10 modern bedroom ideas – the best decorating tips for the primary bedroom

Modern bedroom ideas and contemporary architecture can make a style statement in the bedroom. Success depends on using the right materials, color combinations and opting for a sleek design that results in an effective blend of old and new. 

Less is often more when it comes to contemporary bedrooms, so be careful not to over design. Bear in mind too that very modern designs can sometimes feel stark and clinical, so balance this by introducing warmth with plenty of texture, wood and layered lighting to add interest. 

The use of texture is vital when it comes to bedrooms, and no more so than in a modern bedroom. Let our carefully-curated selection of modern bedroom ideas inspire you to be brave with your color scheme, try a new bedroom layout or tackle the latest bedroom trends.

Modern bedroom ideas

Beautiful fabrics, textiles and wallpaper are at the heart of every standout scheme – but how do you begin to decide the best approach for your bedroom? Our gallery of modern bedroom ideas is a good place to start for looks and details that are full of finesse.

1. Be bolder with color in a modern bedroom 

Bedroom color ideas are a personal thing, especially in your sleep sanctuary, so it’s important to be surrounded by the amount and types that feel right to you. People tend to be braver with their clothes than they are in their homes. If you have a lot of color in your wardrobe, you should probably have a lot in your house as well. 

If you’re not sure where to start, choose a bedroom rug or headboard idea with several colors and let it guide you. Pick out the colors you like and use in the rest of the room. Just ensure you add in a few unexpected pops to prevent the space from feeling too ‘done’. 

Don’t forget your ceiling ideas, too. It doesn’t have to be that you’re making a huge impact, maybe just go for the palest shade of your bedroom wall color, or something else that feels tonal.

2. Supersize your headboard

Grand, super-sized headboard ideas have been a thing for a while now but the style is evolving. Colorful matt patterns have replaced glossy monotonal textures and shapes have become more complex. The rectangle has been superseded by curves and free-form asymmetrical pieces that are almost pieces of art in their own right. Find an upholsterer with headboard experience and discuss your ideas for shapes, sizes and fabrics before you make the order.

3. Invest in the best bedroom lighting

In a modern bedroom, different levels and types of bedroom lighting ideas can help switch the mood from practical – getting ready for work, say – to relaxing or reading before going to sleep. And it’s something that also needs to be considered when choosing colors. 

Sarah Barker from Vanrenen GW Designs thinks about functionality as well as aesthetics when selecting the right lighting for a bedroom. ‘Lighting needs to be low and atmospheric but it is important to be able to read. I am not so keen on overhead lights in modern bedrooms so we often use small wall lights next to the bed for additional attractive light.’

4. Get creative with wallpaper

Don't just look at bedroom wallpaper ideas for your four walls – have fun and think outside the box when designing a modern bedroom.

‘Don’t waste a scrap – there are many uses for a half roll that’s currently lying redundant,’ advises Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. ‘Inside cupboards and interior doors are great places to start your adventure with wallpaper and will add impact to rooms that require more detail.'

In a small bedroom, closets can visually block a lot of space, but if you cover the doors with the same wallpaper as the walls, it will help to make them disappear. Match the pattern for a seamless blend – the larger the repeat, the easier this will be. 

5. Use the 'fifth' wall as a decorative surface

Wallpapering the ceiling is an effective way to add drama, and works particularly well in rooms tucked up in the eaves. 'Ceilings are a great way of adding another layer of interest and making a space feel smarter. All too often they are an afterthought but we make sure to consider their design potential,’ shares interior designer Nicola Harding. 

In this cool bedroom idea, the wraparound motif is the key to the cocooning feel of this cabin bed. ‘As pattern matching is difficult between ceilings and walls, we lined the edges with a braid, so you don’t notice if it is slightly off,’ says Sarah Peake, founder of Studio Peake. ‘We used the same trick with a contrasting edge on the blind.’

6. Choose complementary color combinations 

A modern bedroom color scheme is not just about looking to future trends, sometimes it pays to hark back to the past, especially during times of uncertainty. 

‘Ae we move into thinking about pairing color trends in 2022, I feel we might look beyond the nostalgic tones of the past year and be attracted to colors that are full of excitement, but somehow familiar,' says Joa Studholme, color curator, Farrow & Ball. 'I am keen to use more homely, uncomplicated colors that are full of memories. The combination of India Yellow with Green Smoke epitomizes the feeling of optimism so crucial to our homes next year.’ 

7. Let your art do the talking

A modern bedroom is perhaps the most private and intimate space in the home, somewhere you can truly relax and be yourself. Art, then, is particularly significant here. A favorite artwork is a classic starting point for a bedroom scheme. Make this your cue – experiment with the colors used, select two or three, then take it from there.

‘Pick one color as a foundation – from a favorite artwork, image or piece of clothing – to form the thread that runs through the space,' says Charlotte Archer, head of brand, Sanderson. 'Build your modern palette around this with complementary or tonal shades. My number one rule is: decorate for yourself, not others – choose colors, patterns and styles that you love and you won’t go wrong.’ 

8. Think pink

It's time to rethink pink in a modern bedroom. Rich and nuanced, an earthy pink has a depth that lends sophistication to a scheme. A versatile hue, it can veer into burgundy or brighten into a deep coral. 

‘Pink is a truly wonderful shade to use as an accent color in a modern bedroom. There is such an incredible range of shades to choose from and dark pink room idea can add depth and personality to a design scheme. It’s bold and vibrant and works so well when used for upholstery on a headboard or bed base in a bedroom. 

Here, Natalia Miyar layers different shades of pink to great effect, with a bed base in a raspberry tone, rising to a dusky rose on the wallpaper.

Elizabeth Hay, interior designer and founder, Elizabeth Hay Design agrees: ‘This tone works perfectly in a scheme that is rather dark, or which suffers from a lack of natural light. Not only does it inject a space with brightness and cheer, but it will also bring out and highlight any accent colors and color combinations in the room.’

9. Look to sustainable furniture

Natural wood introduces a subtle texture and pattern into a modern bedroom. Not only that but it has health-giving properties and is practical, too: lining the interiors of any wardrobes with cedar wood is good for preventing moths.

This fitted closet was designed in collaboration with Sebastian Cox and House of Grey and features doors made from a whitened English oak frame, woven with English ash. Inside is a full selection of storage options including hanging rails, shelves and drawers. 

‘Our selection of choice materials, such as ebonized oak, blackened ash and English cedar wood, all encourage easier breathing and improved air quality by moderating humidity,’ says designer Louisa Grey.

10. Create a place for everything

A place for everything creates the foundation for a reassuring sense of order in a modern bedroom. 'When designing bedroom storage ideas, we are always conscious of keeping practicality in mind,' says Katie Cox, interior designer, HAM Interiors. 'Built-in wardrobes and bedroom shelving ideas are vital to make every bit of space work as hard as possible and maximize the number of jeans, shoes and bags that need to be stored.'

In addition to bedside tables, Nina Campbell recommends creating shallow niches on either side of the bed. ‘I find it maddening not to have somewhere to put a glass of water or a book, so I have done this a few times,’ she explains. 'It is something that every modern bedroom needs.'

How do you style a modern bedroom?

There are many beautiful ways to expertly style a modern bedroom. 

Firstly, don't neglect your windows. Curtains and blinds are the perfect place to begin adding color and pattern contrast to your modern bedroom. ‘Texture can be created in a scheme by, for example, pairing more delicately patterned floral curtain fabrics with small checks or block colors for the other soft furnishings, such as an ottoman or scatter cushions,’ says Emma Sims-Hilditch. ‘Why not use two types of patterned fabric for your curtains? A larger-scale print when seen from the outside and a smaller-scale design on the inside adds interest and provides a taster for what can be seen within.’

Layering is another vital element to consider when designing your bedroom. The bedroom of the 2020s is all about layering – whether that’s tonal variations of color on different surfaces, a mix of patterns that playfully explore a particular palette or a dynamic blend of textures. 

How do you modernize a bed?

The best way to modernize a bed is to look towards the headboard. 

A headboard is not just about comfort; with a little thought it can transform a bedroom scheme by providing the perfect blank canvas to try out interesting color and pattern combinations,’ says interior designer Natalia Miyar. 

‘I love upholstering headboards in bright, decorative fabrics that draw the eye to the focal point of the room, elevating the bed itself to a style statement. I often add piping around the edge for an extra pop of color and smart tailoring.'