Great design has the power to promote a positive mood (check out this scientific study and this survey for proof!). And since your bedroom is where you go to rest and decompress, it should definitely be designed to help you do just that. Seeing inspiring examples of well-designed spaces is a great place to start your own bedroom decorating process. We gathered 80 bedroom design ideas from the pros to help you create your own perfect resting space. No matter how bold you want to go, how large your room is, or what your design preference is, these bedroom decorating ideas, shopping tips, and designer examples are sure to inspire deeper and dreamier slumbers. Not to mention, they're sure to impress guests! Ahead, discover endless bedroom decorating ideas, and make sure to save your favorites.
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1
Embrace Architectural Details
Designer Elizabeth Hay embraces the unique millwork in this bedroom by playing up the farmhouse whimsy with tons of patterns and color. “We used a lot of wallpapers in the bedrooms to make them feel cozy and add color and pattern without making any structural changes,” says Hay. Here, she installed Aleta Pise wallpaper.
2
Save Space With a Murphy Bed
Designer Neal Beckstedt got creative in a New York City studio too small to even fit a pullout sofa. He designed a full-sized Murphy bed that folds up flush with the cabinets, clearing up the walkway for "easy access to the adjoining bathroom," he says.
3
Lean into Whimsy
This bedroom designed by Leah Ring of Another Human is full of rich colors and prints, from patchwork textiles to ceramic items and paint, so it's only fitting that the artwork is multidimensional and unique, too. "The bedroom gets great light throughout the day, so we wanted to go for a peachy color on the walls that would give it a nice glow with the sunlight," Ring explains. The bedroom "feels layered in a comfortable way but not too busy—[you] feel very serene when you’re in the room," Ring says.
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4
Experiment With Proportion
In this serene and minimalist bedroom designed by Lauren Waters, the streamlined pieces and moodier earth tones get softened up by the cozy materials. Water experimented with proportions by coupling a king-sized bed with a small ashtray that acts as a nightstand. “There really wasn’t room for a traditional nightstand,” Waters says of the unconventional accessory. "It’s playful, quirky, and brings in another sculptural moment.”
5
Lay the Groundwork With a Connecting Piece
The missing piece for this room was the rug, designer Avery Cox says. It helps tie together the paint colors, a light blue for the walls, and a coral tone for the moldings and door. Deeper and more saturated shades of blue and yellow as well as ruddier shades of pink help contrast, too.
6
Mix High and Low
The main bedroom in rug dealer Amber El-Amin's home was all about mixing high and low pieces for a layered and intentional look as well as optimal comfort. It features both some of the most expensive pieces in the house as well as some real steals. The eclectic sourcing is what makes it so special.
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7
Paint the Floors
The decor in this bedroom designed by Kurek Jones echoes the natural beachside setting. The blue-painted floors brighten and cheer up the space while nodding to the panoramic ocean views, greens speak to trees beyond, and the grasscloth and rough brutalist nightstand reflect stretches of sand just steps away.
8
Strive for Warmth and Simplicity
If you feel like crisp all-white interiors veer too stark but want to use light neutrals, look no further than this beautiful neutral space designed by Rupp Studios. Featuring warm oat creams, layers of soft, smoky grays, and rich wood pieces, the results are edgy and industrial yet understated and timeless.
9
Blend Bold Accents With Simple Furnishings
This bedroom by Tamsin Johnson marries simple architecture with a contemporary style and a few classic pieces to make it feel more personal and polished. The walls are painted in a pure, cool shade of white that really energizes the entire space. Together with the room-filling sisal rug, it's the perfect combo for a beach house.
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10
Choose Colors Wisely
A calming and rich shade of paint (Stiffykey Blue by Farrow & Ball) inspires rest in this Los Angeles Angelese bedroom designed by Studio Shamshiri. But it's also serious and invigorating enough to liven up a home office space! Because a desk spans the entire wall of the bedroom to accommodate work and study sessions, they knew they needed a color scheme that could do and be both.
11
Play With Sunny Prints
In this bedroom designed by Pamela Schneider, the sunny yellow, white, and beige color scheme sets the mood for sweet, cheerful, and soothing dreams. The traditional spindle bed frame helps ground the space and adds a little depth.
12
Pay Attention to Scale
Take note of this bedroom designed by Heidi Caillier, where great big windows and high ceilings are maxed out by hanging the long curtains all the way to the top. In a small bedroom, have fun with color, shape, and prints, but pay close attention to scale.
Check out LiveAuctioneers for great vintage and antique rugs at discounted prices.
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13
Connect It Visually to the Common Rooms
If you're having trouble picking a color scheme for the bedroom, try this approach: Here, designer Andy Beers of Ore Studios used less saturated versions of the colors used in the common rooms for a calming but continuous design in the primary bedroom. Crisp whites contrast with inky blacks and are united by a deep midnight blue tone.
Check out Design Within Reach for similarly modern and minimalist pieces for your bedroom.
14
Stack Up Some Books as a Table
Stack up some coffee table books to use as a skinny side table. All you need it for is a stylish nightlight and mood-setting candle, as shown in this small bedroom designed by Nicholas Obeid.
Check out Rizzoli for great coffee table books.
15
Create a Bunk Room
A bunk room is always a fun direction for kids or even a guest room if you host extended family for holidays and gatherings. This one, designed by Regan Baker, was created to comfortably host visiting grandparents. The beds are longer than typical bunks with more vertical space for sitting up and playing board games. A calming and rich shade. of paint, River Blue from Benjamin Moore inspires rest.
Check out Benjamin Moore for beautiful paint colors to use in the bedroom and beyond.
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16
Contrast With Photography
Designer Tamsin Johnson disguised the radiator and added a surface spot for flowers by placing a thin glass console table over it. A modern photograph contrasts nicely with the more traditional and sweet design of the bedroom.
Check out Tappan Collective for beautiful artwork by emerging artists.
17
Consider Minor Renovations to Improve Flow
To center a headboard on the wall, designer Shawn Henderson closed up a decorative fireplace in this pint-sized but perfect NYC bedroom. A coat of white paint helps the exposed brick wall blend in and feel much less heavy. Matching pillows and a headboard bring in a nice pop of color but the rust tone still stays within that neutral territory.
Check out Benjamin Moore for both vibrant and neutral paint colors to use in the bedroom and beyond.
18
Sneak In a Desk
If you work from home but don't have the space for a home office in a separate room, squeeze one into the bedroom. Vern Vip installed a Cambria quartz desktop to suit the sophisticated mood. It also “doesn’t ever require resealing, reconditioning, or polishing,” says Yip.
Check out Poppin for more home office furniture and decor.
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19
Create A Reading Nook
If you're going to be hanging out in your bedroom, you need a spot to sit other than your bed. In this modern yet classic bedroom designed by Robson Rak, the built-in bench with a custom cushion would definitely inspire us to actually finish that book.
Check out IKEA for affordable bedroom accents.
20
Accentuate High Ceilings
This bedroom by interior designer and architect Jeffrey Dungan is full of rich texture and pattern yet still remains neutral and calming. If you want to introduce more warmth and texture to your space, consider a wood ceiling.
Check out Jungalow for more stylish bedroom accents.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Great design has the power to promote a positive mood
Great design has the power to promote a positive mood and create a space that is visually appealing and comfortable. Designing a bedroom that promotes rest and relaxation is essential, as it is the place where we go to rest and decompress. In this article, we will explore various concepts related to bedroom design, drawing inspiration from scientific studies, surveys, and expert advice.
Scientific Study on Design and Mood: A scientific study has shown that well-designed spaces can have a positive impact on our mood. The study found that elements such as color, lighting, and layout can significantly affect our emotional well-being. By incorporating these elements into bedroom design, we can create a space that promotes relaxation and helps us achieve a deeper and more restful sleep.
Survey on Bedroom Design: In addition to scientific studies, surveys can also provide valuable insights into the impact of design on mood. The article mentions a survey conducted by experts in the field, which gathered 80 bedroom design ideas from professionals. These ideas can serve as inspiration for creating your own perfect resting space.
Architectural Details: One concept mentioned in the article is embracing architectural details. Designer Elizabeth Hay emphasizes the use of wallpapers to add color and pattern to bedrooms without making structural changes. By incorporating unique millwork and patterns, a bedroom can be transformed into a cozy and whimsical space.
Space-saving Solutions: Another concept discussed is saving space with a Murphy bed. Designer Neal Beckstedt designed a full-sized Murphy bed that folds up flush with the cabinets, creating more space in a small New York City studio. This innovative approach allows for easy access to the adjoining bathroom.
Whimsical Design: The article suggests leaning into whimsy when designing a bedroom. By incorporating rich colors, prints, and unique artwork, a bedroom can feel layered and comfortable. The use of a peachy color on the walls can create a warm and serene atmosphere.
Proportion and Experimentation: Experimenting with proportion can also lead to interesting design choices. Designer Lauren Waters coupled a king-sized bed with a small ashtray that acts as a nightstand. This unconventional accessory adds a playful and quirky element to the room.
Groundwork and Connecting Piece: The article emphasizes the importance of laying the groundwork with a connecting piece. For example, a rug can tie together the paint colors and other elements in the room, creating a cohesive design. The choice of colors and materials can help create contrast and visual interest.
Mixing High and Low: Mixing high-end and more affordable pieces can create a layered and intentional look. The article showcases a bedroom that features both expensive and budget-friendly items, creating an eclectic and unique design.
Painting the Floors: Painting the floors can be a bold design choice that adds character to a bedroom. The article showcases a bedroom with blue-painted floors, which brighten up the space and complement the beachside setting. The choice of materials, such as grasscloth and rough brutalist nightstands, further enhances the coastal aesthetic.
Warmth and Simplicity: A bedroom that is both warm and simple can create a cozy and timeless atmosphere. By using warm oat creams, smoky grays, and rich wood pieces, a neutral space can have an edgy and industrial yet understated feel.
Bold Accents and Simple Furnishings: Blending bold accents with simple furnishings can create a personalized and polished look. The use of a pure, cool shade of white on the walls energizes the space, while a room-filling sisal rug adds texture. This combination is particularly suitable for a beach house.
Choosing Colors Wisely: Choosing the right colors for a bedroom is essential in creating a restful atmosphere. A calming and rich shade of blue paint can inspire rest and relaxation in a Los Angeles bedroom. This color scheme is versatile enough to also liven up a home office space.
Sunny Prints and Photography: Incorporating sunny prints and artwork can create a cheerful and soothing atmosphere in a bedroom. A traditional spindle bed frame adds depth to the space, while modern photography provides contrast and visual interest.
Scale and Minor Renovations: Paying attention to scale is important, especially in small bedrooms. Designer Heidi Caillier demonstrates how to maximize space by hanging long curtains all the way to the top, taking advantage of high ceilings. Additionally, minor renovations, such as closing up a decorative fireplace, can improve the flow and functionality of a bedroom.
Sneaking in a Desk and Creating a Reading Nook: If space allows, incorporating a desk in the bedroom can provide a dedicated workspace. A built-in bench with a custom cushion can create a cozy reading nook, encouraging relaxation and leisurely activities.
Accentuating High Ceilings: Lastly, accentuating high ceilings can add warmth and texture to a bedroom. Consider a wood ceiling to introduce a natural element and create a more inviting atmosphere.
By considering these concepts and incorporating them into your bedroom design, you can create a space that promotes relaxation, restful sleep, and a positive mood.
