk

The Sleep Room: 0845 459 9937/www.thesleeproom.com

The White Company: 0845 678 8150/www.thewhitecompany.com