A Summer Bedroom Setup That’s Easy, Lived-In, and a Bit Moody
Did you know your bedroom design directly affects your nervous system? Neuroscience shows that our brains process visual input even while we sleep—meaning clutter, bright colors, and overly stimulating decor can keep us in a low-level state of alert, making it harder to truly rest.
That’s why my go-to summer bedroom vibe is all about grounded textures, rich tones, and layered warmth that regulates the nervous system while still looking elevated. Whether you’re styling a king bed, queen size bed, or even a twin bed in a guest room, this season’s look leans into deep greens, aged reds, and cozy materials that feel like an exhale.
Let’s break down the science.
Start with the Bed...Always
The bed is always the anchor of the room—so go solid, not loud. My favorite look is a clean-lined, textural frame like our Eirikur bed or one of our other upholstered styles (I love a textured boucle or leather). Whether you're team queen size bed or king bed, the key is to keep the lines simple so the texture can shine.
Underneath, I love grounding the whole thing with a large vintage or antique rug. If your bed is neutral, this is where you go bolder—pattern, history, and soul all in one layer. Vintage is also great for the nervous system as it signals to your brain that it's not too precious and fussy. It's like the rug is saying "hey, you can relax here".
The Eirikur Bed is all about practical design. With smooth, rounded edges and a tall headboard, it offers a modern shape that’s easy to pair with different spaces. The upholstered finish is 100% polyester—soft to the touch and simple to clean. Available in king and queen bed sizes and two color options.
Sheets: Moody and Minimal
I skip the hotel white and opt for darker, grounding tones in solid colors: charcoal, navy, or an earthy olive green. Layer that with a top blanket in a woven or quilted texture. (Think of this like the base layer of your outfit—it doesn’t need to scream, it just needs to feel good.)
Then comes the fun part…
Patterned Throw Blanket? Yes Please.
At the end of the bed, add a hit of personality. Our Sunniva block-printed throws (available in multiple tones) are handmade and hand-blocked in India and perfect for layering. Match those tones back to the pillows at the head of the bed for a pulled-together feel without trying too hard. This is a good nervous system regulating tip to bring in a bit of color and texture without overstimulating you.
Let’s Talk Pillows (and Real Life)
No, I don’t love a bed stacked with decorative throw pillows that live on the floor by 10pm. Remember - visual clutter = bad for your nervous system. My move: two nice sets of king-sized pillowcases (four total), and then add in two of our Erling Linen pillows (they come with amazing down inserts). They’re good enough to sleep on or lean against for some night time reading, but also pretty enough to style the bed. Done and done.
The Corner Nook We All Actually Use
Every bedroom needs a corner chair. Not just for reading—but for the worn-once-not-dirty clothes we pretend we’ll rehang. My go-to options are the Emilia lounge chair or the Gustav lounge chair —both with oak frames and leather seats that break in beautifully. Add our leather ottoman (we carry round and square) to soften the space and make it extra lounge-y.
Our Gustav black leather accent chair evokes classic mid-century silhouettes. Each piece is hand crafted of high-quality, hand-rubbed Italian leather with a sleek ashwood frame. We love the channeling on the back as it reminds us of retro car seating.
Don’t Sleep on Nightstands
Big rooms need large nightstands . I like a pair of oak nightstands with texture—slatted wood, matte finishes, or stone tops. The chunkier the better. These pieces ground the room and balance the bed’s scale, especially if you’ve got a king size bed or one of our more dramatic headboards.
The Olafur nightstand is crafted from solid oak with a curved profile that keeps things clean and functional. It features one soft-close drawer with a metal pull-tab and a fully finished back, so it looks good from any angle. Each piece shows off the wood’s natural grain and variation—no two are the same. Comes in natural and warm oak tones.
The Takeaway
Summer doesn’t have to mean bright whites and splashy colors. Sometimes the most regulating thing you can do for your nervous system is create a bedroom that feels grounding, not stimulating. Think: deep tones, rich textures, and pieces that calm the chaos—visually and somatically. Whether you start with a new bed or simply swap your throw pillows and a throw blanket for something more tactile and earthy, your space can start working with your body—not against it. Sleep better. Feel better. That’s the whole point.
Ready to bring this mood home? SHOP THE SUMMER COLLECTION
