Colour, texture, lighting, furniture… When it comes to creating a welcoming space with personality and clever design, it can be hard to know where to start. Well, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here are super genius tips for decorating your bedroom.
1. Add greenery – You can’t beat the beauty of nature! Putting plants or flowers in your bedroom not only adds natural color and a connection to the outdoors, it also improves your room’s air quality. Taking care of live plants can boost your mood and make you feel happier, although if you don’t have the time or passion to do so, fake plants can still create an illusion of being in nature.
2. Lively wallpaper – Don’t be afraid to go for bold wallpapers with extravagant patterns and bright colors. Your bedroom is a place where you should feel free to express yourself and incorporate designs that make you feel happy. This is your chance to make a statement and add some personality to your surroundings.
3. Install artworks – Works of art are best placed above your bed as a centerpiece and to tie the room together. Alternatively, you could dedicate an entire wall of your room to the work of your favourite artists and create a gallery. It will certainly be a talking point for those who come to visit, or if not, it will serve as your own private collection that can inspire or motivate you when you look at it each day.
4. A muted/minimalist approach – Depending on your personality, you might prefer to take a minimalist approach using muted colours or all-white décor. While it may seem too sterile-looking to some, to others it looks modern or futuristic. It’s also a style that benefits people who are clean freaks and like to keep their room nice and tidy at all times.
5. Go dark – Rooms are often designed to let in lots of natural light. However, if you’re more of a night owl and prefer living in the dark, then you should totally go for it. After all, the bedroom is where you spend a lot of time with your eyes closed anyway, and dark colors with furniture could result in a better night’s sleep. Create your nest or den the way you want!
6. Pick a base color – If you really don’t know where to start, choose a color you like and use it as your base. Use it to link parts of your room together and give it a sense of purpose. This can be done through the use of similarly-colored accent pieces, like blankets, throw pillows or new upholstery.
7. Set a theme – Rather than a color, you could instead choose a theme, such as Southwestern charm or nautical-inspired, and buy furnishings and decorations around that. It’s pretty easy to find wall art that suits almost any theme, and you can take note of which colors best suit your particular theme. For example, a Southwestern style bedroom is likely to feature a lot of browns and reds while a naval themed one will more likely display lots of white and blue.
8. Go old school – How about a retro look? Rooms with a bookshelf full of worn-out books, candles and vintage decorations and trinkets are often perceived as cozy and relaxing. You don’t have to go that far back in time, though. Perhaps you’re a fan of the ‘s or ‘s. You can find some really stylish décor based on previous time periods. If you like the idea of escaping into the past, then transform your bedroom into a time machine and make it happen!
9. Use layers – A simple trick for adding character to any bedroom is to use layers. Get some rugs, blankets, or pillows to bulk up your room and make it feel more lived in. It’s way more appealing than coming home to an empty bedroom each night! You can opt for aesthetics, comfort or both. Faux fur or velvet furnishings combine style and comfort.
10. Mix patterns – Rooms do not have to be perfectly uniform or symmetrical. Different patterns can complement each other well and give life and vibrancy to a bedroom. When done correctly, mixed patterns can look very artistic and aesthetically pleasing. Be careful though, because if you go overboard with this, your room could end up looking like a cheap Hawaiian shirt (which is fine if that’s what you’re aiming for)!
11. Change your doors – Swap out your bedroom and closet doors for something a little less traditional and boring. Barn doors or sliding Japanese doors, for example, not only look great but also take up far less room.
12. Swap out your bed – The most important piece of furniture in a bedroom is, of course, the bed. Plenty of thought should be given to both style and comfort. Canopy beds seem to be back in style, but they can take up a fair amount of space. A bed with plenty of storage underneath may be more appropriate for your lifestyle. Some beds can even be converted into seating when not in use, and murphy beds can be tucked away during the day to really maximize floor space.
13. Get rid of your headboard – Headboards are honestly pretty old fashioned. Ask yourself if you really need one, and if the answer is no, then ditch yours and try putting up a wall hanging instead to make your room look nicer. Placing your bed near a window to let the light in during the day or using the extra space to put a shelf above your bed are both better options than an unnecessary headboard.
14. Work with what you’ve got – Not all rooms are created equal. Some have low, slanted ceilings or quirky spaces that you’ll need to work with. The key is to maximize the space and create visuals that make the room look more spacious than it actually is. This can be done through the use of wallpaper and positioning furniture in a way that uses both the height and length of the room effectively.
15. Put up shelves – Not only is this worthwhile in terms of increasing storage space, but putting up shelves also gives you the opportunity to display your favourite treasures and access daily items easily. For instance, if you don’t have the space for a bedside table, consider putting up a shelf on the wall near your bed instead. It’ll come in handy as a place to keep your phone or book overnight.
16. Use lighting – There are many ways you can use lighting to create the perfect ambience in your bedroom. Some people like bright lights and a super clean look, and others prefer a warm glow and a softer vibe. String lights are usually a pretty addition while lamps are more practical for reading and candles give off a calm and romantic aura.
17. Think about sound – Don’t just think about how your room looks; how does it sound? Are you going to be watching a lot of movies or listening to a lot of music in your room? Test out the acoustics and provide a boost by installing speakers, either in place of a TV if you don’t have one or to complement the TV speakers via surround sound.
18. Get a vanity desk – If you’ve got the floor space, a vanity desk is a superb investment because it can serve multiple purposes, and it usually adds plenty of character to a room. You can use it to get ready in the morning and again during the day for writing or getting work done.
19. Add chairs – Sitting on your bed all the time is fine if you haven’t got much room, but what makes a living space inviting is having a variety of places to rest, work and play. Finding some comfy seats that match your bedroom’s décor will increase your room’s functionality, not to mention making things far less awkward when you have company!
20. Add a fireplace – A mantle or fireplace is a warm and hospitable focal point for any room. Unless you’re lucky, though, you probably don’t have one built in to your bedroom currently. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add one, even if it’s just an electric or vintage fireplace mantle that doesn’t actually produce any heat. If it fits in with the rest of your room well enough, it will still give off a warm and cozy vibe.
21. Use shiplap – Shiplap is a wooden board that’s often used as siding for sheds and barns, but these days it’s used for interior design as well. It can also be seen prominently in beach houses. Incorporating it into your bedroom will give your space a rustic or holiday feel. The use of shiplap in urban homes is increasingly popular since it is simple and neutral yet more visually interesting than a standard monotone wall.
22. Consider hanging furniture – And finally, a great way of adding extra seating and an element of fun to your room is to install a hanging chair. You, and maybe your guests, will probably spend hours relaxing and swinging in it. It’s bound to get more use than a standard chair simply because it’s more enjoyable. Hammocks are an easy way to add sleeping capacity to your room, too, and can be easily stored away when you want to use the space for something else.
Have you experimented with any of these decorating tips before? How did it go, and which are you keen to try out next? Let us know down below! If you enjoyed this article, remember to leave a like and subscribe to the Blog, so you can stay up to date with our latest tips and tricks! Thank you so much for reading. We’ll see you next time!