Have you ever walked into a home and felt a sense of warmth and belonging? That first impression can make all the difference, especially when selling a house. While the living room and kitchen often steal the spotlight, the bedroom is a hidden gem that can significantly influence a buyer's decision. So, what makes a bedroom so unique?
Happy Beds have delved into the most viewed properties on Rightmove, analysing 20 of the most popular homes from 2023 and recent months. After examining 200-bedroom features in these top homes, Happy Beds reveals the 10 most common features that could help sell your home.
Top 10 bedroom features that will help sell your home
These are the most popular features found in the bedrooms of the most viewed homes, with percentages indicating the prevalence of each feature in the houses analysed.
- Ample natural light – 80%
- Neutral colour scheme – 75%
- Reading nook – 75%
- Traditional interior style -65%
- Art paintings and prints – 55%
- Four poster bed – 50%
- Chandelier – 40%
- Wooden bed – 30%
- Dressing table – 30%
- Rug – 30%
Let's explore how you can add these features to your bedroom and help sell your home.
80% of popular homes had well-lit bedrooms
A stunning 80% of the most popular homes boast ample natural light, thanks to large or multiple windows. Good lighting can transform a bedroom, making it feel more extensive and more inviting. Russell Chilvers, Personal Estate Agent at Mansell McTaggart, agrees, "Buyers certainly have natural light on their lists. A nice view in a bedroom is something people always love, waking up in the morning and the first thing they see." This is important throughout the home, not just the bedroom, particularly the kitchen and living room.
However, adding more windows or making a window larger is not simple, so how can you maximise the natural light in your home?
If the room is notably smaller, use lighter or muted colours such as light blue, green, and neutral tones. These colours will help bounce light around the room, and, most importantly, they are also less likely to keep you awake at night as they do not stimulate the brain, making your bedroom a more peaceful environment for sleep.
Another easy way to add more light to your room is by adding reflective surfaces such as mirrors, metallic ornaments or glossy furniture. These will reflect the natural light and brighten the space.
3 in 4 homes had bedrooms with a neutral backdrop
Neutral colours are like a blank canvas. They make it easier for potential buyers to imagine their furniture and decor in the space. So, it's no surprise that 3 in 4 (75%) of the most viewed properties had what could be considered neutral bedrooms.
Neutral colours are better for sleep
As mentioned above, neutral and muted tones are the best choices for bedroom colour - especially regarding sleep. Colours that are stimulating and can evoke negative feelings - such as red and black - are often thought of as the worst for sleep. However, white (while not technically a colour), cream and varying neutral shades are recommended.
White has been reported to stimulate the brain less than other colours, so if you often struggle to 'switch off' when sleeping, white could be your choice. Popular shades like soft greys, beiges, and whites appeal to a wide audience and make the room look bigger and more serene.
75% of bedrooms featured a cosy reading nook
Cosy reading nooks are set to be the next big trend for bedrooms. Reading has already become a popular hobby on TikTok, known as Book Tok, with the hashtag #bookTokUK garnering 15m views over the last 30 days alone. Now, #readingnook is also trending, with over 18K posts showcasing these cosy spaces.
Three-quarters of popular homes on Rightmove had armchairs or sofas in their bedrooms, creating cosy reading nooks. Adding an armchair or a small sofa to your bedroom creates a corner where one can read, relax, or even enjoy a morning coffee. It's an extra touch that can transform a bedroom into a relaxing retreat.
Russell Chilvers, Personal Estate Agent at Mansell McTaggart, also agrees, saying: "A good-sized bedroom with the ability to have an area for reading/relaxing scores highly with buyers, especially if the property doesn't have a lot of spare space."
Choose a piece that complements your room's size and style. If you do not have the space, you could still designate a small reading area in your bedroom. Place floating shelves above one side of your bed, displaying your favourite books or the next on your reading list. And, when you make your bed in the morning, transform your bed with a soft throw blanket and a cushion on that side of the bed.
Other areas you could use for dual space include vanity tables. Again, placing shelves above the vanity table could transform it from a dressing area to a reading nook with the right accessories in minutes.
Experts also recommend good storage in the bedroom to attract buyers
Russell said, "Having good storage for clothes is also an important factor for buyers. Built-in storage 'if done right' is hugely appealing, along with calm and quietness, and allows them to feel relaxed."
However, with smaller bedrooms, that can be easier said than done - mainly if storage is an issue you are already facing. Built-in storage is a great option that you could do above your bed or off the floor to save floor space and can appeal to buyers.
Another option is under-the-bed storage, which you can find in ottoman beds and divan beds. With these, you can place large items such as suitcases, extra bedding and even winter clothing under the bed to provide more space in other rooms.
65% of homes had traditional features
In one form or another, more than half (65%) of the bedrooms featured some form of traditional interior inspiration. Examples included a Victorian bedroom, as well as French country or French boudoir style. Either way, traditional décor is timeless, which will appease most buyers.
Consider elegant wood furniture, classic patterns, and rich fabrics to add to your bedroom. You don't have to go full-on vintage; even a few traditional elements, such as dark wood shelves, can warm and inviting the room.
Traditional decor could help reduce insomnia
If you were to take inspiration from traditional-inspired homes - such as dark wood furniture - you could see improvements in sleep. Studies have shown that wood could help provide comfort when sleeping and reduce suspected insomnia.
The smell of wood also has sleep-inducing effects due to the soothing properties of the chemical compound cedrol. That wood furniture could even reduce the number of times you wake at night.
Over half of the popular homes featured art prints in the bedroom
55% of the most viewed homes feature art paintings or prints in the bedroom. Why is art so appealing? It adds personality and character; it can turn a plain room into a sophisticated retreat.
Consider the size and placement of art to incorporate into your bedroom. Larger pieces can make a bold statement, especially over the bed. You can also create a gallery wall with smaller prints without overwhelming the space. Remember to pick artwork that coordinates with your colour scheme to ensure a cohesive look.
If you are unsure what to add, opt for natural artwork and match it to the style and location of your home. If you live near water, think of beach-style artwork and green scenic landscapes if you live in a rural area. This artwork also benefits sleep and can be seen as relaxing when attempting to wind down after the day.
Focusing on lighting, neutral colours, cosy seating, and timeless styles can help you create a bedroom that appeals to many buyers. For more tips, check out our interior inspiration on the blog.
Methodology
Happy Beds analysed the 20 most viewed properties on Rightmove from 2023 and recent months. We examined images of the main bedrooms, cataloguing and categorising 200 bedroom features. The frequency of each feature was quantified to determine the 10 most common elements.
