How to Decorate a Modern Bedroom

Perhaps you’ve found yourself staring at an outdated bedroom, wondering where to even begin. If it’s a room in a home that you’ve just moved into, even though it can be a lot easier to see how it has aged, it can still seem like a chore to change. Or it might be a room in a house that you’ve lived in for a long time or maybe inherited and you’re seeing it with fresh eyes.  Whichever the case, updating a bedroom can be an overwhelming task, so we’re going to break down where to begin into some simple steps.

Start with a Blank Slate

The first thing to do is to get rid of anything currently in the room that doesn’t match the style you’re going for. This might mean tearing up old carpets, taking down wallpaper and removing old furniture. You can also take this opportunity to repair or patch anything in the room, especially if there are holes or dents in the wall. Take this time to modernise the basics, so get rid of the popcorn ceiling and rip out baseboards that haven’t aged well.

Consider the Layout

The flow of the room is important, and you want it to make sense to your lifestyle. Designing it to work the way you need is a crucial step. A good idea is to measure the space you’re working with, taking note of where the windows and doors are. Then you can try drawing the perimeter of the room onto a sheet of paper and then cutting out shapes to represent the size and dimensions of the furniture you want in the room, and arranging the shapes onto the paper as a starting point before you start moving heavy furniture.

If you find that the structure of the room is a problem to the flow of your layout, you can consider renovations. Though this is a more expensive route, you might notice that it drastically improves the room and what you’re able to do. The door might be in an awkward spot and moving it to a different side could mean opening up the possibilities you have for your room.

Refresh the Floors

Now is the perfect time to update your floors. You can consider putting in new carpet if there is currently old carpet or dingy flooring. Carpet helps to bring warmth to a bedroom space and can be very aesthetically pleasing when done well. You’ll want to pick something with a shorter nap or looped carpet if you’re looking for it to stand up to wear and last over time.

However, if you have hardwood flooring in the bedroom or something similar that you loathe to tear out, you might want to consider a large area rug. You can pick out something that feels soft and plush for when you step out of bed in the morning. A good-sized rug will extend past the sides and end of the bed by half a metre to a full meter. Rugs that run along the side of the bed are also a good alternative, especially if cost is an issue.

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Paint the Walls

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way, and you can add a modern touch with an accent wall. Consider painting the room a pleasing neutral tone and then adding a pop of colour on one or two walls. You can also dedicate a wall to be a feature wall, where you can get creative with patterns and variegated colours.

You can also break up the wall space by adding wainscoting with wooden runners and decorative panels. The wainscoting is typically white or cream, with a bold colour above it to the ceiling. This is a wonderful way of adding bright colour without overwhelming the space. If you’re tight on funds, then consider making this a DIY project since it’s a beginner task for a homeowner.

Work Your Lighting

For a modern bedroom, you’ll want to maximize light, both natural and artificial. Big windows can be a great focal point for the room, and soft hidden lighting can offer a diffuse bedtime light. A great way to make your lighting more dynamic is to have different levels of light. 

You can do this with floor lamps and table lamps, but also with track lighting, pot lights and even night lights. Work with a few styles in order to create the lighting that suits you best, and don’t be afraid to mix and match lighting ideas. Modern style is more about function than form, so focus on the design that makes sense to you and your needs.

Play With Colour

Often, a modern-styled bedroom will have a lot of muted and neutral tones that are supplemented with a pop of colour. Consider what colours and shades you want to work with, and then add colour in the form of artwork, or an accent wall, or bright trim.

Fixtures and furniture can work into this colour scheme as well, but if you’re hesitant to commit to a certain bold colour, then you can work it into the room in more temporary ways. Use throw cushions, blankets or objets d’art with bright colours to break up the neutrals. Flowers and plants can also go a long way, so look for ones with brilliant blooms that you can appreciate throughout the year.

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Add Soft and Cosy Textiles

Part of decorating includes making your bedroom space functional and cosy. It’s a room that we spend a lot of time relaxing, playing and being vulnerable in, so it makes sense to bring in soft elements to provide comfort after a long day. 

Think about luxe textiles that you can add, like a tall-piled rug or a soft-touch fabric headboard. You don’t need to stack your bed with a ton of throw cushions, so think about spots that you’d appreciate softness. Opt for high thread count sheets, and a plush throw over the back of a chair. Take advantage of room-darkening curtains, and pick a fabric that feels soft in your hands--silky, velvety textures are worth splurging for to create a room that you are safe and comfortable in.

Work in Natural Materials

We spend a lot of time indoors, and it can be hard to combat that sometimes. By bringing in natural materials from the outdoors, you can get some of the benefits of being in nature. Use what makes sense for you, like wooden features, rattan furniture or even house plants that you can take care of.

Consider solid wood furniture, like a room divider or platform bedframe. You can also use wood in smaller ways, like a sculpture or vase. Choose elements that help to create long, straight lines that are characteristic of modern style. Avoid filling the room with older furniture, but don’t get scared to mix and match different styles. If it works for you and fulfills a certain function, that is the primary goal.

Use Unexpected Artwork

You don’t need to pick out abstract artwork that doesn’t speak to you, but it can be helpful to look at other works of art that you wouldn’t normally consider right away. Think about impressionist paintings or mixed media works that have bright pops of colour to direct the eye and break up neutrals.

You can use sculptural artwork as well, as the extra dimension can draw focus and create more lines for the eye to follow. Another technique in hanging art can be to go personal and use photographs that you’ve taken over the years that have special meaning to you. You can make a gallery wall that features precious moments or loved ones.

Consider a Sitting Area

If you have space, try to make your room multi-purpose. You can add a small sitting area with a mini table and two chairs or a lounging chaise. It can be a wonderful nook for reading, de-stressing or enjoying a cup of tea. You can designate the area by adding a partition or using a different rug, perhaps layering on top of another rug as well. 

The sitting space can be incorporated in a few ways and can be used to take advantage of the best parts of the room. Placing the seating area close to a window allows you to enjoy the natural light while having a view. If you have enough space, the area you choose could also double as a place for any small projects that you’re working on.

Within modern fashion, there are a variety of substyles that you can pick from. Perhaps you lean more toward midcentury modern, or prefer natural materials rather than manmade, maybe you like things more minimalist. 

Be sure to define your style clearly so there is consistency in your design. Prioritize the factors that mean the most to you, such as the function or the warmth of the room--and design your room with these things in mind. Modern can mean many things, so take care to pick out what you want with intention to create a room that you love to be in.

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