Bedroom Design and Decor: The 7 Best Tips for Designing a Bedroom

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Especially if you aren’t very familiar with the world of interior design, putting together a bedroom can start to feel overwhelming. To that end, we’ve brought you a few bedroom design tips to help make the process a little easier. Read on get more information on everything from the newest master bedroom ideas to what color palette to use in a small room. Armed with this knowledge, you should be able to create a unique bedroom design that works for you.

Start with your goals

Before you get started on any interior design project, it’s important to consider your wants and needs for the space. Ideally, most of the items in the room will fit both criteria. After all, not only do you want the room to be functional, but if you’re spending the money to design it, you’ll want to make sure you’re satisfied with the end product.

For example, maybe you’ve been toying with the idea of getting a canopy bed because you’ve always wanted one. If you’re designing your master bedroom, go ahead and splurge on the purchase. In this case, a canopy bed checks off both boxes on your wants and needs list by providing you with a bed that can be slept in and an aesthetically pleasing statement piece.

Use online resources for bedroom design inspiration

The next step in designing the perfect bedroom is to find some design inspiration. Luckily, you don’t have to go to an interior designer for this task, there are plenty of online resources that can help you find your ideal bedroom design inspiration from the comfort of your own home.

Houzz

If you aren’t sure of your personal sense of style, Houzz is a great place to start. Houzz allows interior designers to upload photos of their finished projects to provide you with plenty of ideas. Though you’re likely looking for master bedroom ideas, Houzz offers inspiration for a multitude of spaces, including dining room, living room, and even laundry room design.

Modsy

Modsy is a service that allows you to work with an interior designer for a fraction of the price you would typically pay. With Modsy, you upload pictures of your existing bedroom and then answer a few questions about your aesthetic preferences. Then, the designer delivers you two mock-ups of a fully designed space, which you can tweak until you’re satisfied with the end product.

Choose your color scheme first

Once you’re officially ready to start your bedroom interior design project, the first step is to choose your color scheme for the room. In interior design, the colors you choose to use in the space will inform all your other choices, so your best bet is to pick them first.

Here, you’ll likely benefit from using what’s known as the 60-30-10 rule. It states that approximately 60% of the room should be one color, usually a neutral shade. However, in children’s rooms, it may be bolder. Whichever color you choose, this is the color that goes on your walls and makes up the majority of your color palette.

Then, 30% of the room should be made up of a supporting shade. It should coordinate well with your main color but add more visual interest. Typically, this would be the color of your bedroom furniture.

The last 10% of the room is made up of an accent color. Whatever your color preference, these hues should be the boldest in your design. Typically, these shades are reserved for an accent wall or your decor items like throw pillows or an area rug.

If you’re decorating a small space, keep it light and bright

When you’re working with a small room, choosing the right colors becomes even more important. Unfortunately, a color that’s too bold may overwhelm a small space like a guest room. With that in mind, you should try to do your best to use light hues as you’re working on these spaces.

In this case, neutrals will likely work best for the walls and ceiling. If you’re looking for an accent color, you may want to focus on using softer shades like green or a pale blue. As an added bonus, color psychology holds that both those shades offer calming and grounding effects.

Invest in quality bedroom furniture

Once your color preference is clear, the next step is to start looking into furniture. While you may be able to get away with lower-end furniture in children’s rooms or a guest room, when you’re designing a master bedroom, your best bet is to invest in quality pieces.

At the end of the day, good-quality furniture has the ability to last for years. While you may change the color of your walls or your accent pillows, if you invest in classic furniture pieces, they will be able to stand the test of time and stay with you through multiple rounds of interior design trends.

As far as what furniture you’ll need, at the very minimum, consider investing in a good bed frame and headboard. Beyond that, consider building a set that includes a dresser, a chest, and a couple of nightstands. Then, if you have the square footage, think about creating a seating area with an accent chair and a bookcase.

Don’t forget about window treatments

One common bedroom design mistake is allowing curtains and blinds to become an afterthought. However, the truth is that the right window treatments can be the design element that sets an elegant bedroom apart. While you don’t have to spring for custom window treatments to complete your bedroom interior design project, it’s an area worth considering in your design plan.

To that end, you’ll want to ask yourself what kind of aesthetic you’re aiming for in your bedroom and choose window treatments that match. For example, some window treatment ideas for a modern bedroom design might include incorporating plantation shutters rather than blinds. On the other hand, a more traditional design might include finishing off your window frame with a decorative curtain rod to add to the room’s visual interest.

Let decor items show your personality

Lastly, whether you’re decorating your bedroom, dining room, or laundry room, it’s important to make sure your personality comes through in the final design. One way to do that is by making sure to include plenty of decor items in the space. In interior design, decor items are more or less accessories. They often have little functional value other than to add visual interest to the space.

In terms of what counts as decor, there are many options, including:

Wall art and wall hangings.

Throw pillows.
An area rug.
Candles.
Mirrors.
Plants.

The bottom line

Designing a bedroom is no small feat. From choosing the color of your headboard to deciding what type of fabric should go around your window frame, it can seem like there’s no end to the decision making in sight. However, if you take the time to do your research and gather some bedroom design ideas, you’ll be able to come up with a modern bedroom design that suits your needs and your sense of personal style.