5 Easy Ideas for a Chic Bedroom Refresh in 2023

As a designer, I am constantly working on projects in my house. It's the one place I can experiment without fear, and bedroom makeovers are my favorite place to begin! Your space should be customized to work for you, especially because the areas we live and work in can affect our whole mood. More specifically, you can do a few small things to make a huge difference in your bedroom.

These tips will help refresh your bedroom design and your day-to-day life. Bedrooms are a place of restoration. Restoration can mean sleep, light stretching, meditation, intimacy, or anything that helps you to restore your relationship with yourself and your body.

With all this in mind, here are my five tips for refreshing your bedroom:

• Declutter your space and eliminate anything that no longer serves you a purpose.
• Move your furniture layout around for optimal use of the space in your bedroom.
• Prioritize upgrading your bedding situation through new bedsheets, duvets, or pillows.
• Enhance your wall texture through wallpaper, slated wood, and beyond.
• Use curtains to add dimension and privacy to your bedroom.

1. Declutter your space.

The obvious (and very important) first tip is to declutter. I know—decluttering has been such a hot topic lately, but it is so good for your soul and the beauty of your space. Don’t wait until that spring cleaning moment!

You don't need to live minimally, but your bedroom should be clear and manageable. So take a note from Marie Kondo and go through your bedroom, get rid of everything that doesn't spark joy — be honest with yourself.

Under the bed is a prime spot for clutter to build up. Ideally, you should keep the space under your bed completely clear for energy to move around the room. But if you live in a small space and desperately need the under-bed storage, make sure it's organized and functional and that you love everything under there.

2. Move your furniture layout around.

Let's talk about bed placement first. After all, this is a bedroom and for most people the bed takes up the majority of your square footage. Ideally, your mattress should be parallel to the door (meaning you are looking at the door when lying down). This is only sometimes possible, but it makes for better feng shui to be able to see the door from bed and for energy to enter the room. From there, most other pieces of furniture will have a natural place in your room.

Try to maintain balance. If you were to split the room in half, each side should feel the same "weight." For instance, if the east side of your room had a dresser, accent chair, nightstand, and lamp, and the west side had a nightstand and window, your east side would be "heavier," making the room feel out of balance.

Less is more in your bedroom. Move out any furniture that doesn't serve a purpose (or simply collects clutter). Still stuck? Here are more bedroom layout tips.

3. Upgrade your bedding.

Prioritize upgrading your bedding situation wherever possible. The bed is your centerpiece for the bedroom, so why not make it look amazing? Updating your bedding and styling your bed will change how your bedroom feels and looks. I prefer to use linen, jersey cotton, or a Tencel blend for my bedding. My bed styling equation for a queen-size bed is four pillows, three throw pillows, and one throw blanket.

P.S. Duvets and coverlets are a must! Opt for two duvet inserts in one cover if you want an extra cozy bed.

4. Enhance your wall texture.

Playing around with wall texture can get really fun, but it can also require a bit more work on your end. Things like wallpaper, wood fluting, and even paneling can give your bedroom a total Princess Diaries-level makeover.

When picking out a texture or color, remember to keep it subtle and calm. Bright or cool colors (these are considered "active"), abrupt points, harsh corners, and disturbing images can be too busy for a bedroom. Neutral skin-tone colors, soft wave-like textures, and earthy elements work really well.

5. Add dimension and privacy with curtains.

I wish more people put curtains in their bedrooms! Not only are curtains super functional, but they can add dimension and a super cozy vibe to a space when done right. Always have a blackout curtain option (especially if you live somewhere with a lot of light pollution). I often use a blackout shade and dark curtains, which I find important for my sleep quality! I recommend keeping curtain patterns simple, solid colored, or in a neutral tone color palette. Like texture, curtains should be serene and calming, not busy or loud.

Accomplishing just one of these five tips can give your bedroom a bit of a refresher, and tackling all of them will make you feel like you moved into a whole new dream space! Not only that, but these updates can improve your day-to-day life. These updates can give you more restorative time, meaning more energy, life, and inspiration. Who wouldn't want that?

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^{Photo Credit: Black and Blooms}