How to Style a Bed in Front of a Window
Simple tricks for placing your bed beneath a window.
Though feng shui principles recommend placing your bed against a solid wall, there are a myriad of reasons you might not be able to arrange your bed in the optimal spot. You might have limited space to work with or there might be doors in the way, and sometimes the most functional bedroom layout requires you to situate your bed in front of a window.
From swapping your headboard to installing curtains, there are plenty of ways you can style this setup so that it looks more intentional. We've compiled a list of easy design tips that you can use if you find yourself placing your bed in front of a window.
1. Pick a Solid Headboard
Placing a bed in front of a window might not provide the same support as a solid wall, so choosing a sturdy headboard can be an easy design solution. Plus, a solid headboard can add much-needed warmth for the colder months of the year because the extra material can provide extra insulation between you and a cold window.
Adding curtains to the windows can help better frame the windows and the bed. There are two curtain-hanging tricks you can use to make placing a bed under a window feel more stylish and intentional. Try hanging the curtain rod 4" to 6" above the window frame to brighten the space and make the ceiling appear higher. Check out How to Hang Curtains from the Ceiling for the ultimate floor-to-ceiling transformation. If you're working with a small window, choose curtains that extend slightly past the sides of the windows to create a window that appears wider than it is.
Putting your bed in front of a window can limit the amount of natural light, so picking a bed frame with an airy, open headboard can help maximize any light streaming in. The more delicate headboard is less disruptive to sight lines and still offers plenty of support for pillows.
If your bedroom is blessed with more than one window, placing your bed against one window can pose new design opportunities. Instead of straying away from adding vertical height, opt for a statement-making headboard with a stylish shape or tufted details. Hang multiple panels of semi-sheer curtains to create a wall-like backdrop for your headboard. This adds softness behind the headboard and still allows a bit of natural light to pass through.
Picking a low-profile bed can help you minimize the amount of window that your bed is covering. These low-profile pieces typically feature a shorter headboard or shorter legs than their standard-sized counterparts. These beds are sleek in style, and the low height also offers an added bonus of making it easy to get in and out of bed.
Tip!
Read our guide What Is a Low-Profile Bed? to learn more about this bed style.
6. Blend Into the Walls
Similar to picking a low-profile bed, choosing a bed that blends into the walls can reduce the visual clutter of putting a bed under a window. This helps maintain sight lines, allowing the eye to focus on other statement pieces like chandeliers – or the beautiful view outside your window.
Turning your bed sideways against the window is another way you can arrange your bedroom layout. This placement can improve the open space in the middle of the bedroom and make it easy to look outside while in bed. In the photo above, the placement of the bed makes the most of the space and allows plenty of natural light in.
Tip!
Create a nap-worthy window seat by lining up a daybed next to the window.
If your bedroom has a high window, situating your bed below the window can highlight this architectural feature. Look for a headboard that complements the shape of the window, drawing on details like the shape or size of the window to create a cohesive look. In the photo above, the rounded edges of the headboard mirror the rounded half-moon shape of the window.
Working with two windows rather than one? Set up your bed between the two to frame the bed. It's okay if the sides of the headboard overlap the windows – just try to place the bed in the center for a symmetrical look. Hang a piece of art in the wall space between the windows to bridge the empty space in the middle.
For spaces with multiple beds and multiple windows, placing one bed under each window creates symmetry in the room. To add style to the bedroom, outfit each window with drapery to elongate the room and draw the eye upward (like in the photo above).
When putting a bed in front of a window, one way to cut down on bedside clutter and maximize natural light is by installing wall sconces beside the bed. Swing-arm sconces can add much-needed light to each side of the bed without taking up as much visual space as table lamps. Plus, adjustable sconces like in the image above can be pulled in and out from the wall to save even more space.
Tuck your bed inside a nook of bay windows to create a cozy retreat. The triple windows provide ample light, while the angled shape of the bay adds an inviting, enclosed feel to your sleeping space. Don't forget to add curtains for those mornings where you'd like to sleep in late. Install a bay window curtain rod to match the angled shape of the bay.
Not all bedrooms have perfectly placed windows, and that's completely okay! Work with the unique placement of your windows and embrace the off-centered look. Balance your bed frame with a strategically placed nightstand and a decorative curtain panel. If you really want to trick the eye, hang up another curtain panel on the other side of the bed. This way, you get a symmetrical look even without a second window.
Place a headboard-free bed frame in front of the window to maximize natural light and make the space feel more open. You can always use a body pillow to bulk up the space where a headboard would go.
