Bedroom makeovers don’t always have to be big or expensive. Instead, it can be slowly orchestrated with minimal updates that don’t break the bank but leave your space feeling luxurious. All your bedroom needs are a few thoughtful details to give it the five-star status you’ve always wanted.
Here, some of our favorite interior designers offer bedroom ideas on a budget, tips and expertise on making the bedroom look pricey.
How can I make my bedroom look expensive?
While it is essential to set and stick to an interior design budget, it is also important to design a bedroom that you will love.
From clever tricks to making a bedroom look chic with mirrors and paint to cool ways with layering and art, our beautiful and budget-friendly decorating ideas for designers will help you decorate a bedroom on a budget to create a luxurious look for less.
1. Welcome layers in your bedroom
(Image credit: Neptune)
The 1920s bedroom is all about beautiful layering—whether it’s color variations on different surfaces, mixes of patterns that playfully explore a specific palette or a dynamic blend of textures. Two or three copies of each are enough to develop a rich and fun space that will be the last thing you see at night and first thing the next day.
Interior designer Catherine Paravicini (Opens in a new tab) She is adept at adding small points of visual interest to her schemes: ‘Attention and lots of subtle detail are brought into the room using motifs on the curtains and upholstery as well. We bring in other materials such as cane bedside tables, copper wall lamps, ceramic lamps or ceiling lamps made from straw.
In this calm chart, expertly crafted by Neptune (Opens in a new tab)Layers and layers of plush linens and pillows give this space a five-star feel with minimal effort and expense.
Choosing the best pillows for your bed is of the utmost importance – our adjustment to purchases that will not only look smart, but will also ensure you a better sleep.
2. Introducing Art
(Image credit: Kate Guinness)
For many years, the easiest way to access art was to purchase prints or limited editions. Thanks to social media—particularly Instagram, which connects artists and clients without a gallery medium—the market has exploded with opportunity. Business can start from $100.
Starting with artwork is a bit like cheating because it gives you an instant focus point and gives you an instant color palette. And it’s not always about finding the next Rothko or Hockney, but rather about discovering a piece of art you love and will cherish for years to come.
You can always use art to dictate your bedroom color ideas. A favorite bedroom art idea is a classic starting point for a bedroom planner. Make this your color – try on the colors used, select two or three, then take it from there.
It’s simply amazing what just one piece of artwork can do to elevate a bedroom. Here, the end result is a veritable feast for the senses.
3. Inflate the size of your headboard
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Headboard ideas can completely transform a bedroom – but there’s so much more to it than simply placing a quilted board behind the head of your bed.
Oversized headboard ideas have been a thing for a while but the style is evolving. Matte colored patterns have replaced shiny monotonous textures and shapes become more intricate. The rectangle has been replaced by free-form curves and asymmetric pieces, which are pieces of art in their own right.
Alternatively, if you fancy a DIY project in the weekend, why not make your own? Here, interior designer and studio Sascal (Opens in a new tab) Founder Sarah Stimp put her stamp on this headboard by applying gentle brush strokes.
“We saved a lot of money by making the headboard fabric ourselves,” she explains. “We sourced canvas fabrics from eBay and then used sample pots of green paint to create the pattern.”
4. clash patterns
(Image credit: Archive by Sanderson Design)
Patterns are an easy — and fun — way to add an instant look of luxury in the bedroom. “I love mixing and matching patterns—I call it a happy crash,” says interior designer Sophie Ashby. (Opens in a new tab).
“There are no rules, but like an art set, where you might have a sculpture, a photograph, a painting and a sketch, I like to have the florals with ribbon and maybe an abstract and something vintage,” she adds. Style usually works best in touches, not the main event. I tend to choose plain fabrics over large areas of furniture like bed frames, just because they might be too busy otherwise.
And don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns – this will only add to its playful aesthetic. “Experiment and differentiate between opposites,” she says. If you are going to have large size flowers, do not use other flowers extensively. Instead, try a floral piece that is undersized or, better yet, slightly geometric.
5. Wow with wallpaper
(Image credit: Future)
Bedroom wallpaper is an easy way to get instant impact – every room has more of a wall than anything else. A stunning wallpaper or mural can change a room from blah to beautiful, and it doesn’t have to cost the floor.
In the bedroom, a feature wall is a great place to start, especially if you’re worried about using too much wallpaper because of the cost. Maximum or minimalist, there is a wallpaper design to suit everyone’s taste. Wallpaper is a great way to add interest to your home and help distinguish areas, giving them purpose and character, all while belonging to an overall scheme.
“The mural is a powerful tool for adventurers,” says Andy Grenal, Head of Design at Little Greene. (Opens in a new tab). Many wall designs are now available as wallpapers, making the look quick, easy and affordable to achieve if you know how to wallpaper. “Three drops of paper that create an entire painting provide instant lift,” Andy says. Try painting the surrounding walls a complementary color taken from the mural.
Alternatively, removable wall stickers, decals, and artwork painted directly on the wall also make a statement. Once a flexible alternative to children’s bedroom wallpaper, recent developments in design make it ideal for adult schemes as well.
6. Highlight ceilings
(Photo credit: Margaret Ash Design)
Using a bedroom ceiling, the “fifth wall,” as a decorative surface can bring instant drama to a room, and is a surprisingly simple way to make a bedroom look expensive.
Ceiling ideas are a great way to add another layer of interest and make the bedroom more comfortable. It’s often an afterthought but we make sure to consider their potential,” says interior designer Nicola Harding.
Namaki interior designer (Opens in a new tab) He recommends taking the time to give the bedroom ceiling proper consideration, as a completely separate surface rather than thinking later.
Start by thinking about the color, texture, reflection, and finish that is already in the space. It’s also worth noting how you want the bedroom to feel, in the end, and also taking into account the amount of natural light as well.
The dramatic ceiling is also great for a crowded bedroom with limited floor space. Here, this ceiling wallpaper idea draws the eye upward.
7. Give existing furniture a paint update
(Photo credit: Tamsin Johnson / Jonathan Bond)
Using clever paint tricks and paint ideas is the easiest and most affordable way to add color, layer and a touch of flair to any bedroom.
Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director of Little Greene, says Paint is the perfect way to easily transform a space, adding character and character. Bold and lively tones work well in bedrooms for children and teens. Pop color is a great way to add impact and an element of surprise to a scheme. Bold colors are also great for spaces that have a lot of light and can be used in larger proportions without being “too much.”
Using colorful furniture makes it easy to change a neutral space. This works especially well in bedrooms where children may get old or tired of certain colors and pieces. Sydney interior designer Tamsin Johnson (Opens in a new tab) Consciously upgrade this sophisticated scheme with a rich green bookcase taking center stage.
Tamsin explains, “This bedroom belongs to a little girl and we wanted to create something quiet and feminine but also something she could grow in.” “An antique green bookcase in a soft yellow accents the room while soft purple bed linens provide a calming element.”
8. Swapping lampshades for a statement
(Image credit: Future)
A colorful shade is an easy way to breathe life into a bedroom — and make it look expensive on a budget. “Look for designs that are works of art in their own right – and will elevate the atmosphere – and create a focal point,” says Emily Pinsent, Principal of Montes & Clark. (Opens in a new tab).
Lauren Quelch-Woolls, Lighting Product Developer at Soho Home (Opens in a new tab) He suggests: “Pay attention to the rims: Sleek grooved edges or trim details instantly look a lot more in consideration than a regular cylinder. Also, look at the bezel. It’s often painted or even plastic—brass has a lot more texture. At Soho Home, We tend to go for shades that are off-white and natural, which allow the light to diffuse well.We love the linen and silk blend with a bit of texture.
However, Anna Cross, Home Buying Manager at Habitat (Opens in a new tab) He has a big and bold approach: the radicals should choose a statement shade. Perforated grille designs cast atmospheric light and make a great centerpiece even when unlit. For a relaxed aesthetic, try rattan for a very modern and natural look; These shades work in both urban and rustic interiors, adding a warm glow.
9. Add effect with carpet
(Photo credit: Jeremy Phillips)
“People always ask what you should start with when decorating a room on a budget, and I always say bedroom rug,” says interior designer Benny Morrison. (Opens in a new tab). “Because rugs are the hardest thing to find matches for, if you start with rugs and work from it, you’ll get the match before you start,” she says.
“Creating a simple bedroom scheme and then getting a large, colorful or patterned rug can make room for a room—nothing brings a room together quite like a rug does,” she continues. “When laying down a rug, it should be at least halfway under the main furniture in the room.”
“The preferred way to create effect with a rug—this depends on the size of the room—is to have it as wide as possible, and to extend about two feet from the walls.”