8 Ideas for a Luxe Bedroom Update
It’s the thoughtful details — not necessarily the pricey ones — that create a sophisticated sleeping space
Neila Deen
March 30, 2017
Looking to give your bedroom a luxe look? Before investing in a pricey designer dresser, think strategically — and a bit more critically — because spending a fortune on furniture doesn’t necessarily guarantee a sophisticated look. What actually makes a bedroom look like a million dollars are its thoughtful details. These eight ideas from luxurious bedrooms can help make yours look expensive and feel more plush and inviting.
1. Dress your walls in elegance. Unless you’re going for an ultraminimalist look, bare white walls in a bedroom can feel more stark than luxurious. Embrace a little paint or wallpaper to give your bedroom a warmer, more designed look.
In this photo, a rich gray paint stylishly contrasts with the paler elements of the room, including the bed, rug and window treatments. If the walls were a shade of white, these simple decorative pieces wouldn’t have the same impact.
Wall paint: Amherst Gray HC-167, Benjamin Moore
In this photo, a rich gray paint stylishly contrasts with the paler elements of the room, including the bed, rug and window treatments. If the walls were a shade of white, these simple decorative pieces wouldn’t have the same impact.
Wall paint: Amherst Gray HC-167, Benjamin Moore
Choosing to paint or wallpaper just the wall behind the bed is a clever option if you have budgetary or time constraints. In this elegant bedroom, a little wallpaper goes a long way toward making a dramatic impact.
Wall trim color: Elmira White HC-84, Benjamin Moore
Wall trim color: Elmira White HC-84, Benjamin Moore
2. Choose a standout headboard. Adding a luxe-looking headboard is a surefire way to increase the glam factor in your bedroom. A beautiful one need not be expensive, but it should have a notable feature such as a bold color, unique shape, impressive height or elegant fabric such as linen or velvet.
Find velvet headboards
Find velvet headboards
Here, the cheerful yellow transforms a neutral gray bedroom into a stylish, sunny retreat. The golden bed also creates an interesting design feature thanks to its scalloped headboard.
3. Feature glamorous lighting. Whether it’s a ceiling fixture, table lamps or pendants, statement lighting amps up the luxury factor. You might choose a fixture or lamp with a shiny finish — perhaps gold, glass or crystals.
Selecting one with a large or unusual shape can also help the room look more upscale. I think of statement lighting as room jewelry that instantly adds sparkle and glamour to an ordinary bedroom.
Selecting one with a large or unusual shape can also help the room look more upscale. I think of statement lighting as room jewelry that instantly adds sparkle and glamour to an ordinary bedroom.
Here, the reflective bedside lighting adds a sophisticated layer to the room, especially against the neutral palette.
This room also has a neutral palette — yes, mauve with brown undertones can work as a neutral — and the eye is immediately drawn to the shiny silhouette.
The statement lamp gives the room a highly styled look.
The statement lamp gives the room a highly styled look.
4. Add stylish seating. If you have unused space near a window nook, beside a nightstand or in front of your bed, consider adding an accent chair or bench.
From a practical standpoint, it will give you a place to sit and read or to temporarily place some clothing.
And from an aesthetics perspective, this styling trick — often seen in boutique hotels — offers an opportunity to bring a notable design element to your room.
From a practical standpoint, it will give you a place to sit and read or to temporarily place some clothing.
And from an aesthetics perspective, this styling trick — often seen in boutique hotels — offers an opportunity to bring a notable design element to your room.
Accent seating can add a plush element. The tufted upholstered bench and layered textiles seen here give this bedroom a more luxurious, refined feeling.
5. Frame your bed with mirrors. One trick designers use to add a little glamour to a room is to place a mirror on the wall above each nightstand, behind any lamp or pendant light. This adds glitzy style to the bed wall and creates greater depth in the room, making it perfect for small spaces.
Try selecting a mirror with a unique detail, such as a gilded finish or unusual shape. The extra design element will go a long way toward adding high style to even the most ordinary bedroom.
6. Choose nightstands with bling. Night tables are pretty essential pieces of bedroom furniture. But many tend to be a bit utilitarian in terms of style, and they can get cluttered with our necessities.
To give your bedroom the royal treatment, first declutter your nightstand. Remove excess paperwork and possessions, leaving only lighting, a book and perhaps a small vase of flowers.
To give your bedroom the royal treatment, first declutter your nightstand. Remove excess paperwork and possessions, leaving only lighting, a book and perhaps a small vase of flowers.
Next, swap out your current nightstand for one with a luxury finish — mirror or faux shagreen is a great option. A subtler route is to choose a piece with reflective hardware, such as crystal or brass. In this bedroom, the mirrored table, shiny lamp and gilded mirror create a regal look even against a plain white wall.
Browse mirrored nightstands
Browse mirrored nightstands
7. Throw on a plush blanket. Many luxurious bedrooms feature a soft throw blanket. Investing in a material that looks expensive can jazz up even the plainest bed.
8. Pile on the pillows. We’ve all seen images of the drool-worthy bedrooms with an almost embarrassing amount of throw pillows on the bed. This decadent look can be achieved with a combination of larger Euro-sized pillows (typically 26 inches by 26 inches), standard sleeping pillows and two to three smaller throw pillows. To avoid an overstuffed look, the rule of thumb is that all these pillows shouldn’t take up more than a quarter of the bed length.
For ultraluxurious style, select throw pillows in high-end fabrics such as silk, velvet and faux fur. In this photo, the luxe textures of the throw pillows tie together the tufted velvet headboard and gleaming metallic grasscloth wallpaper.
Good options include a chunky knit or, as seen here, faux fur.
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I have back and leg problems so I use four pillows to sleep on so that I Am almost upright and the rest go under my legs to elevate them. During the day the bed looks great and at night very very comfy. Takes two minutes to do the bed.
The article is about how to create a luxe bedroom. If you are allergic to or don't like velvet, padded headboards, sparkle and bling, lots of pillows or fur throws, then just move on and don't go luxe. I love all these things and the pillows go on the beautiful chaise, bench or ottoman at night. Its not that hard to make up a bed every morning and throw the pillows back on it. And sometimes, they are great for actually (gasp!) using, by leaning back into them while reading in bed. As for the messy nightstand, some good solutions were suggested. Drawers are great inventions and nesting tables work well too.
Teamaltese, you have a lovely minimilist room. But the "lots of pillows" faction is correct also. It's all in the design and desire of the homeowner.