Best wall decor for bedrooms – 11 inspiring ideas to add interest to a scheme

Our curated selection of the best wall decor for bedrooms will ensure that your walls sing out – everyday.

Adding interest to your scheme needn’t be confined to traditional bedroom wall decor ideas either. As well as paint and wallpaper, decorative decals, panels, artwork, mirrors, murals and even ceramics are all stylish ways to make a statement. 

All of these stunning bedroom ideas are sure ways to create character in a space, too.

Wall decor for bedrooms

These are the best bedroom wall decor ideas and inspiration, as chosen by the team at H&G.

1. Go for scaled-up art

Using bedroom wallpaper ideas is an ideal way to add pattern, texture and character to your bedroom. A mural filling a wall with a single dramatic image is a bold move, but it is a logical progression if you’ve already used patterned wallpapers. 

‘A mural is a powerful tool for the adventurous,’ explains Andy Grenall, Little Greene's head of design. However, many designs are also available as wallpapers for a more achievable look.

‘Three drops of paper that create a whole panel gives an instant uplift,’ adds Andy. For a cohesive scheme, paint nearby areas in a color taken from the mural design.

2. Hang a wall tapestry above the bed

Do away with a traditional headboard and opt for above the bed decor ideas that are easy to change, but just as visually striking.

A clever alternative to investing in an oversized headboard is to choose bedroom accent wall ideas – something striking and eye-catching in size – and mount an antique suzani wall hanging or tapestry on the wall above. This botanical wall hanging by Lewis & Wood adds pattern and depth to the room.

3. Reflect light with a wall of mirrors

Mirrors are a wonderfully versatile design feature, adding instant glamor and interest, while maximizing light and boosting the sense of space – ideal if you are looking for small bedroom ideas.

Not only are mirrors great for reflecting light, they can also give you the opportunity to create a vignette, especially when hung as a gallery, creating a light-reflecting, space-enhancing focal point. 

Source an array of vintage styles from a local flea market or antique fair for a truly unique take on this trend.

4. Forgo a traditional headboard

Take a leaf out of 1970s American style – minus the psychedelic patterns, shag pile and hanging chair – and consider covering the entire wall behind the bed with a carefully constructed series of low-rise, upholstered panels in a graphic fabric. 

This look counters and softens the wood on the walls and floors. It is a timeless aesthetic that will last for years to come – and, in general, statement headboard ideas will create a stand-out look.

5. Introduce graphic pattern 

Dark bedrooms are a wonderful place to experiment with daring patterns and a dramatic color palette. Here, mixing contrasting geometrics with color and pattern creates a vibrant room that is packed full of visual interest.

Graphic geometrics in moody hues are the basis for the scheme, with the tumbling block wallpaper and pastel rugs. Simple furniture choices allows for bolder color choices and patterns in the bedlinen and window treatments, including colorful spots and florals, and a mix of scales adds to the overall impact.

6. Create a gallery wall in your bedroom

Maximize the impact of your favorite artwork with a few simple design tricks, and put added heart into the wall decor for your bedroom. 

Curate your own gallery wall above the bed by hanging artwork together in a cluster. Decide which paintings, prints or fabric will anchor the scheme then take your decorating cues from them, great for dorm room ideas.

Here, a neutral color palette of beiges, taupes and mustard yellow tie to rest of the scheme together for a classic take on modern farmhouse style. 

7. Wallpaper with a tropical scene

Even if you don't live in a tropical climate all year round, that doesn’t have to stop you introducing an exotic feel to your bedroom wall decor through your choice of wallpaper ideas. 

Here, a rich palette of ochre, cinnamon and ginger adds warmth, while a sepia take on classic green palm-print wallpaper anchors the whole scheme.

8. Clash color and pattern for intrigue

This bedroom for kids in Singapore-based interior designer Elizabeth Hay’s home is a masterclass in clashing patterns and interesting wall decor for bedrooms. Matching a bedside lamp to a key piece of furniture – in this case, the headboard – brings the scheme together and makes the animal theme feel more sophisticated. 

Hay used a print called Small Elephant by Les Indiennes for the lamp and headboard, and mixed up the scale of patterns in the rest of the room for a vibrant effect.

Having something of a moment this season, woven and rattan accessories will be the cherry on the top for a scheme such as this. Don't be afraid to go big when it comes to bedroom wall decor ideas.

9. Opt for decorative wall panelling 

Panelling brings warmth and interest to a room. Eminently cosseting, this scheme’s depth comes from an expertly composed blend of textures and colors. 

This fabric of the bespoke padded wall panels is inspired by straw marquetry, and their square shape, which brings structure to the scheme, is echoed in the furniture such as the chair and chest of drawers. 

‘If you are opting for a traditional hardwood panelling,’ says Brian Purnell, owner of Distinctive Country Furniture, ‘it is essential to commit to looking after it correctly. 

'The very hot and dry atmospheres found in modern homes can cause damage, so it is worth trying to mitigate that by either keeping the heating set at a lower temperature in the panelled rooms or by introducing some humidity to the atmosphere.’

10. Install a standout bedroom canopy

Give wall decor for bedrooms a twist by investing in a statement canopy for your bed. This is a great way to add color and pattern without the commitment. 

Mimosa yellows and vibrant greens form the palette for this scheme, with a canopy adorned with trims and fringing for those extra decorative touches. This green bedroom is made for daydreaming, away from the bustle and heat of the summer sun.

11. Create a colorful display in a Boho bedroom

This scheme perfectly epitomizes the trend for bohemian bedroom ideas, with an eclectic mix of styles, colors and patterns all brought together in a very personal way for a warm and relaxed feel. The three fabrics on the bed, although all very different in color, scale, texture and material, all sit happily side by side. 

The reds and pinks of the wall decor and fabrics ground the scheme and hold all the disparate elements together, allowing the clashing lime bolster and wonderfully woven wallhanging baskets on display to stand out, adding character and individuality to the room.

What should I hang on my bedroom wall?

Whether it’s wallpaper, paint or textural finishes, changing just one wall in your bedroom can bring character to your space. 

A feature wall can also be a three-dimensional display, with all components combining to create a harmonious whole. There are a multitude of ways to enhance a bland wall with interesting bedroom wall decor ideas. 

We always recommend hanging up your favorite pieces, be that antique mirrors, treasured objects or much-loved artwork. Use colors and patterns that mirror the rest of the room for a truly cohesive aesthetic.