60 Affordable Ways to Bring Your Bedroom From Boring to Beautiful
Whether it's an accent wall or unconventional nightstand, you'll find your next weekend DIY project here.
No matter your personal aesthetic, a well-designed bedroom typically sparks joy, puts the mind at ease and promotes a better night's rest. Functional layouts, soothing shades and comfortable bedding are all important to crafting a space that limits distractions and encourages relaxation, but they're also essential elements to designing a beautiful bedroom that reflects your personality. If you're looking for bedroom makeover ideas — including small bedroom design tips, you're in the right place. Our biggest piece of advice as you scroll this roundup: keep in mind that the tiniest of details can have a big impact.
If you're short on time, we've included a ton of clever DIY projects that can be tackled in a weekend. Give your walls a fresh coat of paint (we suggest one of these trending paint colors), create a DIY headboard (using rugs or curtains!) or revamp your bedroom furniture (it can be as easy as swapping out hardware). Remember that small upgrades can cause a transformative before-and-after result, which means a ton of these simple solutions are affordable — add peel-and-stick wallpaper for a quick accent wall, exchange a traditional nightstand for a console table or make a fresh light fixture your focal point.
You're sure to find inspiration that won't blow your budget, whether you just moved into a new home or it's time for a modern bedroom refresh. As you browse, don't forget to keep our 2023 design trends top of mind (hint: muted colors and statement lamps are huge will be huge).
Create a wood accent wall.
Go for wood slats, panels or tiles to create a focal point, and cater the tone and type of wood to meet your personal aesthetic — whether modern, minimal or rustic. Here, Brown Studio and Sven Simon of dasMOD opt for a warm modern feel.
Float your nightstand.
Instantly create more floor space by floating your nightstand. To keep it streamlined, line the top of your nightstand with the top of your mattress, like interior designer Kirsten Grove of We Three Design does here.
DIY a headboard.
Swap out your traditional headboard for something more creative, like this geometric rug — which is hung using a black curtain rod. Layering in throw pillows and blankets, Atlanta-based studio Atelier Davis gives this bedroom a bohemian feel.
RELATED: Easy and Unique DIY Headboard Ideas That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Space
Mix patterns and colors.
Interior designer Sarah Stacey brings an otherwise neutral space to life with an attractive mix of colors and prints. From abstract to geometric, bring pops of patterns into your space using rugs, throw pillows and artwork.
Create a symmetric design.
Designed by lifestyle influencer Anna Mae Groves, this modern interior is completely balanced — from the matching nightstands and lamps on each side of the bed down to the artwork and matching poufs under the bench.
Decorate with wall decals.
To give this girl's bedroom a playful yet sophisticated feel, interior designer Shaolin Low uses yellow floral wall decals — a simple, temporary alternative to wallpaper.
Test a classic palette.
Layers of texture and pattern can keep a black-and-white bedroom from feeling lackluster. Natural tones and accessories, including striped pillows and a bold area rug with a triangle motif, boost this bedroom’s visual appeal.
Tie it back to nature.
Recreate the beauty of the outdoors with a scenic mural or wallpaper. Here, Clara Jung of Banner Day Interiors ensures you'll feel like you've stepped into the jungle every time you enter the bedroom.
Upgrade the "fifth wall."
If you’re relying on white walls, take things up a notch with a daring ceiling color. Experimenting with the “fifth wall,” as interior designers like to call it, can transform your space in an instant, like in this space designed by Cortney Bishop Design.
Create elegance with a four-poster bed.
Keep it classic with a four-poster bed, like interior designer Kate Lester does here. Give it a modern touch by going for black.
Experiment with a console table.
Instead of settling for traditional nightstands, mix things up by considering a low-profile console table. Spruce one up with your favorite bedside accessories, including an oversized mirror, petite table lamp and framed artwork.
Go for muted tones.
Embracing color doesn't always have to mean vibrant hues, it can be earthy greens, cool blues and warm reds and purples. "I'm starting to see plums and mustards pop up in more calming and deeper tones that seem as though they were a color found in nature," says Linda Hayslett, founder of LH.Designs.
Aim for comfortable bedding.
A small bedroom designed by Cortney Bishop Design can benefit from a well-dressed bed topped with a graphic cover and pillows of various sizes.
Build a closet using ladders.
If you're working with limited closet space, it's surprisingly simple to turn two wooden ladders into a chic wardrobe. Keep it in your bedroom and your clothes can double as decor.
Shine light on a dark palette.
An architectural detail such as a dark-paneled wall deserves attention. Make it shine by installing sconces high above a headboard for a trendy look.
Introduce an accent wall.
A patterned wall designed by Kevin Isbell Interiors emphasizes this room’s symmetrical touches, from twin beds to playful table lamps.
Hang a curtain as a headboard.
Ditch the traditional headboard for a graphic textile look, as in what Megan Pflug, interior designer and owner of Woodhouse Lodge, created with designer Moses Nadel. “It underscores the lodge’s pared-back design and vibe,” says Pflug.
Pick two main colors.
When in doubt, design a room around two vibrant hues to streamline the process of choosing furniture and decor. Here, Kevin Isbell Interiors goes for red and blue.
Go for a black-and-white palette.
Warm up a classic black-and-white color scheme with stylish decor accents, like a woven planter or wooden bench at the foot of the bed. Introduce additional contrast with a black canopy bed and patterned textiles.
Add sconces to your headboard.
Installing sconces on a unique headboard makes it even more of a focal point and saves bedside space. Stick to all-white fixtures to balance wood furniture.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
