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Bedroom Design Tips Home Decor How To

How To Decorate A Bedroom – 7 Tips

August 24, 2015

Last Updated on February 8, 2023

If you’ve been watching my Instagram, you’ve probably seen a couple of sneak peeks of the guest bedroom makeover. I moved towards a look that was out of my comfort zone. Right before teaming up with Decorist, I noticed I was obsessing over white and neutral spaces.  Pinning them like I was on fire. Decorist hooked me up with Ashley Redmond, interior designer extraordinaire. I was psyched! Today I’m sharing my 7 tips on how to decorate a bedroom and a before and after reveal of the guest bedroom. Let’s dig in!

Table of Contents

  • 7 Tips on How To Create A Cozy Guest Bedroom
    • 1. Choose A Calming Color Palette
    • 2. Add Luxurious Bedding
    • 3. Add A Seating Area
    • 4. Add Texture
    • 5. Add Window Treatments
    • 6. Layer In Lighting
    • 7. Leave A Welcome Gift
  • Discover More Eclectic Home Decor Ideas and Interior Design Tips

7 Tips on How To Create A Cozy Guest Bedroom

How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

1. Choose A Calming Color Palette

A bedroom is a place for rest, so I like to choose subtle colors. Vibrant, bold colors are so fun, but if you’re building a sanctuary, stick to creams, lavender, subtle blues, and light sage greens.

2. Add Luxurious Bedding

There’s nothing quite like slipping under the covers into fancy soft, yet crisp sheets. Do not skimp here. This is a hot cozy guest room tip that Bobby Berk taught me. There’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed, but if you can add a luxurious experience for your guest when they crawl into an unfamiliar bed, this is a memorable one.

Best sheets to create a cozy guest bedroom
BEST SHEETS ROUND UP

3. Add A Seating Area

Adding a small chair in a corner, even if it’s like the wooden chair below, is a nice convenience for guests. Another idea might be converting a closet into a reading nook.

Before Decorist stepped in, my guest bedroom looked like this. A space that acted as a catch-all for the “stuff” I didn’t know what to do with. Oh, I have an extra chair; meh, I’ll throw it in the guest room. What do I do with this old duvet, meh, I’ll put it on the guest room bed. Miss Maus has a dresser that won’t fit in her bedroom until we move the rocking chair out of there. Meh, put it in the guest room. That train of thought caused a train wreck of a room.

Before and After - Guest Bedroom Makeover
Before Guest Bedroom Makeover
Before and After - Guest Bedroom Makeover
Before Guest Bedroom Makeover

You’re scrunching your nose, aren’t you? Oh. Em. Gee. Clutch the pearls. I mean, ya, it’s bad. We can all agree on this. I don’t blame you. Are you covering your eyes and gasping in the horror of it? If you, seriously, that is somewhat dramatic, but I don’t blame you. I’m embarrassed to think this room was even in my home but a few months ago. It’s a space that is rarely used, and my thought was, what’s the point? However, when guests actually DO stay overnight, I silently die on the inside. It’s one of those rooms that almost everyone has. I’m just the same as you.

Ashley Redmond gave me 2 mood boards,  but ultimately Concept 2 was the winner (below) – natural, earthy, and full of texture is what we decided to call it.

Guest Bedroom Makeover mood board

Let’s think of this mood board as the foundation. After the general concept was chosen, Ashley moved on to the styling of the space. The fun stuff like pillows and bedding and vases and such. The bedroom makeover moved into Phase 2, and I was given a list of home decor to purchase. Let’s just say the delivery man gave me an eye roll on a daily basis for like 2 weeks. When the final piece arrived, I actually hugged him, and he looked as uncomfortable as a cat in a bathtub as he ran back to his truck. Apparently, he didn’t understand the gravity of what he was delivering…and it’s not like I could explain and ask him upstairs to my new beautiful bedroom. The hug was awkward enough.

So, after all my rambling, are you ready to see the final before and after? I know you must be dying!!! I know I am. Are you even reading this anymore, or did you just scroll down? The suspense has been killin’ me!

How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

I KNOW RIGHT! Jaw drop! The white and the neutrals! It’s glorious with all the texture popping! It keeps your eye moving. I think that wedding blanket weighs like 10 pounds. I placed a rattan tray full of fluffy white towels and a couple of my favorite magazines on the bed as a welcoming gift to overnight guests. The duvet and shams texture contrast nicely. I added in a mud cloth pillow from an Instagram sale with Orlando Soria and paired it with a metallic pillow. The bentwood pendant was hung in the corner and works well as an extra reading lamp. I used an edison bulb for subdued lighting or you can add a dimmer. Over the bed is hung a photograph of birch trees…which was actually quite personal to me, unbeknownst to Ashley. My favorite tree while growing up was the birch in my front yard. I used to climb it with my sister and much to my mother’s dismay would pull layers of the bark.

4. Add Texture

Natural fibers add layers and depth to your bedroom decor. Faux furs, linens, matelasse, and small patterns help you add texture to your space. Also, if you’re adding texture with blankets, you’re also keeping your guest warm and cozy.

5. Add Window Treatments

No guest will feel comfortable changing into pajamas if they feel exposed. Add curtains, a roman shade, or bamboo roller shades for privacy. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on window treatments, check out where to buy cheap curtains and drapes.

6. Layer In Lighting

Multiple sources of lighting in the bedroom is key in a guest room because it helps guest maneuver around the room without it being completely dark. I like to add in a floor lamp, table lamp, bedside lamps, and ceiling lights. One can never have too many.

How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips
How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

The nightstand and headboard in the concept were original, per my request, from an existing bedroom set. Ashley worked with it and incorporated the old furniture into the final concept. She did leave me with some wise words that rang true in my brain. If you want a mid-century modern look, be sure to avoid the matchy-matchy look. I put the entire room together and the old master nightstands and bed frame stood out like a sore thumb.

It was 100% my fault. I raided Miss Maus’ room for this beauty of a nightstand and hit the flea market. Only to find the most amazing vintage rattan king-sized headboard. I walked through the gates and saw it 200 yards away. I beelined for the booth and grabbed the owner basically screaming like a crazy woman, “Just take my money already!”

Before and After - Guest Bedroom Makeover
How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

The nightstand has this super cute little pull-out tray that is great for added room, but the icing on the cake was that adorable little doggie drawing.

How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

I instantly fell in love with the mid-century modern dresser I snapped up on Craigslist. And would you believe that the fiddle leaf fig tree is a faux plant? Yeppers! While the room gets quite a bit of light, the corner does not. The mirror adds even more texture to the space, and the brass task lamp gives a metallic pop.

7. Leave A Welcome Gift

There’s nothing quite like a thoughtful gift and pretty packaging. Below is a few welcome gift ideas that I like to leave in the guest room.

How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

While walking around Target, I found some rattan trays. The perfect way to make a guest feel at home while visiting is to leave some personal gifts like matches to light a candle, smelly soap, a roller of perfume, and a luxurious lotion.

How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

While thrifting months ago, I found this amazing white tulip table. It bounced around from room to room and finally landed in the perfect spot as a nightstand. The woven stool was purchased at the Randolph Street Antique Market…speaking of which I will be attending this weekend. If you’re in the Chicago area, stop by, track me down, and say hello.

How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips
How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

At the foot of the bed is this chair that quite possibly sold the entire concept. The leather woven slipper chair paired with a leather Moroccan pouf…perfection! The sheepskin rug is seriously the softest thing I’ve touched. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t pet it.

How To Decorate A Bedroom - 7 Tips

The corner felt a little bare, so I added in my worry beads with a colorful horse hair tassel. They hang from a vintage brass fox hook.

Before and After - Guest Bedroom Makeover

I was pleasantly surprised by how much of my personality was brought into a room design that was completed over the internet. For those who think the process might be sterile or impersonal, it’s sooooo not. They listened to me, and by the end of the project, there was a bond between Ashley and me. We’re even Instagram buddies now.

She left room on the walls for me to hang my favorite photo booth strips from my wedding. These photos are especially fun in my guest room since the people in the photos are usually the guests staying in the space. Every morning over coffee, my wedding is usually the topic of discussion.

Before and After - Guest Bedroom Makeover

Oh, and this is always asked…what is the best white paint — Sherwin Williams Snowbound is my go-to. It doesn’t have that tinge of yellow nor did it turn gray.

Sherwin Williams Snowbound paint

So that’s it…did you make it through this post? I certainly hope so. Decorating this bedroom was a blast, and I hope you all had a fun time following along. Have a great day and happy decorating!

I was not paid for this post but did receive a makeover as compensation. I only recommend products or services I use personally and feel my readers will enjoy. All opinions are 100% mine.

Discover More Eclectic Home Decor Ideas and Interior Design Tips

This simple DIY will teach you how to How To Install A Ceiling Medallion – be sure to check out this round-up of the best ceiling medallions for your next project.

Learn How To Style A Credenza like an interior design pro

How to decorate On A Budget – learn my secrets with these clever ideas that will save you money. Cozy up your windows with these affordable velvet curtains – oh, and they’re all available online.

The final look at this modern Kitchen Makeover On A Budget and how I did it!

It’s finished! Well, kinda. Sharing the before and after look at my bedroom closet remodel.

I put together four virtual modern living room designs just for you – oh, and bonus, you can shop them all. I’ve been playing around with some living room design concepts. Check out the latest mood board I came up with.

Did you know that mushroom decor is trending? I’ve rounded up all my favorites.

I’ve rounded up artificial trees and faux plants galore, including a separate post of my favorite faux olive trees, and can’t forget the classic faux fiddle leaf fig trees.

We adopted a dog about a year ago and have since found the glory of affordable washable rugs.

Love the Primrose mirror but hate the price tag? I got you! Here’s a full round-up of affordable Anthropologie mirror dupes.

Do you have a rug that is too small or too big? Not sure? Here’s how to choose the best size rug for a living room.

If you love wallpaper but have a fear of commitment, check out this round-up of best peel and stick wallpaper – it even includes a couple of wall murals.

Does electrical scare you? Samsies, until I learned how to change a light fixture. Check out the full tutorial.

Cane furniture is trending, and so is rattan and cane lighting. If cane isn’t your jam, but you want more lighting ideas, check out this round-up of boob lighting alternatives. Learn to layer lighting like a pro with this guide to the best bedroom lighting.

TAGS:bedroombedroom makeoverDecor Ideasguest roomhow totips and tricks
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Kyla Herbes

Kyla Herbes is an interior designer and home decor content creator based in Chicago, IL. She shares daily doses of home decor, corners of her home, interior styling tips, and will inspire you to do it yourself. House Of Hipsters has been featured in Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, HGTV, The Huffington Post, Refinery29, Rue Magazine, and Style Me Pretty Living. Kyla has also made appearances on BravoTV and WGN TV and was named a Better Homes and Gardens Style Maker 3 years in a row.

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  • blank
    [email protected]
    August 24, 2015

    Love it! My favorites are probably the lights. They are all spot-on! Love them and that faux fiddle leaf fig. I’m totally adding that to my want list. Off to pin!

    Reply
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      kyla
      [email protected]
      September 8, 2015

      I know! Those lights had me too! Ugh! I’m so behind, but finally catching up. Thanks for stopping over m’lady! And thank you for pinning!

      Reply
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    Shannon
    August 24, 2015

    In. Love. So, so pretty!! Well done.

    Reply
    • blank
      kyla
      Shannon
      September 8, 2015

      Thanks so much Shannon!

      Reply
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    cassie @ primitive & proper
    August 24, 2015

    stunning, kayla! i love the textures and the neutrals and all of the fab vintage touches!

    Reply
    • blank
      kyla
      cassie @ primitive & proper
      September 8, 2015

      Thanks for stopping by Cassie!!!

      Reply
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    Jess May (@thefirestokers)
    August 24, 2015

    What a freaking amazingly good idea! I wonder if I can get someone to source stuff for me here in Australia using that service…? Love love love the new room.

    Reply
    • blank
      kyla
      Jess May (@thefirestokers)
      September 8, 2015

      Jess! I’m so sorry I missed your comment. Decorist does international. They just wrapped a flat over in London. They ask you for a list of your favorite stores in the questionnaire…just make sure they all ship in/to Australia. Easy peasy!

      Reply
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    Sandra L. Garth
    August 25, 2015

    I seen this over at Decorist and it is bangin! I’d be in bed for days.

    Reply
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    Laura Irion // Avery Street Design
    August 27, 2015

    This is gorgeous Kyla! You did a great job of putting it together and putting your own spin on it! Beautiful styling and photographs as well!! Love everything!

    Reply
    • blank
      kyla
      Laura Irion // Avery Street Design
      September 8, 2015

      Thanks girl! =)

      Reply
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    Krystal
    August 28, 2015

    I love…..I love….I love it!!! I have been itching to make over my master bedroom ( probably won’t happen for a while ) but I am definitely loving the vibe of this room. Great job!

    Reply
    • blank
      kyla
      Krystal
      September 8, 2015

      You are the sweetest! Thanks Krystal!

      Reply
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