Wake Up Your Bedroom With Fresh New-Year Style
Try something different in the bedroom next year – tweak your look and experiment with styling tricks that work
Sick of the same-same in your bedroom? With the start of a brand new year upon us, why not do something different with your bedroom decor? Whether you experiment with a completely fresh interior style or make some slight tweaks to your existing room is up to you – any changes you make will bring some fresh, new energy into the space. The changes don’t have to be drastic or expensive; even one new element or addition can make a dramatic impact in your bedroom and set the tone for the year ahead.
Soft industrial
Introducing a few elements of a style you love can bring it into the now without requiring a complete bedroom overhaul. The bare bulb, leather-hung bedside shelf and grid over the bed add a barely-there industrial edge in this bedroom, for example.
Gallery walls don’t have to be left to the living room, and can further emphasise a new style direction. If you have a low bedhead or none at all, gallery walls can work especially well. Stick to a running theme or common thread roughly in line with your chosen style to help tell your story and bring everything together with frames of similar colours. If you have an existing artwork hanging above your bed you’d like to keep, use it as the central anchor piece and hang additional prints beside it. You can take a formal, symmetrical approach or opt for a less-structured look, the choice is yours.
Stylist tip: When mapping out your wall for hanging, be mindful if you like to sit up and read in bed. Base the starting height on this position or the height of your tallest pillows, such as a European-sized pillow.
Browse more gallery walls for inspiration
Introducing a few elements of a style you love can bring it into the now without requiring a complete bedroom overhaul. The bare bulb, leather-hung bedside shelf and grid over the bed add a barely-there industrial edge in this bedroom, for example.
Gallery walls don’t have to be left to the living room, and can further emphasise a new style direction. If you have a low bedhead or none at all, gallery walls can work especially well. Stick to a running theme or common thread roughly in line with your chosen style to help tell your story and bring everything together with frames of similar colours. If you have an existing artwork hanging above your bed you’d like to keep, use it as the central anchor piece and hang additional prints beside it. You can take a formal, symmetrical approach or opt for a less-structured look, the choice is yours.
Stylist tip: When mapping out your wall for hanging, be mindful if you like to sit up and read in bed. Base the starting height on this position or the height of your tallest pillows, such as a European-sized pillow.
Browse more gallery walls for inspiration
Free spirit
Colours of ocean and sunshine, and a mish-mash of patterns from near and far, can work together well and reflect a desire to live for the now in the year to come.
Making a new statement in your bedroom is easy with wallpaper. Remember that there are removable wallpaper options out there these days, so don’t be scared! Try a bold pattern, a vibrant colour, or tone it right down and just go for a neutral with some texture in it, such as a grasscloth or a woven wallpaper if that’s more you.
Add another layer to the wallpaper with an upholstered or timber bedhead and update some or all of your bedding. This trick will instantly change your bedroom’s look and appeal, perfect for a brand new year.
Colours of ocean and sunshine, and a mish-mash of patterns from near and far, can work together well and reflect a desire to live for the now in the year to come.
Making a new statement in your bedroom is easy with wallpaper. Remember that there are removable wallpaper options out there these days, so don’t be scared! Try a bold pattern, a vibrant colour, or tone it right down and just go for a neutral with some texture in it, such as a grasscloth or a woven wallpaper if that’s more you.
Add another layer to the wallpaper with an upholstered or timber bedhead and update some or all of your bedding. This trick will instantly change your bedroom’s look and appeal, perfect for a brand new year.
Scandi
Nothing beats Scandinavian style for a put-together look that’s easy on the eye. Black and white accessories paired with neutral and natural tones elsewhere in the room will deliver the look.
A finished room is a layered room and something you could think about including is an area rug. A rug will add a different texture underfoot and can introduce a new pattern, colour or material to add some visual interest to the scheme. Adding a rug works even if you have carpet, in my opinion. I like the added layering effect and contrast it provides.
Stylist tip: Place rugs horizontally – the longest length should run under the bed with some of the rug being exposed at the end and proportionally from each bedside. Make sure you allow for door swings, and don’t create any trip hazards – secure the rug to the floor with strong double-sided tape if this is likely to be an issue.
Nothing beats Scandinavian style for a put-together look that’s easy on the eye. Black and white accessories paired with neutral and natural tones elsewhere in the room will deliver the look.
A finished room is a layered room and something you could think about including is an area rug. A rug will add a different texture underfoot and can introduce a new pattern, colour or material to add some visual interest to the scheme. Adding a rug works even if you have carpet, in my opinion. I like the added layering effect and contrast it provides.
Stylist tip: Place rugs horizontally – the longest length should run under the bed with some of the rug being exposed at the end and proportionally from each bedside. Make sure you allow for door swings, and don’t create any trip hazards – secure the rug to the floor with strong double-sided tape if this is likely to be an issue.
Old-world elegant
Add a little luxury with velvet curtains, and track down some antique bedside tables and accessories for a nostalgic, elegant look.
A white room can provide you with a neutral backdrop, but why not consider adding some warm or moodier hues this new year? The bedroom is where we go to rest and relax, and including warmer tones helps create a cosier feel. You could look at painting the wall behind your bed, which would give you an immediate change, or start by integrating darker linens on your bed and see how you go. Try charcoal greys with navy and mustard, a palette of coffee browns, or rich deep greens.
The new way to decorate with velvet
Add a little luxury with velvet curtains, and track down some antique bedside tables and accessories for a nostalgic, elegant look.
A white room can provide you with a neutral backdrop, but why not consider adding some warm or moodier hues this new year? The bedroom is where we go to rest and relax, and including warmer tones helps create a cosier feel. You could look at painting the wall behind your bed, which would give you an immediate change, or start by integrating darker linens on your bed and see how you go. Try charcoal greys with navy and mustard, a palette of coffee browns, or rich deep greens.
The new way to decorate with velvet
Earthy
Timber and other natural materials are forecast to be hotter than ever in interiors next year, and the bedroom will be no exception. A timber bedside table with a handmade aesthetic can kick off a whole new look and feel for your bedroom, especially when paired with natural fibres such as linen in crisp whites and earthy tones.
Why not free up some space on your bedside table and look at fixing reading lights to the walls? Fixed lighting can add a more formal aesthetic to your bedroom, adding contrast to an organic look, and works well if you are 100 per cent happy with your bed’s placement, or there’s nowhere else for your bed to go. Wall lights also free up unnecessary clutter and cords when the wiring is hidden behind the wall.
Timber and other natural materials are forecast to be hotter than ever in interiors next year, and the bedroom will be no exception. A timber bedside table with a handmade aesthetic can kick off a whole new look and feel for your bedroom, especially when paired with natural fibres such as linen in crisp whites and earthy tones.
Why not free up some space on your bedside table and look at fixing reading lights to the walls? Fixed lighting can add a more formal aesthetic to your bedroom, adding contrast to an organic look, and works well if you are 100 per cent happy with your bed’s placement, or there’s nowhere else for your bed to go. Wall lights also free up unnecessary clutter and cords when the wiring is hidden behind the wall.
Fun loving
If you’d love next year to be a happy one, starting each day in a bedroom that sets the tone for how you want to feel can be a step in the right direction. Inject colour and a playful vibe in the form of cushions, artwork and objets d’art – whatever makes you smile when you see it. Also consider throws and cushions with pompoms and contrasting tassels for an extra helping of fun.
If you’d love next year to be a happy one, starting each day in a bedroom that sets the tone for how you want to feel can be a step in the right direction. Inject colour and a playful vibe in the form of cushions, artwork and objets d’art – whatever makes you smile when you see it. Also consider throws and cushions with pompoms and contrasting tassels for an extra helping of fun.
Tribal touch
Embrace the pattern clash this coming year and experiment with a new style. Tribal motifs and patterns from far-away destinations are big at the moment and you can easily include this look in your bedroom. Get yourself a Kantha or mud cloth quilt and pull out some of the colours as inspiration for artwork, throw cushions and rugs. Combine patterns and colours and don’t be afraid to embrace a more effortless approach to your styling.
Bedroom styling anyone can do
Embrace the pattern clash this coming year and experiment with a new style. Tribal motifs and patterns from far-away destinations are big at the moment and you can easily include this look in your bedroom. Get yourself a Kantha or mud cloth quilt and pull out some of the colours as inspiration for artwork, throw cushions and rugs. Combine patterns and colours and don’t be afraid to embrace a more effortless approach to your styling.
Bedroom styling anyone can do
From the orient
There’s no need to go all out replacing every item in your bedroom in pursuit of a whole new look when it can be revamped with a single piece. A vintage Japanese or Chinese screen can completely transform a room. Pair it with white bedlinen, add a pop of colour inspired by the screen’s design, and you’re winning.
There’s no need to go all out replacing every item in your bedroom in pursuit of a whole new look when it can be revamped with a single piece. A vintage Japanese or Chinese screen can completely transform a room. Pair it with white bedlinen, add a pop of colour inspired by the screen’s design, and you’re winning.
Traditional with a twist
So you’ve had that print hanging above your bed for the past 10 years. It’s time to change it up! A new piece of art can refresh the vibe in the bedroom without having to change the furniture. Use the art as the inspiration for the rest of your colour scheme and let it be the driving force for any other elements you want to update. In this example, light blue has been pulled from the portrait and integrated with ease through the scatter cushions. Photographic art is another great choice in the bedroom.
Stylist tip: Think about the mood you want to set in your bedroom when shopping around for artwork. If a relaxing ambience is your goal, choose artwork to suit.
So you’ve had that print hanging above your bed for the past 10 years. It’s time to change it up! A new piece of art can refresh the vibe in the bedroom without having to change the furniture. Use the art as the inspiration for the rest of your colour scheme and let it be the driving force for any other elements you want to update. In this example, light blue has been pulled from the portrait and integrated with ease through the scatter cushions. Photographic art is another great choice in the bedroom.
Stylist tip: Think about the mood you want to set in your bedroom when shopping around for artwork. If a relaxing ambience is your goal, choose artwork to suit.
Feminine charms
Who needs a bedhead when you can use paint to frame the bed in style? A two-tone wall like this one is a novel approach that can be interpreted in any number of ways. Pink on pink adds a feminine feel, and it’s the perfect partner for lilac.
You don’t just have to hang one pendant; try fixing two at varying heights for something a little different. This works well in a small bedroom with only enough space for lighting or a bedside table on one side of the room. Two hanging pendants on either side of the bed risks looking too busy.
YOUR SAY
How would you love to update your bedroom next year? Share your hopes in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more bedroom ideas
Who needs a bedhead when you can use paint to frame the bed in style? A two-tone wall like this one is a novel approach that can be interpreted in any number of ways. Pink on pink adds a feminine feel, and it’s the perfect partner for lilac.
You don’t just have to hang one pendant; try fixing two at varying heights for something a little different. This works well in a small bedroom with only enough space for lighting or a bedside table on one side of the room. Two hanging pendants on either side of the bed risks looking too busy.
YOUR SAY
How would you love to update your bedroom next year? Share your hopes in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more bedroom ideas
Getting rid of the clutter in preparation for a new year always feels good, but why not take it a step further and embrace a style bordering on minimalism? A really simple change to make is swapping out your bedside tables for something a little more streamlined. Ask yourself how much storage you need, and choose a side table instead of a traditional bedside table if it works in the room.
Stylist tip: Be mindful of a bedside table’s height in relation to the mattress. For an aesthetically pleasing look, it should be close to the same height. It shouldn’t be so low that it looks teeny tiny against the bed, or so high that it’s out of proportion and way too hard to reach the glass of water or turn on a lamp.