A well-crafted boudoir can transform your humble slumber zone into a calming, personal sanctuary -- an escape from the pressures of the outside world. But most bedrooms -- as far as we can tell when we're out on the road filming Home Heist -- are frightening war zones of piled-up clean -- and dirty! -- laundry, cast-off mismatched furnishings, and mattresses that are well past their sell-by date. A dated bedroom simply doesn't deliver the feeling a luxurious bedroom should, and that's such a missed opportunity. Think about the most tranquil place you've ever visited and then multiply that memory by the same pampered feeling you get when you visit an exclusive health spa -- that's how you should feel in your bedroom. Here's how to conjure up those happy feelings.

• Don't ask too much of too small a space. Keep it clearly and exclusively defined as a bedroom, and absolutely avoid multitasking. That means no ironing boards, no splitting-at-the-seams wardrobes and definitely no computers stashed in a corner. It's a bedroom, not a boardroom.

• The main event in any slumber zone is the bed. Because it's probably the largest feature, let your bed define the space. In much the same way as a feature wall of colour or wallpaper can be just enough to provide punch and personality, so too will a well-dressed bed occupy centre stage in your design scheme.

• About a third of your life is spent sleeping, so invest in a good quality mattress and treat yourself to the best pillows and dressings you can afford. Ask yourself this question: What price good slumber? As far as we're concerned, a great night's sleep is more rejuvenating than Botox and a better tonic than a life coach! It really is worth spending more.

• Make your bed as much a tactile feast for the fingers as it is for the eyes by mixing soft satin with cool cotton, then topping the lot with a luxurious cashmere throw. 

• In small bedrooms, it's a good idea to toss piled-to-the-sky pillows, as they can add too much detail and be impractical to store when not on display.

• Satisfy your sense of smell with relaxing scented candles or some good old-fashioned fresh air. Even in the winter months, it will do you good to air your bedroom for at least half an hour each day.

• Avoid bright colours like vivid oranges and zesty yellows, as those shades won't induce sleep. Neutral, pastel and soft warm shades are much more restful.

• Don't overfill closets; be ruthless and lose the things you no longer wear. Adjust your wardrobe as the climate changes each season, storing summer garb until the mercury starts to ascend again.

• Opt for warm flooring like wood and carpet, and avoid ceramic tiles, marble or granite. There's nothing worse, after all, than getting out of bed in the morning and stepping onto a cold floor.