Decorating A Bedroom Wall + Where Most Go Wrong
A bedroom is where you will typically begin + end each day so it’s actually an incredibly important room in your home. You don’t want to feel like the walls are bare, unfinished or lacking a focal point.
Recently, we were asked by a design member of ours how we were going to decorate a particularly empty yet oversized bedroom wall of theirs. As a full-service design firm, we were doing the heavy lifting on their behalf but they were genuinely interested in our process.
And because at Elegant Simplicity, we’re believers that nothing in the bedroom should be ignored *wink* we thought we’d deep dive into not only how but where most go wrong when decorating a bedroom wall.
So, if your bedroom feels unfinished… then, listen up friend because what matters most to you is that it’s not “just done” but that it’s done right + with intentionality :)
Ideas For Decorating A Bedroom Wall
Let’s start off with where most go wrong when decorating a bedroom wall.
They start with “ideas.”
When it comes to your home ideas are a black hole. They’re where you lose time, energy, and maybe even some sleep *wink*
In fact, if you want an easy exercise in how to get yourself overwhelmed…a quick search on Google or Pinterest with “what to do with your bedroom” will ABSOLUTELY do it for ya!
Jokes aside, focusing on ideas first is exactly where things go haywire for most. And yet, they go array for one specific reason. Have any guesses?
Alright, I’ll tell ya. Ideas increase overwhelm because YOUR home is not about replication it’s about inspiration. The moment that you start throwing “ideas” on a wall you’re not considering YOU’RE NOT CONSIDERING YOUR HOME any longer. What you’re considering is; does what someone else has already done in their homework for me? That’s replication.
And that’s backwards which is why as a full-service design firm we completely reimagine your home. Because you don’t want just any home. You want a home custom-tailored to you + your family.
You want a home that has everything you need + nothing more™ not someone else's.
But not starting with ideas is simply a preventative step. So, where do you actually begin decorating a bedroom wall?
Psst… Also, keep reading cuz’ at the bottom of this we actually breakdown a few aspects for how we consider decorating bedroom walls.
Decorating A Bedroom Wall Is About Identifying Functionality
At Elegant Simplicity, we’re rooted in functionality. In fact, we wholeheartedly believe you cannot do great design without organizing because designing truly functional spaces depends on understanding your routines, habits + how everyday life unfolds.
Our belief is that the two literally should not be separated which leads us to a step that’s often skipped (by jumping to ideas first) which is identifying functionality.
Now, you might say — “Well, it’s a bedroom. We sleep here.” And while that’s true, if we dig a little deeper… it’s not the only thing that you do in your bedroom… is it? *wink*
Some of our clients…
Unwind with a glass of wine
Read
Meditate
Watch TV in bed
Need room for a glass of water
A space for devices to charge
Get dressed
Do their makeup
Suddenly, you can see — your bedroom has the potential to serve you far beyond what maybe even you initially imagined.
Designing a functional bedroom depends on a lot of insight into what you need to make your everyday routines frictionless. And it’s why, even when decorating a bedroom wall — function always precedes aesthetics.
Because we know what you want isn’t something you liked, hearted or shared on social media. What you want is a home (+ a bedroom) that is tailored to you.
By identifying all the functional purposes of your bedroom, now you can see, what we’re doing is placing the emphasis truly on YOU. Building your bedroom around what you need + from this place we can now consider exactly how decorating a bedroom wall makes sense for you :)
Determining A Focal Point
Alas, we’ve laid the proper foundation to really look at decorating a bedroom wall in your home. And because we’ve thought through the functionality, a layout for ALL the experiences that make living in your bedroom frictionless can be determined with each having a zone (an area) in this space.
Your bed + nightstand on this wall.
Your dresser or makeup vanity over there.
Two chairs or a bench here.
And so forth…
Now, to really hone in on decorating a bedroom wall, we want to determine what the focal point is.
We define a focal point in any room as simply the place in a room where your eye lands first. It’s the “star of the space” + regardless of how subtle it may be, it immediately draws you in. But it doesn’t just catch your eye — it sets the mood for communicating how you’re supposed to feel.
It translates an emotion. A few focal points to consider when decorating a bedroom wall are:
Architectural details like an all-glass wall or custom millwork
A stunning view of the water, mountains or city
An oversized wall that could lend itself to being the focal point
A fireplace, unique or unexpected furniture
What we’re doing here is considering what might already be the focal point of the space, so that if one is present — we’re embellishing it with style + adding what’s missing. And if one is non-existent, we’re clear on how to create a focal point.
If you’re loving determining a focal point… then checkout Why A Focal Point In Design Is So Important.
Design Considerations For Decorating A Bedroom Wall
For a lot of our clients, work + life can be demanding so their bedroom is often a safe space, a sanctuary of sorts. A place to recharge.
Each of our clients has a unique take on the functional necessities of their space (as they should) but one commonality, in general, is that bedrooms make for a very personal space in their homes.
When considering how to decorate a bedroom wall, we’re not merely looking at “what can we stick on the wall” to make this bare or unfinished thing go away :)
What we’re doing is considering what does each functional zone need. And we’re able to ask — what does this wall (or that wall… or all the walls) still need because we’ve already identified the clear functionality. #WinnerWinner
Here are a few other considerations for decorating bedroom walls.
Artwork + Hanging Objects
One of the more obvious considerations for decorating a bedroom wall is where can we place art. Does art make sense over the bed? What about around a seating arrangement?
And once we’ve determined “where” art makes sense… we’re now considering what style of art inspires you. For some of our clients, that’s a really introspective question :) it could be landscapes, family portraits or abstract paintings with original brushstrokes.
Whatever it might be in the end — art has the power to stand alone as a focal point or fall in line with a collection of other pieces of furniture in your room.
Color
We design interiors around biophillic principles which means we’re often finding inspiration for color from nature. That said, the emotional impact of color especially in a bedroom is very real + it takes time to truly consider the use of colors that create a positive energy in your home.
BUT regardless of time, color is absolutely one trick-to-our-trade to simply dress up the walls of a bedroom without overdoing or stealing from the focal point.
WallCovering
Another simple + often overlooked way to decorate a bedroom wall, i.e. create a focal point, or simply add a subtle nod of elegance to all the walls in a bedroom is through the use of wallcoverings.
Wallcoverings are particularly great because they provide the benefit of adding color but they can also provide a visceral feel or texture to your walls.
Millwork or Architectural Features
Very similar to focal points, millwork + other architectural features like fireplaces or glass walls help to create an elevated + luxurious feel to your bedroom. In the case of millwork, that may be a chair rail that is along the headboard wall of your bed or it may be an entire room of floor-to-ceiling trim details.
Drapery + Window Coverings
One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of design is window coverings. From simply decorating a bedroom wall to being the show-stopping, draw-dropping iconic thing about your bedroom — drapery + window coverings are incredibly important.
From a functional perspective, they can control temperature + light. From a design perspective, what jewelry is to your outfit… window coverings + drapery are to your bedroom.
Drapery + window coverings are the perfect decoration for a bedroom wall.
They have the power to make a small window that feels awkward stand on its own but they also can soften the edges of an oversized window + draw your eye towards that gorgeous view of the lake. #Impact
Well, there you have it...everything you need to know about decorating a bedroom wall.
Designing a home that you’ll not only live in but a home that’s intentional for everything you need is the ultimate love investment! It’s also an investment in time. An investment in energy. And a financial investment. But don’t forget friend, that creating home isn’t about reaching a final destination nor is it something you just happen upon.
Our homes should represent us. They should embody the things we value + what we believe. Which are likely going to change over time (because life happens, boo!)
In other words, what you really want isn’t simply how to decorate a bedroom wall but rather a bedroom that’s custom-tailored to you. A bedroom that you’re not only proud of but that gives you a moment from your day-to-day life to recharge + relax. But you also want a bedroom that empowers you to be the best version of yourself.
Which is why, in order to create a home that feels like the most comfortable part of your day, an interior designer + professional organizer at Elegant Simplicity has to consider every aspect of how you live. Because your home should feel frictionless..
Sound exhausting or overwhelming? Fortunately (or should I say, lucky for you) with a lifetime of knowledge that we’ve accumulated from first-hand experiences –– we do the hard work.
Now don’t be shy, if you’re planning your next project, let’s chat. Go on, book a one-on-one FREE 30-minute Clarity Call with us + get ready for some magic!
And if you absolutely loved this article about Decorating A Bedroom Wall then trust me boo, you’re going to really enjoy this FREE video course: 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home.