Traditionally there is an idea that you have to have certain pieces of bedroom furniture in order to make sure that you fitted in with the rest of society. This is not the case any more when we are all encouraged to be individuals and that is why there is now a great choice available to you.

Some things you can't change and all of us know that the bed is the central element to the bedroom. It is after all named for this piece of furniture. These days there is so much variety when it comes to beds that you could take ages just trying to choose this item.

A four poster bed has an historical connotation and they were certainly very popular in the eighteenth century. Wealthy families would have silk, damask or satin on these beds to add a sense of style. This was not something that everyone could afford though and those who were not in the fortunate position to be wealthy had to be content with a small mattress at times.

Now we see the use of single beds for children. This is really for when they are smaller and as they grow older they often move onto bigger beds. Some of the lucky ones that have money and space can enjoy the experience of having a double bed.

A bedside table or locker is usually placed on either side of the bed and this serves a very useful purpose in the bedroom. It is where most people would put a lamp for reading at night and then of course if you just want to store things such as your book and glass then this is where you would do it as well. It is a good place for little odds and ends.

The dressing table is often an essential in terms of the woman's perspective. This is where she will have a mirror up and she will have all her make up and lotions. This is the spot where she beautifies herself and clearly this does become very important.

You would also want to include a chest of drawers in your bedroom as this is where you would want to put some of your clothes in this furniture. Many people would prefer to only use this if there is not enough space in their cupboards. This is understandable given that people do not want to have a cluttered room if they can avoid it. Usually most houses do have built in cupboards and the hope would be that these are sufficient for your requirements.

If clutter is definitely not to your liking then minimalism provides another option. There are some that take this to new heights and all they do is chuck a mattress on the floor and use a crate as a table. You could find that they hang their clothes from a wire or a hanging rack and they make interesting use of the space that they have. This can either look fantastic or terrible, depending on the habits of the person.

Your bedroom and the way in which it is decorated is a very personal expression of your style. You should therefore make sure that you choose bedroom furniture that is going to suit this expression. You must take the time to source items that will fit right with what you are thinking.

Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is bathroom furniture, chaise longue and furniture