You did it! You got your bedroom painted and it looks amazing.

You found the most beautiful and comfortable linens and you’re sleeping like a dream!

It’s gorgeous, just what you wanted: a calm and relaxing bedroom.

To save space, you decided to use a bench at the foot of the bed instead of headboard. It gives you function and not just decoration, good call!

The only trouble is now you have no headboard and a blank wall over the bed…

You’re 95% there, but that big empty wall above the bed is taunting you.

It’s like a big blank question mark hoovering over your head and it’s ruining that relaxing vibe cause you’re thinking about it too much…

Let’s get that wall decorated so you can get on with the important business of relaxing in that beautiful new room!

Don’t let a big blank wall intimidate you. A little creative thinking and some knowhow will make all the difference.

Short on time? It doesn’t have to take a long time to get your blank wall finished. These tips can be installed in one day or in a matter of minutes.

Here’s 15 fast and creative ways to style the wall above your bed.

Wallpaper

Probably one of the most impactful ways to get any style vibe going in a freshly decorated bedroom is with wallpaper.

It’s going to add focus and, depending on the direction you’re going with your decorating scheme, it can be serene or dramatic.

Now, I’m not a huge fan of focal walls, but if you’re going to do it, the bedroom is the perfect place to do it and wallpaper is the perfect choice to make it work.

You can easily get a focal wall papered in a day or hire a professional to get it up even sooner.

I love to use soft colors in bedrooms, so this paper is perfect.

It’s a subtle tone on tone pattern and the colors in it come from the rug and the other 3 walls.

And, just because it’s subtle doesn’t mean it disappears. It has enough impact to be interesting and dynamic without being distracting.

You can build on the look by adding pictures or art to give the wall even more dimension.

What a nice way to layer the wall and reinforce your theme or color story.

Dimensional Abstract Art

This sounds heavy but paper can have dimension and it weighs practically nothing.

These paper flowers are romantic and whimsical, and they are the perfect embellishment for a bedroom wall.

You can diy your own version by tearing and rolling paper and gluing it together or you can commission an artist to create the perfect petals for you. Either way, the customization is endless.

They’re abstract without being harsh or too much and whatever your favorite flower is, you can create it out of paper.

I like grouping 3 to 5 different sized paper flowers together to create a 3D bouquet above the bed.

Room Divider

Nobody said a room divider should only divide spaces. You can use them to add decoration and dimension to the wall behind your bed.

They’re great for adding in texture, pattern or color.

I love this one because it has an interesting abstract pattern, but the color is neutral and calming; exactly what you want in a small bedroom.

I love the way it takes the place of a headboard.

It adds that structure but not the footprint of fully built out bed with a headboard, foot board and rails.

This could also be layered in front of a wallpapered wall for even more interest.

Mirrors

You can never go wrong with mirrors in a small bedroom.

They double the natural light and the reflection makes a small space fell larger.

Additionally, mirrors can add a little drama to a space by tricking your eye into thinking there’s windows on either side of your bed.

Give this one a try:

Hang two identical mirrors on either side of your bed and then dress them with curtains so they give the illusion of windows.

I like to place the bedside tables in front of them.

Suddenly a blank wall has dimension and interest. It’s a super easy way to make a small bedroom feel luxurious.

This is also interesting because it’s emphasizing the space on either side of the bed and not directly above it.

Having the focus not centered above the bed will make the wall seem wider and that can really make a small bedroom feel larger.

Wall Hanging

A lovely macrame wall hanging can give you a minimal – boho vibe.

I especially like a neutral wall hanging in bedrooms because they’re calm. They have just enough texture to be interesting without being distracting.

If they’re small, you could hang two side by side to fill the space.

This is another easy diy project that could be attached to a tree limb or wood dowel as the support.

It’s organic and beautiful.

Grid Style Wall Gallery

Lately, I’ve really started to appreciate these simple and uniform picture arrangements.

I like them because they’re all the same size and can be spaced apart in the same way.

This equal space positioning is calming and relaxing to look at.

In bedrooms, I would avoid a gallery wall consisting of different size frames and different shapes. That look has a lot of visual energy and would not be ideal for a restful space.

I also like this look because the frames are all the same color tone, a kind of gray wash that goes beautifully with the wall color, very neutral.

It just so happens that the pictures in each are black and white, which again is calm and serene. They aren’t colorized with lots of bright hues.

If black and white isn’t your style, I would curate the pictures inside the frames to be all similar color and hues.

Maybe that’s a blue color that is present in all or a sunny yellow that meanders through each picture.

Consistent colors in a small bedroom will always be more relaxing.

Plants

Bringing a bit of life to that empty wall might just be the best way to style it.

These wall pocket planters tie in the brass metal tones of the lamps bases and drapery rods beautifully.

I love to mix metals, but in a bedroom, keeping the metal tones consistent will keep the relaxing visual balance of the space in check.

A group of 4 or 5 of these wall planters will allow you to create variation in height on the wall and you can play with trailing live plants or silk plants like faux mosses or boxwoods.

You can also place them in a straight line for a more structured statement.

Or, try hanging them in an arch shape to present a “headboard” shape silhouette.

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Drapes

Sometimes the easiest and fastest way to change the look of a wall is to cover it in curtains.

Trust me, it’s not as kooky as it sounds.

Curtains are great sound insulators, and they add visual depth to any space.

They certainly soften a window, which is the point, but they can do the same for a wall as well.

They are an inexpensive and impermanent way to add color or texture to a wall.

As with all of the other tips on my list here, I’d stay clear of bold patterns or saturated colors in a bedroom.

Stick to colors and hues that are already present in your décor to keep things restful.

Mural

Want a little more depth to your décor? A mural could be just the relaxing focal point for your space.

You could paint your own or hire a local artist to commission one for you.

This mural is a lot like wallpaper.

It’s installed in a series of sheets that are matched so you know where the next section goes to complete the picture.

Once it’s up, you’ll have a gorgeous scene that will definitely fill the wall and add a very unique feel to the space.

Wall Tapestry

A large tapestry or even a rug can provide a wonderful opportunity for texture and color.

Again, something large enough to fill the space but not too bright or distracting is the way you’ll want to go in a bedroom.

This one ties in the colors of the area rug and compliments the bedding nicely too. It’s subtle but has presence and it doesn’t compete with anything else in the room.

It has enough height to add just a touch of drama and visually, it takes the place of a headboard, framing the bed.

Shadow Boxes

I love anything that gives a small room dimension and these shallow, shadow boxes do that beautifully.

Once again, the brass color of the frames reinforces the brass metal tone in the space. It’s consistent not contrasting.

They’re clear glass, which allows whatever you place inside of them to be the focus. That could be a collection of figurines or a curated vignette of items that tell a story.

They’re meant to be hung at different levels and that’s part of their interest and charm.

They’re also small enough to only contain a couple of things which will be helpful to edit what you display.

In other words, the small size will keep the visual clutter down which will help make the space feel cozy and relaxing.

Statement Art

You can never go wrong with one large piece of art in any room. This is true for bedrooms as well.

One statement piece of art that reinforces an overall color scheme is perfect for that wall above the bed.

Look, the bed is usually the first impression as you enter the bedroom. It’s the star of the show.

When you have a large canvas that calmly highlights that area, you’ll have a beautiful focal point.

But, as with many of these tips, be mindful of your subject matter and colors when you have a large piece displayed.

You don’t want to stick any big piece on the wall, you really want to take your time when choosing the art for your bedroom.

Sit with a piece for a while and pay attention to how it makes you feel.

If it makes you feel anything other than calm and relaxed or serene, I’d keep looking.

Paneling

Shiplap or wallpaper that looks like wood paneling can bring an area into focus.

Here, I chose this pattern that has different soft colors in it: grays, whitewashed woods, light woods.

It reads ‘farmhouse’ but that is great for a bedroom.

Farmhouse décor is usually on the rustic side with time honored pieces and reclaimed materials.

The style is relaxed and what better place to embrace that then in the bedroom?

This texture is lovely on it’s own but you could easily layer art or anything else that will support the color scheme or narrative of the room with it.

Architectural Elements

I think these pieces of millwork are very interesting and could be super impactful as the whole wall.

They’re slightly commercial looking to me – meaning that they would be amazing in a retail space or in a bar or restaurant.

What an impact an entire wall would be, right?

That might not be great for a bedroom though.

Instead of cladding the entire wall, I think a section covered in them can be interesting.

If placed right behind the bed, it will frame out the bed and define the space.

I chose to keep them the same color as the wall so it’s just texture and not color on top of pattern.

Finally, I framed the pieces with a simple frame, again in the same color as the wall, to contain the look.

That definition provides visual parameters, keeping the look from overpowering the space.

This one can be tricky if your ultimate goal is a relaxing space, but when applied in small doses, it can be an interesting way to treat that blank wall.

Board and Batten

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this wall embellishment.

I love board and batten.

Melonie Graves for The Mellionaire House

It’s customizable:

you can section out equal shaped boxes on the wall.

You can take it halfway or 3 quarters the way up.

It can look contemporary or cottage depending on how it’s installed.

Any way you apply it, it will give a wall instant sophistication and definition.

In bedrooms, it’s a lovely detail that can stand alone as ‘enough décor’ or you can layer art on top of it and play with size and spacing for more versatility.

I especially like it in a bedroom because the structure of it catches light and shadow at different times of the day.

It changes the dynamic of a bedroom because as light passes over it from morning till night, you can actually feel the space soften.

Like many of the other tips, applying board and battan to the wall behind the bed frames the bed.

It reinforces the focal point of the room and it adds a subtle architectural detail.

Well, there you have it, 15 fast and creative ways to style the wall above your bed:

Hang Wallpaper
Add Dimensional Abstract Art
Bring in a Room Divider
Hang Mirrors
Wall hanging
Grid Style Wall Gallery
Add Plants
Install Drapes on the Wall
Hang/ paint a Mural
Get a Wall Tapestry
Hang Shadow Boxes
Install a Piece of Statement Art
Hang Wall Paneling
Get Architectural Elements
Install Board and Battan

I’d love to hear what tricks you’ve used to add that little extra something to the wall behind your bed.

Do you agree about keeping the décor in bedrooms subtle or do you like to spice it up more?

Tell me all about it in the comments below.

15 creative ways to style the wall above your bed.png

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.