When you guys write in with requests for styling help, we answer the call! And recently a reader asked for ideas on how to style the blank wall above her bedhead. There are so many fun ways you can add interest to this area of your bedroom to suit your interior style.
Keep scrolling for our favourite ideas for styling above a bed that are easy to achieve and give your bedroom a personalised feel.
Related article: The best window coverings to insulate your home: Keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer
Related article: Gorgeous girl’s bedroom inspo: Peek inside Christie’s big girl room by Wool and Willow
Artwork
Naturally, artwork is one of the first styling ideas that comes to mind. And there are so many ways you can incorporate artwork onto the wall of your bedhead. So consider the height of your bedhead (if you have one) and then determine what size artwork will suit the space best.
The most popular ways to hang bedroom art are:
- one large artwork centred above the bedhead (pictured below)
- two medium artworks nestled side-by-side above the bedhead
- one medium artwork above a bedside table
- one small or medium artwork off centred above the bed (pictured above)
- gallery wall above the bed (pictured below).
Phew, as you can see there’s so much scope to incorporate art in your bedroom. Plus, there are so many types of art to choose from, including oversized photography prints, abstract canvas, sculptural pieces or textiles that can be the focal point of the room.
Wall shelf
Another popular idea is to install a wall shelf or two. These can be used to hold anything from indoor plants to artwork. Best of all, they make it so easily to constantly switch up the look of your bedroom. So if you’re the type of person who can tire from things quickly, installing a wall shelf above your bed may be the flexible solution you’ve been looking for.
Mirror
Mirrors are a great way to make a space feel bigger as it bounces light around the room. You could hang a large mirror centrally above the bed, similar to the wicker mirror we used on the shelf in our coastal bedroom below. Or use 2 or 3 rectangular mirrors centred above the bed or one mirror above each bedside. With the range of shapes on the market now, including oblong, round, rectangular and arch, you can find one to suit your space.
Wallpaper
From neutral textured wallpaper to bold and colourful prints, there are so many fabulous wallpapers to choose from! These can add texture and colour to your bedroom. Best of all, you can also find removable wallpaper. So if you’re nervous about making a big decision or you’re renting, it’s good to know there’s a non-permanent option!
Tips to selecting the right wallpaper for your bedroom:
- consider if you want the wallpaper to be a major feature or a neutral backdrop for the other furnishings in the room to shine
- for bolder looks, a good tip is to find a pattern with some sort of meaning so you won’t tire of it quickly. It means you’ll have a connection to the wallpaper beyond current trends
- larger prints are surprisingly more restful than smaller prints, which can become quite busy once applied to a whole wall
- for neutural looks, opt for texture over prints. For example seagrass is available in many colours and is a popular choice for bedrooms.
There are fabulous artists producing wallpapers now, too. One of our favourites is These Walls by Sara Hingle who was one of the first artists we featured on SC. She hand illustrates all of her wallpapers and they just keep getting better and better! And recently, Gina used removable wallpaper from Boho Art & Styling in her son’s bedroom.
Decorative wall panelling
Decorative wall panelling is having a real moment in design and we’re here for it! Cove, scalloped, linear… there are so many options available. We won’t lie, this is the most expensive option in the list but wouldn’t you agree it’s so worth it?! If a full-height wall is out of budget, this can also look fabulous on the face of a built out wall ledge which provides another styling opportunity.
What are you thoughts on our top tips for styling above a bed? Do you have an above bed styling nightmare? Or do you have a styling challenge of your own we could answer? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Get more bedroom styling inspo here
This article was first published in June 2018 and has been updated with new ideas and images
