Bedroom Decorating ideas, Design tips
Decorating your bedroom can be an exciting and rewarding project. Your bedroom is your personal sanctuary and should be designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation. When decorating, focus on choosing pieces and layouts that reflect your personality and design aesthetic. From cozy and modern to bohemian and traditional, there are many bedroom decor styles to draw inspiration from. Follow this guide on bedroom decorating ideas to create a space you’ll love coming home to.
Plan Your Design
Before purchasing any decor, it’s important to determine your style, budget, layout, and focal points. Here are some tips:
Define Your Style
Pinpointing your preferred decor style will help narrow down options and create a cohesive look. Popular bedroom aesthetics include:
- Modern: Clean lines, neutral colors, natural materials
- Rustic: Weathered woods, floral prints, handmade accents
- Bohemian: Rich patterns, macrame, plants, tapestries
- Traditional: Floral prints, padded headboards, ornate wood furniture
- Scandinavian: Light colors, minimal decor, functionality
Set a Budget
Bedroom upgrades can range drastically in price. Set realistic expectations by outlining how much you want to spend on key items like:
- Bed frame
- Mattress
- Bedding
- Storage furniture
- Decor accessories
- Lighting fixtures
Map Out Layout
Consider the size and architectural features of your space when planning:
- Where will your bed fit best? This is your central focus point.
- Do you need additional lighting sources? Add table lamps, sconces or string lights.
- How can you use furniture to zone spaces for lounging, dressing, etc?
Choose Focal Points
Use key furniture pieces to define focal areas:
Bed: Showcase with an impressive framed headboard or canopy
Windows: Flank with curtains, seating nooks, pendant lights
Accent wall: Paint or use wallpaper for visual impact
Select & Style Bedding
Your bed is the heart of the bedroom. Choose cozy, inviting bedding to set the tone for your space.
Types of Beds
Popular bedroom bed frames include:
- Platform beds: Modern and low profile with or without footboards
- Panel beds: Decorative headboards and footboards frame mattress
- Canopy beds: Draped fabric creates a cocoon-like effect
- Sleigh beds: Sloped headboards and footboards reminiscent of sleds
- Poster beds: Four vertical posts; often hung with curtains
- Storage beds: Under-bed drawers maximize space
Choose size. Make sure to pick a bed size that allows 2″ clearance on all sides. Measure room space accordingly.
Select bedding. This includes mattress, mattress protector, sheets, duvet cover, shams, blanket. Prioritize breathability and coziness.
Add layers. Fluffy pillows, throw blanket, and decorative shams personalize your bed.
Hanging Decor
Macrame wall hangings add natural texture. These bohemian-style woven wall hangings come in palm leaf, yarn, and other natural fibers.
Tapestry wall hangings inject color, vibrance, and whimsy through intricate embroidered patterns stitched into large swaths of fabric.
Plant hangers and wall mounts allow you to creatively display living greenery above eye level. Mix trailing vines, ferns, succulents, and herbs.
Incorporate Storage
Strategically placed storage helps keep clutter at bay for a serene, peaceful bedroom sanctuary.
Furniture Storage Solutions
Bench or storage ottoman at bed’s end: Stash extra bedding, pajamas, slippers inside
Nightstands: Use for bedside lamp, books, phone charging
Dressers: Designate separate or shared dresser drawers
Armoires and wardrobes: Hang clothing and stash accessories
Under-bed storage: Use storage beds or purchase under-bed bins and organizers
Bookcases: Display books, photos, collectibles on shelves
Blanket ladders: Showcase folded throws and blankets
Basket and bins: Contain items like remote controls, candles, office supplies
Cabinets and shelving: Mount on wall above bed or dresser
Define Spaces With Area Rugs
Area rugs help segment bedroom zones while adding color, texture and coziness underfoot.
Bedside: Place symmetrical rugs on each side to frame bed
Reading nook: Anchor cozy chair and floor lamp with plush rug
Entryway: Welcome guests with stylish doormat
Sitting area: Define conversation space with large area rug
Rug sizes should leave 12-18” bare floor space between perimeter and walls. This creates balanced negative space.
Natural fiber rugs like jute, cotton, wool, sisisal have texture and promote eco-consciousness.
Abstract patterns and muted tone rugs suit modern aesthetics. invest in wool for durability and shape retention.
Vintage style rugs with distressed patterns complement shabby chic and French country decors.
For bohemian bedrooms, layer colorful patterned rugs for decadent depth and texture.
Select Impactful Art
Art selection deeply personalizes your space with visual interest, color and meaning.
Photography captures landscapes, architecture, portraits in framed focus
Paintings range from abstract to impressionist, modern to classic oils
Sculpture brings dimensional, textural appeal to shelves and tables
Wall decals apply stylized motifs, silhouettes and shapes
Gallery walls cluster canvas prints, paintings, photos eclectically
Wall mirrors visually expand smaller spaces and reflect light
When selecting existing art or framing pieces yourself:
- Coordinate colors with palette in space
- Mix art mediums and framing for layers
- Scale artwork size appropriately
- Curate thematically or intuitively
Incorporate Greenery
From potted plants to living walls, greenery amplifies freshness and natural zen.
Potted plants purify air while adding organic shapes and verdant hues. Cluster on plant stands, windowsills, shelves. Use planters matching your style.
Hanging plants trail graceful vines, ferns or succulents from mounts on walls or ceiling. Use near windows for sunlight.
Herb gardens transform windows into greenhouses displaying edible mint, basil, rosemary.
Flowering plants like orchids, bromeliads or roses add vibrant punches of color.
Living walls create lush vertical gardens on fabricated moss, foam or soil wall panels.
Terrariums sustain mini ecosystems of plants under glass domes or open containers. Use activated charcoal to absorb odor.
Place plants strategically to decorate without causing clutter. Water appropriately and add plant food to maintain their health. Consider easy-care varieties like pothos, philodendron, jade, orchids. Remove damaged leaves/petals promptly.
Define Seating Areas
Tuck personalized, peaceful sanctuaries for reading, lounging and getting cozy within your bedroom.
Reading nook: Corner armchair or pillow pile, floor lamp, blanket, books
Vanity space: Comfortable bench, organizer trays/drawers, ring tray, mirror
Meditation zone: Yoga mat, pillow, candle, essential oils, chime
Table and chairs: Chess set, journal, sketchbook, laptop and more
Lounging spot: Slipper chair, ottoman, guitar, mobile device charging station
Dressing area: Clothing rack, mirrors, storage ottoman, garment steamer
Place seating/activity areas near windows and lighting sources for visibility. Use area rugs to zone spaces and limit echo. Include storage, surfaces and decor that enable intended uses.
Illuminate With Lighting
Proper lighting sets both ambiance and visibility for bedroom activities from sleeping to dressing and reading.
Ambient light emanates softly from:
- Recessed ceiling lights: uniform glow
- Pendant lights: focused pools illuminating focal furniture
- Floor and table lamps: spherical glow from shaded bulbs
Task lighting spotlights specific zones like:
- Vanity mirror fixtures: enhances visibility for makeup application
- Swing arm sconces: illuminates pages without eye strain
- Under cabinet lights: aids late night snacking or water breaks
Mood lighting sets a relaxing tone using:
- String lights: festive and cozy above headboards
- Flameless candles: comforting, flickering light
- Himalayan salt lamps: ambient pink glow with air purifying salt crystals
- Smart lights: change colors to coordinate with activities like sleep versus reading
Layer light varieties at high, mid and low levels throughout bedroom zones. Install dimmers to control brightness for ambiance and utility.
Infuse Personal Touches
Personalize your bedroom with beloved accessories that share memories and showcase passions.
Photos: Capture special memories in frames displayed on shelves, nightstands and dressers. Show loved ones, weddings, vacations, places lived and visited.
Collections: Exhibit favorite objects d’art like snowglobes, minerals, tiny sculptures, sea shells, crystals. Keep them dust-free under glass domes.
Instruments: Mount acoustic and electric guitars on wall stands. Store cases under benches and beds.
Awards: Establish a shadow box gallery of hard won trophies, metals, ribbons. Add engraved plaques.
Souvenirs: Display sentimental travel artifacts like sculptures, masks, baskets. Group pieces by destination for impact.
Jewelry: Store precious pieces prominently yet accessibly in a mirrored armoire or dresser drawer organizer. Some display favorites atop dressers in decorative dishes.
Choose Colors
Strategic use of color generates ambiance while playing up design elements throughout bedroom spaces.
Ceiling Treatments
Crisp white maximizes light diffusion for bright, airy ambiance. Defines perimeter sharply. suits both modern and traditional schemes.
Deep, moody hues like navy, charcoal, emerald or eggplant create an intimate, enveloping effect. Grounds space with color harmony. Lean toward modern personality.
Wood veneer panels generate warmth and textural appeal. Provides intimate architectural element contrasting sheet rock walls. skews toward rustic and industrial styles.
Wall Colors
Neutrals beige, gray, cream fuse serenity with flexibility. Allow showcasing vivid furniture and accents. promote tranquility and relaxation. Frame art and textures beautifully.
Saturated accent walls behind beds or focal points provide jolts of self expression. Tangerine, lavender, lime and magenta amplify energy.
Metallic paints add glam and amplify light reflections. Use shimmering silver, bronze and copper accents sparingly on feature walls, builtin shelves, window frames or ceiling trim.
Dark, enveloping hues like charcoal, navy and burgundy wrap bedrooms in cozy, tranquil swaths of color. Pair with crisp white accents for contrast and to prevent cave effect.
Wallpaper designs layer ornate baroque, floral and abstract prints for rooms with plentiful texture and visual interest. Creates intimate yet visually expansive cocoons. Festive decorating option.
Embrace Texture
Incorporate tactile textiles throughout the bedroom for brilliant layers of depth and coziness.
Fur throws enfold beds, chairs and ottomans in indulgent softness reminiscent of storied, exotic pelts. Faux mink, fox and sheep fur mimic the decadence without harming animals, suiting eco tastes.
Chunky hand knit blankets exhibit intricate stitches in wool, alpaca and cotton, draping furnishings in handicraft hygge. Standard or oversize, their weight provides grounding sensory input.
Woven textiles swaddle spaces in fibers like jute, rattan, seagrass. Natural nuanced hues, visible weave patterns emit earthy texture against understated woods and clean metals.
Nubby fabrics offer subtle visual charm and tactility on upholstered headboards, duvet covers, shams and decorative pillows. Accent armchairs and ottomans similarly for full cohesion.
Macrame wall hangings infuse bohemian spirit with knotted cotton, hemp or jute. Flowing asymmetric shapes shimmer delicately as you pass. Group in vignettes with trailing potted vines and woven rattan cache pots.
Faux sheepskin rugs mimic wooly texture underfoot and billowy comfort when placed atop chairs and benches for additional cushioning. Contrast their organic essence against sleek modern or industrial furnishings and accessories .
In Closing
There are infinite possibilities when decorating your personal bedroom sanctuary. Follow your instincts and lean into what sparks joy, relaxation and creative flair as you carve out special places to sleep, dream and recharge within your private oasis. May the ideas and recommendations above give you inspiration to fearlessly embrace your unique style.