When it comes to home design, I usually prefer a very buttoned-up and tailored approach. But if there's one place where I might loosen up a bit and add a little punch of tongue-in-cheek humor, it's the bedroom.

Livening up your private retreat with an unexpected pattern or whimsical design adds a uniquely personal touch which may encourage you to shake off the stress of the day and relax, or perhaps spark some playful passion. But what do you think — clever or never?

The Dutch company Snurk Bedding is by far the master of quirky bedding, offering a wide range of sheet sets and comforter cover designs imprinted with precise photographs of cardboard boxes, undressed mattresses, a curled-up dog, tossed laundry, and even Grandma's crocheted afghan. All products are crafted in 100% percale cotton and the company often engages in collaborations to support local charities — proceeds from their "Cardboard" and "Cement" designs support local homeless youth. Prices begin around $60 for fitted sheets and $80 for duvet cover sets with pillowcases. Here are a few of their humorous designs:
Bob:
Madtress:
Le-Clochard:
White Bra:
Granny White:
Sin In Linen designs flirty bedding that infuses fetish imagery into retro patterns. Raven's Dream sheet sets are a modern take on stuffy toile; $69 for the twin set.
Make Love Not War bedding by Miss Geschick and Lady Lapsus finally settles the fight over who's hogging more than their fare share of the bed; prototype 100% cotton duvet covers are available as custom orders through the designers.
Quiltsryche designs heavy metal-inspired quilts that will celebrate that wild child of your youth; made to order and beginning around $800.

Bangover
Cock Rock
The Bedtime Stories duvet cover not only helps those suffering from insomnia but allows couples to share a book in bed. Printed with the Grimm Brothers' story of 'The Sleeping Beauty,' the covers are hand sewn at the Sewing Workshop at Tires Prison Facility for Women (Lisbon, Portugal); about $105 for a king sized cover.
Martina Carpelan's Rise and Sigh is a collection of revealing bed linens with raised and reversed embroidered images which leave embossed messages on various areas of your, and your guest's, body; starting around $20 for pillowcase sets.
Bedclothes by Vadim Cherniy is a line of graphic bedding which can be mixed and matched for your mood or choice of guest. Most designs must be ordered directly from the designer, but the male/female set is available for order with black or red figures; starting at $299 for the full/queen duvet cover and pillowcase set.

(Images: As linked above.)