The bed sits in the centre of the wall, with the same clear space on each side. That way, each person gets in and out of bed without passing the other. For a Queen bed, 160 × 200 cm, leave 60 to 75 cm clear on each side. At the foot, 60 to 75 cm.

If the room is not wide enough for that, place the bed so that at least one side stays clear and the other has room for the bedside table. Bed sizes are in the guide Bed sizes in Portugal: double, Queen and King.

The bedroom should belong to both. A style too strongly marked in one direction can leave one of you ill at ease. The simplest way to agree is a neutral base, in beige, grey or off-white, with wood and natural fabrics. Personality comes in afterwards, through objects and pictures each person chooses for their side.

To find the style you share, see the guide Find your style.

In a couple's bedroom, one reads while the other sleeps. Each side needs its own reading light, with its own switch, and the ceiling light should switch on at the door and off from the bed. Choose warm light, 2700 to 3000 K.

Pendant lights on each side free up the bedside table. The right height is in the guide How high to hang pendant lights. For wall lights and table lamps, visit the Light page.

2 people keep twice as many things. Storage starts by the bed: a bedside table with a drawer for each person, or a panelled headboard with a built-in surface or shelf. Under the bed, a lift-up bed base rises to give access to the space beneath the mattress, for throws and out-of-season clothes.

Among our bedside tables, the CALM and the FORM have velvet-lined drawer interiors. The Lift Storage Bed Base comes for 160 × 200 and 180 × 200 cm mattresses.

The wardrobe is almost always the tightest point in a couple's bedroom. Leave 90 cm clear in front of it, to open doors and drawers without moving the bed.

In a large bedroom, a walk-in closet holds both people's clothes and takes the wardrobes out of the room. Hanging clothes need 60 cm of depth, and the aisle between the 2 sides, 90 cm. The closet is separated from the bedroom by a plasterboard wall or a tall headboard, which leaves the dressing area behind the bed. Whoever gets up first can dress without switching on the bedroom light.

In a small couple's bedroom, every piece must have a purpose. Keep to the essentials: the bed, 2 bedside tables and the wardrobe. Wall-mounted bedside tables and wall lights free up the floor, and the room looks larger. More ideas are in the guide How to decorate a small bedroom.

A window can be a place to sit, not only a source of light. With a low window, a cushioned seat gives a second spot for reading, and drawers underneath add storage. With a high window, a shelf or plants on the sill bring the room to life without taking up floor space.

To see a complete bedroom, visit the Bedroom page and the guide 10 essential items for your bedroom.

More pieces in the Bedroom collection.