Bedroom Decor: 25 Top Tips for Decorating Bedrooms
Whether you’ve just got the keys to your dream home, or you want to spruce up the master in your current home, being armed with knowledge and ideas when it comes to how to decorate a bedroom is the best way to achieve impressive results.
Our bedrooms are our sanctuaries, a little place to call our own in a busy world, and for many, a busy house. Your bedroom should reflect your own unique style, offering a calming space while also meeting your needs and providing all the practicalities you need to be comfortable and able to relax at the end of a long day. Creating a space designed with care, thought and consideration is the best way to ensure your bedroom provides you with everything you need.
Your bedroom certainly isn't just the quality of your bed. Read on to discover how to decorate a bedroom, with our 25 top tips, ideas and inspiration…
Side Note: Want to give your bedroom a complete makeover, but don't necessarily have the budget? Check out these amazing tips from Omysa on 6 budget-friendly bedroom makeover ideas!
Create a Calming Colour Palette
Subtle and simple colours work best in the bedroom, as they create a gentle and restful environment. Avoid bold primary colours, instead choosing muted tones in either dark or light shades. Darker colours will create a super cosy feel, whereas lighter yet calming shades such as lavender, blues and greens will result in a calm and serene feel. One of the first things you should do is choose your colour scheme, as this will impact many other areas of your design. As a rule of thumb, just choose toned-down versions of your favourite colours, and shades that make you feel good.
Prioritise Storage
Our bedrooms have to work hard. They often provide a space for sleeping and relaxing, as well as sharing intimate moments, a place for storage, dressing and much more. All of this can be tricky to configure in a way that provides everything you need but still looks stylish, neat and tidy. The trick is to ensure you have plenty of practical storage that also fits in with your scheme.
Storage should be prioritized and considered as one of the first steps when it comes to redesigning your bedroom. Where possible, consider including built-in storage as it will become part of the room and offer the most space. The trick with storage is to include all you need, without it interrupting the flow and design of your space. This is where careful planning and consideration really pays off.
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Create a Reading Nook
While you might want to avoid having a TV in your room, creating a space designed specifically for relaxation aside from your bed is a great way to make your bedroom work harder for you. If you have an empty corner, add a hanging chair in lovely natural woven rattan, or a luxurious velvet armchair, complete with a bookcase and footstool.
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Layer Lighting
Lighting is really important in your bedroom, but it’s often overlooked. Lighting plays a key role in creating the right atmosphere, and in a bedroom, you may require different levels of lighting. Consider a pendant light hanging from the ceiling for brighter light, like for when you are getting ready. You will also need low-level lighting that you can use independently from your main lighting. Think lots of lovely lamps, or wall lights on either side of your bed that you can easily switch off before you go to sleep.
Go for a Relaxed Style
As it’s likely you are trying to create a space to unwind, choose a laid back style over a more formal design for your bedroom. Think lots of natural materials, soft edges and colours, minimal clutter but enough to make your space cosy instead of stark. Try a premium wool rug on the floor to add warmth and softness, beautiful linen curtains and large textured pillows on the bed. Simple details will go a long way to creating a relaxing environment.
Layer-Up Fabrics
A great way to add interest to your bedroom while keeping the look simple and calming is by using various fabrics. Think linens, wool, cotton or even velvet to create texture and softness. Different fabrics can be layered in the room - try hanging a pair of beautiful curtains, dressing the floor with a large luxurious rug, placing a wool blanket on an armchair, and linen throws on the bed.
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Frame the Outside World
Making the most of your view outside of your bedroom is a great way to bring nature in. This will have a calming influence on your space and what you can see outside may even influence your scheme. Consider your window dressing carefully to frame your view, let light in during the day, but offer darkness for a restful night’s sleep. Consider shutters, blinds and curtains and think about whether you want to make a feature of the window, or simply frame the view beyond.
Make Practical Choices
It can be all too easy to get wrapped up with the style of your space and overlook the practical elements. In considering how you will use the room, you can create a space that suits your needs and as a result, is easier and enjoyable to spend time in.
Think about the smaller details - do you read in bed? Then introduce bedside tables with lamps so that you don’t have to get out of bed to turn the light off when you want to go to sleep. Do you sleep better in a very dark room? Try blackout blinds or curtains. If you have hardwood floors, consider laying a bedroom rug to use under your bed to make getting up in the night more comfortable. Does clutter bother you? Install lots of storage to keep the room tidy and calm. Think about these elements early on, to create a space that suits your needs.
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Soften Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are a lovely feature to have, particularly when they are original. While you might not want to cover up your beautiful floors completely, hardwood flooring can be a little stark in a bedroom. Consider softening the space by laying a large rug under the bed. Not only will this help with sound insulation and general acoustics, but it will also add warmth and make for a far nicer surface to pad around on when you first wake up. Try a shaggy rug to add texture and a super soft finish to sink your feet into.
Introduce Natural Materials
Natural materials are the perfect way to add interest to your bedroom, without the need for bright colours or fussy patterns. Materials such as wood, bamboo, seagrass and rattan all have a softness to them, but will also add warmth and character. Think a dark wood chest of drawers, seagrass baskets to store blankets in, dark wood frames for artwork and a beautiful rattan armchair.
Consider the Flow of the Bedroom
The flow of your space plays a huge role in how you feel when in your bedroom. You should be able to move freely around the furniture, from one side of the room to the other. When the flow is disjointed, this can cause us to feel uncomfortable, irritated and even overwhelmed. When it comes to getting the flow right, the trick is to carefully plan the space. Measure up and consider where you will place furniture, move around the room and check if the placement of anything causes us to have to stop/start as you move, if this is the case, have a rethink.
Don't Forget the Ceiling
Most of the time we spend in our bedrooms is spent laying down, which means the ceiling takes centre stage. However, many of us overlook this design opportunity. A painted or wallpapered ceiling is a wonderful way to add interest and will create a cosy canopy over the bed. For something striking, try a dark muted colour that extends down the walls by a metre, or go for something subtle like taupe or plaster pink and keep the colour to the ceiling. You could also try wallpaper in muted tones - a nature-inspired pattern would work well.
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Keep things Simple
When it comes to decorating your bedroom, it can be all too easy to get carried away with trends and different concepts, overcomplicating the look and feel. In order to create a relaxing space, keep everything simple. Pull back on your colour scheme, opting to include just 2-3 shades. Avoid lots of different materials, instead of focusing on natural elements, linens and wool. If you want to use a pattern, use just one and keep it to one area, such as the cushions on your bed. If you include metals, such as in your light fittings, opt for one finish, such as brass.
Create a Focal Point
Just because you’re going for a calming scheme, doesn’t mean you can’t create a statement too. The bed should be at the centre of the room and the focal point, from which you can build on to create something really special. Focus on this area and allow the rest of your decor to complement the focus of your space. Try a large headboard in wood, or upholstered, place a bedside table at either side of the bed, and wall-hung lights above the table. Add a large print, or two above the headboard exactly in the centre, and finish the look with a beautiful pendant light hung over the bed.
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Dress the Bed
One of the most simple and effective ways to add character and style to your bedroom is to dress the bed. Start with beautiful Egyptian cotton sheets - if you want to go for a colour, choose something muted and calming. Next layer up throws, linen works well, or wool if it’s winter. Try placing one horizontally across the bed, and throw another on top so that it lands in an organic way, rather than organising it neatly. Next place cushions against the headboard. Two large cushions work well or try several smaller ones arranged symmetrically. This is a great opportunity to introduce a little colour and texture, adding personality to space.
Pillows are going to be crucial here too, but which should you choose for your bedroom? Ethical Bedding have created a great guide on the difference between oxford and housewife pillows.
Add a Personal Touch
Our bedrooms should feel warm and cosy. A great way to achieve this is to introduce a few elements that remind you of your loved ones or of fond memories. Framed photos will add that extra personal touch, and being able to see them first thing in the morning or at the end of a long day is a great mood booster. Try a handful of photos in matching frames to keep the look simple - think brass and glass, or simple wooden frames.
Try a Bohemian Scheme
The boho trend is known for being laid back, welcoming and cosy, making it a great choice for your bedroom. You can approach this trend in many ways, including a Scandi influenced neutral colour scheme, or using muted tones such as blues lifted with the addition of pinks and terracotta. To keep the room calm, strip back the look a little - include just one element of pattern, one colour on the walls, one large piece of art hung above the bed and a large jute rug on the floor.
Author's Note: We created, what we believe, is the ultimate guide when it comes to styling your home in a Bohemian fashion! Check out our 30 Boho style tips for the ultimate Bohemian-inspired home.
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Hang Natural Wreaths
If you want to try something different to the obvious artwork above the bed, consider hanging beautiful dried wreaths instead. Try a small collection of five in varying sizes, and stick to a simple colour palette. Introducing natural elements is a great way to add interest to your bedroom while keeping the look simple and stylish.
Go for a Moody Colour
If you don’t spend much time in your bedroom during the day, a dark and moody colour is a great choice. A dark shade, such as deep grey, will give your room a cocoon-like feeling, making it a wonderful place to retreat to at the end of a long day. Paint all the walls in your chosen shade and create a contrast with crisp white bedding, adding warmth with wood furniture.
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Introduce Greenery
Plants can sometimes be overlooked in the bedroom, but they can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your space. Not only do they help to purify the air, but they also bring a little bit of the outside world in, which can be incredibly calming. Try introducing a few plants to your scheme - include a large floor standing plant, a collection of smaller plants to place on surfaces or shelving, and a few hanging plants to add interest and variety.
Use Mirrors to Maximise Natural Light
If your bedroom is north facing or generally doesn’t get a lot of natural light, try introducing large mirrors to bounce extra light around the room. A light and airy bedroom will ensure space feels bigger and is generally a calming place to be. Try a large gold framed mirror hung above a chest of drawers, as well as a full-length mirror opposite a window.
Layer-Up Rugs
Regardless of whether you have carpets or hardwood floors, layered rugs can add a super cosy feel as well as introducing texture and interest. If you’ve opted to paint your walls a colour, try introducing a simple grey rug with a thick pile, and layer a smaller jute rug on top. Sheepskin rugs are also great for layering and can even be thrown over the end of the bed too.
Paint a Feature Wall
If all-over colour isn’t really your thing, consider opting for a simple feature wall instead. A feature wall is best paired with white or very pale grey walls. The colour you choose will shape the rest of the colour scheme which will greatly influence how your bedroom looks and feels. As before, opt for a muted tone of your favourite shade to create that calming vibe.
Follow the 'Rule of Three'
When it comes to styling your bedroom, always follow the rule of three. As one of the most simple rules to follow in interior design, in grouping items together in three you will create more appealing displays. Don’t forget to vary height too to add interest. Try three vases of different heights on top of your chest of drawers, or group together three special items to add that personal touch to your space, while keeping the look stylish.
Add a Jewel Toned Rug
If you’ve decided to go for a neutral scheme, try introducing just a touch of colour with a jewel-toned rug. Think deep and rich greens, blues or even purples and let the single piece take centre stage. Place at the side of the bed for a super soft surface to sink your feet into. In an otherwise simple room, a traditional style rug works especially well to add a touch of understated colour, subtle pattern and texture.
Now that you know how to decorate a bedroom, it’s time to put the above ideas into practice. The trick is to plan in advance, and don’t try to achieve too much. Pick out a few key design features that you love to create a beautiful calming space. Remember to create a colour scheme using just a few shades, as well as space planning and factoring in enough storage. All of this will help you create a bedroom that’s beautiful as well as a joy to spend time in.
- Posted On: 30 June 2021