How to Decorate a Bedroom
Create a well-decorated sanctuary.
Whether you're looking to update your bedroom aesthetic altogether, looking for ways to make your space more cohesive, or looking to bring seasonal charm to your room, there are so many ways to incorporate decor into your bedroom. That's why we've come up with a set of steps to help you along your bedroom decorating journey. Without further ado, here's how to decorate a bedroom that's cozy, stylish, and most importantly, you!
1. Choose a Decor Theme
(Shop this image: gold candlesticks, framed oil paintings, round gold wall mirrors, and stoneware vases.)
In order to amp up your bedroom's style, you first need to consider what vibe you're going for. Maybe the goal is to enhance the cozy farmhouse vibes in your room by introducing gingham throws, natural textiles, and rustic accents. Or maybe you want to bring a touch of vintage charm through antique-like vases, candleholders, or paintings to create a cool juxtaposition in an otherwise streamlined modern bedroom. You can't go wrong, whether you choose to draw decor inspiration from your existing bedroom style or choose to use decor as a way to blend different design styles! The goal is to elevate your bedroom with pieces that you love.
A good rule of thumb is to incorporate decorative accents that are within the same color palette for a cohesive, well-balanced look throughout your room. Some examples include decor with rustic earth tones, luxe metallic shades, bold jewel tones, or soothing pastels.
Tip!
Love this dresser decor look? Review Decorating Bedroom Dressers 101: Your Go-To Guide for similar decor tips.
2. Style Your Bedding
(Shop this image: pink upholstered beds, striped euro pillows, solid blue bedding, and pink striped bedding.)
Besides home decor, how you pair and display your bedding and bed pillows can also have a decorative impact on your space as a whole. When making your bed, start with a solid-colored or patterned fitted sheet and flat sheet. Opt for a cozy comforter or duvet in a different color than your sheets for a cool contrast. Complete your bedding with a patterned throw blanket draped across the end of the bed. As for your bed pillows, we recommend stacking them horizontally for a hotel-like vibe. Toss on a couple of decorative euro pillows and a lumbar pillow to finish the look. Have underbed storage you want to hide away? Add a stylish bed skirt.
Tip!
Need help layering and styling bedding? Check out How to Make a Bed: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide and How to Style Patterned Bedding With 7 Simple Tips for more helpful inspo.
3. Upgrade Your Bedside
(Shop this image: pink velvet pillows, modern white table lamps, glass vases, faux plant & flower stems, and gold decorative bowls.)
When deciding how to decorate a bedroom, don't forget your nightstand. In addition to housing your phone charger and nighttime mug of tea, it also holds a ton of decorative potential. We recommend outfitting your nightstand with a decorative tray to keep your bedside essentials safe and secure. You can also use a decorative bowl for storing hair ties, jewelry, cough drops, or tissues. For a bit of style and function, add a bedside table lamp. Then, if your nightstand space allows, add a gorgeous display of faux flowers/branches that you can change with the seasons.
Tip!
Discover even more nightstand decor combos in our guide Decorating Nightstands: How to Style Your Bedside Tables.
4. Add Fresh Furniture Pieces
(Shop this image: orange upholstered beds, modern pedestal tables, white linen bedding, and abstract art.)
Use this time redecorating your bedroom to also update your bedroom furniture to better suit your style. The change can be as simple as a new nightstand or accent chair or as big and statement-like as a new headboard or bed. A bedroom bench is another great furniture addition because it conveys style through upholstery color, shape, and design. Plus, many bedroom benches feature built-in storage to stash extra bedding.
(Shop this image: round coastal mirrors, tropical faux trees, live houseplants, globe table lamps, and decorative wall hooks.)
Part of figuring out how to decorate your bedroom is knowing how to identify overlooked spots that offer a lot of decorative potential – like bedroom corners. Whether it's a large faux tree, a cozy reading nook, a display of hanging plants, corner wall shelves, or string lights, there are so many decor possibilities for bedroom corners. Take a look at these guides for more corner decorating ideas:
(Shop this image: gray wood beds, traditional gold wall sconces, round pink ottomans, traditional gold tables, and pink vintage-look rugs.)
When decorating a bedroom, sometimes a symmetrical approach works the best. This can be easily achieved with a pair of matching nightstands and bedside table lamps or wall sconces. You can always add to the look with a pair of matching wall mirrors or a set of art prints. Ultimately, a symmetrical display means you don't have to worry about mismatched decor, helping to simplify the decorating process. However, the result is a well-designed, aesthetically-pleasing bedroom.
(Shop this image: traditional gold wall sconces, orange Oriental-inspired rugs, navy blue curtains, gold lantern pendant lights, and rustic wood chests.)
Set the tone for your bedroom with the right combination of lighting. We recommend having a table lamp for each nightstand and another table lamp or floor lamp across the room to help evenly disperse ambient light. Overhead lighting is another option that you can use in tandem with lamp fixtures. Flush-mount lights with fabric shades help disperse soft, even light throughout the room, while chandeliers serve as showstopping bedroom lights when placed directly over the bed. Use string lights for a relaxed, stylish look.
(Shop this image: floral & botanical wallpaper, beadboard paneling, beige upholstered beds, light wood nightstands, and yellow throw pillows.)
Your bedroom decor scheme wouldn't be complete without wall decor! Wall art and wall tapestries are quick and easy to hang up and you can swap them out whenever you need a room refresh. Wall paneling – such as beadboard – adds a cozy texture to your walls. Wallpaper one or more of your bedroom walls for the ultimate room transformation. How to Decorate a Bedroom Wall: Your Style Guide outlines a variety of other bedroom wall decor ideas to try.
(Shop this image: wicker/rattan beds, round wicker coffee tables, round woven baskets, boho throw pillows, and blue boho rugs.)
Clutter can take away from your bedroom's decor scheme, which is why it's important to declutter your room – even if that just means finding creative ways to hide the clutter. Decorative baskets, storage ottomans, and decorative boxes are just a few stylish storage solutions to incorporate into your bedroom. Limiting clutter is also important for small bedrooms because it promotes an open, clean feel. Check out How to Decorate a Small Bedroom: 13 Creative Ways to Transform Your Room to learn more.
Tip!
Want more bedroom decor inspo? Review these 23 Bedroom Decor Ideas to Create a Relaxing Retreat.
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