Pinata Party Quilt SetContemporary Bedroom, Melbourne

12. White out. Melbourne, Victoria

The quandaryWhen making up a double bed, the standard way to dress it in most countries is with a double doona. But is this always the best way? Two single doonas side by side as an alternative to the classic double may seem unusual at first, but there are many compelling reasons to consider such a set-up. And it’s nothing new in Scandinavian countries.“The majority of [doona] sales … are double [doonas],” says Martin Møller Aamand, communications and PR manager at Jysk, a Danish home retail chain with more than 2,500 shops all over Europe. “In Denmark, though, most [doona] sales are still singles.”The tide could be turning, however, as Ikea has just launched a ‘TOG-ether’ doona bundle in the UK (it is unsure if it will release the range in Australia), comprising two single doonas to be used side by side on a double bed. It’s not yet clear whether this product will be released in Australia.Here, Houzzers have their say on this bedroom trend, along with the editors of Houzz Denmark and Houzz Sweden.

Divvy up the responsibilitiesOne of the benefits of living with a potential life partner before marriage or a long-term commitment is getting a sense of how he or she lives, as the honeymoon phase mellows to a warm glow and you both start to relax and be your true selves. If you notice a marked difference in standards when it comes to cleaning and tidying up, now is the time to decide how high a priority it is for you – and to have an honest conversation about how the chores will be assigned between the two of you into the future.“Housework touches on what have historically been fairly entrenched gender roles, which are changing rapidly,” says Roberts. “Because these roles are changing, they need to be explored and negotiated with those involved. When this is done successfully and the agreements kept, this can further strengthen a relationship.”Tip: Begin conversations with “I feel” rather than “you always” – attacking someone for their behaviour is rarely as effective as a calm conversation coming from a place of respect.

6. Change your doona cover/bedlinenA doona cover is often the first thing the eye is drawn to in a bedroom. If you want the focus of the room to be on the walls, art or furniture, go for a white or neutral doona cover. If the rest of the room is simple, then you can opt for a bright or pattered cover. I also love buying new sheets at the start of the year. Opt for good quality ones – you spend so much time in bed that it’s worth the investment. If possible, feel the sheets before you buy for their softness and texture.

Consider a grab-and-go cubby A tiny bedside table with a well-thought through design can out-perform some larger cabinets. For example, the open cubby hole in this cute bedside table offers an easy spot to slot a tablet and laptop neatly out of view. And how about drilling a hole through the back to create a a sleek and tidy charging station? This would keep your techy bits and their cables in one easy-to-find spot. Phew!

MicrofibreMicrofibre is a blanket term (pun intended) for synthetic or man-made fibres. Most synthetic fillings used in doonas will be antibacterial, hypo-allergenic and very warm. PROS: Man-made doonas are designed to be hypo-allergenic. They’re also washable, recyclable (sustainable), won’t clump, retain heat almost as well as down/feather doonas, but are less friendly homes for bacteria and other bugs.

Rather than feature wall use material as a back drop. Cleaning though??‍♀️