How to Design and Decorate a Bedroom
It’s easy to neglect your bedroom, thinking “no one really sees it,” or, “I don’t hang out in there anyway.” Au contraire, your bedroom is where you start and end your day, prepare for events, and contemplate life into the weeeee hours of the morning; so the way it makes you feel is actually really important.
As is often the case in design, there’s a bit of a formula you can follow to create a great bedroom. Whether you’re sprucing up your own room or decorating a guest room, use these tips to design something you’ll love!
Get a BIG Bed
First and foremost, get the largest bed that will reasonably fit in the room. We spend roughly a third of our lives in bed, and the quality of our sleep directly influences our quality of life. TRULY, THE BIGGER THE BETTER!
This is your sign to get a finally king 😏. Yes, larger bedding is more expensive, but how often do you buy new bedding VS how often do you SLEEP!? Giant bed for the win!
COLIN + FINN | This expansive king bed is beautifully styled with pillows by C+F. Tonic Living is a great pillow source for Canadians!
Invest in Quality Bedding
Bedding should be natural and breathable, the end. If this post only inspires you to do one thing, BANISH those polyester and microfibre sheets and buy a set you love in cotton or linen! Several “affordable luxury” online bedding companies have popped up over the years which ‘cut out the middle man’ and pass those savings to the consumer, but I always have luck at HomeSense, The Bay, Amazon, and even Walmart. Bedding retailers like The Linen Chest can have great sales too.
Centre the Bed
Whenever room size and layout allow, centre your lovely giant bed on the wall across from the entry or ensuite door, whichever makes the most sense. There should never be a “bad side” of the bed — both should be as equal as possible in terms of space and amenities.
ALEXIS ALEXANDRA AUSTIN | This room looks beautiful and comfortable for two people with the large area rug, two of everything, and centred bed.
Add an Area Rug
An area rug will help ground and pull together your space. This is especially true in bedrooms with hard floors, but even carpeted rooms look great with a rug! It should sit about 2/3 of the way under your bed, with at least 2 ft of rug showing around the sides and the end. This means at least a 7’x10’ rug for a queen bed, and at least an 8’x10’ rug for a king.
Look at what a difference an affordable rug made in this budget bedroom makeover!
Bring in Two of Everything
Back to the equality point: main and guest bedrooms should have two night tables, two lamps, and access to power on both sides. If there’s only one outlet along the headboard wall, run an extension cord to the other side as well so both people can use a lamp, charge their phones, etc.
TIP: Check FBMP for affordable night tables and lamps, or try buying night stands in sets of two to keep costs down.
Install Proper Lighting
Sometimes you need to SEE in your room, like when packing for a trip or looking for your glasses. But most of the time, you want soft, adjustable lighting to help you get going in the morning and wind down at night.
Depending on the size of your room and the height of your ceilings, try installing a flush mount, semi-flush mount, or chandelier in the middle of your room with bright bulbs (e.g. 60W, 3000K) like these. For the rest of the time, gently light your room with table lamps, wall sconces, and/or floor lamps using softer bulbs (e.g. 40W, 2700K) like these. Better yet, invest in smart bulbs so you always have full control over the colour and brightness of your lights!
STUDIO MCGEE | A fun semi-flush mount ceiling light plus ceramic table lamps provide layered lighting in this island-inspired bedroom.
Create a Focal Point
Install a piece of art or a picture ledge above your headboard to define the room’s focal point. And make sure it’s big enough — your large piece (or grouping) should span 2/3 - 3/4 the width of the bed!
RELATED: All About Artwork: Size, Spacing, Height, Framing, Colours, and More!
STUDIO MCGEE | This large painting helps tie the bedroom together while creating a lovely focal point for the room.
Add a Full-Length Mirror
Install a full-length mirror somewhere in the bedroom, ensuite, or closet so you can see your entire outfit before heading out for the day. Large mirrors also reflect light back into the space, making it feel bigger and brighter. 👌
Install Proper Window Treatments
Every room needs proper shades, drapes, or a combo of both! Not only do they provide privacy and light control; they add interest, height, and visually soften the window openings.
If custom treatments aren’t in the budget, you may have some luck Amazon or Select Blinds. Cellular shades from the Home Depot are also a great option — just bring your measurements with you so they can be cut to size right in the store!
As for drapery, Ikea and Two Pages have great affordable options. Grab some curtain rings and pleater hooks to make your inexpensive drapes look beautiful and custom.
STUDIO MCGEE | Studio McGee layers window treatments beautifully as seen in this bedroom, featuring woven roman shades underneath white linen drapery. (Notice how the rod and rings match the bed, the drapes match the walls and are hung near the ceiling to accentuate its height, and there are other woven elements repeated throughout the room.)
Incorporate Sentimental Items
Of all the spaces in your home, your bedroom should feel intentional and personal. Display a few photos and belongings you love! Avoid cluttering your surfaces, but a few sentimental pieces will really make your room feel like home.
Brass & Oak | For this bedroom makeover, the picture ledge and dresser were styled with my client’s belongings which made the space feel beautiful and special to her.
It is absolutely worth putting some time and effort into your bedroom, the place where your day begins and ends; where you sleep, and dream, and recover. I hope these tips give you some ideas for your next bedroom makeover!
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