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85 Best Primary Bedroom Design Ideas for Every Style

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master bedroom ideas

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

Primary bedrooms should be designed for comfort and relaxation, with furniture and decor that helps you to recharge and decompress.

From painting the walls to adding a new headboard or upgrading rugs and lighting, there are plenty of ways to elevate a spacious primary suite with an adjoining bathroom or a small and cozy main bedroom.

Whether you prefer a minimalist neutral aesthetic or a colorful maximalist approach, check out these primary bedroom ideas from a range of interior designers that will inspire you to create your own at-home oasis. 

About This Term: Primary Bedroom

Many real estate associations as well as the Real Estate Standards Association have classified the term "Master Bedroom" as having a potentially derogatory connotation. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.

Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

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    Drape the Windows

    master bedroom with pink accents

    Design by Ghislaine Vinas / Photo by Garrett Rowland

    This Los Angeles bedroom from Ghislaine Viñas has a low-profile pink velvet headboard that fills the wall without blocking the windows. When it's time to sleep, thick pink drapes block light and add color. Matching side tables, lamps, and linens provide symmetry. Mustard yellow throw pillows add color contrast and a portrait hung in the blank wall space between windows creates a focal point.

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    Try a Live Edge Headboard

    midcentury modern master bedroom

    Design by Studio Robert McKinley / Photo by Nicole Franzen

    This Montauk, NY bedroom from Studio Robert McKinley has white shiplap walls, a navy geometric rug, and a scene-stealing, one-of-a-kind live edge headboard mounted to the wall that creates an organic feel in the cool coastal room.

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    Accent With Wallpaper

    master bedroom with accent wallpaper

    Design by Caroline Andréoni Interior Design / Photo by Sophie Lloyd

    While many people choose to hang accent wallpaper on the wall behind the bed, this Paris bedroom from Caroline Andréoni Interior Design takes the opposite approach. Black-and-white palm tree wallpaper on the wall across from the bed helps to camouflage the wall-mounted TV.

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    Add a Bedroom Window Seat

    apartment master bedroom

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott and Chris Coe

    In this NYC bedroom from Chango & Co., a custom headboard and window seat with rounded edges creates a luxurious minimalist cocooning feel, while a calming creamy beige monotone color scheme invites relaxation.

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    Build a Bedroom Library

    master bedroom with bookshelf headboard

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

    In this bedroom from Leanne Ford Interiors, the wall behind the bed has been transformed into a home library with an integrated headboard. A large round pendant light adds dimension, and art on the other walls completes the casual, lived-in feel of a room ideal for book and art lovers.

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    Try a Bedroom Floor Mirror

    chic master bedroom

    Design by Michelle Gerson Interiors / Photo by Marco Ricca

    This spacious and opulent main bedroom from Michelle Gerson Interiors has a graphic wallpapered ceiling, statement lighting, and a dramatic antique French gilded floor mirror leaning casually against the wall for outfit selfies.

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    Try a Coastal Bedroom

    coastal master bedroom

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Raquel Langworthy

    This coastal bedroom from Chango & Co. has an effortless and breezy coastal grandmother/vacation house feel, with its soothing blue-and-white color palette, bed accessorized with extra pillows, layered rugs, and an oversized pendant light hung from the vaulted ceilings.

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    Include Bonus Seating

    transitional style master bedroom

    Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

    In this spacious bedroom from Marie Flanigan Interiors, a seating area in front of the windows provides a space to relax and unwind that isn't the bed. Rustic elements like wood cladding on the vaulted ceiling and an antique chest and rug add character and create a sense of timelessness that will outlast trends.

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    Darken Bedroom Walls

    moody master bedroom

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Alexandra Ribar

    This bedroom from Leanne Ford Interiors has white painted shiplap ceilings and moody black saturated paint on the walls that creates a comforting oasis for rest and relaxation.

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    Plant a Tree in the Bedroom

    green master bedroom

    Design by Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis / Photo by Emily Followill

    This bedroom from interior designer Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis has olive green walls, sheer curtains, a floral printed upholstered headboard, and an indoor tree planted in the corner that creates a sense of well-being and calm.

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    Play With Ombre Paint

    master bedroom with ombre accent wall

    Design by Raili CA Design / Photo by Lisa Romerein

    Raili CA Design washed this California bedroom in fresh shades of green, from the bed linens to the wall paint. Rather than applying a neat uniform coat, two shades were layered in a semi-ombre effect from dark to light, with deliberately rough unfinished edges that don't quite reach the ceiling, creating a playful effect that is effortlessly stylish and chill.

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    Add a Towering Headboard

    master bedroom with extra tall headboard

    Design by Michelle Gerson Interiors / Photo by Marco Ricca

    In this bedroom from Michelle Gerson Interiors, a monumental headboard upholstered in soft gray adds a dramatic focal point that helps to balance the extra-tall vaulted ceilings.

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    Control Bedroom Light

    minimalist master bedroom

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Talitha Photos

    Cathie Hong Interiors hung a corner-to-corner drapery wall that creates a serene backdrop for the bed and mitigates light in a room with wrap-around windows. Simple black pendant lights suspended from the ceiling and round bedside tables create an airy feel, while a warm wood bed and large dark area rug help ground the space.

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    Cover Walls in Chocolate

    chocolate brown master bedroom wall

    Kara Mann

    This bedroom from interior designer Kara Mann has a chocolate brown upholstered accent wall behind the bed that creates a rich and luxurious atmosphere.

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    Integrate the Nightstands

    master bedroom with built-in window seat

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott and Chris Coe

    This bedroom from Chango & Co. has pale wood nightstands, each with a drawer to hide bedside clutter. The nightstands integrate into the bespoke headboard and window seat for a seamless look.

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    Install a Glass Door

    master bedroom with en suite bathroom

    Design by Caroline Andreoni Interior Design / Photo by Sophie Lloyd

    In this Paris apartment, Caroline Andréoni Interior Design separated the en suite bathroom from the bedroom with a stylish glass and metal-framed door (and added a floor-to-ceiling curtain that can be drawn when privacy is desired).

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    Drop the Bedroom Ceiling

    nyc apartment bedroom

    Design by Ghislaine Vinas / Photo by Garrett Rowland

    Interior designer Ghislaine Viñas carved out a bedroom in this SoHo loft in New York City using a dropped ceiling that helps to define the sleeping area. An adjacent sitting area and en suite bathroom complete the full-service home retreat.

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    Whitewash It

    all-white master bedroom

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly

    This whitewashed minimalist bedroom from Leanne Ford Interiors has a slanted shiplap ceiling, flowing floor-to-ceiling drapes, and an upholstered bed with built-in reading lights and side tables that floats like a cloud in the middle of the light-flooded space.

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    Add Modern Farmhouse Vibes

    modern farmhouse master bedroom

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott

    This bedroom from Chango & Co. has dark wood finishes, rustic ceiling beams, and a corner fireplace that creates a modern farmhouse feel.

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    Pair Pink and Gray

    master bedroom with upholstered headboard

    Design by Caroline Andreoni Interior Design / Photo by Sophie Lloyd

    This Parisian bedroom from Caroline Andréoni Interior Design has moody gray walls, slim gold-tone wall sconces, and a plush upholstered rose velvet headboard paired with a neat stack of pillows in shades of pale pink and white that adds a boutique hotel vibe.

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    Hang Statement Wallpaper

    master bedroom with dark floral wallpaper

    Design by Studio Henree / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

    The star of this bedroom from Studio Henree is the Ellie Cashman dark floral wallpaper, which has become a modern classic that works every time. A slim canopy bed with gold-tone brackets and gold-toned bedside lamps adds warmth and contrast against the dark wallpaper.

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    Layer It Up

    boho style master bedroom

    Erin Williamson Design

    Erin Williamson Design turned a Texas lake house A-frame bedroom into a moody oasis, with a mix of dark paint and patterned wallpaper on the walls and ceiling. A carved wood Moroccan-style room divider creates privacy in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and diffuses natural light.

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    Add Luxury Hotel Vibes

    sleek modern master bedroom

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Jacob Snavely

    This NYC bedroom from Chango & Co. has a luxury hotel vibe, with its floor-to-ceiling leather headboard, plush drapes and carpet, sculptural pendant light, and graphic-edged sheets and pillows.

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    Add a Clawfoot Tub

    master bedroom with bathtub

    Kate Marker Interiors

    If you are a bath lover and a romantic, why not place a clawfoot tub in your bedroom, and leave the shower and the sink to the en suite, like this cottage bedroom from Kate Marker Interiors.

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    Highlight the View

    upscale master bedroom with nyc skyline view

    Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio

    If your bedroom includes a million-dollar view, making decor choices that highlight and celebrate what's outside the windows is an excellent point of departure. Sissy + Marley Interior Design kept the focus on the storied view of the Chrysler Building with cool tones and minimalist lines. A bonus window seat offers a privileged place to ponder the NYC skyline.

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    Maximize Bedroom Storage

    small master bedroom ideas

    Studio Peake

    Not every bedroom is a big bedroom. This snug London bedroom from Studio Peake maximizes every last inch of vertical space around the bed with seamless built-in storage. Taking the storage from floor to ceiling and using a matching painted wood treatment on the wall behind the bed helps to draw the eye upward, making the room feel larger than it is.

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    Use a Retro Color Palette

    earth tone master bedroom

    Design by AHG Interiors / Photo by Nick Glimenakis

    This 1960s Catskills, New York bedroom from AHG Design is decorated in rich tones of rust, burnt orange, brown, and copper that create contrast with the light and bright interior and add some retro midcentury vibes.

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    Add a Bedroom Fireplace

    modern primary bedroom with fireplace

    Mindy Gayer Design Co.

    This space from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has a neutral palette, a comfortably appointed bed, and a wood-burning bedroom fireplace for cozy winter nights.

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    Accessorize With Antiques

    master bedroom with white brick walls

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Josh Franer

    White brick walls, vaulted wood ceilings, herringbone patterned wood floors, simple bedding, a modern pendant light, and a large antique gilded floor mirror create a minimalist bedroom full of texture and interest from Leanne Ford Interiors.

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    Play with Proportions

    brown and white master bedroom

    Design by Michelle Gerson Interiors / Photo by Patrick Cline

    When choosing bedroom lighting, combine form and function with a pair of sculptural table lamps. This Boston Victorian house bedroom from Michelle Gerson Interiors mixes soft shades of black and cream with gold accents like the extra tall vintage-style lamps that flank the bed, creating a playful and dramatic sense of proportion.

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    Hang Gauzy Curtains

    primary bedroom

    Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

    In this light and bright farmhouse-inspired bedroom from Marie Flanigan Interiors, gauzy floor-to-ceiling curtains on the wall of windows behind the bed soften the tall ceilings and help diffuse light.

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    Create a Mini En Suite

    primary bedroom ideas

    Fantastic Frank

    This modest-sized bedroom on the Spanish island of Mallorca from Fantastic Frank has everything a primary suite needs to be comfortable and stylish. Rendered in a simple palette of black, white, and natural wood, the mini en suite has an open and transparent layout that allows light and air to flow and offers easy circulation between spaces. Edison bulb pendant lights hanging from the ceiling save space while adding a dose of minimalist industrial cool.

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    Add Art Deco Style

    primary bedroom

    Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

    This spacious bedroom from Emily Henderson Design has Art Deco-inspired decor and generous proportions with classical elements like a dark marble fireplace and tall windows that are complemented by a four-poster bed, a chaise longue, curvy upholstered seating, and a large area rug.

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    Paint the Walls Green

    primary bedroom

    Design by Candace Mary Interiors / Photo by Martin Vecchio

    This cool and calming bedroom from Candace Mary Interiors has deep forest green walls, rich wood floors and furniture, cool gray and white textiles, and gold-toned accents to add brightness.

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    Add an Oversized Headboard

    primary bedroom ideas

    Design by Heather Hilliard Design / Photo by David Duncan Livingston

    This bedroom from Heather Hilliard Design includes a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall headboard that features warm wood paneling on the lower portion and textured wall panels that extend to the ceiling. A pair of fluffy poufs at the foot of the bed and a pair of armchairs positioned on opposite sides of the room provide extra seating, and a large area rug anchors the space.

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    Add a Loveseat

    primary bedroom

    Design by Brexton Cole Interiors

    In this light-flooded bedroom from Brexton Cole Interiors, shades of white and cream create a luminous look, and a crystal chandelier anchors a small seating area at the foot of the bed with a backless loveseat, a sculptural occasional table, and a comfy throw.

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    Focus on Bedroom Lighting

    primary bedroom

    Design by Forbes + Masters

    This spacious primary suite from Forbes + Masters is large enough for a sleeping area and a large dedicated sitting area that functions like a private living room. The tonal beiges and light browns were kept consistent throughout the room, with the layout of the furniture and individual area rugs creating distinct zones.

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    Use Soft Pastels

    primary bedroom

    Design by Will Brown Interiors

    This bedroom from Will Brown Interiors has a soft beige and gray palette accented with sherbet-colored pastels that create a serene feel. A simple vanity adds a touch of old-school glam.

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    Balance It Out

    primary bedroom

    Design by Brexton Cole Interiors

    While it's fun to play with asymmetry, there is nothing wrong with embracing symmetry in a bedroom layout. In this bedroom from Brexton Cole Interiors, a bed with a framed tufted headboard floats between identical closet doors. Matching nightstands with a pair of sculptural black lamps flank the bed. It's a simple no-fail formula that is easy to achieve and can be easily changed with new nightstands, bedding, or lighting.

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    Add Colorful Bedding

    primary bedroom ideas

    Design by Will Brown Interiors

    This bright and airy bedroom from Will Brown Interiors has a neutral base of soft whites, beiges, and taupe, punctuated with pops of bright orange, red, and turquoise on the walls and bedding.

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    Try a Wraparound Headboard

    primary bedroom

    Design by Forbes + Masters

    This thick velvet upholstered wrap-around headboard from Forbes + Masters creates a fortress-like effect that grounds the bed and sets the stage for dramatic bedding, hanging globe pendant lights and saturated black walls.

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    Embrace the Arabesque

    primary bedroom

    Design by Maite Granda

    This bedroom from interior designer Maite Granda features a royal blue accent wall with a white Arabesque pattern behind the bed that adds dynamism and interest. Crisp white and blue bed linens are accented with yellow and gold touches that are perfectly suited for a Florida bedroom.

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    Hang Art Over the Bed

    primary bedroom

    Design by Alvin Wayne

    In this NYC bedroom from interior designer Alvin Wayne, a glossy and colorful floral print behind the bed is set off by matte black walls, black-lined mirrored chests of drawers on either side of the bed, crisp white bed linens, and modern bedside lamps.

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    Add Subtle Pattern

    primary bedroom

    Design by Desiree Burns Interiors

    In this bedroom from Desiree Burns Interiors, patterned wallpaper in a soft gray-and-white diamond motif adds subtle texture to the wall behind the bed. A rattan headboard and wood and woven bench add warmth, complemented with black bedside tables with 60s-style angled legs.

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    Turn Up the Bedroom Drama

    primary bedroom

    Design by Forbes + Masters

    This theatrical bedroom from Forbes + Masters has emerald green walls, plush upholstery, blingy lighting, colorful art, warm mustard and gold accents, and a sense of the dramatic that creates an escape from the everyday.

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    Include a Bedroom Wall Mural

    primary bedroom

    Design by Maite Granda

    Interior designer Maite Granda added interest to a Florida bedroom with a wallpaper mural that depicts a tropical scene in soft neutral tones of cream and white.

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    Use Neutral Bedding

    primary bedroom

    Design by Becca Interiors

    This bedroom from Becca Interiors has high ceilings, rustic beams, and soothing sepia tones of cream and light brown, making it both a relaxing haven and a tranquil spot for a small home office.

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    Install Board and Batten

    primary bedroom

    A Beautiful Mess

    This colorful bedroom from A Beautiful Mess has DIY board and batten walls painted in a creamy shade of raspberry pink, with retro-style headboard and sconce lights that nod to throwback glamour.

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    Use Earth Tones

    primary bedroom

    Design by Gray Space Interiors

    Olive green wallpaper and tones of brown and burnished gold tones create a relaxing feel in this bedroom from Gray Space Interiors, while a bold patterned wallpaper creates a sense of movement and interest.

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    Preserve Original Features

    primary bedroom ideas

    Fantastic Frank

    Your bedroom might not have the architectural bones of this residence on the Spanish island of Mallorca from Fantastic Frank, with its restored golden stone wall, ceiling beams, and slanted ceilings. But unearthing or preserving original features, or adding decorative beams or rustic finishes, can add character to your room that allows you to keep the decor simple, calming, and timeless.

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    Pair Brown and Blue

    primary bedroom

    Design by L.A. Weddings & Interiors

    This spacious bedroom from L.A. Weddings & Interiors mixes warm browns and subtle grays with a bold blue velvet headboard and plenty of textiles that give it a calm and soothing feel.

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    Try a Canopy Bed

    primary bedroom

    Jenn Pablo Studio

    Both the windows and the canopy bed are draped in soft matching curtains that nonchalantly puddle on the floor of this serene and spacious bedroom from Jenn Pablo Studio.

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    Mix Black and Gray

    primary bedroom

    Design by Kara Mann

    At this farmhouse in Pound Ridge, New York from interior designer Kara Mann, a mix of antique and contemporary furniture and textiles in shades of black and gray strike a stylish balance between old and new.

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    Embellish With Tassels and Pom Poms

    primary bedroom

    A Beautiful Mess

    This soft and playful bedroom from A Beautiful Mess includes blushing pink walls, a tasseled hand-woven wall hanging, pom poms on the curtains, and a Moroccan blanket at the foot of the bed.

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    Mix Black and White

    primary bedroom

    Design by Jenn Pablo Studio

    In this Palm Springs modern Spanish Revival primary bedroom from Jenn Pablo Studio, a dark carved wood bed and dark beam add contrast to the soft interior in shades of white.

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    Try a Scandi-Style Bed

    scandi-style primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    This simple Swedish country house bedroom from Fantastic Frank is peak Scandi minimalism with its toned-down color palette, lack of embellishment, and mismatched chair nightstands that make it feel intentional.

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    Mix Grays and Greens

    primary bedroom

    Design by Louis Duncan-He Designs / Photo by Eymeric Wilding Photography

    In this calming bedroom from Louis Duncan-He Designs, a wall-to-wall headboard and abstract mountain wallpaper mural in soft shades of gray are offset with green accents to create a soothing feel.

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    Choose a Dramatic Bedframe

    primary bedroom

    Design by Jenn Pablo Studio

    Jenn Pablo Studio added a dramatic focal point to a calm neutral bedroom design with a dramatic spindled bedstead

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    Add a Chunky Platform Bed

    primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    This bedroom in a Modernist building in Barcelona from Fantastic Frank features a chunky platform bed, retro-style lighting, a large golden mustard-colored velvet floor pouf, and an absence of art or decor on the light taupe walls that gives the room a minimalist feel.

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    Decorate with Baskets

    primary bedroom ideas

    Fantastic Frank

    This Ibiza bedroom from Fantastic Frank is decorated with natural materials like the decorative baskets above the repurposed door headboard, a leaning wood ladder, a rattan pendant light, and graphic wire bedside lamps with burlap shades. Salmon and indigo blue bedding add a shot of color to the neutral mix.

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    Mix Bedroom Wall Finishes

    primary bedroom

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly

    If you're going for a lived-in, effortlessly chic look or decorating an old house, embracing more than one wall finish creates a layered look and a sense of history. This cottage bedroom from Leanne Ford Interiors has a timeless look and a charming patina thanks to a mixed smattering of wall finishes, from two tones of wallpaper to white-washed brick, plaster, and wood.

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    Create an Archway

    primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    In this bedroom suite in Frankfurt, Germany from Fantastic Frank, an open archway separates the sleeping area from a spacious dressing room, allowing light and air to flow between the adjoining spaces.

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    Add a Picture Railing

    primary bedroom

    Design by Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Keyanna Brown

    If you live in a part of the world without a high risk of earthquakes, add a picture ledge to your headboard like this main bedroom designed by Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design that allows you to display artwork without the hassle of creating a gallery wall. It's a good idea to affix leaning artwork to the wall using double-sided tape, sticky tacks, or a rubber liner, just in case.

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    Make the En Suite Open Plan

    primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    If you live alone or are part of a couple with no secrets, creating an open plan en suite might work for you. In this primary en suite from Fantastic Frank, most of the wall between the bedroom and the bathroom has been removed, increasing light and airflow as well as circulation, and allowing a view of the bathtub from the large wood platform bed.

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    Add a Modern Canopy Bed

    primary bedroom

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Alexandra Ribar

    This minimalist bedroom from Leanne Ford Interiors has high ceilings with warm wood beams and a small window that is placed very high up on the wall. A tall modern canopy bed with graphic black lines helps to bridge the space and create a sense of coziness in an otherwise spare and minimal room.

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    Map It Out

    primary bedroom

    Design by Tyler Karu / Photo by Justin Levesque

    In this converted schoolhouse condo in South Portland, ME from interior designer Tyler Karu, the highlight of the bedroom is a custom 14-foot mural of an 18th-century map of the Maine coast that highlights the tall ceilings and creates a personalized wow factor in an otherwise compact space.

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    Add a Window Divider

    primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    In this bedroom suite on the Spanish island of Mallorca from Fantastic Frank, the bathroom is located a few steps up behind the headboard, partially obscured by a paned glass wall.

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    Try a Canopy Bed

    primary bedroom

    Design by Kara Mann

    Interior designer Kara Mann chose a streamlined white canopy bed frame that nearly scrapes the ceiling to add a modern touch to this Connecticut farmhouse bedroom. The slim but tall bed frame helps to create the perception of more space in a room with low ceilings and small windows and complements an antique wood spindle side table, dark wood flooring, and layered rugs.

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    Mix Black and White

    primary bedroom

    Design by Brexton Cole Interiors

    This minimalist black-and-white bedroom from Brexton Cole Interiors has a restrained palette and minimal decor that makes every detail count, from a striking pendant light to a graphic piece of art hanging over the bed.

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    Convert the Attic

    primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    This cozy Swedish bedroom from Fantastic Frank is a serene and simple Scandi-style getaway with its white-painted shiplap-clad floors and ceilings, burgundy accents, and Danish armchair covered in a wild sheepskin throw (which can of course be swapped out for quality faux fur).

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    Add Bedside Mirrors

    primary bedroom

    Design by Tina Ramchandani Creative

    In this bedroom from Tina Ramchandani Creative, two fall mirrors with thin black frames and rounded corners hang above the bedside tables, reflecting light and creating a sense of depth.

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    Add Bedroom Seating

    primary bedroom

    Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    In this bedroom from Emily Henderson Design, an overstuffed corner armchair with a rattan pouf and a simple floor lamp provides a cozy place to read or grab some me time.

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    Hang Oversized Art

    primary bedroom

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott

    In this Tribeca loft's bedroom in New York City from Chango & Co., a large-scale piece of unframed art creates a focal point on a large otherwise blank wall while maintaining the soft, minimalist feel of the room. It goes to show that depending on your layout, the focal point in every bedroom does not necessarily have to be the bed.

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    Mix Dark Wood Tones

    primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    In an era where many have embraced the beauty of pale white oak flooring, this bedroom from Fantastic Frank is a reminder of the enduring charms of dark wood. In a compact room with high ceilings, a mix of rich, dark wood tones on the flooring, ceiling beams, window frames, and double doors is warm, cozy, and inviting.

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    Add a Rattan Bed

    primary bedroom ideas

    A Beautiful Mess

    Bright yellow and white print wallpaper, an eye-catching vintage-style rattan bed, a smattering of plants, and a geometric kilim rug in shades of pink and yellow turns this bright bedroom from A Beautiful Mess into a happy place.

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    Try an Antique Headboard

    primary bedroom

    Design by Tyler Karu / Photo by Erin Little

    Mixing in antiques and vintage pieces that have stood the test of time is a sure way to create a timeless look for your bedroom. In this Maine home from Tyler Karu, a carved wood French Louis XV headboard is painted in dark taupe and dressed in modern linens. At the side, a gilded mirror hangs above a modern pale blue-gray nightstand finished with gold-toned hardware and topped with a vintage-style lamp.

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    Make It Monochromatic

    primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    If your bedroom is modest in size, one way to make it feel bigger is to stick to a tonal palette. This compact Stockholm bedroom from Fantastic Frank is a study in shades of gray, from the floor-to-ceiling curtains to the wall paint, carpet, and bedding. This creates a monochromatic effect that is minimal and serene while retaining enough variation and texture to keep it from feeling flat and boring.

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    Accent With Wood

    primary bedroom

    Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    This bedroom from Emily Henderson Design has soft white walls and wood accents on the floors, windows, and doors that contrast with a green and gray palette to create a cool, fresh, relaxed retreat.

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    Add Bling to Built-Ins

    primary bedroom

    Fantastic Frank

    In this bedroom in Barcelona, Spain from Fantastic Frank, gold-toned detailing makes a wrap-around wall of built-in closets look a little more glamorous.

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    Create a Flex Space

    primary bedroom

    Design by Kate Marker Interiors / Photo by Margaret Rajic

    Many people chose to locate the primary bedroom on the ground floor, creating the possibility to age in place should mobility issues surface. Even if your main bedroom is located on an upper floor, in many large homes a ground floor guest room can be turned into a bedroom down the road, like this ground floor bedroom from Kate Marker Interiors, with high ceilings, a king-sized bed with a bouclé headboard, vintage wicker nightstands, a wool rug, and a soft earthy palette. Keeping the design minimal and neutral allows you to adapt it easily later on should your needs change.

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    Mismatch the Nightstands

    primary bedroom

    Design by Andrea May Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

    In this bedroom from Andrea May Interiors, a pair of mismatched nightstands adds variety to the symmetrical layout of the room that works harmoniously while allowing each side of the bed to have its own personality.

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    Bring the Midcentury Vibes

    primary bedroom

    Design by Michelle Boudreau Design

    This midcentury modern style bedroom from Michelle Boudreau Design has palm print wallpaper, a Jonathan Adler retro-style pendant light hanging from the painted wood ceiling, and classic midcentury bedside tables that create a retro-inspired vibe.

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    Consider Sightlines

    primary bedroom ideas

    Design by Michelle Boudreau Design

    The rest of this midcentury modern bedroom from Michelle Boudreau Design is outfitted with a built-in wall desk/vanity and a vintage sideboard that echoes the sink vanity in the adjoining visible en suite bathroom, helping to tie the spaces together.

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    Wallpaper the Ceiling

    primary bedroom

    Design by JK Interior Living

    In this light and airy bedroom from JK Interior Living, a dark wallpaper ceiling detail framed with decorative molding creates an anchor point for a chandelier and a focal point in an otherwise neutral room.

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    Add a Writing Desk

    primary bedroom

    Design by Tina Ramchandani Creative

    In this comfortable bedroom from Tina Ramchandani Creative that is covered in shades of white, blue, and gray, a writing desk on one side of the bed adds function and another spot to get some work done or write a sonnet before bed.

Tips for Small and Large Bedrooms

Here are some layout, paint, and furniture selection ideas to help you decorate a main bedroom suite.

For small bedrooms:

  • For a small bedroom storage idea, consider built-in cabinetry spanning the wall at the head of the bed to take the place of a bulky headboard and other furniture.
  • A quiet neutral paint palette is soothing in a small bedroom. Neutral paint ideas can include beiges, grays, or greiges, but monotone all-white walls and bedding is refreshing and airy, too (think Scandinavian-style decor). Add a pop or two of vibrant colors on the wall or bedding.
  • Embrace the concept of cozy minimalism and opt for streamlined modern-style furniture for small bedrooms.

For large bedrooms:

  • Consider adding texture everywhere—from a chunky, tufted upholstered headboard to layered floor coverings—to create a comfy, welcoming large bedroom space. Paint the walls with limewash paint to add a subtle, soft texture to the walls that will cozy up a large bedroom.
  • Make a large bedroom more attractive by adding layers of lighting, including chandeliers and floor lamps.
  • Fill the empty space at the foot of the bed with an upholstered bench, a loveseat, or a seating area comprised of two slipper chairs and a low table.

Tip

If you're setting up your first primary bedroom, start with a proper headboard, mattress, and bed frame to elevate your bedroom style. Then add nightstands, lighting, a soft rug, light-blocking window treatments, and wall decor.

FAQ
  • How do you make a primary bedroom look nice?

    Paint the walls in a favorite color, wallpaper the ceiling, add a statement headboard, or choose mismatched nightstands with eye-catching table lamps that double as decor. Accessorize your primary bedroom with anything from wall decor to art, photography, or hanging plants. 

  • How should you decorate the walls in a primary bedroom?

    Paint an accent wall in a bold color, hang wallpaper, or add texture with reclaimed wood paneling. Hang a decorative vintage mirror, a collection of baskets or hats, or a gallery wall of photography, art, and/or objects.

  • How do you style a long primary bedroom?

    Place your bed on the far wall, on either of the side walls, or float it in the middle of the room depending on the layout and window placement, making sure that there is enough clearance to walk around the bed. If the room is long enough, consider placing a loveseat at the end of the bed to create a seating area.

  • What furniture should you have in a primary bedroom?


    A primary bedroom should include a large bed that’s comfortable for two and a pair of nightstands at the minimum. Depending on the size and layout of the room and how you plan to use it, you can add extras like a loveseat or upholstered bench at the foot of the bed or a pair of armchairs to create a lounge space. You might also opt for a dressing table vanity, dressers, or an armoire.