How to decorate bedroom walls [A Quick Guide]

Decorating your bedroom walls can be a fun and rewarding experience, as well as a nice way to spruce up your same-old bedroom.

It’s an opportunity to express your personality and create a space that feels truly yours. But where do you start? With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide what will work best for your space.

Let’s take a look.

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Quick Links

• Understanding your space
• Choosing a colour scheme
• Selecting wall decor
• Arranging your decor
• Incorporating texture and patterns
• Lighting your space
• Closing remarks

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Understanding Your Space

Before you start decorating, it’s crucial to understand your space. We’re not saying you don’t, but the size, shape, and lighting of your room can significantly influence what types of decorations will work best.

For instance, a small room might benefit from lighter colours, some nice ambient lighting, and mirrors to make it feel larger, while a large room could handle bold patterns and colours without feeling overwhelmed.

• Firstly, measure your room. Knowing the exact dimensions will help you choose decorations that fit perfectly, while also making sure no one feature will take up too much wall space.
• Secondly, consider the amount of natural light your room receives. Do you have windows? Or maybe a skylight? Light can dramatically change the appearance of the colours and patterns on your bedroom walls.
• Lastly, think about the shape of your room. Is it square, rectangular, or an irregular shape? This can affect where you’ll place your decorations and what sizes and shapes will work best.

Choosing a Colour Scheme

The colour scheme is one of the most critical aspects of any room’s decor. It sets the mood and forms the basis for all other decorating decisions.

When choosing a colour scheme for your bedroom, consider what kind of atmosphere you want to create. Do you want a calming and relaxing space? If so, opt for cool colours like light blues and greens. If you’re looking to energise the room, choose warmer colours like a nice red and/or orange.

Remember, your colour scheme isn’t just about the paint on your walls. It also includes the colours of your furniture, bedding, and wall decorations. Try to keep everything cohesive.

If you’re unsure, neutral colours like whites, greys, and beiges are always a safe bet and can be livened up with colourful accents.

NOTE: If you’re looking for how to best place your furniture in your room, we have a post on that here.

Selecting Wall Decor

Once you’ve chosen your colour scheme, it’s time to select your wall decor. This will include things like artwork, photographs, mirrors, shelves, or even a statement wall with a bold pattern or colour. The key here is to choose pieces that reflect your personality and interests.

Artwork and photographs can add a personal touch to your room. I often love to have memories printed out, put into frames and placed on the wall – I think it’s a beautiful touch to a bedroom.

Choose pieces that you love, and that match your colour scheme. Mirrors are a great way to make a room feel larger and brighter, from wall-mounted mirrors to beautiful free-standing mirrors (my personal favorite!).

Alternatively, shelving will not only provide a practical solution for storage and display, but can come in some very unique and creative designs!

Arranging Your Decor

Arranging your decor can be just as important as the pieces you choose. You want to create a balanced look that draws your eye around the room.

Start by placing your largest pieces first, then work in your smaller items. Try to spread out colours and patterns evenly throughout the room.

Remember, your decor should enhance your room, not overwhelm it. Don’t feel like you need to fill every inch of wall space.

Sometimes, less is more. Leaving some empty space can make your room feel calm and uncluttered.

For more on this, especially if your room is on the smaller side, see our how to organise a small bedroom post here. If you’re worried about budget, we’ve got you covered too.

Incorporating Texture and Patterns

Adding texture and patterns to your bedroom walls can elevate your decor to a whole new level. It’s a fantastic way to add depth and interest to your space.

There are several ways to incorporate texture and patterns, and it’s all about finding what suits your style and comfort level.

Wallpapers are a great starting point. They come in a myriad of designs, from subtle textures to bold patterns. If you’re feeling adventurous, a statement wall with a vibrant, eye-catching pattern could be a game-changer.

For a more understated look, textured wallpaper in a neutral colour can add a touch of sophistication.

Alternatively, consider using wall hangings or tapestries. These will add a soft, tactile element to your room and can be easily changed out if you fancy a new look, which is harder to do if it’s wallpaper you want to switch out.

Similarly, decorative mouldings or wall panels can create a classic, elegant feel. Remember, the key is to balance patterned and textured elements with more simple, understated pieces to avoid overwhelming the space.

Lighting Your Space

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about lighting. The way you light your room can dramatically affect the overall ambience, and it’s an often-overlooked aspect of decorating. Good lighting can highlight your wall decor and make your room feel warm and inviting.

Start with ambient lighting. This is your main light source, typically a ceiling or pendant light.

You’ll want this light to illuminate your room evenly, so you may need more than one if your bedroom is on the larger side.

Next, consider task lighting. This could be a bedside lamp for reading or a desk lamp if you work in your room (I have both!).

Finally, accent lighting can highlight specific areas or items, like a piece of wall art you choose to hang on the wall.

Getting the right lights is important, but don’t forget about natural light too.

Make the most of any windows in your room by keeping them unobstructed during the day. Use light, airy curtains or blinds that can be easily opened and closed.

We’ve mentioned it before, but mirrors will also help bounce natural light around your room, making it feel brighter and larger. So place them well!

Closing remarks

Decorating your bedroom walls doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

By understanding your space, choosing a cohesive colour scheme, selecting decor that reflects your personality, and arranging your pieces thoughtfully, you can create a room that feels uniquely yours.

Remember, the most important thing is that you love the space. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make changes until you’re happy with the result.

Let us know how you get on!