Tips from GQ
The overall style and comfort of your bedroom has less to do with what you put in it than what you keep out. The easier it is to keep neat, the better it'll look over the long term, so do what you can to simplify. Your bed, for example, should take no more than thirty seconds to make. The trick: Ditch your flat sheet and sleep with only a soft duvet—which is how the Europeans do it. Come morning, just give your duvet a casual toss, leaving a generous drape at the foot of the bed (as we did here), and use your pillows to bridge any space at the headboard. No tucking involved. Likewise, buy an extra set of bedding so changing your sheets doesn't require washing and waiting—and avoid overstuffed mattress pads (they're a *#*+% to launder).
Lose the alarm.
There are so many sounds that can stir you from your slumber; why settle for shrill beeping or the morning news? A more humane alternative: an old iPod loaded with a few of your favorite songs.
Keep your lights small.
Your nightstand has less surface area than you think, so it's best to use the smallest bedside table lamp you can find, like Flou's slender and elegant Gabbiano. $477,
www.flou.it
Upgrade your duvet.
The duvet is the bedroom's most prominent feature—even more prominent than the expensive bed underneath it—so invest in a good one, like Area's simple and chic Heather duvet. $250,
www.areahome.com
Eliminate the tech.
Be vigilant about this. Leave your laptop and BlackBerry at the door and resist the temptation to turn your bedroom into a home theater. Good speakers are a must, but try giving your television the boot and see if it doesn't change your life.
Don't work in bed.
A nightstand makes a poor desk, so restrict printed matter to the following: one or two books that you're actively reading and a Moleskine notebook for recording flashes of inspiration. $15,
www.moleskineus.com
Box it up.
A partitioned box, like this one from Dunhill, is perfect for keeping random man things—cuff links, watches, condoms—in order. Just don't let it turn into a junk heap; keep it less than half full. $440,
www.dunhill.com
Corral your crap.
All men have an inborn need to empty their pockets onto the nearest available surface when they enter a room. Don't fight it; just make sure there's a strategically placed tray to catch the mess. Your most luxurious option: Poltrona Frau's Type 1 Tray, which is upholstered with the same leather used in Ferrari interiors. $170,
www.frauusa.com
Get decent sound.
Instead of putting your speakers inches from your head, set up a Tivoli Model Two radio near the foot of your bed and hook it up to the iPod on your nightstand. It'll fill the room better than even the most expensive all-in-one units. $200,
www.tivoliaudio.com
