Your bedroom has to be both a retreat and a practical space, so ask yourself these questions...

We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so it's no surprise we like our bedrooms to look good. Some people yearn for a romantic bedroom scheme, others just want storage and a bed. When planning your new bedroom, work out how you actually use the room (be honest!) before looking at colours or fabrics. And remember, attractive can be practical, too.

Start by making notes. If you live with another person, ask them for their input now, so there are no arguments later. Ask yourself the following questions:

Who does the room belong to?
If it's your our own bedroom it should be a haven - somewhere to relax, surrounded by things you love. A guest bedroom requires a different approach. Although you'll want it to reflect your own taste, it most also be welcoming to others. A child's room demands yet another set of considerations, with safety and practicality high on the list.

Does your room receive enough natural light?
If not, see if it's possible to add a skylight or enlarge a window. These are decisions to take now - you don't want to make major changes after you've painted or laid new carpet. If the room receives too much light, and needs to be more restful, shutters, blinds or well-lined curtains might be the answer. Don't forget - paint colours appear different under different lighting conditions.

Light and colour
The lighting level in your bedroom and whether that light is warm or cool, natural or artificial, are important factors in choosing colours. Sometimes, what looks good in the shop doesn't work in your actual bedroom.

To test out a colour, paint your preferred choice on a large piece of cardboard and Blu-Tack it to the wall to see how it looks in the room. You may notice that the colour appears a lot different during the day and the night. If you're happy with the effect, paint your bedroom. If not, try another colour on another piece of cardboard.

How do you use your bedroom?
Obviously, its main function is to be a comfortable place to sleep. But don't forget you also get dressed in there, put on make-up, maybe read or watch TV.

Should you save up for an ensuite?
If the mornings are always frantic in your house, an ensuite bathroom will reduce the pressure on the main bathroom. Estate agents claim that an ensuite is one investment that will certainly make your house more valuable - and saleable.

Do you put on make-up in the bedroom?
If so, you'll need a mirror that receives both natural and soft, even, artificial light. Clear light is essential and harsh shadows are a no-no. You may want to use a shaver and a hair-dryer in front of the mirror, too, so power points are essential.

Is yours a two-person bedroom?
If so, it may be worth having more than one mirror. The combination of a wall-mounted medium-sized mirror and a full-length mirror works well.

Do you watch television in bed?
Position a TV set bearing in mind how light reflects off the screen. And yes, more power points!

Bedside lamps
Bedside lamps are essential. If you like to read, you'll need a bedside lamp which directs light onto the book without casting its glare more widely. Still more power points - and we haven't included the electric blanket yet.

Storage space
Check out beds with storage drawers underneath or consider adding a built-in wardrobe or chest of drawers.

Is the bedroom also a work space?
Guest rooms often have a dual function as a home office and bedroom, so you need to plan for storage. A table can be both a desk and a dressing table, but you may prefer a separate desk with lots of storage and office furniture on castors that can be wheeled away.

What's your budget?
Set your budget before you go shopping. Fix a top figure, then take off 10 per cent to cover unplanned expenses. If you have your heart set on a designer fabric, that's fine, but you may have to save money on other things.