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20 Ways to Make Your Main Bedroom the Envy of All Your Friends

updatedFeb 25, 2023
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Credit:Minette Hand

Yourmain bedroomis brimming with potential—all it takes is a little inspiration and a dash of creativity to unlock it. To help you get started, we searched high and low for the savviest main bedroom decorating ideas we could find. From painted accent walls tostatement lightsand more, there are no shortage of tips and tricks to help you transform yours into a certifiable serene oasis. Read on to see the beautiful rooms we’re loving right now and what we learned from each.

Credit:Lauren Kolyn

1. Keep it minimalist.

The thing we love aboutminimalismas a master bedroom decorating idea is the style’s commitment to reducing clutter. It’s well known that clutter makes it harder to sleep. We love the minimalist style of thisCanadian loft apartment, where neutral wood tones combine with white bedding for a serene vibe.

2. Paint the doors black.

不准备潜水的dark sidewhen it comes to paint colors? We get it! Instead, try painting just the backs of your bedroom doors black for a modern touch that pairs well with a host of wall colors. This stunningNashville bedroomshowcases black against a cream-colored wall and white trim.

Credit:Minette Hand

3. Embrace exposed brick.

If you have exposed brick in your bedroom, you’re in luck: there’s so much you can do to design around it. We love how thisGeorgia bedroomglams it up with a gold-tone minimalist canopy bed.

4. Break up the space with sliding doors.

Particularly effective in very large spaces, or alternatively, in small spaces that need to be divided smartly, a sliding door adds a touch of style. The wooden door in thisJoshua Tree cabinis perfectly situated for breaking up the space.

Credit:Sarah Parker

5. Add a touch of black.

Black paint is one of our favorite master bedroom decorating ideas. We love how thisSouth Carolina bedroomdemonstrates smart use of a mirror that adds a great deal of light to this otherwise dark corner.

6. Paint your ceiling.

Hoping to bring some color into your primary bedroom without overwhelming the space? A fresh coat of paint designated for the ceiling, like the turquoise blue Ginger and Chick used in theirMarfa, Texas farmhouse, can instantly create ambiance in a room.

7.找到一个headboard with storage.

A headboard with built-in shelves, like the one inRebecca’s California guest house,是一种简单明了的方式取得额外的存储空间in a small main bedroom. You don’t even have to invest in clunky nightstands to be able to store your bedside essentials.

Credit:Liz Kamarul

8. Fill the walls with art.

Outfit the empty wall space above your bed witha gallery wallcomprised of framed art and keepsakes for a truly one-of-a-kind display. If you’re feeling bold, take a walk on the non-traditional side and use the corner of the room instead.

9. Buy a statement light.

A commanding light fixture—especially one like the crystal chandelier we spotted inBeci and Raph’s Australian abode—can make a small bedroom feel bigger by raising the line of vision. You don’t have to use something flashy and sparkly—if clean and minimal is more your style, look for something sculptural.

Credit:Minette Hand

10. Install sconces.

A streamlined pair of sconces provide plenty of bedside lighting without occupying any surface space. Consider it a bonus solution if you don’t have a nightstand to begin with.

Credit:Viv Yapp

11. Paint the walls.

Blue walls are all you need to create a serene bedroom that’s colorful and calming. Opt for a shade that skews on the pale or moody side, instead of a vibrant Yves Klein blue, for a softer effect.

Credit:Dawn Photo

12. Think black and white.

Looking for a sophisticated way to energize an earthy-toned main bedroom? Bold black and white prints, like the rugs and artwork inAmanda’s Portland, Oregon home, provide a pop of personality without deviating from a calm, neutral design scheme.

Credit:Marisa Vitale

13. Forge a mini home office.

When paired with a sleek writing table and side chair, a handful of wall-mounted floating shelves can transform into a proper bedroom workstation. Or set upa plant corner, if that’s more your speed.

Credit:Minette Hand

14. Consider a wallpaper mural.

Turn a humdrum main bedroom wall into an artful scene with nothing more than wallpaper. Kristin Laing transformed herAustin bedroominto a lush garden escape with a wall-to-wall mural that’s pure perfection.

15. DIY a statement wall.

Not a fan of wallpaper? No problem. Follow in Dani and Phillip’s footsteps and paint a big, cheery yellow dot mural on your bedroom wall to brighten up the space as they did in theirHollywood home. Add emphasis by matching your bed and bedding to the painted mural.

Credit:Minette Hand

16. Employ floral wallpaper.

A little wallpaper goes a long way in a primary bedroom. Dress up the space behind your bed with a floral print to liven up the romantic vibes of your bedroom, just like Nicole and Dan did in theirBrooklyn brownstone.

17. Add natural finishes.

Raw details, like polished concrete floors or unstained wood furnishings, are a design-savvy way to add an organic element to a bedroom. In thisAustin home, the dwellers also added in a vintage rug to lend a hint of warmth to the space.

18. Warm things up with textiles.

Integrate a mix of interesting fabrics and textiles into your main bedroom to make the space feel comfy, cozy, and colorful despite the lack of square footage. This look tends to work best when the large surfaces, from walls to floors, are as neutral as possible. In this case, that means white paint and simple white shades.

19. Draw color inspiration from art work.

Not sure how to incorporate a unique piece of artwork into your primary bedroom? Let the hues of the piece serve as the inspiration for the rest ofyour room’s palette. Use those shared hues for the bedding, upholstery, and even your window treatments for a cohesive overall look.

20. Employ eye-catching window treatments.

Let your windows do all the talking! Dress up casements with a voluminous pair of drapery panels to create a luxe yet tailored scene, just as these clever dwellers did in theirEast London apartment. If you mount curtains slightly higher and wider than your actual windows, you can make them seem larger and the room, on the whole, loftier.

21. Try two-toned walls.

抵消一个老式椅子铁路由爸爸在卧室里inting the upper portion of your walls a different color, just as Timothy did in hishistoric New Orleans home. You can also create a two-toned wall with just paint, if your room is devoid of molding.

22. Go gray.

Few things make a room more sleep-inducing than smokey walls. Paint your main bedroom in a rich, silvery shade of gray, as María Cecilia Páez Montero did in herMadrid home. This will create a cocoon-like atmosphere that’s perfect for snoozing and relaxing.

Credit: Sandra Regalado

23. Add in antiques.

You can always count on a stunning antique light fixture, like the crystal chandelier we spotted inAnjoli’s London home, to make a sophisticated statement in a primary bedroom. No matter the room, always try to add at least one older object into your design scheme. It will add a sense of history and charm to all of the newer furnishings around it.

Credit:Anna Hudson

24. Get an over-the-top headboard.

Never underestimate the impact of a commanding headboard in a main bedroom. Whether it’s a massive one that ranges from the floor to the ceiling or a makeshift alternative courtesy ofa graphic tapestry, it’s a dramatic touch every bedroom deserves. Not to mention, you can usually skip out on hanging art over these statement pieces, since they are usually so striking on their own.

25. Buy bamboo shades.

If you’re not sure which window treatments are right for a minimalist-minded bedroom, take a cue fromCourtney Equall’s bedroomand put up simple shades composed of an organic material like bamboo. It will feel laidback and add a hit of texture to your space, all the while providing plenty of coverage.