Designing an English country bedroom with Sophie Conran

There’s so much to love about the English countryside, from the rolling hills and winding mossy lanes to wildflower meadows and bubbling brooks. So, why not incorporate some of that quiet charm and natural beauty into your bedroom design? 

In this article, we sit down with our design partner, Sophie Conran, to explore her signature style and best country bedroom ideas to bring into your own space. We’ll uncover exactly how she approaches a bedroom design that captures the heart and soul of the English countryside – a space rooted in comfort, charm and joyful abundance.  

From thoughtful furniture pieces to garden-inspired colours and patterns, Sophie shares her secrets to designing a sanctuary where you can sleep beautifully and wake up to the blissful tranquility of slow countryside living.  

Ready to begin? Kick off your muddy boots, grab a cuppa, and settle in…

“The English countryside aesthetic is about balance; a harmony between the beauty of nature and the comforts of home.”

Sophie Conran, Dreams’ design partner

There’s a reason so many of us are drawn to this look and feel of the English countryside time and time again. Sophie Conran explains:

“For me, the English countryside aesthetic is about balance; a harmony between the beauty of nature and the comforts of home. It is an aesthetic that is not about chasing trends; it is about surrounding yourself with things that make you feel grounded.

“I think we are drawn to it again and again because it offers a kind of permanence in an ever-changing world. A soft armchair by the fire, a view onto a beautiful garden, the feel of natural fabrics, wooden floors and antique rugs, these are small pleasures that never lose their magic.”

Fancy creating a room just like Sophie’s? Here are her favourite country bedroom ideas for a space that blooms with comfort and character…

1. Choose an outdoorsy colour palette

If you’re unsure where to start with your colour scheme, take a leaf out of Sophie’s book (quite literally!) and bring the countryside indoors by mirroring your colour palette to the natural world.

Sophie reflects on her favourite nature-inspired shades: “I am drawn to soft, muted tones that echo what you find outside. The mossy greens of an old stone wall, the dusty blues of a summer sky, the warm ochres of autumn leaves, the cherry blossom pinks in spring, but also brights, like the wondrous yellow in my kitchen and breakfast room.”

If you love Sophie’s take on colour play, why not browse her full guide to experimenting with colour?

2. Pick patterns that feel inviting

Patterns are the heartbeat of an English country bedroom, adding warmth and whimsy to give your space a story.  

It’s no surprise then that Sophie is a big fan of experimenting with prints in her designs: “Patterns have a wonderful way of bringing a room to life. They add character, movement, and sometimes even a sense of playfulness.”  

When it comes to selecting English country bedroom patterns, Sophie says: “Florals always have a place, as do gentle stripes and checks.”

These sophisticated prints can have an inviting, chintzy feel, making your room instantly cosy and lived-in – even if the wallpaper is freshly pasted!

3. Find the right natural fabrics

Now, for your textiles. Sophie recommends as many natural materials as possible. Not only are these kinder to the planet, but they have a gorgeous finish that grows even more beautiful with age. They soften naturally over time, fading gently and settling into a space like old friends. How wonderful! 

Sophie says: “Fabrics should be tactile and natural, like washed linen, cotton, wool, and velvet. They should feel as good as they look and become better with age.” 

In true countryside style, your fabrics should favour comfort and character before anything else. That way, they’ll feel as good as they look and tell a story with every thread.

4. Add a signature furniture piece

Sophie believes in choosing thoughtful purchases over fast trends. And what better way to honour the timeless English countryside than with a signature piece that you can love for years to come? We believe a bed is the best place to start.

An elegant bed

“The Celeste feels particularly English countryside to me. Its shape is timeless, with a sense of quiet elegance, and it works equally well dressed in a bold floral or a soft neutral. It is the kind of piece you could imagine in a sunlit bedroom overlooking rolling hills, layered with blankets and cushions, and it will still look beautiful ten years from now.”

Get the look: The Celeste bed, coming soon

A handy blanket box

“In most bedrooms, I’ve got some sort of blanket box or ottoman. It’s a great thing to have at the end of the bed; you can sit on it, you can put your clothes on it and tie your shoelaces. I use it for all sorts of things: shoes, handbags, blankets. They’re really useful pieces of storage to have.”

We asked our design partner which elements of her own bedroom most embody the quintessential English country aesthetic. Here’s what she said…

Layer comfort, heritage and nature

Sophie’s English country bedroom is a masterclass in thoughtful design and slow country living. From her extraordinary four-poster bed covered in flowers to her scalloped bed linens edged in coral embroidery; every detail is carefully curated to tell a story. 

Sophie says: “In my bedroom, it is the layering of true comfort, history, and nature that makes it feel rooted in the countryside. I have always been drawn to spaces that feel as if they have evolved over time, where every piece tells a little story.”  

Just like a blooming wild meadow, Sophie’s layered design approach is a gentle blend of comfort, character and collected pieces – each element adding its own texture, tone and tale. It’s this effortless mix that sits at the heart of the English countryside aesthetic; a completely unforced design, quietly evolving.  

Bring the garden indoors and let your bedroom bloom

Fresh flowers are a year-round staple in Sophie’s bedroom. From garden-snipped petals in the spring and summertime, to bulbs in the winter months, she doesn’t pass a season without them. Floral notes not only look beautiful, but they smell amazing too, creating a botanical retreat in your bedroom.   

Sophie says: “I have fresh flowers from the garden in my bedroom all year round, and bulbs in the winter: amaryllis, paperwhites and hyacinths. For scent, sweet peas and daphnes are lovely next to the bed. Philadelphus is great, that comes in springtime.”  

Real flowers in the bedroom offer a gentle reminder that beauty doesn’t need to be polished. It can be wild, overgrowing, and stunningly imperfect – just like the British countryside. Bonus if you can indulge in a countryside stroll to pick the blooms yourself…

Embrace soft lighting, mix-matched patterns and imperfections

When it comes to the finishing touches in her bedroom, Sophie prioritises what feels natural over anything else. Less about perfection, more emphasis on personality. She spends time collecting pieces, allowing her patterns and textures to mix and mingle over weeks, months, or even years. 

“It is a space that is both enchanting and imperfect, which to me is the essence of an English country bedroom, with plenty of patterns and my collections of things from vintage markets, antique shops, or hand-me-downs.” 

It’s these thoughtful touches that give Sophie’s bedroom so much character and eclectic soul.

“I am endlessly inspired by the gardens and landscapes of England, places like Great Dixter in Sussex, Sissinghurst, or the gentle hills around the Cotswolds and Dorset.”  

Sophie Conran, Dreams’ design partner

She also grew up immersed in the world of design. Her father, Sir Terence Conran, was a visionary British designer and had a profound influence on the way Britain lived. His creativity shaped Sophie from an early age.  

“My father had an incredible eye for creating spaces that felt lived in yet effortlessly stylish, and my mother taught me how a well-loved home should always have warmth and generosity at its heart. That combination, refinement and comfort is something I have carried with me into every home I have designed.” 

Sophie Conran’s collection with Dreams carries this influence, expressed through graceful shapes, considered materials, and designs that balance timeless craft with contemporary comfort. 

This is the kind of comfort that only the English countryside can inspire. By bringing in homey touches and celebrating nature’s beautiful imperfections, you can create a bedroom that’s cosy, inviting, and brimming with the charm of the great British countryside.