If you’re finding yourself in a creative slump trying to figure out how to fill the empty space above the bed, we’ve got you covered.
It’s the focal point of the bedroom and so only the best styling ideas will do, which is why we were extra judicious in our selection.
So without further ado, get yourself excited and inspired by the wonderful world of above bed decor and then get busy waving goodbye to that eyesore above your own bed!
Focus on nature
Everyone knows that plants make a room feel instantly more relaxing and this is backed up by science.
Therefore, the logical thing to do is add more of them to your bedroom as this tends to be where you want to feel as relaxed as possible as you slip into a restful slumber.
There are a number of ways to achieve a planty look above the bed and enjoy the colors, textures and freshness that comes with it.
You could simply put up some open shelves and fill them with potted plants or suspend them from the ceiling instead. If you want to display some greenery as if it were a piece of framed art, a moss wall panel never disappoints.
Turn bicycle wheels into art
You can be forgiven for feeling unsure about allocating that prime spot above the bed to a bicycle wheel or even a pair of them.
However, the visual impact of a wall that’s nearly full of bicycle wheels all touching one another like cogwheels in a machine is undeniable, and it’s exactly the kind of thing that will do the rounds on social media.
Leave it to your headboard
There’s no reason why your headboard can’t moonlight as wall decor too.
Consider that tall bedrooms are well placed for making a jaw-dropping statement in the form of a floor-to-ceiling headboard, which not only adds class to the aesthetics but also emphasises the sense of room height.
Make a hat wall
Proving that absolutely nothing is off the table when it comes to decor above the bed, hats have taken up a new challenge to create interest on an otherwise plain wall – and the results are too good to ignore.
Hats are rich in texture and this alone makes them ideal for decoration, but before you settle with just one hat over your bed, consider the endless design potential of an entire collection of them.
You could curate a set of headwear so that your wall display has different shapes and sizes, and maybe even throw in some contrasting colors and finishes for that extra oomph.
Map your dream destinations
The space between the headboard and your ceiling doesn’t always have to be filled with things that simply look pretty. In fact, doing so would be a huge missed opportunity if you possess a curious mind and want that to be reflected in your bedroom design.
If you fit this description then consider going with a map depicting your favourite location or even the whole world, as nothing else comes close to firing up the imagination.
It’s a great option for a kid’s bedroom too, prompting them to ask questions about other countries and cultures, and may even ignite the travel bug within them.
Hang up a mirror
Probably one of the most obvious ways to decorate above the bed is by hanging up a mirror. But before you write off this idea as being too pedestrian, it can rescue a bedroom that’s suffering with poor lighting and feels as though the walls are closing in on you.
To explain, mirrors and their reflective properties help light bounce around and gives us the illusion of depth, making a space appear larger than it really is.
If that alone doesn’t convince you then take into account the various shapes and sizes they come in, and the fact that mirror frames themselves are often a sight to behold.
Learn more about this topic: 23 Mirror Above Bed Ideas That Will Amaze You
Create a gallery wall
Even the most striking piece of decor can leave you feeling underwhelmed if it’s dwarfed by the empty space around it. When faced with this scenario, you might be tempted to find a bigger piece, but often a better and more visually interesting answer is to go with multiples pieces instead.
We’re talking about hanging art and photographs in groups for a gallery-like presentation above the bed as you will find this is a highly convenient way to eliminate negative space and is also used to good effect above the sofa.
Stick to a theme of framed prints, canvases or family photographs to produce a uniform finish, or mix and match your arrangement for something unexpected.
Learn more about this topic: 26 Ways to Display Art Above the Bed
Branch decor for a rustic look
What if we told you that sometimes the best wall decor can be found in your own backyard?
It turns out that linearly designed spaces will always benefit hugely from natural, organic elements. That’s why you should give serious thought to displaying twigs and branches above the bed.
Whether they’re white or dark, squiggly or straight, decorating with sticks never fails to turn heads for all the right reasons as nobody can get enough of that rustic warmth.
If you love authenticity and uniqueness in equal measure, now is the perfect time to show it by bringing the outdoors in with straight-from-nature tree branches over your bed.
Show your patriotic side
What better way to pledge your allegiance to the flag of the United States than sleeping under one each night?
On a serious note, flags are little havens of pattern and color, making them more than welcome in bedrooms which are crying out for some decorative appeal.
And you’re not limited to a piece of fabric as flags can be printed on anything and everything – simply ask yourself what material is needed to help elevate the aesthetic, stick a flag on it, and there you have it.
Check the time
We often turn to mirrors when searching for round and circular elements to decorate a wall with, but an old fashioned analogue clock is a perfectly suitable alternative.
It doesn’t even matter if your bedroom is already replete with accessories that have a time function as these days clocks are sold in a limitless array of designs, so you’ll embrace them for their striking appearance and not necessarily to check you haven’t overslept.
Repurpose old items
Your bedroom is your sanctuary and therefore you have every right to decorate it in a way that speaks to you and your ethics.
For example, if you have strong feelings about helping the environment and are a big advocate of repurposing and upcycling, then why not reflect that fact in your above-bed styling?
Maybe you have some shutters which have fallen into disuse – in which case, clean them up and display them proudly behind the bed as a daily reminder of the environmentally-conscious individual that you are.
Insert a bookcase
Not everything can be leaned or mounted onto the wall and this may stifle your ability to decorate and style the space above the bed.
If you have an eclectic mix of decor pieces that can only shine from a shelf, consider looking beyond one or two wall shelves and unlock more display space than you could ever wish for by inserting an entire bookcase behind the headboard.
Wow with words
Many of us have a favorite quote that we like to think about when we’re feeling down or need some motivation, which is why you often see powerful words and phrases plastered all over the walls in challenging environments like the home gym.
Whether it’s an entire paragraph or just a single word, you can personalize the empty space above your bed with word decor in a beautiful typography design of your choice.
Go large-scale with tapestry
If you have your sights set on giving every square inch of visible wall space a decorative voice, you can’t really expect to do that with a supersized photograph or painting, not least because it would be pretty cost prohibitive to do so.
Rather, tapestry is much more convenient for introducing large-scale pieces to a space and no less impactful from a visual perspective, what with their thick fabric and fun patterns and illustrations.