By Elizabeth Stamp and Kristi Kellogg, AD Clever
Sure, you may spend most of the time in your master bedroom asleep, but that doesn’t mean your space shouldn’t be as beautiful as the places you enjoy your waking hours. We’ve gathered our favourite master bedroom decorating ideas to help inspire your own eye-opening transformation. Whether you’re dreaming of a serene retreat, a bright and energetic spot, or a more dark and moody design, there are ideas for every master bedroom in this collection of stylish spaces.
Keep the Palette Light
A bedroom should be a place to relax after a long day, so it’s no wonder a neutral palette is a popular choice. Try soft whites with a bit of warmth to keep the space from feeling stark. In this Texas bedroom designed by Marie Flanagan, whites, tans, and soft greys create a serene space.
Don’t Be Afraid of Black
Dark colours can add impact to a boring bedroom. White elements, such as painted trim or crisp bedding, help the space feel less cave-like. In actress Shay Mitchell’s master bedroom, walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe contrast with the white furnishings and gold accents.
Go Bold with Pattern
From wallpaper to bedding to curtains, there’s plenty of places to add pattern in a master bedroom. Start small with patterned throw pillows or go all out with floor to ceiling prints, as Miles Redd did in this Connecticut home.
Create a Jewel Box
Using one colour throughout the entire space helps the room feel cosy and intimate. In her Manhattan master bedroom, designer Alexa Hampton used rich plums and deep crimsons.
Wallpaper the Master Bedroom Ceiling
Embrace your low ceilings and make them the focal point by wallpapering the surface. Interior designer Jenny Wolf covered the master bedroom of her Brooklyn townhouse with a black and white floral motif by House of Hackney.
Try Blue and White
The calming colour combo was practically made for bedrooms. Whether you pair a preppy navy or a soft sky blue with crisp white, your look will be an instant classic. In artist Cindy Sherman’s Hamptons master bedroom, designer Billy Cotton used a bright cobalt and soft white.
Mix Antique and Modern Pieces
If your style falls somewhere in between contemporary and traditional—or you just want to keep your space from feeling one-note—try to incorporate a mix of styles. Vintage and antique pieces will add warmth, while sleeker furnishings will make sure the end result isn’t too stuffy. Alex Kalita of Common Bond Design brought in a rosewood secretary to soften the lines of her master bedroom.
Create a Layered Look
A bedroom should always have a bit of cosiness and one of the easiest ways to achieve that extra warmth is by adding layers. Top durable sisals with plush rugs and add throw blankets and pillows to the bed. Designer Neal Beckstedt created soft surroundings in this New York City bedroom.
Add a Seating Area
Make your bedroom a place you can kick back and relax by adding a sofa or even just a comfortable armchair. Designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent included a 1950s Danish sofa in their New York City master bedroom.
Make the Bed the Centrepiece
The bed is obviously the most important element of a bedroom, but it can also be the showstopping piece in the space. Play with scale and find a bed that commands the room, no matter how large your space is. Designer Max Humphrey chose a curtained four-poster for his own Oregon master bedroom.
Energise Your Bedroom with Colour from the Floor to the Ceiling
Make your bedroom burst with colour by using colour from floor to ceiling. Choose a colour like green or orange to infuse the space with energy. A bedroom like this will make waking up colour.
Add a Wall Mural
Adding a large wall mural above your bed or on bare wall can transform your entire master bedroom. If you want to create a mural that's less of a commitment, you can always opt for a removable wall mural. Minted's line of removable wall murals features award-winning designs from independent artists and are definitely worth checking out.
Infuse Your Space with Florals
Create a whimsical wonderland with floral patterns that bring the outdoors inside. Whether it's floral wallpaper or fabrics (or both), a blooming bedroom is a pleasure to wake up to.
Paint an Accent Wall
According to feng shui experts, the wall facing your bed is the most important wall in your entire home. To that end, painting it a calming colour (being, lavender, blue, green or grey) can have a prodigious effect.
Introduce Stripes
Another one of our favourite master bedroom decorating ideas is the inclusion of stripes. They're a classic choice that are right at home in any master bedroom. For an unexpected use of stripes, choose a bright colour or a pattern with wide lines. Stripes can appear anywhere, including bedspread, area rug, lamp or the walls.
