Over bed decor ideas can solve this difficult problem of how to deal with that space between the top of the headboard and the ceiling. Depending on how high it is, this can be a deep space.
When it comes to bedroom ideas, decorating above the bed can make or break a bedroom layout. if it was master bedroom You deal with that, getting the proportions right will be key.
The height of the headboard and ceiling plays a big role in deciding what to place in the space between the headboard and the ceiling. Scale is very important because you don’t want the piece to be too big making the bed look small or to choose artwork that’s too small because that tends to look cheap, says Mark Lavender, lead designer for M. Lavender Interiors (Opens in a new tab).
It is also a place to create a focal point and add a decorative element to your bedroom layout. All you need is a place for inspiration and some smart bed décor ideas.
1. Dual use selection
(Photo credit: Colette Interiors/@raquellangworthy.photo)
We’re all for double use here, and this rattan bookshelf ticks all the boxes as Trish Lane, founder and lead designer at Colette Interiors. (Opens in a new tab) Explain:
It adds dimension and texture to this space above the bed, plus it’s a welcome place to put books and decor.
For a design scheme to work, it needs basic elements like color and texture, and a rattan shelf will definitely provide both. Don’t overload it with clutter, keep it simple with two books, a scented candle, and a small trailing plant.
For a similar look, check out the bamboo wall shelf at H&M Home (Opens in a new tab).
2. Create your own sun
(Photo credit: Jessica Lagrange Interiors)
Add sparkle with this starry wall decor that will add some sunshine to your space. Gold wall decor from Wayfair (Opens in a new tab) It is a good match and is reminiscent of the Art Deco era which was all about golden items with shiny finishes. You can hang three in a row for added effect or simply place one in the middle of the space.
The gold color works well with coral tones and ties the amber glass lamp base perfectly.
3. Make the wall decor into a storage space
(Image credit: IKEA)
When space is tight and there’s no room for a shelving unit, make the most of the bed space above and add a decorative aspect as well as a place to store your favorite pieces.
This is where bedroom shelving ideas come in. Eket from IKEA (Opens in a new tab) Boxes are perfect for this, you can hand them out in different combinations, paint them to fit your scheme and use the top of them as a shelf as well as the inside – what’s not to like?
4. Add wall lights to the mix
(Photo credit: Indoor Fox/Veronica Rodriguez)
The bed is the focal point of any bedroom, and the area above is the perfect place for artwork and wall lights. For maximum effect, choose larger pieces of art above the bed, this elevates the room and brings the entire scheme together.
If you are stuck in choosing the color or design of your choice, take this opportunity to pull off a standout color. Whether it’s black used in the furniture or a color of soft furnishings, sticking to this rule will make the room flow and feel cohesive.
Wall lamps are a great alternative to table lamps because they save space while creating harmony and balance. Swingarm wall lights are both decorative and functional, and the extendable fixtures work to direct light while reading or can be rotated to the side for a soft ambient glow, says Jen and Mar, founders of Interior Fox. (Opens in a new tab).
5. Consider personal pieces
(Image credit: Kitesgrove)
There is nothing more perfect than hanging over bed wall decor pieces that resonate with you. They could be from a special family trip, legacy, or just a color palette like this one shown here.
Choose something that means the most to you – the hereditary tapestry that you could have framed is another great example.
6. Hang the linear artwork in pairs
(Photo credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop)
The artwork in this bedroom is by Lindye Galloway (Opens in a new tab) Really stand out. The black frames draw your eye to that magical spot between the headboard and the picture rail. The design has a linear quality that is reflected in the stems of the foliage found in the vases.
Keep the colors simple so they don’t distract – this look is all about balance and earthy, natural elements working together.
7. Get creative with shallow rattan bowls
(Image credit: Kitesgrove)
This is a great bed décor idea, if true, it’s roughly two if you consider the eggplant design and gray and white paint too! These large rattan bowls create a visual effect, if you want to copy this idea, choose even numbers – designer’s advice – and change the sizes.
Amazon has woven straw basket wall decor (Opens in a new tab) That will work in the bedroom, living room or dining room. Make sure what you choose will work with your color scheme, if you’re on a budget give rattan or seagrass round placemats they’ll do the job well too.
8. Hang your favorite flags
(Photo credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop)
The beauty of choosing over bed décor is that it is completely personal and can reflect what you like most. They can be a bunch of favorite flags – they create an interesting look when placed in pairs and definitely help fill in negative white space.
You can connect them visually by dragging the colors to the rest of the chart, here the black flags color becomes an accent with the headboard, table lamp, and mirror.
9. Wood carvings add texture
(Photo credit: M. Lavender Interiors / Cynthia Lynn)
In this room the space between the headboard and the ceiling is very narrow due to downlighting – which of course has its use, which is a very good feature of that – so this means you need to think about the shape of what you choose carefully and this wood carving is perfect.
“We like to use something sculptural—like woodcarving that brings some texture and dimension to your space,” says Mark Lavender, principal designer of M. Lavender Interiors.
10. Classic Mirror
(Photo credit: Maestri Studio / Par Bengtsson)
One of the most obvious ways to fill that space is by hanging a mirror, but it’s not always something we keep in mind, especially if we choose a beautiful wallpaper. (Opens in a new tab) on this wall.
There are many advantages to using the mirror idea, it can make the room look bigger and it will bounce light in dark places. Choosing the right shape is key, here, this circular design really hits the mark because the wallpaper design has a zigzag feel that is imitated in a mirror. A square or rectangular mirror will look too angular to the eye.
Do not forget to properly hang the mirror, even the most complex and heavy! For a similar style, see The Mirror of Rowan at Anthropologie (Opens in a new tab).
11. Invest in a stylish umbrella
(Photo credit: Mary Patton Design/Molly Culver)
There’s something “Downton Abbey” about a canopy over the bed that doesn’t exist, and it brings cool elegance to the bedroom. If you like DIY, it is possible to make a no-sew canopy or ask a seamstress to make one of your favorite fabrics to match your scheme. They are the best in over bed decor ideas and add depth and decor when made with dark fabric inside.
Follow the color scheme through the window curtains and choose the main tones of the decorative accessories, which in this case are the pretty floral quilts and matching bed pillows.
12. Put your bed in front of the window
(Photo credit: Mel Bean Interiors/Laurey Glenn)
For the best over-the-bed décor ideas, place your bed in front of a window, and it seems like a simple solution – and it really is. Of course, it depends on the size, shape and position of the window, but it’s a great interior design trick that can work wonders.
Ideally, the width of the bed matches the width of the curtains, but as long as it is symmetrical with the window, it will work visually. In a neutral bedroom scheme, make the bed the focal point and the window secondary, because the result is a truly calming scheme that’s flooded with natural light.
What should I put on the wall above my bed?
Janelle Burns, Principal Interior Designer at Maestri Studio (Opens in a new tab) Says:
We tend to like the mirrors and decor above the bed. Artwork is not my first choice as it presents challenges to view when sitting in bed as it is a really uncomfortable location to view art comfortably.
How can I decorate the wall behind the bed?
“Wallpaper is a great way to create an accent wall behind the bed, and adding wall sconces can give a particularly sophisticated look,” says Lindye Galloway, founder and CEO of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop. (Opens in a new tab).
Burns adds:
If you have a large wall and are not sure what to do with it – select a taller headboard. This little trick allows you to take up space on the wall and removes the need to put something on the wall above the bed. If you have a lower headboard, some of our favorite decor is a product called Wall Play (Opens in a new tab)… It’s a product that comes in a variety of 3D shapes that you pop on the wall – it’s truly a cool, formal statement that’s perfect for the bed.
“We tend to go two ways,” says Mark Lavender, lead designer for M. Lavender Interiors. Sometimes we install beautiful textured wallpaper on the wall behind the bed allowing the pattern to act as a work of art. Other times, we go with paintings, reliefs, or carvings to go over the bed. If we are going with multiple pieces over the bed, we recommend using one piece if you are mounting multiple pieces.
What type of artwork should I choose?
“If we put artwork above the bed, it’s usually something graphic and very easy to appreciate from afar,” Janelle says.
Anything too detailed or really interesting and subtle can lose its effectiveness when placed above the bed – because, to display the piece correctly, it has to be on the bed itself. We evaluate the artwork and its suitability for viewing from the middle of the room.