14 Design Tricks to Make Your Bedroom Look More Expensive
Pep up a tired bedroom and give it a luxurious edge with these clever yet simple ideas
Cheryl F
25 April 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
Longing for a luxurious bedroom? With just a few smart tricks you can make your sleep space feel indulgent and relaxing without breaking the budget. Try these simple ideas for creating a bedroom that looks more expensive than it really is.
Give yourself headspace
If you splash out on just one thing in the bedroom, make it a padded headboard. A soft head rest is a smart way to make a cheaper bed look way more expensive. It not only feels wonderful when you’re reading in bed, but it also instantly adds a luxurious atmosphere.
Velvet is a classic covering for a headboard as it has a beautiful sheen that looks plush. Many retailers sell standard-sized velvet headboards, or search online for companies that offer a made-to-measure service.
For a DIY alternative, you’ll need a piece of plywood, some cut foam and a layer of wadding – all the same width as your bed and as tall as you fancy. Make your chosen fabric slightly larger. Layer the materials, putting the plywood at the back and the wadding at the front, then wrap your fabric over it. Pull the fabric neatly around the back of the plywood and attach it with a staple gun.
If you splash out on just one thing in the bedroom, make it a padded headboard. A soft head rest is a smart way to make a cheaper bed look way more expensive. It not only feels wonderful when you’re reading in bed, but it also instantly adds a luxurious atmosphere.
Velvet is a classic covering for a headboard as it has a beautiful sheen that looks plush. Many retailers sell standard-sized velvet headboards, or search online for companies that offer a made-to-measure service.
For a DIY alternative, you’ll need a piece of plywood, some cut foam and a layer of wadding – all the same width as your bed and as tall as you fancy. Make your chosen fabric slightly larger. Layer the materials, putting the plywood at the back and the wadding at the front, then wrap your fabric over it. Pull the fabric neatly around the back of the plywood and attach it with a staple gun.
Hang wallpaper behind the bed
A feature wall of patterned wallpaper behind the bedhead is a great way to add a designer touch to a room. By only papering one wall you’ll also cut down costs, which will allow you to choose a slightly more luxurious wallpaper.
This geometrical pattern enhances the contemporary feel of the space. In a more classic bedroom, choose a traditional design for an elegant look.
A feature wall of patterned wallpaper behind the bedhead is a great way to add a designer touch to a room. By only papering one wall you’ll also cut down costs, which will allow you to choose a slightly more luxurious wallpaper.
This geometrical pattern enhances the contemporary feel of the space. In a more classic bedroom, choose a traditional design for an elegant look.
Use interesting cabinets
Think differently when it comes to bedside cabinets, and opt for a more interesting alternative to traditional tables. Here, a dark wood chest of drawers adds a vintage designer feel to this cosy room.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on this idea – hunt around in junk shops or on eBay for bargains. If the wood is scuffed or has the orange hue of pine, cover it with a couple of layers of easy-to-use chalk paint for a pretty pastel finish.
Think differently when it comes to bedside cabinets, and opt for a more interesting alternative to traditional tables. Here, a dark wood chest of drawers adds a vintage designer feel to this cosy room.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on this idea – hunt around in junk shops or on eBay for bargains. If the wood is scuffed or has the orange hue of pine, cover it with a couple of layers of easy-to-use chalk paint for a pretty pastel finish.
Cushion up
It’s a timeless trick, but still works brilliantly. A pile of plush cushions, in different shapes and shades, instantly turns an ordinary bed into an event.
The cushions don’t need to be expensive, and even if you have limited sewing skills, you can still try making them yourself – check online for some simple tutorials. The trick is to have a decent number of cushions in a mixture of patterns and colours. Keep your scheme cohesive by pulling out a single shade from the patterned cushions and using it in the plain ones.
Baffled by bed linen? Discover the perfect type for your needs
It’s a timeless trick, but still works brilliantly. A pile of plush cushions, in different shapes and shades, instantly turns an ordinary bed into an event.
The cushions don’t need to be expensive, and even if you have limited sewing skills, you can still try making them yourself – check online for some simple tutorials. The trick is to have a decent number of cushions in a mixture of patterns and colours. Keep your scheme cohesive by pulling out a single shade from the patterned cushions and using it in the plain ones.
Baffled by bed linen? Discover the perfect type for your needs
Choose dark paint
It’s tempting to veer towards pale shades in a bedroom, but a darker paint can make things feel more high end. In this room, on-trend dark blue has been teamed with mustard accessories for a contrast that looks chic and considered.
If you’re anxious about painting the whole room in a dark shade, just use the colour on a feature wall instead. This should be enough to create a designer feel, and if you’re feeling braver at a later date, you can paint the remaining walls.
It’s tempting to veer towards pale shades in a bedroom, but a darker paint can make things feel more high end. In this room, on-trend dark blue has been teamed with mustard accessories for a contrast that looks chic and considered.
If you’re anxious about painting the whole room in a dark shade, just use the colour on a feature wall instead. This should be enough to create a designer feel, and if you’re feeling braver at a later date, you can paint the remaining walls.
Update your bed linen
Your duvet cover is a key interiors choice in the bedroom, as it takes up a lot of visual space. So perhaps it’s time to let go of those thinning, greying ‘white’ covers you’ve had for decades, and choose some new bed linen that you really love.
Go for versatile neutrals in quality fabrics, or opt for a pattern that complements the rest of the room. Here, the gorgeous plum botanical pattern ties in with the William Morris-print wallpaper and cushions.
Your duvet cover is a key interiors choice in the bedroom, as it takes up a lot of visual space. So perhaps it’s time to let go of those thinning, greying ‘white’ covers you’ve had for decades, and choose some new bed linen that you really love.
Go for versatile neutrals in quality fabrics, or opt for a pattern that complements the rest of the room. Here, the gorgeous plum botanical pattern ties in with the William Morris-print wallpaper and cushions.
Be clever with mirrors
Even a small bedroom can be made to look luxurious with some smart planning. Here, large mirrors, cut to fit and hung either side of the bed, add an instant expensive feel, as well as light and sparkle. Recessed spots in the ceiling, reflected in the glass, add to the upmarket look.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to custom-made glass, hunt around for some matching mirrors to create a similar effect. Look out for on-trend circular mirrors, or rectangular black-framed ones to replicate the elegant look of Crittall windows.
Even a small bedroom can be made to look luxurious with some smart planning. Here, large mirrors, cut to fit and hung either side of the bed, add an instant expensive feel, as well as light and sparkle. Recessed spots in the ceiling, reflected in the glass, add to the upmarket look.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to custom-made glass, hunt around for some matching mirrors to create a similar effect. Look out for on-trend circular mirrors, or rectangular black-framed ones to replicate the elegant look of Crittall windows.
Add in an armoire
A French-style vintage wardrobe gives a certain je ne sais quoi to a bedroom. This grey-painted armoire looks lovely with the pale floorboards and vintage-style bed. If you’re not keen on a full vintage look, add an unexpected contemporary feel to the rest of the room with flashes of bright colour and metallic accessories.
Wardrobe fit to burst? Check out these nifty ways to create more storage space
A French-style vintage wardrobe gives a certain je ne sais quoi to a bedroom. This grey-painted armoire looks lovely with the pale floorboards and vintage-style bed. If you’re not keen on a full vintage look, add an unexpected contemporary feel to the rest of the room with flashes of bright colour and metallic accessories.
Wardrobe fit to burst? Check out these nifty ways to create more storage space
Go large with pictures
A statement piece of artwork will instantly give a bedroom a designer feel. Choose a large painting or print, and hang it over the bed to make a big impact. This restful abstract piece adds a calm mood to the room and tones in with the soft velvet cushions and linen throw.
A statement piece of artwork will instantly give a bedroom a designer feel. Choose a large painting or print, and hang it over the bed to make a big impact. This restful abstract piece adds a calm mood to the room and tones in with the soft velvet cushions and linen throw.
Lay down a rug
Persian rugs have been an interiors classic for a long time, and for good reason. They add a sense of quiet luxury and timeless heritage to a space.
Choose a modest-sized rectangular one to position at the side of your bed, or go large as they’ve done here, and lay it under the bed for an indulgent hit of warm colour.
Persian rugs have been an interiors classic for a long time, and for good reason. They add a sense of quiet luxury and timeless heritage to a space.
Choose a modest-sized rectangular one to position at the side of your bed, or go large as they’ve done here, and lay it under the bed for an indulgent hit of warm colour.
Max out on layers
Give your bed a sumptuous look by layering up textured bedspreads and blankets. Add a mix of materials to provide rich interest, but stick to one or two shades to prevent it looking messy.
The beauty of this idea is its versatility, as you can layer thicker fabrics in the winter and swap them for lighter cottons and linens in the summer.
Give your bed a sumptuous look by layering up textured bedspreads and blankets. Add a mix of materials to provide rich interest, but stick to one or two shades to prevent it looking messy.
The beauty of this idea is its versatility, as you can layer thicker fabrics in the winter and swap them for lighter cottons and linens in the summer.
Opt for sleek veneer
Want no-fuss chic in the bedroom? Copy this wall of wooden veneered wardrobes for a look that is simple, bold and upmarket, without being frilly. If you’re having fitted wardrobes made, ask your carpenter if it’s possible to create something similar on a budget. Bear in mind that you can also buy rolls of veneer online for DIY use.
Want no-fuss chic in the bedroom? Copy this wall of wooden veneered wardrobes for a look that is simple, bold and upmarket, without being frilly. If you’re having fitted wardrobes made, ask your carpenter if it’s possible to create something similar on a budget. Bear in mind that you can also buy rolls of veneer online for DIY use.
Travel the silk road
To give your whole bedroom a luxurious finish, choose wallpaper with a textured silk finish. There are a number of textured papers on the market, so you should be able to find one that ties in with your scheme. The warm neutral tone here creates a soft, cocooning feel that goes well with the wooden flooring.
To give your whole bedroom a luxurious finish, choose wallpaper with a textured silk finish. There are a number of textured papers on the market, so you should be able to find one that ties in with your scheme. The warm neutral tone here creates a soft, cocooning feel that goes well with the wooden flooring.
Rock a chandelier
A chandelier is a short cut to indulgent style, and adds instant luxury to a bedroom. If you’re on a tight budget, the big DIY chains have some great inexpensive numbers that you can pick up for less than £50. Here, the chandelier has been hung low for extra impact.
Don’t worry too much about the actual lighting effect of your chandelier – most of us mainly use our bedside lights instead to create restful pools of light.
How have you made your bedroom look more expensive? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
A chandelier is a short cut to indulgent style, and adds instant luxury to a bedroom. If you’re on a tight budget, the big DIY chains have some great inexpensive numbers that you can pick up for less than £50. Here, the chandelier has been hung low for extra impact.
Don’t worry too much about the actual lighting effect of your chandelier – most of us mainly use our bedside lights instead to create restful pools of light.
How have you made your bedroom look more expensive? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
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After 60 + years I have come to the conclusion that the more cupboard space the more you feel the need to fill them. Here is our bedside table and as you can see no
drawers or cupboards! Well only miniature ones!