Sat 1 Dec 2007
Bed baggage
No longer neglected on the home front, bedrooms are coming into their own as homebuyers seek high spec sleep zones that fulfil all their night-time needs. Linda Grabham delves under the covers to reveal the latest trends in new-build boudoirs.
Having focused their activities on the kitchen and bathroom for so many years, the bedroom is only now coming under the eagle eye of developers, but they are certainly making up for lost time. According to AMA Research, the fitted bedroom furniture market alone is estimated to have made sales of £515 million this year, marking a one per cent increase on last year (after three years of declining sales). These figures are set to rise steadily over the next five years. As well as the growing consumer interest within interiors generally, this new focus on bedrooms has much to do with its changing role in the home. Not just a place to get some much-needed shut-eye, the bedroom is increasingly being utilised as office, private sanctuary and home cinema. Furthermore, the pressure on space throughout today's new-build developments has seen bedrooms become back-up storage points for items that might once have been kept in the spare bedroom or cloakroom. "We believe that the bedroom is increasingly important to potential buyers. This is backed up by the statistics, which show that penetration of fitted bedrooms in UK houses is now up to 17 per cent, and more people are expecting at least one fitted bedroom as standard in their new home. Just 25 years' ago, fitted kitchens were relatively unusual in new properties, yet now no customer would buy a house without a fitted kitchen. We believe that fitted bedrooms will follow the same pattern," enthuses Graham Jones, trade sales and marketing director for Hammonds.
To fit or not to fit?Obviously there is a significant cost involved in the inclusion of fitted bedroom furniture as standard within any development, but there is also a growing argument that the investment will be more than covered when it comes to attracting buyers.
"Beautifully fitted furniture definitely increases the attractiveness of a property, as it cleverly uses every inch of space. Fitted furniture helps give potential buyers the impression of walking into spacious and airy bedrooms and they also appreciate the big advantage of not having to worry about purchasing furniture as well as the cost of moving," explains Anne Bergerbusch, marketing manager at Hulsta.
Indeed, property developer Dandara has found that homebuyers considered fitted furniture to be an essential part of its Spectrum development in Manchester. Just metres from Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, the studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments all have fitted wardrobes within the main bedroom. "The inclusion of fitted wardrobes not only reduces space lost with large furnishings but they maximise storage and allow homeowners to enjoy the extra room," says Hugh McGuinness, sales director of Dandara.
In terms of furniture trends, sliding wardrobes are seen as the biggest boon in bedrooms because of their flexible storage potential and high value perception. Natural timber or pure white finishes are considered perfect for a classic feel, or, for contemporary developments, high-gloss finishes in more vibrant shades are currently in vogue.
Light showLighting is big news throughout the home, and the bedroom is perfect for a spot of ambient light treatment, which is something developers are increasingly considering. Higher end developments may have as many as three lighting circuits in the bedroom, preferably with a dimmer switch, and often with colour changing wheels and remote controls. "As in every other room in a house, we need three distinct levels of lighting in a bedroom: An overall light cast by dimmable downlights or a central pendant which provides a good 'wash' of light around the whole room; mood lighting which can be given by table lights on bedside tables and dressing tables; and task lighting, which concentrates light in an area for tasks such as reading, putting on make up, or providing practical internal lighting in a wardrobe," explains Rebecca Tucker, director of Suna Interior Design.
Even in the first time buyer sector, the days of the single ceiling pendant are numbered and developers are including wall lights with bedside controls as an extra feature. Incorporating LEDs within furniture and flooring is the latest lighting trend in the bedroom and a plinth of LEDs above or below sliding wardrobes can be used to enhance the materials used, especially glass and high-gloss doors. A relatively low cost but incredibly effective lighting trick suggested by David Patterson, general manager at The Furniture Union, is to install LEDs around the perimeter of the bed or behind the headboard to give the impression that the furniture is floating. "This is incredibly affective when it comes to making a strong impression as it creates a warm, romantic glow with mass appeal," he says.
Best laid plansAs space continues to be restricted, the layout and product specification of bedrooms is now as important as the kitchen or bathroom. "Although seemingly obvious, light and space are the two key factors for an impressive bedroom. Maximising these makes the most of any room, and remains the most successful features, as - regardless of design preferences - buyers still want a large, bright bedroom. There are ways to emphasise light and space in a bedroom; for example, effective window dressings draw the eye to the outside world and extends the boundaries of the room," says Robert Croll, sales manager for FM Homes.
Another popular space-enhancing technique within show homes is to use very low beds, which gives the impression of higher ceilings, and the use of light reflecting materials - particularly mirrors - is an age-old but hard-to-beat device for creating the illusion of a more spacious room. "Incorporating fitted headboards and bedside drawers that are one piece of furniture will also make a room look much bigger," advises Dawn Kitchener, the managing director of Connections in Design. Pale flooring is another space-enhancing trend in today's developments, especially wooden flooring, which coordinates well with all dŽcor schemes and is being embraced by consumers as a healthier alternative to carpets in sleeping areas.
Future trends
As bedrooms continue to shrink - making way for that obligatory en suite - and their multi-functional use grows, it is widely conceded that more and more developers will be planning in storage from an early stage. "Fitted wardrobes in the master bedroom with an integrated mirror will always be standard in Dandara properties as customer feedback highlights the importance of them. We are also now fitting electrics and a television aerial within the wardrobe so that the TV can be hidden away when not used and the sliding wardrobe doors can be opened when the television is required, helping to keep the bedroom as minimalist as possible," claims Hugh McGuinness.
The trend for zoning the bedroom into different areas for sleeping, bathing, seating and storage is likely to grow within high-end developments, where space is less of an issue and developers seek to recreate the luxury appeal of boutique hotels. "Creating a sense of luxury and decadence will continue to be a popular requirement. In terms of selling a home, this core feature sends exactly the right message to potential buyers," concludes Robert Croll.
First published in Show House Magazine December 2007.
The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published.
Posted by Linda Grabham
in Caple, Dandara, Deane Wardrobes, Geoffrey Drayton, Hammonds, Hulsta, Inside Out, Manhattan Closets, Portico, Shirley Browne Interiors, Suna Interior Design, Symphony, William Ball on Sat 1 Dec 2007
Have your say and comment on this article