How to Style a Bedroom

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Shop The Primary Bedroom

Welcome to a new week of summer school as we continue our Home Styling 101 course! Last week we talked about how to style entryways — from front porches to mudrooms — and now we’re going to tackle one of the most “inward-facing” rooms of the house: the bedroom.

I want to share my approach to decorating bedrooms because it’s something that most people skip when they think of styling. That’s often because we’re in the mindset to only “style the places where you’ll be entertaining guests.” But let’s talk facts: the average American will spend nearly half of their life in bed! This space deserves some love, friends!

Remember, we’re styling for you at the end of the day. We want to create a place where you feel the most yourself, the most at home, the most balanced. And that can happen when you purposefully decorate your bedroom with things that are beautiful, functional, and inviting.

What Not to Have in the Bedroom

So the first thing I do when styling my own bedroom? Look for things I can take away. Styling is as much about negative space as it is about the things in the room. Is your nightstand or bedside table covered with knick-knacks, books, and chargers? Do you have clothes strewn on the bed? Too many pieces of decor or exercise equipment? Listen, I’ve been there. But less can often be more. It’s hard to feel like you’re in a calming, relaxing environment before bed when there’s clutter around.

While we’re not going to be talking about purging here (I covered that in a previous Summer School!), it’s a good starting point for styling any room. Check out the Bedroom Tell-All post for more advice on what doesn’t work in a bedroom.

Play Up Textures

Chris Loves Julia | Polly's whimsical bedroom

You may not think about bedding as styling, but your bed is a major focal point of the room! While it goes without saying that making your bed is step 1 in the hierarchy, the next step is the linens. From the texture and pattern on your duvet cover to the throw pillows, textiles can make a big impact in any size space. I always recommend starting at the ground level and that means a luxurious set of sheets!

Then I love a big cloud-like comforter and a layered quilt or throw blanket to give your room the hotel room feel. Adding a large lumbar pillow can be an easy way to make a bed feel “finished” without using dozens of throw pillows. Try a velvet one for instant luxury! If you like a moody look like I do, choose a darker textile for curtains, and you’ll feel more enveloped in the comfort of your room.

Swap Out More for Less (Just Go Bigger!)

Chris Loves Julia | Black nightstand in the primary bedroom of the "Modern Cottage" — *Primary Bedroom, “Modern Cottage” Idaho Falls Home, 2021*

Nightstand (similar) | Table Lamp (similar) | Coffee Table Books | Canopy Bed

I prefer to have fewer things on my walls or tabletops in the bedroom, so often I’ll focus on just one larger item. Just remember, the fewer items you need for a space, the more thoughtful they need to be. Make them count! Instead of a gallery wall, consider one oversized piece of art (yes, even if the room is small!). And instead of petite lamps, get a larger one for the nightstand or a set of scones that adds height beside the bed. This is a trick that a lot of hotels will do, and it’s amazing how much it elevates a space.

Storage is key in a bedroom, especially if things tend to collect on your nightstand. I like to say, “Storage is a retail product!” If your nightstand is cluttered with essentials and you only have one drawer, swap it out for one that has three drawers instead. You can always turn to Facebook Marketplace or eBay to sell off what you do have to make it more cost-efficient.

Make It Feel Welcoming

Another thing to consider is what makes a bedroom more welcoming, and sometimes that means extra seating. If you can fit it, a bench can be a place to take off your shoes (or put on your slippers), or a comfy accent chair can give you an instant reading nook. And if the space doesn’t accommodate more furniture, turn to sensory additions like luxurious blankets, soft throw pillows, or scent diffusers instead.

Whether you have carpets in your bedroom or not, I encourage you to consider layering on a rug. There’s something so cozy about framing a bed with a soft rug. It helps to define zones in the room too, so that’s why I recommend choosing a rug that contrasts with what you have on the floor. This is a great tip for renters who can’t add paint or wallpaper or change overhead lighting. The rug is the place you get to play designer!

Think About Bedroom Lighting

Chris Loves Julia | Primary bedroom chandelier, lamps, and picture light

Shop The Primary Bedroom

The bedroom — probably more than any other room in the house — is best served by ambient lighting. I rarely turn on my overhead light! I have a floor lamp by our sitting nook and a pair of oversized table lamps on either dresser. Plus, we added a picture light over the art hanging above the headboard which makes the whole room feel more elevated.

My favorite trick is to get smart wall outlets for each of these lamps and connect them to the same room in Alexa. That way I can tell Amazon Echo to turn on the lights in the same amount of time it would take me to turn on the overhead lighting switch! You can also install a dimmer to your overhead lighting.

When it comes to bedroom decor, it’s easy to use our STYLING acronym to improve the look of your bed, nightstand, and dresser. These things can give your bedroom the designer treatment with very little effort!

Things I Use to Style Bedrooms:

Chris Loves Julia | Primary bedroom with floor mirror and stand-alone lamp

Shiny: tray, light fixture, floor mirror, jewelry box/decorative box, nightstand hardware
Texture: bedding, throw blankets, quilts, throw pillows, rug, curtains, vase, upholstered bench
You: large art, vintage books, tabletop frame with picture
Lighting: large lamp, sconces, picture light, floor lamp next to a chair
Inviting: candle, chair or bench, diffuser, water decanter
Necessary: clock, coaster, stylish tech tray
Greenery: stems, plant, tree

It’s important to pick the items that serve you and your space, and leave the rest behind (or it can get back to cluttered really fast!) Stay tuned for more inspiration on Wednesday as I curate specific style-forward product bundles that can create an instant upgrade for bedrooms.

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