New digs? These are Cosmo’s lazy-girl bedroom design hacks

An overflowing social calendar, work commitments, perfectionism – we’ve heard it all before. When it comes to bedroom design, there are so many reasons why you may have been putting off the makeover.

Perhaps you’re facing decision paralysis from too many hot trends. Or maybe you really are just too-damn-busy to sit down with a moodboard on a Friday night (we get it). And no one understands how you feel more than the team at Cosmopolitan UK. That’s why we’ve teamed up with them to bring you the ultimate lazy-girl design hacks to create the bedroom of your dreams.

In this article, Claire Hodgson, their bed-obsessed Editor-in-Chief, shares her favourite affordable bedroom furniture and lazy-girl styling hacks.

Whether you’re moving into your first grown-up solo flat, renting a new place with friends, or simply looking for some fresh inspo to give your existing sleep space a revamp, we’ve got the easy, cost-effective design hacks to help you out.

So, you’ve hit a wall in your bedroom reno project. Maybe you’ve haven’t even started. But that’s OK! We’re here to help. The best place to start, before you go crazy with a paintbrush and regret your design decisions, is with some thoughtful planning. This means saving Pins on Pinterest, writing a checklist in your Notes app, creating a moodboard – whatever your creative process is! Once you have a vision for the bedroom of your dreams, it’ll be so much easier to bring it to life.

Oh, and arming yourself with the right tools always helps – we’ve got you covered there, too…

Your bedroom is your own personal space to relax and unwind, so it should feel distinctly yours. To discover your design style, think about which elements of your personality you’d like to see in your sleep space.

Do you love all things retro? Perhaps an aesthetic with vintage influences will suit you best. Think about how your friends describe you. Are you the loud one in the group? Perhaps you need a bold and energising bedroom design to match your busy (chaotic) lifestyle. Maybe they describe you as super edgy and ahead-of-the-curve, then something contemporary could be a winner.

Need help finding your look? Check out our super stylish Cosmo-approved aesthetic bedroom ideas. Thank us later…

Now, let’s dive into Cosmo’s six best lazy-girl design hacks to make your bedroom makeover a breeze…

Hack 1:  Turn blank walls into works of art

“It’s my lifelong dream to create the perfect gallery wall. From travel photos, to art prints and even posters from memorable gigs, I love injecting personal moments into a room.”

Claire Hodgson, Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan UK

Nobody wants to move into a new place and stare at boring walls. If you don’t have the time or funds to give your bedrooms a lick of paint, one of the fastest routes to brightening up your space is filling your walls with beautiful artwork. Banish the blank walls and create a stunning picture gallery with your favourite photos, posters, paintings and drawings, framing your headboard.

To get the look, you’re gonna need a couple of those tools we mentioned earlier (a hammer, hook and nails – and don’t forget your trusty spirit level!). No nails? No problem. Command strips are your best friend.

Get the look:

The Ennis sofa bed

Hack 2: Get an easy-to-build bed frame 

“The first thing we considered with this range was ease and simplicity. That’s why I love our Quick Build Bed, which a single person can put up, completely alone, without tools, in under two minutes. Add a rolled mattress for peak speed.”

Claire Hodgson, Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan UK

Desperate for a new bed but feel intimidated by the heavy lifting? Fear not, the Cosmo team has an answer for everything. Introducing the brand-new Quick Build bed, hand-picked by Cosmopolitan UK.

Ideal for first-time buyers and new unfurnished renters – particularly if you’re going solo – the Quick Build bed is reliable, affordable, and most importantly, easy to set up all on your own! In fact, this bed frame can be assembled by one person in under two minutes – no, really.

Get the look:

The Quick Build bed

Hack 3: Brighten up your floors with a rug

“Neutral tones and textures are big this season, but something a bit more exciting, retro patterns twinned with warm chocolate browns or sage greens are a good option.”

Claire Hodgson, Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan UK

Working with an eyesore carpet that you’re not allowed to change? Or maybe your new pad has hard wooden flooring that needs a little softness. Another easy fix to brighten up your space is by adding a bedroom rug. Not only does this add an instant dose of plush, cosy softness for your feet, a rug can also completely transform the vibe of your room.

Keep in mind that different types of rugs can have different effects. Lighter shades will bring a calm ambience to your room and can even make your space feel bigger and more open. Meanwhile, darker coloured rugs will bring warmth, depth and cosiness, but can make a room look smaller. Rugs with busy patterns bring bags of character (we’re talking cowhide for a country western vibe or a funky checkerboard for a cool-girl aesthetic), but can make your space feel a little crowded, especially if your bedroom is on the smaller side.

Get the look:

The Armagh sofa bed

Hack 4: Beautiful bedding goes a long way 

“I’m a big fan of letting your bed sheets do the talking – it’s the easiest way to refresh your space without going all in on a redesign. A simple white set instantly lifts the room and gives you a clean base to play with, and if you’re into texture, seersucker sheets or broderie trims add that extra something.”

Claire Hodgson, Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan UK

Switching up your bedding is one of the easiest ways to give your bedroom an instant glow up. Treat yourself to a plump new duvet and pillows for your base. Then, it’s time to choose your bed sheets. We love a bed with crisp white bedding for a luxurious hotel feel. Of course, it’s always nice to add some colour, so choose some matching scatter cushions and a throw in your favourite colour, which you can dramatically drape at the end of your bed.

Get the look:

The Quick Build bed

Hack 5: Invest in one statement piece

“Your bed is the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom – it anchors the space and shapes your whole routine. Invest in the right one, and everything else will naturally fall into place around it.”

Claire Hodgson, Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan UK

Sometimes, all it takes is one piece of furniture to make a statement. Cut the decision paralysis by falling in love with one key piece and building the rest around it.

Naturally, we think the bed is an excellent choice as it’s the focal point of the room. It’s an investment in comfort, but it should be an investment in style too. Take the Helen bed frame, for example. This plush bed features a stunning curved headboard (so on-trend), comes in three statement colours, and is finished in a buttery-soft bouclé fabric. Having a showstopper bed like the Helen means you really don’t need a lot of decor to create a stylish bedroom. Helen does the talking for you!

Get the look:

The Helen bed

Hack 6: Girl math your bedroom with multi-functional furniture

“We’re all about pieces that work harder for you, and multi-functional furniture is the ultimate win. A sofa that turns into a bed? That’s style, space-saving and spontaneity all rolled into one.”

Claire Hodgson, Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan UK

Whether you’re short on space, money or both, opting for a multi-functional piece of furniture is an incredibly sensible choice. We’d recommend choosing an all-singing, all-dancing piece like the Armagh 3-Seater Corner Pull-Out Sofa Bed. It’s a sofa, a bed, and even has handy cup holders, so it’s technically your coffee table too! Girl math. Now you have somewhere for your friends and family to stay in your abode, and even more room to stretch out on movie nights. Don’t forget the popcorn…

Get the look:

The Armagh sofa bed

Style has never been so simple! With Cosmo’s lazy girl design hacks, from choosing clever multifunctional furniture to dressing your bed beautifully, you can easily create a bedroom that you’ll want to show off to all your friends and family, without breaking the bank. Now that’s savvy styling.