The 16 Bedroom Essentials Every 20-Something’s Bedroom Needs
These furniture and décor essentials prove you’re finally #adulting.
As your 20-something apartment evolves from a mélange of college leftovers into a beautifully curated space, it’s easy to focus on high-traffic living spaces and completely overlook your bedroom. Give your room the attention it deserves by investing in these 16 bedroom essentials to transform it into a haven of relaxation.
1. Bed Frame
2. Mattress
3. Headboard
4. Stylish & Cozy Bedding
5. Nightstand (or Two)
6. Dresser
7. Desk That Doubles as a "Getting Ready" Spot
8. Cozy Accent Seating
9. Storage Bench-Style Seating
10. Proper Window Coverings
11. Full-Length Mirror
12. Bedroom Area Rug
13. Functional & Ambient Lighting
14. Decor That Speaks to You
15. Practical (& Pretty) Storage Solutions
16. Houseplants or Flower Arrangements
1. Bed Frame
A bed frame is a must-have for your 20-something bedroom because it elevates your mattress off of the floor and gives your bedroom a polished, put-together look. It also creates space for under-bed storage. Choose a standard platform bed frame in wood or metal that you can reuse and take with you in future moves.
Your mattress is a splurge-worthy purchase that will guarantee you good quality rest, so make sure to put this at the top of your bedroom necessities. Already have a mattress? Consider a mattress topper for added cushion that makes your mattress even more sleep-worthy.
Tip!
Trying to decide on the perfect mattress? Check out our list of The Best Mattresses For a Sound Sleep.
3. Headboard
While a mattress pushed up against the wall might’ve cut it in college, nothing says first post-grad apartment more than an incomplete bed. Up your style and make your bed the focal point it should be with a headboard that you'll look forward to opening your eyes to each morning. Most headboards are designed to affix to standard bed frames with ease, but freestanding or floating styles offer an easy stand-alone option.
Tip!
Set yourself up for a great night's sleep (and prepare for impromptu guests) by making your bed each morning – a two-minute addition to your morning routine that’s well worth it.
4. Stylish & Cozy Bedding
It's time to upgrade your bedding to reflect your post-grad style. Start by investing in a bedding set that speaks to your aesthetic and color scheme. Bedding sets typically include a duvet/duvet cover or comforter, sheet set, and pillowcases so you don't have to source them individually. Don't forget quality bed pillows!
Tip!
We recommend having two or three sets of sheets and pillowcases so you can easily swap them out for washing.
Convenient for stashing everything from your watch to that book you just can’t put down, nightstands help maintain organization in whatever form you need it. Short on floor space? Look for a double-duty piece like a small writing desk or dresser. Or if you want to get really creative, consider a small 3-leg side table, garden stool, or side chair with a decorative tray to hold drinks or books.
Tip!
Now that you've got one, make it pretty as can be with our 4 Steps to a Well-Styled Nightstand.
6. Dresser
A dresser is one of those bedroom essentials that we tend to overlook. Flash-forward to cramming clothes into heaps on your closet floor or creating intricate piles of clothes around your room that only you can decipher (the pile on the chair has all of your good leggings!). A dresser solves it all by providing storage drawers where you can neatly organize socks, pants, out-of-season sweaters, workout clothes, and even shoes. Not to mention, most dressers have a spacious tabletop that you can use for toiletries, jewelry displays, vanity mirrors, or room decor.
A desk is an essential furniture piece for your 20-something bedroom. For starters, it provides the perfect space for studying (whether finishing up your degree or researching a passion project). A desk is also the perfect spot to prep your resume, work-from-home, or organize bills and insurance papers, and conquer other "adulting" tasks. When not using your desk to conquer your to-do list, you can use it for putting on your makeup, doing your hair, or completing your self-care routine (just add a mirror).
Tip!
Don't forget a vanity stool or office chair to complete your desk space.
Accent chairs aren't just for the living room. They're also must-have bedroom furniture pieces. Position an accent chair in the corner by the window for a cozy reading nook. Or place it near your closet door so you can easily sit and put on your shoes/try on different outfit combos!
Storage benches are versatile pieces of furniture that every 20-something needs in their bedroom. For starters, they have spacious storage compartments under the seat portion where you can store extra bedding, out-of-season clothes, shoes, books, or electronics (meaning less clutter in your room). Storage benches also come in a variety of styles you can tailor to your aesthetic. Most storage benches are cushioned/upholstered, which makes them a comfortable and practical spot to put on/take off your shoes. Storage benches look great along the foot of the bed but you can also use them by the window for an impromptu window seat reading nook.
Those dusty blinds or sheers you inherited with your rental aren’t permanent – and definitely aren't doing anything for the aesthetic of your room. Give yourself the luxury of sleeping in (and avoid giving neighbors a front row seat into your private life) with window treatments you can take with you, whether you want blackout blinds or curtains that let rays of morning light filter through.
Full-length mirrors make bedrooms appear larger and brighter because they reflect the room as well as natural light from nearby windows. These mirrors are also the perfect size for assessing your outfit before you head out the door. Full-length mirrors can be door-mounted, wall-mounted, or freestanding, so you can choose the best option for your space.
An area rug is one of those bedroom basics you can't live without (whether you have hardwood floors or rental carpeting). They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and patterns and instantly add character to your bedroom floor. Like removable wallpaper or wall tapestries for rental walls, area rugs help make the bedroom floor your own (while also covering up mystery stains from past tenants).
When it comes to setting up a bedroom, you can't forget lighting. To properly light a bedroom, you need a balance of overhead and ambient light fixtures. We recommend an overhead flush-mount light fixture to distribute even light throughout the room. Use table or floor lamps to add additional brightness to the space. Wall sconces are the perfect swap for table lamps in small bedrooms with limited space. Hang string lights on the wall for fun ambient lighting.
Our bedroom essentials list wouldn't be complete without decor. Wall art and decorative objects help complete your bedroom design scheme and allow you to make the space your own (this is especially important in rental spaces). Not sure if you can hang artwork? Lean them against the wall on shelves, dressers, or window sills.
Keep your room orderly (and make getting ready easier) with practical solutions camouflaged as décor. Keep bedside surfaces polished with jewelry organizers or trinket dishes and corral clothing (clean or dirty) or extra bedding layers into baskets or hang them from a decorative ladder.
Tip!
For more tips on avoiding laundry-day clutter, read our Lazy Girl’s Guide: End the Clothes Pile-Up in Your Bedroom.
16. Houseplants or Flower Arrangements
Bring your bedroom to life with refreshing greenery and beautiful floral arrangements (real or faux). These items keep your bedroom grounded and promote a relaxing vibe to help you unwind after a long day of work. Place flower arrangements on your nightstand or dresser for seasonal color. Designate large houseplants to bare corners for a statement greenery display. Allow trailing houseplants to spill over the side of bookshelves or hang from the ceiling for a jungle-like feel.
Tip!
Buying furniture and essentials for your first place? Check out these guides to make sure you check off everything on your list:
First Apartment Checklist: The Essentials You Need
Decorating Your First Apartment: Cute, Cheap Apartment Ideas
Apartment Patio Ideas to Elevate Your Space
Apartment Furnishing 101
You Might Also Like:
Get browsing for more bedroom must-haves:
