Here are some styles to consider for your next bedroom redecorating. It shows off traditional elements of classic country, including metal beds, distressed wood, and painted wood-clad walls. It also incorporates touches of contemporary style: a lack of clutter, a soft color scheme, and modern and industrial accessories, like this bedroom from Hendricks Churchill. It has an overall casual style. Key elements include distressed wood, a palette of natural and neutral tones, touches of fur or stone, textured fabrics, and primitive accessories. Rustic doesn’t mean uncomfortable or devoid of contemporary touches. Feel free to pile your bed with thick coverlets and soft sheets and add contemporary lighting. You can also add a few rustic pieces to an otherwise traditional room. If you shop at Ikea, you’re familiar with this look. It’s functional, it’s uncluttered, and it uses lots of texture to add warmth. It is also without excessive trim, adornment, or curved lines. Yet it’s not cold or sterile; rather, it’s welcoming, cozy, and even a little bit romantic. One of the key elements of this style is exposed construction elements, such as water pipes, heating vents, concrete floors, and brick walls. While the typical industrial palette leans towards gray, black, and other dark hues, there’s plenty of room to add color through artwork or accessories. You’ll find lots of luxurious fabrics, such as velvet, silk, satin, or brocade along with fur, lace, and suede. Lacquered or mirrored furniture is an essential part of the look. Oversized upholstered headboards, beaded lampshades, chandeliers, and cushy, thick area rugs round out the luxurious feeling. That still covers a lot of ground, but most people decorating a bedroom with vintage finds focus on the feminine and romantic look. Wrought iron beds, vintage bedding, mint green or white painted furniture, curved lines, and ornate trim are all common to this look. Quite often, vintage pieces are added to other styles, such as shabby chic or eclectic bedrooms, as well. Paring your bedroom down to the essentials doesn’t mean living in a bare box. Instead, it means getting rid of clutter and fuss while surrounding yourself with peace and simplicity. A limited color scheme, furniture with clean lines, and a platform bed without a headboard are typical of the minimalist bedroom. Along with the obvious Asian designs in the furnishings and artwork, you’ll find an emphasis on airy, open space. It includes few (if any) collectibles or clutter and a soft nature-infused palette and overall vibe. Natural fabrics and materials, minimal window coverings, and houseplants are must-haves in this theme. If that appeals to you, distressed wood paneling in a room with otherwise contemporary furniture is right on trend. This is not the dark paneling of a 1970s basement. This is plank paneling—wide boards that look like they came straight from an old barn. It’s perfect for a focal wall in a rustic or modern farmhouse room. And, if that’s too much primitive wood for you, try a plank headboard instead like this chic one from Better Homes and Garden. Bold walls make a strong statement, like in this room from Our Fifth House, so it’s important that your choice is not harsh, overly intense, or bright. If you don’t want to go all out and paint the walls, use touches of dark color as accents throughout your bedroom. Gold and copper are especially hot, but you don’t want to overdose on the metallic trend. A little bit of shine goes a long way, especially in the bedroom. Feel free to mix metals, but limit them to just a few accents throughout the room. Go with a bedside lamp or ceiling fixture, curtain rods or picture frames, furniture trim, or collectibles. There’s something cozy about curling up in a four-poster bed. It’s as if you’re in a cocoon or your own little world. That’s why it is one of your best options when it comes to setting a romantic bedroom vibe. The style is up to you—chandelier, oversize hanging shade, unique sculptural fixture, or something whimsical and fun. The only requirement is that the fixture is large enough and bold enough to attract the eye when someone enters the room. Whether you cover one wall or all four, look for strong color, geometric designs, textured wallpaper, or oversize florals. You can also choose an easily removable wallpaper to liven up the walls of a rental or to change the pattern when you grow tired of it.
