Fashions in bedrooms have not altered very much during the past century, but previous to that time they had a changeful history. In mediaeval days the mattress was laid on the floor, and afterwards raised on a wooden framework tied across with cords. From this rude construction the comfortable bed of modern times has been evolved.

The custom among royalty and its followers of giving formal receptions while in bed caused the cabinet-makers and jewellers to lavish their utmost skill on this piece of furniture. Magnificent carving and silver inlaying made an ornate and luxurious background for the hostess, who, attired in stiff brocade and towering headdress, gave card parties and suppers from her bedside.

Nowadays the bedroom receives a wide latitude in its furnishings, suiting more completely the tastes and uses of its owner than any other room in the house.

The ideal bedroom is one that is arranged only for sleeping and resting hours, with connecting bath and dressing rooms, and separate rooms for leisure and working hours. A bedroom used exclusively as a sleeping apartment may be treated in a very simple style. There should be windows on opposite sides of the wall to give ventilation, and the nearer these are placed to the ceiling the better the circulation of air. If paper is desired for the wall finish, there are innumerable artistic patterns from which to choose, and some sanitary prints that are capable of being cleaned with water. An oil paint in a flat finish may be applied if a plain, sanitary covering is preferred. Of course, in choosing the decoration for the wall, a harmonious combination with the woodwork, floor covering and furniture should be sought.

Some of the papers in chintz patterns have a cretonne to match, and in combining the two the bed covering and furniture slips may be of the fabric. The use of a figured cretonne for the windows that will exactly match the wall paper is not advisable except in very limited quarters where an effect of space must be secured at a loss of variety.

The woodwork in the bedroom, whether the furniture is antique or modern, should be neat and plain, painted white in an egg-shell finish. Muslin curtains have the advantage of being easily laundered in the house and so presenting a continual appearance of freshness. The curtains may be slipped over a small brass rod, with hooks and loops to catch them back to the sides of the casement. An over-curtain of cretonne, art ticking, denim, linen taffeta or chintz may be adopted during the winter months, and if it is sewed to rings it need not interfere with proper ventilation.

To prevent the accumulation of dust in this room, it is better to leave the floor uncarpeted and lay small mats beside the bed, bureau and doorways. The new washable cotton rugs, made in the old rag-style, but in more artistic colourings than those of the old days, are excellent for the bedroom, and particularly adapted to summer use. A night table may be placed at the head of the bed, with a candle and matches, watch holder and a small tray for drinking-water.

If the bed is used as a resting place during the day, the freshness of the bed may be preserved by having a lounge for day naps. This should be placed so that it will not face the light, and should be equipped with pillows and a light spread. The bedroom lounge may be covered with a linen or cotton material, in keeping with the washable goods at the windows and on the bed. A comfortable rocker and an easy chair will supplement the bed and lounge.

A dressing room adjoining the sleeping room need not be as large nor have as many windows as the latter. Space is not necessary, except for the accommodation of the chiffonier, dressing table or shaving stand. Further additions for dressing, which are of service, are a wooden tree for airing night-clothes during the day and for holding at night the garments that are worn in the daytime; a low slipper chair for putting on and taking off shoes, a press or closet for keeping clothes from the dampness, and a long mirror.

In a dressing room the modern cheval glass, set on casters and made to tilt at any angle, is a practical selection. Lacking the space that this piece of furniture demands, a substitute can be made by setting a large sheet of looking-glass into the panelling of a door. Sometimes the inside of a closet door is lined with a long mirror, or a glass is set against the wall with the moulding at the base cut out to allow the reflection to extend to the floor.

When the bedroom must, however, cover the needs of both night and day, and is used for sleeping, working, dressing and resting, the problem of furnishing becomes more complicated, and William Morris's direction to have nothing around that is not serviceable or beautiful will be a good one to follow. The bed, lounge, easy chair, dressing table and wash-stand, night table, work table, desk and bookshelves must all be selected with care to fit their allotted spaces without crowding.