77 Bedroom Decorating Ideas That Are the Perfect Balance of Personal and Stylish-by Kristin Hohenadel
Design by Britt Design Group / Photo by Casey Dunn
If you’re looking for bedroom decorating ideas to upgrade your interiors, there are a variety of simple ways to makeover a space of any style, from modern to rustic, minimalist, maximimalist, traditional, contemporary, farmhouse, and everything in between.
From budget and DIY designs to elements like curtains, lighting, rugs, headboards, bedding, stylish storage, and wall decor, there are ideas at every price point to elevate your primary or guest bedroom.
Check out these bedroom decorating ideas in a range of sizes, styles, and settings for inspiration on designing your own.
Hang Whimsical Lighting
Mary Patton Design / Photo by Molly Culver
Float a bubble pendant light above your bed to create a whimsical feel in a bedroom of any size. Mary Patton Design anchored the bed in this airy, high-ceilinged loft with patterned wallpaper and matching yellow bedside lamps for an uplifting feel.
Try a Statement Headboard
Design by James Yarosh / Photo by Patricia Burke
Celebrate the focal point of your bedroom—the bed—with a statement headboard. Interior designer James Yarosh chose an ornate bed frame upholstered with a bold dark floral pattern and finished with gold nail heads that brings the drama. White wainscoting and olive green walls decorated with metallic sconces add polish to the formal space.
Decorate With Mirrors
Mirrors aren’t simply for gazing at one’s reflection. Lorna Gross Interior Design decorated this colorful bedroom with bright pops of pink, mixed materials, and a pair of mirrored folding screens on either side of the modern canopy bed that reflect light and amplify views to make the space feel even more expansive.
Paint Your Dresser
Painting a bedroom dresser is a simple and cost-effective DIY project with a big payoff. Chalk paint designer Annie Sloan embellished this dresser and matching wardrobe in a faux inlay design for an eclectic feel, with a pop of bright color on the interior for contrast. But even a simple paint job in a solid color will give a thrift shop dresser a lift.
Set Up a Vanity Table
Create a dedicated spot to sit down and brush your hair, put on makeup, give yourself a manicure, or just have a moment with yourself by setting up a vanity table in the corner of your bedroom. Dekay and Tate Interiors topped this vanity with a gilded three-way mirror and paired it with a tasseled pink velvet pouf for a vintage feel.
Add Wall Texture
Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Widling Photography
Add texture to your walls with a limewash finish. Louis Duncan-He Designs infused this penthouse bedroom with an olive green finish to add enveloping earth-tone warmth on both walls and ceiling. Try removable wallpaper in a faux limewash finish if you’re a renter.
Build a Partition
If you live in an open-concept space like a studio or loft apartment, carve out a separate sleeping area with a partition. Sandy Wen of SWS Creatives built a platform bed and shelving to divide zones in this New York City apartment that optimizes space and creates banquette seating and display shelving on the other side.
Choose Soothing Colors
Regan Baker Design / Photo by Jennifer Hughes
Soothing nature-inspired shades of blue and green will create a tranquil feel in your bedroom. Regan Baker Design complemented an abstract wall accent behind the bed with textiles in soft shades of blue, green, and off-white for a cohesive feel.
Embrace Undone Bedding
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo by Erin Kelly
Create a relaxing and effortless feel in your bedroom by embracing an undone feel. Casually layer simple bedding in soft colors and a mix of materials like cotton and linen to create an understated but chic space, like this bedroom from Leanne Ford Interiors that is decorated in shades of beige and rose pink for a warm, neutral feel.
Choose a Vibrant Rug
Design by Britt Design Group / Photo by Casey Dunn
Anchor a spacious bedroom with a large colorful rug in an abstract pattern that looks like a painting. Britt Design Group picked out a few colors from the rug and spread them throughout the space and chose a pair of deep blue velvet armchairs that echoes the accent wall color for a cohesive feel.
Try a Canopy Bed
Give your bed a cozy feel with a canopy bed. Jenn Pablo Studio styled this thin black metal canopy bed with the same floor-length curtains as the windows for a casually elegant modern feel.
Choose a thicker modern style without curtains for a more contemporary look, or channel the romance of the 18th and 19th centuries with an antique bed frame and ruffled canopy depending on your taste.
Introduce Jewel Tones
Britt Design Group / Photo by Casey Dunn
Pair vibrant jewel-toned colors to make a statement. Britt Design Group decorated the wall behind the bed in this luxe primary bedroom with textured blue wall coverings and an upholstered dark wood headboard, with purple accents for a cool-toned feel.
Wallpaper the Ceiling
Regan Baker Design / Photo by Brad Knipstein
Add texture to your bedroom with ceiling wallpaper. Regan Baker Design lightened up the dark blue walls of this primary bedroom with a pale geometric pattern on the ceiling that echoes the curtains to add movement and contrast. Choose a bold and colorful pattern to amp up the drama.
Accent With Gold
Accent a neutral bedroom with soft gold finishes. Lorna Gross Interior Design mixed cool and warm tones in this plush bedroom, accenting with luminous yellow and gold touches from the curtains to the bedside lamp and upholstered bench at the end of the bed to energize the space.
Pair Contrasting Colors
A bold or unexpected bedroom color scheme can do a lot of the decorating work in a smaller or more minimalist space. Interior designer Alvin Wayne personalized this New York City bedroom with wall paint and framed art in contrasting shades of green and purple that warm up the industrial bones of the space.
Paint it Warm Beige
Architecture by Side Angle Side / Built by Curate Custom Homes / Interiors by HB Design / Photo by Leonid Furmansky
For a soothing neutral feel, swap white walls for a warm beige tone with yellow undertones. Side Angle Side painted the walls and ceiling of this streamlined space for an enveloping feel that frames the view to the outside space.
Hang Double Pendants
Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Widling Photography
Instead of one large pendant, try hanging staggered double pendants. Louis Duncan-He Designs chose airy white pendants to create a cloud-like focal point in the center of a room that features the bed coming out from a side wall and contributes to the soothing and tranquil feel of the airy space.
Try Mismatched Nightstands
Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Break up the symmetry of a shared bed by styling mismatched nightstands, like this space from Marie Flanigan Interiors. Pair bedside tables of a similar height and size for a polished look, or embrace asymmetry with two different nightstands of staggered heights.
Embrace a Moody Palette
Turn your bedroom into a stylish cocoon with a dark and moody design that makes you want to curl up and shut the world out. Interior designer Alvin Wayne mixed dark shades of blue with warm rusts and browns for a soothing and balanced feel in this haven-like primary bedroom.
Wall-Mount the Nightstand
A wall-mounted nightstand will give any bedroom an airier look and will save space in a smaller room. Desiree Burns Interiors layered light wood tones and soft shades of white in this Japandi-style apartment bedroom for a tranquil and organic feel.
Set Up an Office
If working from home means reconciling yourself to an office bedroom workspace, do yourself a favor and make it as pretty as it is functional. Interior designer Alvin Wayne decorated this compact New York City space in warm woods and earth-toned colors to provide a cohesive feel.
A tall vase of flowers perched on a plinth in the corner provides a focal point and visual separation between the desk and the bed.
Layer Window Treatments
Layer window treatments such as curtains and shades to make your bedroom feel cozier while adding light and privacy control. Mary Patton Design paired neutral woven shades and white curtains in this purple bedroom finished with an antique chandelier for a touch of old-world elegance.
Frame a Wallpaper Panel
If all-over wallpaper feels too overwhelming, treat wallpaper like art and hang a framed panel on the wall. Desiree Burns Interiors chose a light botanical print in green and white to match the palette of the room, finishing it with painted white wood trim that adds dimension to the walls.
Set Up a Reading Corner
Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio
Create a cozy reading nook in your bedroom with a comfortable chair that will give you a place to relax and recharge that isn’t your bed. Sissy + Marley Interior Design outfitted this small New York City apartment bedroom with plenty of soft textures in shades of white and beige for a cozy feel.
Add a Colorful Bedside Lamp
Brighten your bedside with a table lamp in a vivid shade to add a fun pop of color to an otherwise subdued space. Studio Peake chose bright yellow to add contrast with pale blue-gray walls in this London bedroom. DIY this with a thrifted lamp and a can of spray paint.
Hang Statement Wallpaper
One of the easiest ways to create maximum style in a minimalist space is by hanging statement wallpaper. Desiree Burns Interiors chose a colorful nature-inspired pattern to add whimsy to this modern bedroom, and finished it off with a wavy headboard in neutral tones.
Install a Bedside Desk
Margaret Wright Interior & Lifestyle Photographer
Swap your nightstand for a small writing desk to get extra functionality from your bedroom. This light and bright space has a modern coastal decor scheme with shades of blue and white in a mix of patterns for a lively feel that isn’t bland. Brass accents and pale oak flooring complete the look.
Embrace Maximalism
Design by Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms / Photo by Aimee Ryan
Take a maximalist approach with bold color and pattern and a mix of styles. Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms painted the ceiling beams and wallpapered behind the bed in shades of teal blue. A pair of sculptural wood dressers, a velvet bed frame, brass sconces, and scattered art creates a feast for the senses.
Flank the Bed With Trees
Decorating with plants will make your bedroom feel fresh and inviting. Desiree Burns Interiors took advantage of the high ceilings in this airy boho-style bedroom to flank the bed with a pair of potted olive trees that bring the outdoors inside and complement the nature materials used throughout the space.
Mix and Match Patterns
Guest bedrooms are a great blank canvas for bright and colorful decor. Studio Peake outfitted this space with matching beds, colorful linens, and large-scale botanical wallpaper on both the walls and the ceiling to create a colorful and casual feel.
Float the Bed
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly
Float the bed in the middle of the room to preserve flow and create an airy look. In this all-white minimalist bedroom from Leanne Ford Interiors, the cloud-like bed invites relaxation and the monochromatic palette eliminates distractions for a zen-like feel.
Set Up a Lounge Area
Set up a lounge space to give your primary bedroom the air of a junior hotel suite. Michelle Boudreau Design painted the walls of this Palm Springs space in a soothing shade of sage green that complements the warm wood of the exposed ceiling and beams and floated a pair of armchairs and a coffee table by the French doors to create a conversation area for morning coffees or pre-bed nightcaps.
Choose a Graphic Rug
Energize a serene space decorated with light blue walls and white drapes and bedding with a graphic rug that introduces both color and pattern. Studio Peake paired a white rug with bold red squiggles and a painted wardrobe and upholstered blue armchair and ottoman to elevate the space.
Curtain Off the Bed
If your bedroom is an alcove in a studio apartment or your bedroom features an alcove for the bed, give it a theatrical feel by hanging tie-back curtains on the outside. This bright Scandinavian bedroom from Fantastic Frank is decorated in shades of soft white and sky blue to give it a cloud-like feel.
Embrace Dark Florals
Dark floral wallpaper in a large-scale pattern will add drama to your bedroom that is familiar but not frilly or old-fashioned. Interior designer Alvin Wayne chose a palette of greens and whites to complement this modern space, carrying the wallpaper from the accent wall behind the bed to the ceiling for an enveloping feel.
Hang Bold Drapes
Bright draped in a bold shade will wake up your bedroom design and can be changed easily if you tire of the color. Studio Peake paired thick glowing orange drapes with pale light-blue walls and a patterned upholstered headboard in this London space that packs a style punch in a compact room.
Stick to Shades of White
Use shades of white to create a soothing oasis atmosphere in a primary bedroom to remove the need to fight over whose favorite color gets to adorn the walls. Brexton Cole Interiors mixed modern and antique furniture and decor and added soft textures and finishes in this airy space for a timeless neutral feel that is easy to share.
Opt for a Daybed
Mary Patton Design / Photo by Molly Culver
Turn your bedroom into a lounge during waking hours with a daybed. Mary Patton Design decorated this tween room with a daybed outfitted with colorful throw pillows, but this arrangement could work just as well to add flexibility to an office guest room.
Try an All-Over Pattern
Design by MMB Studio / Photo by Lifestyle Production Group, LLC
A blue-and-white palette doesn’t have to veer coastal. MMB Studio used the same pattern on the walls, ceiling, curtains, and bedskirt to give this traditional bedroom a big dose of personality and maximalist appeal. A crystal chandelier adds a touch of glam.
Hang a Barn Door
Save space in your primary bedroom and en suite bathroom by installing a sliding, pocket, or barn door instead of a conventional door. Michelle Berwick Design chose a bright yellow barn door on a black metal hinge to complement this modern space and provide privacy and separation when needed.
Paint the Mantel
If you’re lucky enough to have a bedroom fireplace, be sure to make the most of it. Mary Patton Design gave this corner fireplace a simple makeover with a coat of emerald green paint that stands out against powder pink walls in this cozy space, and styling it with flowers and a large painting on the wall above.
Add a Cozy Window Seat
Create a place to read, nap, or gaze outside with a built-in window seat. Ashley Montgomery Design decorated this space with a floral Roman shade, dark floral wallpaper, and a pair of sconce lights for an extra-cozy feel.
Decorate the Accent Wall
Give a small space some oomph with a colorful, textural bedroom accent wall. Blessed Little Bungalow mixed wood trim and royal blue paint in this colorful space, and layered a gilded sun mirror on the wall to add warmth and an extra layer of decor.
Try a Neutral Mural
Add dimension to a neutral bedroom with a neutral accent wallpaper landscape mural. Interior designer Maite Granda chose a beige-toned pattern of leafy palm trees and plants to complement this Florida bedroom while keeping an overall neutral feel.
Build Custom Storage
Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier
If you live in an older building that lacks built-in closet space, build custom storage around the bed. Neva Interior Design painted the wraparound storage cabinets in pistachio green, creating an alcove for the bed that is backed with wallpaper and decorated with sconce lights to maximize the space.
Choose Twin Beds
Choose twin beds to add flexibility to a guest room or furnish a shared kids’ room. Studio Peake paired red painted beds with green drapes, yellow lighting fixtures, and patterned wallpaper that includes all three colors in this spirited space.
Trade Lamps for Pendants
Hang a pair of pendants on either side of the bed for a dramatic look that will free up space on your nightstands as a bonus. Forbes + Masters chose modern globe light pendants to complement a statement headboard and layered bedding in this moody ’70s-inspired space.
Try Scandi-Style Simplicity
Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio
Embrace minimalist Scandi-style simplicity to create a soothing feel that will turn your bedroom into a respite from the chaos outside its walls. Sissy + Marley Interior Design combined pale wood finishes, soft shades of white, and simple materials in this streamlined space, eschewing wall decor to create a clutter- and distraction-free setting for rest and relaxation.
Hang Some Pop Art
Wall decor will give your bedroom a personal feel. Hang some pop art to bring a retro spirit to an eclectic bedroom like this space from Dekay and Tate Interiors that is decorated with mixed finishes and materials for a lighthearted mix of patterns and finishes.
Try a Four-Poster Bed
Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Decorate a spacious bedroom with furniture like a four-poster bed that will evoke the romance of simpler times. Marie Flanigan Interiors used dark wood finishes to add contrast with white brick and walls in this traditional space equipped with a fireplace for cozy winter nights.
Try a Bookshelf Headboard
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
If you love to read in bed, turn your bedroom into an off-duty library with a wall of bookshelves. Leanne Ford Interiors floated the bed in front of a wall of built-in shelves filled with books that add color and life to this all-white space.
Hang Sheer Curtains
Hang a full wall of floor-to-ceilings to filter light and offer privacy in a bedroom without blacking it out. Interior designer Maite Granda paired white walls, curtains, and bedding with a navy blue accent wall to add dimension to this bright bedroom, with a round mirror hung over the bed to bounce around light.
Choose Rustic Earth Tones
Earth-tone paint colors will create a soothing atmosphere in your bedroom. Lobster and Swan paired warm brownish-pink walls with natural wood tones in this English country bedroom for a warm and rustic feel.
Hang a Bright Window Shade
There’s nothing wrong with a white roller shade. But you can use your window treatments to add a color accent in a bedroom if your windows placement doesn’t lend itself to curtains, like this London space from Studio Peake.
Opt for a Murphy Bed
Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Widling Photography
A space-saving Murphy bed is a go-to solution for optimizing space in a small bedroom or guest room. Louis Duncan-He Designs turned this space into a hybrid guest room home office with a built-in Murphy bed and desk area in an earthy green wood stain to add warmth to a highrise bedroom with curtain glass windows and a city view.
Paint Window Trim Dark
Tyler Karu Design and Interiors
Painting your window trim darker rather than lighter than the walls will turn it into a feature. Tyler Karu Design and Interiors highlighted the large bay window in this Maine home with navy blue paint for a high-contrast look that is carried onto the baseboards.
Layer Lighting Options
Good lighting is essential in the bedroom. Ashley Montgomery Design paired squat table lamps with adjustable sconces to provide both ambient and task lighting in this modern farmhouse bedroom.
Layer Art Over Wallpaper
Regan Baker Design / Suzanna Scott Photography
Layer wall decor to create a maximalist feel in your bedroom. Regan Baker Design paired black-and-white illustrated wallpaper with a colorful mix of art and bedding in this eclectic space.
Add a Blanket Ladder
Outfit a guest room with a blanket ladder in the corner that doubles as decor, like this bright bedroom from interior designer Maite Granda. Bright accents like a velvet bed frame and contemporary wall art add warmth to the white-walled space.
Install a Linear Fireplace
Jacqueline Blum Design / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Install a contemporary linear fireplace to add a cozy element to a modern bedroom. Jacqueline Blum Design placed a fireplace at eye level with the bed that hangs above the bathtub on the other side of the wall of this primary bedroom en suite.
Try Mediterranean Design
Anything can inspire a bedroom design, from a favorite color to the memory of a European holiday. Desiree Burns Interiors added character to this white-walled bedroom with Mediterranean interior design touches like shades of pink and terracotta and natural materials like wood and rattan. A color photograph on the wall reinforces the vacation vibes feel.
Play With Black and White
A black-and-white color palette can be classic or contemporary depending on how you use it. Interior designer Alvin Wayne covered the walls and ceiling of this New York City bedroom with graphic wallpaper with a hand-painted quality to add energy and irreverence to the small space.
Hang Retro Wallpaper
Give your midcentury modern bedroom a period feel with retro wallpaper. Michelle Boudreau Design chose a geometric pattern in shades of orange and brown in this Palm Springs bedroom for a cheerful throwback feel.
Add Beside Storage
Use a dresser as a nightstand to maximize storage and hide clutter in a smaller space. Becca Interiors styled the top of this dark blue stained dresser with a lamp and objects like stacked vintage books and a decorative bust.
Mix Moroccan Accents
Give your guest room a cozy feel with warm colors and Moroccan accents. Michelle Boudreau Design dressed the bed with woven textiles, added tassels on the bedside lamp and curtains, and hung a hammered brass tea tray over the bed for a bright metallic accent in this space.
Decorate a Loft Bedroom
Design by Sissy + Marley / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio
Decorate a modern loft bedroom in shades of black and white for a crisp look that flows with the space below. Sissy + Marley hung a space-saving sconce on the wall and a dyed black sheepskin throw on the floor by the bed to warm up the minimalist space.
Try Dark Wood Paneling
Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Wood paneling can be rustic or sophisticated to warm up any style bedroom. Marie Flanigan Interiors gave this bedroom an easy elegance with dark wood paneling and furniture and contrasting white bedding for a blend of modern and traditional styles.
Optimize a Spare Room
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Max Kim-bee
Turn a spare bedroom into a hybrid office guest room that can fulfill a range of functions. Leanne Ford Interiors hung grommet curtains to hide a bed tucked under the slant of the ceilings that can double as a place nap if you need a break mid-day. A farm table serves as a coworking space for families who like to work together.
Paint It Yellow
If you live in a less-than-sunny climate, drench your bedroom with bright yellow paint. Studio Peake paired this uplifting shade with pale wood accents and finishes and pops of orange and green for a vibrant feel.
Utilize Vertical Space
Maximize vertical space in a smaller bedroom with bunk beds to create a shared space like a kids’ room or holiday house bunk room. This bedroom from Kate Marker Interiors is painted all white for a seamless feel and decorated with Moroccan accents to add warmth.
Add Texture With Textiles
Regan Baker Design / Photo by Laure Joilet
Mix and match textiles to add texture to a modern space. Regan Baker Design paired silky sheets with a Moroccan wool pompom blanket, a woven rug, and a sheepskin throw that make the room feel inviting and warm.
Try Boho Style
Decorate a modern boho-style bedroom with a light and airy neutral palette by mixing textures and shades of white with wood tones. Michelle Boudreau Design paired a carved nightstand with a large canopy bed in this Palm Springs space.
Hang Black-and-White Photos
Decorate your walls with black-and-white photos of favorite places to give your guest room a welcoming feel. Desiree Burns Interiors chose white frames and mats to mimic the window trim in this neutral space.
Camouflage the TV
Caroline Andreoni Interior Design / Photo by Sophie Lloyd
If you have a TV in the bedroom, help to camouflage it by mounting it on a wall with dark paint or wallpaper. Caroline Andreoni Interior Design made the TV wall the accent wall in this spacious Paris bedroom with a black-and-white palm tree wallpaper for a dynamic look.
Hang Cafe Curtains
If you enjoy letting the sun wake you up, trade light-blocking shades for cafe curtains. Ashley Montgomery Design hung patterned half curtains on the bottom of the double windows in this bedroom that filter light and views and add some farmhouse-style charm.
Try a Chaise Longue
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
If you’re decorating a larger space, consider installing a chaise longue in the corner, like this Art Deco-inspired bedroom from Emily Henderson Design. Give it a modern feel with neutral upholstery or lean into the vintage feel with a colorful upholstered fabric.
Add Storage With a Trunk
Place a vintage trunk at the foot of a guest room bed to give guests a place to put their suitcases. Use it to store guest linens and extra blankets, like this farmhouse guest room from My 100 Year Old Home.
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