You don’t need a renovation or a trust fund to make your bedroom feel like a hotel. The magic isn’t in fancy chandeliers, plush robes, or a minibar you never use. It’s in comfort, intention, and a few clever tricks that make the space feel calm, polished, and surprisingly luxe.
With the right sheets, a bit of thoughtful lighting, and some smart finishing touches, you can turn your room into a retreat that actually makes you want to stay in bed. Maybe even hit snooze one more time without guilt.
So if you want to spice up your bedroom without the need for renovation, we have some actionable tips and tricks for you to use so you can enjoy being in your own 5-star boutique hotel 24/7.
Bedding & linens
Hotels prioritise sleep first, everything else comes second. The right bedding doesn’t just look good, it feels good and sets the tone for the whole room.
Use Egyptian cotton, linen or Tencel bedsheets
Image credit: Jialux Interior
High-thread-count cotton or percale sheets give that soft, smooth feel you expect from a hotel bed, even on a basic mattress. Linen or Tencel sheets are breathable and stay cool, which is perfect if you get warm at night.
For the best results, look for Egyptian cotton or Percale sheets with at least a 300 thread count. Tencel sheets are great for hot sleepers since they feel silky without sticking.
You can find these on Shopee, Lazada, IKEA, or online specialty stores like Brooklinen, Parachute, or SnoozeLab in Singapore.
Invest in a fluffy down or feather duvet
Image credit: Attic Studio Interiors
Hotels love duvets that feel generous, cosy, and inviting. If you have a queen bed, consider a king-size duvet. It gives that overstuffed, hotel-like look.
Layering adds both warmth and visual depth. Start with a fitted sheet, then a flat sheet, followed by the duvet, and finish with an optional bed runner or throw at the foot of the bed. You’ll be surprised at how a bit of styling can dramatically improve the vibe of your room.
A bed runner or bedspread not only adds texture but also gives your bedroom a boutique hotel feel.
Shop for down or feather duvets at MUJI, IKEA, Hipvan or Courts. For bed runners and throws, check out Lazada’s hotel bed runner collection, Bed Bath N’ Table, or SnoozeLab.
Stick to white sheets to recreate the hotel feel
Image credit: HOFT
White sheets are the quickest way to get that clean, polished hotel look, but you can also experiment with off-whites, greys, or muted earth tones for a calmer feel. For a more modern, luxurious twist, dark brown, navy, or black sheets can create a boutique hotel look.
The key is to stick to a consistent palette for sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases so your bed looks intentional rather than a haphazard mess.
Understanding functional & decorative pillows
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
Hotels don’t just pile pillows randomly, they balance function and style. Typically, you’ll have two sleeping pillows per person, supported by two larger backrest pillows for when you sit up in bed.
Finish the look with one or two small accent cushions for a polished, balanced aesthetic. Matching pillow sets or cushion covers from H&M, Island Living, or Originals make it easy to pull this together without overthinking it.
Tuck your blanket or duvet under your mattress
Image credit: Key Concept
Crisp edges, tight corners, and a slightly folded top immediately signal “hotel bed.” Fold the top of your duvet back about 20cm to 30cm for a layered look, and add a throw or bed runner at the foot for extra style.
If tucking isn’t your forte, a duvet gripper, sheet clip or even a bed sheet tucker can help keep everything neatly in place. This small detail goes a long way in making your bed, and it can make you look like a pro at folding a fitted sheet.
Lighting & ambience
Hotels never rely on one harsh ceiling light, and neither should you. A single bright bulb might get the job done, but it won’t create the calm, layered vibe that makes a hotel room feel inviting.
Lighting in a hotel is carefully planned: there are bright overhead lights for general tasks, soft bedside lamps for reading, and subtle ambient lights to make the space feel warm and welcoming.
Layering light in your bedroom can instantly transform the atmosphere, making it feel more luxurious and intentional without any major renovations.
Plan for bedside & ambience lighting
Image credit: Fineline Design
Start with the basics: bedside lamps, floor lamps, or wall sconces are essential for creating layers of light. In hotels, you’ll notice that each bed has its own lamp for reading, there’s subtle ambient lighting in the room’s corners, and the overhead lights are often adjustable or indirect.
You can even get creative at home; LED light strips along the ceiling or under furniture can act as an extra source of soft light, giving your room that boutique hotel feel.
Choose dimmable warm light fixtures for that luxe feel
Image credit: SG Interior Design
Warm, soft lighting instantly makes a bedroom feel cosier and more inviting than harsh daylight-white bulbs.
Smart lights are another option: being able to control brightness or color from your phone makes it easy to adjust your room’s mood in seconds. Because nothing says luxury like controlling your room lights from your phone while pretending you’re in a spy movie.
All in all, being able to dim your lights is key. You can keep things bright when getting ready or reading, and mellow them down when winding down for sleep.
Even your LED strips in the earlier point can be dimmable. These are surprisingly cheap on Shopee or Lazada and can give your room a modern, hotel-like glow without complicated wiring.
Opt for sheer day curtains & blackout curtains
Image credit: Stylemyspace
Layering isn’t just for bedding because it works for curtains too. Sheer curtains let in natural daylight while keeping your room soft and bright, while heavier blackout curtains are perfect for night or lazy mornings when you want to block out the sun.
This combination gives both privacy and comfort, just like hotels do, where the window treatments are as functional as they are stylish.
Don’t forget the aroma diffuser
Image credit: Forefront Interior
Scent is often the overlooked secret of hotel luxury. That subtle, signature aroma when you step into a hotel room sets the tone immediately.
Image credit: Hone Aroma
At home, a small diffuser like this one from Hone Aroma can help set the tone in your room. Or you can also use scented candles like Yankee Candle, which can also give your bedroom that same “you’ve arrived” feeling.
If you want to get fancy, some boutique hotels like Lloyd’s Inn have very distinct fig scents, look for similar essential oil blends online or at specialty stores like Pristine Aroma to get that specific hotel scent you like and make your space feel extra special.
Finishing touches & function
Hotels feel good because everything has a purpose, and clutter is invisible. Every item in a hotel room has a reason to exist, nothing is left randomly on a table or floor.
Add some full-length mirrors
Image credit: Forefront Interior
Mirrors do more than let you check your outfit, they make your space feel bigger and brighter. A full-length mirror instantly adds a touch of luxury, giving the impression of a boutique hotel suite.
While this is a renovation service rather than a decorative one, you can always opt for services like House of Mirrors. They offer different types of mirrors, from gold, clear, to even black-styled mirrors.
All in all, if you’re planning to add a mirror, mimic hotel rooms and place them near the entryway, or in the bathroom. Essentially, the same spots in the hotel.
Declutter your surfaces
Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior
A bedside table should hold only the essentials: a lamp, a book, maybe one small decorative piece. Everything else, chargers, remotes, notebooks should be tucked away in drawers, trays, or baskets.
The idea is to create surfaces that feel open and functional. You can invest in a smart table, which has built in power ports and chargers to reduce the clutter.
Add one statement piece
Image credit: Bowerman
Every hotel room has that one eye-catching element: a piece of artwork as shown, a textured headboard, a sculptural plant, or even a bench at the foot of the bed. This doesn’t have to be expensive, just pick one piece that adds personality and anchors the room visually.
Place a rug or carpet underneath the bed
Image credit: Charlotte’s Carpentry
And finally, a rug is a subtle but powerful way to add warmth and style. Preferably, go for one large rug that extends under the bed, or, if space is tight, place two smaller rugs on either side of the bed and one at the foot.
This not only softens the space underfoot but also visually ties the room together, giving it that polished, hotel-like finish. Plus, stepping onto a plush rug in the morning is one of life’s little luxuries.
Making your home feel like a boutique hotel
A hotel-like bedroom isn’t about copying a showroom, it’s about reducing noise, prioritising comfort, and designing with rest in mind. Start with your bed, layer your lighting, and be ruthless with clutter.
Add a few thoughtful finishing touches like mirrors, rugs, or a statement piece, and you’ll suddenly find home feels more like a staycation than just a house.
If you want to continue upgrading your space from “meh” to “marvelous”, check out more here:
- How to make your home look like iconic local hotels
- This HDB is inspired by Raffles hotel, where the couple got married
- This 2-room flexi HDB flat makeover looks like a stylish boutique hotel
Cover image adapted from: HOFT, Forefront Interior, Dyel Design
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