How to Decorate a Bedroom, According to Designers

Decorating a bedroom can be tricky. It’s your most personal space, where you start and end each day, so it needs to feel both calming and functional. In fact, creating a bedroom that looks good and feels good can boost your outlook and well-being—whether you’re starting from scratch or just swapping out a few pieces of mismatched furniture.

To help you pull it all together, here, we asked interior designers to share their go-to tips for decorating a bedroom that’s equal parts stylish and cozy. Follow these steps, and you’ll have an elegant, timeless sleep sanctuary in no time.

Create a Moodboard

Before you dive into paint swatches or start shopping for throw pillows, take a step back and get clear on your vision.

“Start by collecting images that speak to you,” says Nancy Davilman, principal designer of ND Interiors. “Pinterest, Houzz, even magazine clippings—anything that sparks a feeling or aesthetic you love.”

From there, she recommends building a mood board to help organize your thoughts visually. “Once you have a solid collection, you’ll start to notice patterns. Maybe it’s a certain color palette, a fabric texture, or a type of furniture you’re drawn to.”

Creating this visual guide helps you prioritize, refine your ideas, and figure out what direction to take before making any big decisions. Think of it as your bedroom’s style blueprint.

Choose the Right Paint

Color is the quiet mood-setter of your bedroom. So how do you pick the right one? “Context is key,” says architect and interior designer Daniel Joseph Chenin. “Natural light and room dimensions are always at the forefront when selecting colors.”

He leans toward layered neutrals like warm grays, off-whites, and soft taupes, which create a calm and soothing backdrop. “Within this foundation, I’ll subtly introduce muted earth tones, soft blues, or dusty greens,” he says.

Davilman gravitates toward silvery blue, a hue she often weaves throughout her bedroom designs. “It’s really about personal comfort,” she says. “You want to be surrounded by colors that feel good to you.”

Plan the Layout

It might seem like an obvious step, but planning the layout of your bedroom is going to save you a lot of heartache. The best way to do this is with a proper floor plan, whether that’s using cut-out pieces on a paper grid or working digitally with a designer.

“It might seem like an extra step, but it saves you from a lot of frustration down the line,” says Davilman. “I always start by positioning the bed first—it’s the anchor of the room—and then arrange everything else around it.”

Once the bed is in place, it’s easier to figure out where nightstands, dressers, and accent chairs should go.

Choose the Right Size Furniture

“Take your measurements seriously and pick pieces that fit the space, not just what you like in the store,” says Chenin.

Oversized pieces can block circulation paths, while too-small furniture can make the space feel off and lack presence. “When you get the scale and proportions right, your furniture will work with the room, not against it, helping the space feel balanced and functional,” he adds.

This is especially important in asymmetrical rooms. “Strategically placed mirrors, artwork, or textiles can help balance out any quirky architectural features, turning asymmetry into something intentional and cool,” says Chenin.

Update Lighting

“It’s all about setting the right tone,” says Mitra Shahi, principal designer of Shahi Design Group. “Soft, layered lighting creates a warm, relaxing vibe, while brighter task lighting adds function.”

The key is finding the right balance. Dimmers on overhead lights allow you to control the brightness, keeping the lighting soft and perfect for unwinding after a long day. For those who enjoy reading in bed, Davilman recommends adding lamps or wall-mounted lights nearby. “Choose bulbs with a softer temperature for ambiance,” she says.

According to Chenin, natural daylight is always his first consideration. “It deeply affects well-being and the perception of space,” he says. The second is layering supplemental lighting. “I recommend warm, inviting tones that don’t exceed 3000K color temperature.”

Add Textiles

Textiles play a crucial role in defining the tactile quality and warmth of a bedroom. “Thoughtful layering of bedding, rugs, curtains, and accent pillows can soften architectural edges, unify design elements, and introduce both visual and sensory interest,” says Chenin.

Rugs, in particular, add texture and warmth. Natural materials like linen, cotton, wool, or bouclé bring essential texture variations that deepen the experience. 

“In many of our projects, we take this a step further by upholstering walls, either partially or entirely, to enhance acoustic softness, add depth, and create a cocoon-like feel,” he adds.

Don’t Skimp on Comfortable Bedding

At the end of the day, if your bedding isn’t comfortable, nothing else in the room really matters—and comfort starts with the materials.

“Linen and long-staple cotton are especially great. They’re breathable, soft, and just get better with time,” says Chenin. He recommends choosing bedding from brands that focus on craftsmanship, ethics, and durability. “Good bedding should feel like a gentle embrace. Get something that looks as good as it feels.”

Make Your Bed Work for You

Bedding is a chameleon—it can either quietly blend in or command attention. According to Justin Kestelman, founder of Hommey, it should always connect to something else in the space.

“Whether that’s a rug, a lamp, or a piece of artwork, I look for a cohesive story,” he says. For smaller spaces, Kestelman suggests using contrast through color, texture, or pattern to create a focal point, rather than blending everything together.

Another little trick is to size up your duvet. That means a king duvet on a queen bed, for example. “There’s nothing worse than to have a duvet that doesn’t effortlessly drape over the side of your mattress,” he says.

Consider Skipping the TV

Ultimately it’s personal preference, but for Chenin, the TV does not belong in the bedroom. “Bedrooms should be sanctuaries dedicated to rest, reflection, and personal comfort,” he says. “They need to be free from the distractions of screens.”

But it’s not just for mental health benefits. TVs can dominate a room visually, pulling attention away from the subtle design details and architectural features that make the space feel thoughtful. 

Plus, with phones and tablets meeting most of our entertainment needs, he finds that many clients simply don’t need a TV in the bedroom. For those who really want one, Chenin suggests a more discreet approach, like ceiling-mounted TVs that lower on demand and disappear when not in use.