7 tricks to elevate your bedroom (without the price tag)
Your bedroom looks fine.
But you want it to look fabulous.
Here's the thing: Designer bedrooms aren't about money. They're about knowing the tricks.
I learned this when I moved into my first apartment in 2018. Spent money on "nice" furniture. Still looked like a college dorm with a bigger budget.
The difference between "fine" and "fabulous"?
Seven simple moves that cost nothing extra.
1. Stop the Pillow Avalanche
You know that bedroom on Pinterest with 47 throw pillows?
It's a lie.
I once helped a friend who'd gone full pillow-crazy. Took them 10 minutes just to clear the bed for sleeping. Every morning, another 10 minutes are spent arranging them back.
That's 20 minutes a day. 122 hours a year. Moving pillows.
Here's what actually works:
Your decorative pillows shouldn't take up more than a quarter of your bed's length when displayed.
That's it. Quality over quantity. Always.
Please don’t do this (Credit: r/toomanypillows)
2. That Naked Wall Behind Your Bed Is Killing The Vibe
A bed without a headboard is like a painting without a frame.
It just... floats there. Looking lost.
But here's what most people don't realize:
You don't need an actual headboard.
I've seen stunning bedrooms with:
Upholstered panels
Wood paneling
Even painted geometric shapes
The point is visual weight. Something that says "this bed belongs here."
Without it, your expensive mattress looks like it's waiting for a moving truck.
Bloomint Design (left) & Tom Blachford Design (right)
Quick recommendations if you're shopping for a bed frame:
In Australia? Eva Home is brilliant. All my clients rave about them. No tools needed for assembly, built-in storage options, and they look properly expensive (at a very reasonable price).
Timber Bed Frame (left) & Delve Bed Frame (right)
US folks - Thuma gets constant praise. Clean lines, sustainable materials, proper craftsmanship.
And Castlery works everywhere (a quarter of my house is Castlery). If you go that route, use code CIREYNARD80 (Online and In-Store!) for an additional $80 off orders over $1,500. Stacks with their other promotions, too!
AU Site & US Site (If you’re in the UK or SG, just click one of them and it’ll auto-redirect)
3. Your Rug Is Embarrassingly Small
This one hurts because I see it everywhere.
That 5x7 rug under your queen bed? It's not a rug. It's a large bathmat.
Here's the non-negotiable sizing:
Double bed needs 6x9 feet (1.8x2.7m)
Queen bed needs 8x10 (2.4x3m)
King bed needs 9x12 feet (2.7x3.6m)
The rug should extend beyond your nightstands. It frames the entire sleep zone, not just the bed.
When you step out of bed in the morning, your feet should land on the rug, not the floor.
This single change makes rooms look twice as expensive.
Amber Interiors (left) & Christian Bense (right)
4. One Light Source = Amateur Hour
Overhead lighting alone makes bedrooms feel like interrogation rooms.
You need layers:
Bedside lamps (or wall sconces if you're tight on space)
Maybe an LED strip behind the headboard
A floor lamp in the reading corner
And please - warm white bulbs only. Around 2700K.
Cool white in a bedroom is hostile. You're trying to sleep, not perform dental surgery.
Three light sources minimum. That's when magic happens.
Leibal (left) & Ali Whittle (right)
5. "Neutrals Plus A Pop Of Colour" Is Not A Colour Scheme
That's not a palette. That's indecision.
Real color schemes have intention:
2-3 colors that actually talk to each other
Varied textures to add depth
Nothing screams for attention
Your bedroom should feel cohesive from every angle. Not like you grabbed random "nice things" from different stores.
Pick your colors. Commit to them. Let them flow through bedding, curtains, art, and accessories.
Heidi Caillier Design (left) & Nina Farmer Interiors (right)
6. Bare Windows Are Basically Giving Up
Nothing screams "rental" like naked windows.
Two layers work best:
Sheers for daytime privacy
Blackout curtains for actual sleep
More fabric creates more luxury. It's that simple.
Small windows? Roman blinds or roller blinds work. Just make sure they're properly fitted, not those awful plastic things from the hardware store.
Ashe + Leandro
7. Blank Walls = Temporary Living
Art isn't optional, and it doesn't need to be expensive.
Just something that says "a real person lives here and makes choices."
Renters - this includes you. Command strips exist. Leaning frames work. No excuses.
The truth about expensive-looking bedrooms?
They're not about the money you spend. They're about understanding what makes a space feel considered, intentional, and complete.
These seven moves don't require a designer budget.
They just require you to stop accepting "good enough" and start creating "gorgeous."
Your bedroom should be the best room in your house. The place where you start and end each day.
Make it worth waking up in.
Cheers,
Reynard