Sleep Better

Which Pop Culture Bedrooms Are Best For Sleep?

28 Jan 202212 min read
lifestyleresearchsleepsleep quality

Over the years, we’ve seen some envy-inducing homes on our favourite TV shows and movies - but are they all style over substance?

We’ve channelled our inner Goldilocks and analysed some of the most famous bedrooms from  TV and film to reveal how well each is set up for sleep. We looked specifically at the following five factors:

  1. Colour - scored out of 10, we’ve ranked colours based on how good they are for encouraging sleep.
  2. Bed Position - with a maximum score of seven, this factor rates the bedroom against key Feng Shui positioning principles.
  3. Natural Light - as natural light can disrupt sleep, we’ve scored how well the bedroom blocks natural light out of 10, where 1 is not very effective and 10 is very effective. 
  4. Clutter Free - scored out of 10, the neater the bedroom, the higher the clutter free score.
  5. Style - a rating out of 10 for each bedroom’s overall aesthetic, where 10 represents maximum style.

With a maximum of 47 points up for grabs, we’ve pinpointed the bedrooms that will guarantee a good night’s sleep - and those that will make nodding off near impossible!

Ranked: The Best TV & Film Bedrooms For A Good Night’s Sleep

RankBedroomTV ShowOverall Score (out of 47)
1Blair's bedroom (Waldorf Penthouse)Gossip Girl47
2Daphne’s bedroomBridgerton46
3Monica's bedroomFriends40
4Don & Betty Draper's bedroomMad Men38
5Cher's bedroomClueless37
6Carrie Bradshaw's bedroomSex & The City35
7Rose's bedroomTitanic34
8Regina's bedroomMean Girls32
-Frenchie's bedroomGrease32
10Parents' bedroomHome Alone31
11Bart's bedroomThe Simpsons29
12Joey's bedroomFriends24
13Sabrina's bedroomSabrina the Teenage Witch23
14Ferris Bueller's bedroomFerris Bueller's Day Off22
-Harry’s cupboard under the stairs bedroomHarry Potter22
16Paul Sheldon’s locked bedroomMisery19

Find out how we ranked each below:

1. The cool, calm decor of Blair Waldorf’s blue penthouse bedroom makes it the best for sleep.

Blair Waldorf's Bedroom in Gossip Girl
Image via: Warner Bros. Television
  • Colour: 10/10
  • Clutter Free: 10/10
  • Bed Position: 7/7
  • Natural Light: 10/10
  • Style: 10/10
  • Total: 47

It’s top marks for Blair Waldorf’s blue bedroom at the Waldorf Penthouse, as seen in Gossip Girl. Blair scores 10/10 for her cool blue colour choice; with its calming properties, the colour is one of the best for inducing sleep. 

There’s no scrimping on the Upper East Side, as evident in Blair’s choice of curtains. The heavy luxurious fabric is ideal for blocking out the light helping her sleep for longer. With virtually no clutter and a bed that’s perfectly positioned in-line with Feng Shui principles, take our advice: if Blair invites you to a sleepover, say yes!

Home staging expert reveals which parts of Blair’s bedroom we should recreate at home

We spoke to home staging consultancy Stylize for their expertise on interior decor. Lisa from Stylize offered her perspective on why Blair’s bedroom took the top spot:

“Blair’s room looks homely and inviting without being 'too done'; it looks relaxing. There is no bulky furniture which is great as that is a big no in Feng Shui, and also no mirror or TV opposite the bed.

Blue reflects a sense of calm and friendliness while also feeling very energising. Light blues such as baby and cornflower blue are extremely relaxing while darker shades, think navy blue, are very much on trend right now and show strength, ready to go straight to sleep.” 

Those looking to recreate Blair’s bedroom at home should proceed with caution. Lisa warns that too much “blue can be seen as a negative in a bedroom as it represents water, mirroring a dream of drowning.”

Lisa’s advice for recreating Blair’s bedroom at home:

“The large windows and the fireplace are the real stars of this room. Furnishings wise, the chaise longue, the high sumptuous bed, large rug, and the large mirror give a perception of luxury living.”

2. Daphne Bridgerton’s blue regency bedroom combines style and sleep.

Daphne Bridgerton's Bedroom from Bridgerton
Image via: Shondaland
  • Colour: 10/10
  • Clutter Free: 10/10
  • Bed Position: 6/7
  • Natural Light: 10/10
  • Style: 10/10
  • Total: 46

Following closely behind Blair Waldorf’s bedroom (and not entirely dissimilar in its appearance) is Daphne Bridgerton’s boudoir from the hit Netflix show Bridgerton. The room scores top marks for its pale blue and cream colour scheme, which not only creates a calming space for sleep but also reflects the class and standing of the wealthy Bridgerton family.

Heavy curtains in deep blue will block out light once drawn, while the uncluttered room perfectly exudes regency style. Improving the positioning of the bed would be the only way to boost this room’s near-perfect score.

Examining the room, Lisa said: “This room is very classic and never goes out of style. It has opulence and maturity, is very big in stature and full of grandeur which will draw people's attention. 

It certainly has a hotel boutique feel and sense of sleep sanctuary in which you can peacefully sleep here for the entire night without any interruptions.

In terms of Feng Shui, this room has balance and symmetry - shown through the artwork and bedside tables - which presents harmony in a room and is easy on the eye.

Lisa’s advice for recreating Daphne’s bedroom at home:

“Panelling seems to be having a resurgence and you will find many Instagrammers showing how to do this simply. The result is very effective! It's a classic look that never dates and creates a chic and stylish finish.

Include antique and vintage furniture by buying second-hand and restoring old furniture that could otherwise go into landfill. Use luxurious textures and fabrics to dress your bed to create a zen bedroom.”

The ‘Regencycore’ bedroom checklist:

  • Use antique or vintage furniture and put a creative spin on them.
  • Choose deep and rich regency colours such as dark greens and plums. Little Greene Paint Company and Farrow & Ball are well known for their heritage colour palette.
  • Introduce a contrast with golds and powder blues.
  • Include opulent lightings and furnishings such as:
    • Chandeliers
    • Fringed/tassel fabrics on throws and curtains
    • Dado rail, cornicing and ceiling roses
    • Damask-style wallpaper
    • Four poster beds.

3. Monica’s bedroom scores highly for it’s clutter-free style.

Monica's Bedroom from Friends
Image via: Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions
  • Colour: 7/10
  • Clutter Free: 10/10
  • Bed Position: 7/7
  • Natural Light: 8/10
  • Style: 8/10
  • Total: 40

Knowing how competitive Monica Geller is, she will likely be kicking herself to have missed out on first place in our list! Scoring a still respectable 40 points, Monica has got the Feng Shui of her room covered and of course, her space is as clutter-free as you’d expect.

Letting Monica down was her choice of colour and curtains. Her pale pink walls are soft enough to create a feeling of calm in the room, but blue, yellow or green are better choices for a bedroom. Choosing a heavier curtain that’s capable of blocking more light would have also improved her score.

Of Monica’s bedroom, Lisa offers: “Monica's room exudes fun and happiness that makes her room look inviting and like a place you would want to hang out and chill. Being clutter free is good for the soul, mind and the eyes!”

Lisa’s advice for recreating Monica’s bedroom at home:

“Monica uses plenty of art in her room. Use serene imagery in a bedroom to evoke relaxing feelings. Abstract and biophilic (the love of nature) designs are very much in vogue.”

4. Don & Betty Draper’s yellow bedroom will help them wake up happy.

Don & Betty Draper's Bedroom from Mad Men
Image via: Weiner Bros. Productions
  • Colour: 9/10
  • Clutter Free: 10/10
  • Bed Position: 7/7
  • Natural Light: 6/10
  • Style: 6/10
  • Total: 38

Donald and Betty Draper’s bedroom from TV series Mad Men scores an overall total of 38. Yellow walls scored the bedroom 9/10 for colour choice; the muted shade can help you wake up feeling happy, although this can’t always be said of the Drapers!

With the help of Carla, Betty keeps the bedroom clutter-free, scoring 10/10, while the bed itself is perfectly positioned. Mediocre scores, however, were given for natural light and style. The mix of slatted blinds and a thin voile curtain makes an early sunrise likely to disturb their slumber, while the aesthetic of the bedroom seems to lack warmth and personality.

5. Cher’s clutter-free, co-ordinated bedroom raises the style stakes.

Cher's Bedroom in Clueless
Image via: Paramount Pictures
  • Colour: 7/10
  • Clutter Free: 8/10
  • Bed Position: 7/7
  • Natural Light: 7/10
  • Style: 8/10
  • Total: 37

With a passion for style, it’s no wonder that Clueless’ Cher Horowitz’s bedroom scores so highly in our rankings. Dispelling the messy teen stereotype, Cher’s bedroom is largely clutter-free, scoring 8/10. Despite having three layers of curtains at her windows, each layer is thin, so there’s a chance the light will disturb her sleep.

6. Carrie Bradshaw's green and serene bedroom provides a sanctuary for sleep.

Carrie Bradshaw's Bedroom in Sex & The City
Image via: HBO
  • Colour: 8/10
  • Clutter Free: 5/10
  • Bed Position: 6/7
  • Natural Light: 10/10
  • Style: 6/10
  • Total: 35

Carrie Bradshaw clearly loves her bedroom (she recreated it at her new apartment during the Sex and the City Movie) and looking at our analysis, she has good reason too. Carrie’s highest score was for her heavy drapes - ideal for blocking out the light after one too many cosmos. 

Her nature-inspired pale green walls won her brownie points, while she could improve the room’s Feng Shui by making sure the headboard of her bed is against the wall rather than shelves.

7. Rose's red cabin bedroom could raise her blood pressure and make it harder for her to sleep.

Rose's Bedroom in Titanic
Image via: 20th Century Fox
  • Colour: 2/10
  • Clutter Free: 9/10
  • Bed Position: 5/7
  • Natural Light: 10/10
  • Style: 8/10
  • Total: 34

Rose’s bedroom in her cabin aboard the Titanic scoops seventh place. The well-styled bedroom is maintained by the ship’s maids, so Rose can enjoy a clutter-free sleep space. However, that’s about all she can enjoy; the bedroom itself doesn’t have any windows. 

Although no light will disturb her sleep, the dark red across all four walls makes the room feel enclosed and oppressive. Plus, as red is an energising colour, it could raise Rose’s blood pressure, which is not ideal for sleep.

8. Regina's pink palace looks good but natural light could make sleep difficult.

Regina's Bedroom in Mean Girls
Image via: Lorne Michaels Productions
  • Colour: 6/10
  • Clutter Free: 7/10
  • Bed Position: 6/7
  • Natural Light: 3/10
  • Style: 10/10
  • Total: 32

As North Shore High School’s resident Queen Bee, it only seems right that Regina George has one of the most stylish teen bedrooms. Complete with beige walls and pops of bright pink, the room has good Feng Shui, although the soffit above the bed could make the room feel oppressive. 

Thin curtains, which will be virtually ineffective at blocking light, and photos pinned to the wall impacted the overall score. A gallery wall will help display Regina’s snaps while reducing clutter.

9. Clutter and clashing prints could keep Frenchie's mind racing at night.

Frenchie's Bedroom in Grease
Image via: Paramount Pictures
  • Colour: 7/10
  • Clutter Free: 5/10
  • Bed Position: 7/7
  • Natural Light: 8/10
  • Style: 5/10
  • Total: 32

A mass of beauty products and Rydell High items contribute to the room’s cluttered feel and impacts the space’s overall style. While the beauty school dropout’s bedroom dropped points there, it made up for it elsewhere. 

The room scores highly for Feng Shui, colour choice (it had to be pale pink for a Pink Lady!) and heavy curtains to block out the light. Overall, Frenchie should be able to get a good night’s sleep in the space.

10. Bold patterns make the Home Alone parents' bedroom feel cosy, but clutter could keep them awake.

Parents Bedroom in Home Alone
Image via: Hughes Entertainment
  • Colour: 6/10
  • Clutter Free: 5/10
  • Bed Position: 7/7
  • Natural Light: 8/10
  • Style: 5/10
  • Total: 31

The parents’ bedroom from Home Alone is in 10th place, scoring well against Feng Shui principles and with heavy curtains for blocking out light. 

The room features beige wallpaper with a floral pattern on each wall. While the pattern would make some rooms feel cramped, it works well in the large space to help it feel cosier, which will aid the parents’ sleep. However, cluttered shelving and cabinets could make it harder for them to drift off.

11. Bart's bedroom is characterless and cluttered.

Bart Simpson's Bedroom in The Simpsons
Image via: Gracie Films/20th Television
  • Colour: 6/10
  • Clutter Free: 4/10
  • Bed Position: 6/7
  • Natural Light: 10/10
  • Style: 3/10
  • Total: 29

In 11th spot, Bart’s bedroom is a typical child’s room, with lots of toys on shelves (and the floor) and a desk for homework. As a result, the room feels quite cluttered, which could make it harder for Bart to fall asleep. 

The light pink/salmon walls are a good choice for aiding sleep, but the overall style of the room could be improved; other than a Krusty the Clown poster, the room does little to reflect Bart’s personality. 

12. Joey’s bedroom is plagued with Feng Shui issues and clutter.

Joey's Bedroom from Friends
Image via: Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions
  • Colour: 6/10
  • Clutter Free: 3/10
  • Bed Position: 2/7
  • Natural Light: 10/10
  • Style: 3/10
  • Total: 24

Despite being just across the hallway to Monica (whose bedroom is number two in our list), Joey’s bedroom is not well set up for sleep. Although he has space around the bed and no beams or sloping ceilings above, his bed is opposite the door, his feet will point out of it and his headboard is against a window - all no-gos for a good bedroom layout. 

His shelving is cluttered with items and food wrappers, although he does have blinds and curtains, which when used together will be effective at blocking light.

13. Sabrina's pale purple walls could make sleep more difficult.

Sabrina's Bedroom from Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Image via: Viacom Productions
  • Colour: 1/10
  • Clutter Free: 5/10
  • Bed Position: 7/7
  • Natural Light: 6/10
  • Style: 4/10
  • Total: 23

Despite scoring moderately across the majority of categories, the main factor that saw Sabrina’s bedroom drop points was her colour choice. She may regret opting for pale purple walls as it is a mentally stimulating colour which increases creativity and keeps your mind awake. 

A combination of high school student essentials and witchy trinkets leave the room feeling cluttered, although the bed is perfectly placed for Feng Shui.

14. Clutter in every corner will surely affect Ferris’ sleep.

Ferris Bueller's Bedroom from Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Image via: Paramount Pictures
  • Colour: 6/10
  • Clutter Free: 1/10
  • Bed Position: 6/7
  • Natural Light: 7/10
  • Style: 2/10
  • Total: 22

The most typical teenage bedroom to feature on our list, Ferris Bueller’s bedroom is one of the most cluttered. The cream walls are heavily decorated with a mismatch of flags and posters, while shelving, the desk and floor are littered with items and some even spill out of drawers. 

The cluttered environment paired with light coloured curtains would make sleep difficult in this room, although it doesn’t seem to affect Ferris!

15. The cramped cupboard under the stairs could seriously impact Harry’s sleep.

Harry Potter's bedroom in the cupboard under the stairs
Image via: Warner Brothers
  • Colour: 6/10
  • Clutter Free: 1/10
  • Bed Position: 4/7
  • Natural Light: 10/10
  • Style: 1/10
  • Total: 22

It’s no surprise that Harry Potter’s cupboard under the stairs bedroom at the Dursley family home features low on our list of the best bedrooms. The room’s only redeeming features are its neutral cream walls and because there isn’t a window, there’s no risk of natural light disturbing Harry’s sleep.

With very little space to begin with, Harry shares the space with the Dursley’s cleaning equipment, adding unnecessary clutter to the space. It goes without saying that the room scores low on the style front too!

16. Paul Sheldon’s locked bedroom from Misery is the worst bedroom for sleep.

Paul Sheldon's locked bedroom from Misery
Image via: Castle Rock Entertainment
  • Colour: 6/10
  • Clutter Free: 5/10
  • Bed Position: 5/7
  • Natural Light: 2/10
  • Style: 1/10
  • Total: 19

Ignoring the trauma that goes on in the bedroom during Misery, the bedroom is actually full of its own horrors, placing it bottom of our list of the best TV and film bedrooms for sleep. A closer look at the bedroom’s Feng Shui reveals some clever tactics used by the set designers to reflect the horror of the movie. 

The bed is opposite the door with Paul’s feet pointing out of it - much like if he was in a coffin! Thin curtains and a plain room devoid of any warmth or character makes this room the stuff of nightmares - that’s if you can get to sleep!

It’s interesting to peek behind the facade of TV and film bedrooms, looking past the aesthetics to see just how well set up the bedrooms are for sleep. Are there any entries that surprise you? 

If you are planning to redecorate your bedroom this year, make sure you don’t make the same mistakes as some of these characters have. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered with our range of stylish beds and comfortable mattresses, so all you need to do is style them!

Methodology

For each bedroom, we created a total score based on individual scores for each of the following criteria.

Colour

10 colours were scored out of 10 based on how suitable each is for encouraging sleep, with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst. The colour rankings in full can be found below: 

  • Blue - 10
  • Yellow - 9
  • Green - 8
  • Pale Pink - 7
  • White/Cream - 6
  • Bright Pink - 5
  • Silver/Grey - 4
  • Brown - 3
  • Red - 2
  • Purple - 1

Clutter

This is a score from 1 to 10 based on how cluttered the room is, where 1 is very cluttered and 10 is clutter free.

Bed position

This score is based on the principles of bed positioning Feng Shui. It is scored from 0-7, with one point given for each of the following criteria:

  • Bed is diagonal from the door. You should be able to see the door from the bed but not be opposite.
    • If positioning the bed diagonal from the door is not possible, a mirror should be positioned to show a reflection of the door.
  • Doors shouldn't open onto the bed.
  • Feet shouldn't be pointing out of the door.
  • Headboard should be against a solid wall.
  • No windows behind the bed.
  • Space around the outside of the bed.
  • No beams or sloped ceilings over bed.

Natural light

As natural light can disrupt sleep, this score looks at how well the bedroom is at blocking natural light. It is scored from 1 to 10, where 1 is not very effective and 10 is very effective. 

Style

Scored from 1-10, this score looks at the bedroom as a whole and scores based on coordination and the overall look. 1 is not very stylish while 10 is very stylish.