Bedroom decorating: 15 realistic ideas for a beautiful room that's easy to sleep in
A beautiful bedroom doesn't come from expensive things. It comes from a bed in the right place, soft light, good fabrics and one wall done with intent. 15 ideas that work in a house or a condo.
To decorate a bedroom that looks good and is easy to sleep in, start by putting the bed in the right place and making the headboard wall the focal point. Use layers of light instead of a single ceiling light, choose soft fabrics and soft wall colours, and have enough storage to keep the floor clear. A good bedroom is one where your eyes get to rest before your body does.
Arranging a bedroom properly starts with the bed
The bed is the biggest piece of furniture in the room. Put it in the wrong place and everything that follows looks off. Before you buy a new lamp or pillow, try rearranging the bed first. Sometimes the room looks better without spending a single baht.
- 1. Put the head of the bed against a solid wall. It feels secure, and you can have a bedside lamp on both sides
- 2. If you can avoid it, don't put the head of the bed under a window: morning light and heat will fall straight on your face
- 3. Leave a clear walkway beside the bed, and don't let the air conditioning blow straight at your head
Layered lighting: the bedroom idea people often skip
Most bedrooms have a single ceiling light that, once switched on, is as bright as a convenience store. A bedroom that feels warm has three layers of light: general light, task light and ambient light.
- 4. Use the general light for cleaning or getting dressed; even better if you fit a dimmer
- 5. Task light means a bedside lamp or a wall light for reading
- 6. Ambient light, such as a hidden light behind the headboard, should use warm white bulbs; and fit blackout curtains so it's truly dark when you sleep
Fabrics and texture make a beautiful bedroom feel warm
The bedroom is the room we touch the most, so fabrics matter as much as wall colour. In a hot, humid climate like ours, cotton and linen breathe better than synthetics, and you don't wake up feeling stuffy.
- 7. Sheets and pillowcases in the same colour, or graded shades, make the room look tidy at once
- 8. Lay a light blanket or throw across the foot of the bed to add a layer and make the room feel lived in
- 9. Hang the curtain rail high, close to the ceiling, with curtains down to the floor, and the room will look taller
Bedroom wall colours, and the headboard wall
A bedroom doesn't need colours that wake you up. Soft, muted colours such as beige, cream, misty blue or grey-green suit the main walls, because they are easy on the eye both in the morning and with the lights on at night. If you like a cocooning, nest-like room, you can use a dark muted colour throughout; the room will feel enveloping and quiet.
The headboard wall is the best place to invest. Paint it one step darker, paint it halfway up, or use a wall with texture. If you want a soft, resort-style plaster look, try Voqe Mineral Finish, applied in two tones in crossing directions so the wall has depth.
- 10. Use a soft, muted colour on the main walls, nothing too bright
- 11. Make the headboard wall the single focal point, with a darker colour or texture
Storage, and plants in the bedroom
A bedroom with things lying around keeps your brain working even after your body has lain down. Good storage is storage that closes, so you can't see what's inside. Plants make a room feel fresh, but choose ones that tolerate low light and are easy to care for.
- 12. Use the space under the bed for storage, with drawers or lidded boxes
- 13. A wardrobe that reaches the ceiling holds more and reads as part of the wall
- 14. Low-light plants such as snake plant, golden pothos or ZZ plant, in a corner or on a shelf
15. What to avoid when decorating a bedroom
The last idea is knowing what not to do. Some of these look minor, but they stop a bedroom from really letting you rest.
- A desk facing the bed: your work will follow you to bed
- More than three or four colours in one room
- A single, very cool white ceiling light
- Collections covering every surface
- Heavy blackout curtains closed all the time so the air can't move, which makes the room damp and stuffy
- A large mirror facing straight at the bed: many people avoid this out of belief, and the reflected light disturbs sleep too
“In a good bedroom, your eyes rest before you even lie down.”
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start when decorating a bedroom?
Start with where the bed goes and the headboard wall, then plan the lighting, fabrics and storage. Rearranging the bed and painting the headboard wall change the room the most on a small budget.
What colour should a bedroom be?
Soft, muted colours such as beige, cream, misty blue or grey-green suit the main walls because they're easy on the eye. If you like a cocooning feel, use a dark muted colour on the headboard wall or the whole room.
What colour light should a bedroom have?
Warm white bulbs are the usual choice, as they feel warm and relaxing. Have light from several points, such as bedside lamps and ambient light, instead of a single ceiling light.
Can I put the bed under a window?
You can if the space leaves no choice, but if you can avoid it, put the head of the bed against a solid wall, because a window lets morning light, heat and outside noise disturb your sleep easily.
Which plants are good for a bedroom?
Ones that tolerate low light and are easy to care for, such as snake plant, golden pothos and ZZ plant. Place them near a window or in a corner with a fair amount of light.
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