Ergonomics is the art of arranging the furniture layout, designing the lighting scheme and using furniture to make a space highly functional and comfortable to use. An ergonomic bedroom can be achieved by designing an efficient one that fulfils the requirements of the user, prevents unnecessary body movements, has a clutter-free layout and is restful. Here are the essential elements of an ergonomic bedroom design.

1. Layout of the bedroom

o Use only necessary furniture - This is especially important in small apartments when there isn’t a lot of extra space — using fewer pieces will make the room look and feel a lot more spacious. If your room is extra tiny, use taller dressers and shelves to get more storage while taking up less room.
o Think about function -The best way to only have what you need in the bedroom is thinking about what you’re going to do. If you have a good idea of what you’re going to want and need to do in the bedroom, you can design around that.
o Start with the bed - At some point, you have to move things around the actual room and not around your drawing. Since the bed is the most important part of the bedroom (it’s right there in the name), get it in place first. Generally, you’ll want to put it against the wall opposite the door or the largest wall with no windows, but your choice may vary.
o Go big to small - Once you’ve found the best place for your bed, arrange everything else starting with the biggest bedroom furniture item followed by smaller ones. Usually, the dresser comes next, followed by bedside tables, a desk, shelves, chairs and anything else you may have. Generally, the tables will go next to the bed, the dresser on the opposite wall and a desk in the corner, but these can all vary.
o Place your area rug properly - Area rugs are typically placed underneath the lower two-thirds of the bed so they create a cushy area to step on as you get out of bed in the morning. If your bed is tucked into a corner, your rug will likely have to be placed somewhere else, like next to the bed or in the centre of the open part of your room.
o Tv in the bedroom - If you plan to have a TV in the bedroom, then the wall opposite the bed is best suited for installing the TV, where it can be viewed directly from the bed. However, a bedroom without a TV will probably help you have a better sleep cycle as you are less likely to stay up late.
o Study table - If the bedroom requires a study table or a home office, then the best way is to combine the wardrobe and study area into a single unit, like in this image, as it gives a more organised look. There should be a clearance of at least 5 feet in front of the study table so that a person can sit and work, and still leave enough circulation space for another person to cross from behind.

2. Correct position of TV

o As you determine where to put your bedroom TV, you will also want to take into consideration the height options for each potential location. Remember that the ideal bedroom TV height may not be the same as it would for a living room. You will most likely be lying in bed as you watch TV, so it's ideal to mount the TV a little higher than your line of sight. To determine the proper placement, you might want to enlist some help. One person can lay in the bed while the other marks the right place for the TV.
o The type of mount you choose to install will also dictate which height would work best for the most enjoyable viewing experience. If you have a tilt or a full-motion mount, you are able to have a more versatility and comfort for where and how you view your favourite shows.
o All the TV wires should be out of view so that the bedroom has a neat and clutter-free look.

3. Layered lighting

Create a layered lighting scheme with a combination of natural and artificial lights. The different types of lighting which can be utilised for the bedroom include
o Ambient lighting, which provides overall illumination in the bedroom. General or ambient lighting is intended to light up a room in its entirety. It provides a uniform level of illumination throughout the space independently of other lighting sources. Moreover, its purpose is to ensure safe and easy traffic, as well as to create an overview of the room. The ambient light ‘bounces’ off the walls to illuminate as much space as possible.

o Natural light, which is the ideal source during the day. The windows should be easily accessible so that they can be opened every morning to let in maximum natural light during the day. Natural light in a home is always better than artificial light. It bathes your room in a rich full spectrum hue that light bulbs can only hope to duplicate and it increases your body's feel-good serotonin levels. Best of all, natural light will not come due at the end of the month with the power bill.

o Task Lighting - If you expect to do activities that require a bit more focus, like reading, working or applying makeup, then consider layering on top of your general lighting with task lights. Focused task lighting need not be confined to the traditional desk task light. Consider bedside table lamps, low hanging pendants on either side of the bed, sconces, wall mounted task lights on either side of a headboard or other directional lighting placed above
o Accent lighting is typically meant to draw attention and highlight features–like artwork–within a given space. For the bedroom, accent lighting on its own can act as a subdued version of ambient lighting, giving off a pleasant glow and creating a cozy atmosphere. Utilizing recessed lighting in the bedroom, wall sconces, tape lights or creative repurposing of other fixtures are a few ways to incorporate this feature in your bedroom’s light design.

4. Height of furniture

o Size of bed - Beds and mattresses are classified as per their sizes: King, Queen and single beds
o Distance between two single - The most common way to separate two single beds is by inserting a shared bedside table in between. The distance between two single beds should be at least three feet.
o Size of bedside tables - The length of bedside tables ranges between 21 to 36 inches and the depth should be approximately 15 inches.
o Wardrobe measurements - The maximum width of hinged wardrobe panels varies between 18 and 24 inches.
o TV distance from the bed - The ideal size of a TV for a bedroom should be 32-42 inches (diagonal measurement of the screen).
o Size of dressing table - The height of the dressing table should be 32–36 inches.
o Dimensions of study table - A study table should be 26–30 inches high to ensure a comfortable position when seated.
o Seating area - A comfortable lounge-type seating area can be accommodated in your bedroom only if its area is 225 square feet or more.

5. A comfortable headboard

o An upholstered headboard is ergonomic as it not only improves the aesthetics of the bedroom but its comfort, as it provides cushioned support to the back when sitting up in bed.
o Alternatively, one can go for a curved wooden headboard that can provide good back support. However, wooden headboards, being hard, are not as comfortable as upholstered ones.

6. A good mattress and pillows

The main function of a pillow and mattress is to provide comfortable support to the body and ensure a good night’s sleep.
o Factors such as the support system of the mattress, the infill material used and the comfort level of the mattress should be taken into consideration when selecting a mattress. The different types of mattresses include innerspring, pocket coil, memory foam, latex foam, hybrid, and rubberised coir mattresses. Take your pick.
o The infill material in the pillow determines the durability and comfort level of the pillows. The different types of pillows include feather and down, organic cotton, memory foam, latex foam, and synthetic fill pillows.

7. Clever built-in storage

Built-in storage gives a clean and uncluttered look to the bedroom.
o Introduce a storage bed to increase the functionality of a compact bedroom. Make optimum use of the space below the bed for storing seasonal clothing, extra towels and bedding.
o Introduce a window seat and use the space on the sides of a window to accommodate closed or open storage, as in this image. The space under the seat can be used for additional storage
o In this example, the storage unit includes both drawers and open shelves. The floating TV unit offers an element of lightness and can be used for keeping the remotes, CDs and other TV accessories out of view.

8. A well-organised wardrobe

o The clear depth of the wardrobe should be at least 24 inches.
o The position of the shelves and hangers should be such that one does not have to stretch or bend too much to reach out for frequently-used items.
o For hanging saris or formal shirts the vertical clearance of the shelf should be 40 inches, while the vertical clearance for hanging long clothes like gowns or dresses should be 66–72 inches
o The clearance for open shelves should be 12–15 inches.
o Having different-sized drawers to store different types of items makes the best use of available space.