8 Dramatic Over-the-Bed Art Ideas (When You Can’t Afford Something Big)

That area behind our beds can be a make-it-or-break-it spot in the bedroom. Since our beds tend to be the focal points of this space, the eyes naturally flow to the wall space above your bed. When you can’t blow your budget on a giant art piece to hang above your bed, you can still create a dramatic, eye-catching art arrangement. Here are eight ideas.

If you can only hang one item and that item feels toodiminutive for the space over your bed, hang it asymmetrically to give it extra power and intrigue.

→ Superpowered Style: Shake Up Your Look With Some Off-Center Art

Two pieces of art combined with two non-traditional art pieces (that balance perfectly the size and weight of the other two framed pieces) makes for a fresh style mix.

Two shelves hung above a bed and populated with small but potent accessories can be just as dramatic as a large piece of art.

Make your own shelves to save money → DIY Shelves: 5 Sleek DIY Shelf Storage Projects Under $50

Mix an art piece that’s on the smaller side with flanking wall-mounted light fixtures for an overall composition that’s good-looking and functional.

It can be much more affordable than you think to DIY wall-mounted lighting for the bedroom → How To Turn $8.99 IKEA Desk Lamps Into Wall Lamps

Hang something soft and large over a bed, like a blanket or a clothing piece or even a large rug, that will add pattern and interest to that area.

It’s easier than you think to do →How to Hang a Large, Heavy Rug on The Wall

If you have a lot of wall real estate to fill, use negative space to your advantage and add something 3D that sticks away from the wall.

A diptych of two like elements, particularly if their color contrasts nicely with the wall color, will be a powerful pair.

Then again, why stop at only two? A triptych is also a great option for filling up a lot of space without resorting to something big and expensive.

→ Frame Trick to Try: The Triptych