Anyone with a fast-track lifestyle knows that a good night’s sleep is a key to peak performance. But modern bedrooms are about much more than sleep. They have become personal sanctuaries even if few - despite increasing laptop use - admit to sharing Sir Winston Churchhill's penchant for working in bed. "Bedrooms are becoming as much a retreat as a place to sleep," confirms Denise Neri of the swish Italian furniture manufacturer B&B Italia. And, says George Khachfe of Poliform UK, "Because people are using their bedrooms as living-cum-relaxation areas, they are spending more time there and are investing in really luxurious beds".
Some people prefer to be embraced in a womb-like environment such as FEG’s Mantra Bed (pictured above, £3,302, excluding mattress, from Europe by Net). Designed by Mauro Bertame’ using feng shui principles, the bed’s canopy curves protectively over an extremely low wenge base to create a very intimate space.