Ideas for Decorating Above the Bed

By Rosie Osmun Certified Sleep Coach

Last Updated On June 30th, 2025
Ideas for Decorating Above the Bed

Key Takeaways

  • Safety is paramount when decorating above your bed. Always use proper wall anchors rated for at least 25% more weight than your artwork, avoid heavy mirrors or glass pieces that could cause injury if they fall, and keep all decorations at least 18 inches away from ceiling fans. Choose lightweight alternatives like canvas prints or fabric wall hangings over potentially dangerous materials.
  • Size and placement matter more than expensive artwork. Your decor should span at least two-thirds of your bed’s width to look proportional, and the bottom edge should sit 6-12 inches above your headboard rather than at standard standing eye level. Undersized artwork makes bedrooms look unfinished, while proper scaling creates a professional, intentional appearance.
  • Coordinate with your existing bedroom style and colors for a cohesive look. Your above-bed decor should complement your current bedding, furniture, and paint colors rather than fighting against them, and it should reflect your overall design aesthetic whether that’s modern, traditional, or bohemian.

Most people spend countless hours choosing the perfect bedding, furniture, and paint colors for their bedrooms, yet they leave the wall space above their bed completely bare.

This empty wall represents a huge missed opportunity to create a stunning focal point that brings your entire room together.

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The right decor above your bed can transform a plain bedroom into a stylish retreat that reflects your personality and makes you feel truly at home.

However, decorating this space comes with unique challenges that many homeowners overlook, from safety concerns to proper sizing and placement rules.

You need to balance visual appeal with practical considerations like secure mounting and sleep-friendly design choices.

Whether you prefer classic artwork, creative alternatives, or budget-friendly DIY solutions, the possibilities for this prime real estate are endless.

Discover expert tips and proven strategies that will help you create a beautiful, safe, and perfectly proportioned display above your bed.

Ready to turn that blank wall into your bedroom’s best feature? Read on for tips that will help you transform your space.

Why the Space Matters

The wall above your bed offers the largest uninterrupted surface in most bedrooms, making it prime real estate for decoration. Smart homeowners use this space to solve common bedroom design problems while creating a room that truly feels like home.

Creates a Focal Point in the Bedroom

Every well-designed room needs a clear focal point that draws your eye and anchors the space. The wall above your bed naturally serves this purpose because it sits directly behind your room’s largest piece of furniture.

When you leave this wall bare, your bedroom lacks direction and feels incomplete to anyone who enters. A strong focal point above your bed gives visitors an immediate sense of your style and creates visual interest that makes the room memorable.

It can also help make a smaller room feel bigger. Light-colored artwork, especially pieces with white or pale backgrounds, helps reflect light back into the room rather than absorbing it like dark pieces would.

Designers always start with the bed wall when planning bedroom layouts because it sets the tone for everything else. You can use bold artwork, an interesting headboard, or creative wall treatments to establish this important visual anchor.

The key is choosing something substantial enough to command attention without overwhelming the peaceful atmosphere you need for good sleep.

Adds Personality and Style to Your Space

Your bedroom should reflect who you are, and the space above your bed gives you the perfect canvas to showcase your personality. This prominent wall space allows you to display meaningful artwork, family photos, or collections that tell your story to anyone who enters the room.

You can express your travel experiences through photography, show your artistic side with original paintings, or highlight your interests through themed collections. The beauty of this space lies in its flexibility. You can go bold with dramatic pieces or keep things subtle with understated elegance.

Unlike other rooms in your home where you might need to consider guests’ preferences, your bedroom decor can be completely personal. You have the freedom to choose colors, themes, and styles that make you happy every time you walk into the room.

This personal touch transforms a generic bedroom into a space that truly feels like your own private retreat.

Makes the Room Feel Complete and Finished

A bare wall above your bed creates an obvious gap in your room’s design that makes the entire space feel unfinished. This empty space draws attention for all the wrong reasons, making even well-furnished bedrooms look incomplete or rushed.

When you thoughtfully decorate this wall, you create visual balance that makes your room feel intentionally designed rather than thrown together. The right decor above your bed connects all your other design elements and creates a cohesive look throughout the space.

Professional stagers always address the bed wall because they know potential buyers notice when this important area gets ignored. You don’t need expensive artwork or elaborate installations to achieve this finished look – even simple, well-chosen pieces can tie your room together beautifully.

The goal is creating a sense of completion that makes your bedroom feel like a polished, well-thought-out space.

Safety First

Decorating above your bed requires extra attention to safety since you’ll be sleeping directly underneath your chosen decor. Poor installation or inappropriate items can create serious hazards that put you at risk every night.

Secure Mounting Techniques for Different Wall Types

Different wall materials require specific mounting approaches to ensure your decor stays safely in place. Drywall needs wall anchors or screws driven into studs for anything heavier than a small picture frame, while plaster walls often require special toggle bolts or molly bolts for secure mounting.

You can identify studs using a stud finder or by tapping the wall and listening for solid sounds versus hollow ones. Concrete or brick walls need masonry anchors and specialized drill bits, but they provide the strongest possible mounting once properly installed.

Always test your mounting hardware by gently pulling on it before hanging your decor – if the anchor moves or feels loose, you need a stronger solution. Many mounting failures happen because people underestimate the importance of proper hardware for their specific wall type.

When in doubt, consult with hardware store professionals who can recommend the right anchors and screws for your particular situation.

Weight Limits and Proper Anchoring

Every mounting system has weight limits that you must respect to prevent dangerous failures. Standard picture hanging wire and small nails can typically handle items up to 10 pounds, while heavy artwork or mirrors require robust wall anchors rated for 30 pounds or more.

You should always check the weight rating on your anchors and choose hardware that exceeds your item’s actual weight by at least 25 percent for added safety. Heavy items like large mirrors or wooden shelves need multiple anchor points distributed across their width to prevent tilting or falling.

Professional installers use a simple rule: if you can’t easily lift an item with one hand, it needs heavy-duty mounting hardware and possibly professional installation. Don’t trust adhesive strips or command hooks for anything above your bed, as these can fail over time due to temperature changes and humidity.

Always verify that your chosen anchors can handle not just the static weight, but also any dynamic forces from opening doors or walking heavily across floors.

Avoiding Items That Could Fall During Sleep

Certain decorative items pose unacceptable risks when placed above beds, regardless of how well you mount them. Heavy mirrors, glass artwork, and metal sculptures can cause serious injury if they fall, making them poor choices for above-bed placement.

Sharp-edged items like metal wall art or decorative weapons should never hang over sleeping areas, even if they seem securely mounted. Plants in heavy ceramic pots present multiple dangers – the pot can fall, and water can drip onto your bed and create mold problems. You should also avoid hanging items with small parts that could break off and fall, such as decorative mobiles or intricate sculptures with protruding elements.

Lightweight alternatives like canvas prints, fabric wall hangings, or wooden signs provide visual impact without serious safety risks. Even well-mounted items can fail due to wall settling, temperature changes, or simple wear over time, so choose your above-bed decor with worst-case scenarios in mind.

Keeping Decorations Away from Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans create unique challenges for above-bed decor that many people overlook until problems arise. Fan blades need clear space to operate safely and efficiently, typically requiring at least 18 inches of clearance in all directions from any wall decorations.

Hanging items too close to ceiling fans can create dangerous situations where the fan catches loose elements like fabric or plant tendrils. The air movement from ceiling fans can also cause lightweight decorations to move constantly, creating annoying noise and potentially damaging both the fan and your decor.

You need to consider the fan’s full range of motion, including any wobbling that might develop over time as the motor ages. Tall headboards or large wall installations should account for fan clearance even if they don’t currently interfere with operation.

If your bedroom has a ceiling fan, focus your decorative efforts on the lower two-thirds of the wall space to avoid any potential conflicts with fan operation.

Classic Art

Traditional artwork and photography create timeless bedroom decor that works with any style you choose. These classic options give you endless variety and easily change as your taste grows over time.

Classic art and photography options give you the freedom to express yourself while creating a peaceful bedroom atmosphere. These tried-and-true decorating choices will make your space feel complete and personally meaningful for years to come.

Single Large Statement Pieces

One big piece of art makes a strong impact and works great in modern bedrooms when it measures at least two-thirds the width of your bed.

Gallery Walls with Multiple Frames

Multiple pieces displayed together let you create a custom look that shows your personal style, and you should plan the layout on your floor first before hanging anything.

Photography Collections and Themes

Themed photo collections tell a story through your favorite travel memories, nature shots, or black and white images that create a calm feeling in your room.

Choosing the Right Frame Styles and Colors

Simple frames work best in modern rooms while fancy frames suit traditional styles, and white or black frames offer the most flexibility without competing with your art.

Creative Alternatives

Moving beyond traditional artwork opens up exciting possibilities for unique bedroom decor that shows current design trends.

These alternative options create stunning focal points while adding texture, dimension, and personality that flat artwork simply cannot achieve.

Creative alternatives to traditional art give you endless ways to express your personality and style preferences.

These unique options will make your bedroom feel more interesting and personal while creating a space that truly reflects who you are.

Floating Shelves with Decorative Objects

Floating shelves turn your bed wall into a functional display area where you can show off meaningful objects like books, plants, and candles that change with your mood or the seasons.

Macrame and Textile Wall Hangings

Macrame and fabric wall hangings bring warmth and bohemian style to bedrooms while offering a softer alternative that creates cozy atmospheres perfect for relaxation.

Metal Wall Sculptures and Decorative Mirrors

Metal wall art and decorative mirrors add sophisticated elegance and can make bedrooms appear larger and brighter, but you must mount these heavy pieces extremely securely.

Plants and Living Walls for Natural Beauty

Living plants and green walls, or even a full biophilic bedroom, bring natural beauty and improved air quality to bedrooms while creating a spa-like atmosphere, though you must consider watering needs to prevent damage.

Size and Placement

Getting the size and placement right makes the difference between professional-looking decor and amateur mistakes that throw off your entire room’s balance. These guidelines will help you create perfectly proportioned displays that enhance rather than overwhelm your bedroom space.

Measuring Your Wall Space Correctly

Start by measuring the full width and height of your wall space, then subtract any areas occupied by headboards, furniture, or architectural features that limit your decorating space. You need to account for the actual usable wall space rather than the total wall dimensions to avoid choosing pieces that won’t fit properly.

Mark the boundaries of your available space with painter’s tape so you can visualize exactly how much room you have to work with. Consider any obstacles like light switches, outlets, or vents that might interfere with your placement options and plan around them from the beginning.

Measure twice and write down your dimensions since it’s easy to forget exact measurements when you’re shopping for artwork or planning installations. Don’t forget to measure the depth available if you’re considering three-dimensional pieces like shelves or sculptures that project from the wall.

Having accurate measurements prevents costly mistakes and ensures your chosen decor will fit perfectly in your intended space.

Height Rules for Hanging Artwork

The standard rule places artwork so its center sits 57 to 60 inches from the floor, which works well for average ceiling heights and most viewing angles. However, above beds require different considerations since you’ll primarily view the artwork while lying down rather than standing up.

Position your artwork so the bottom edge sits 6 to 12 inches above your headboard, or 8 to 10 inches above the mattress if you don’t have a headboard. This placement ensures the artwork feels connected to your bed rather than floating awkwardly high on the wall.

Taller ceilings allow you to hang pieces slightly higher, while lower ceilings require keeping artwork closer to the bed for proper proportion. Always step back and view your placement from different angles around the room, including from the bed itself, to ensure it looks balanced from all perspectives.

Hanging artwork too high is one of the most common decorating mistakes that makes rooms feel disconnected and poorly planned.

Proportions That Work with Different Bed Sizes

Your bed size directly determines the appropriate scale for above-bed artwork, with larger beds requiring more substantial pieces to maintain visual balance. Twin and full beds work well with artwork that spans 24 to 36 inches wide, while queen beds need pieces measuring 36 to 48 inches across for proper proportion.

King beds require the largest artwork, typically 48 to 60 inches wide, to avoid looking dwarfed by the bed’s substantial size. These measurements apply to single pieces, but you can achieve the same visual weight with multiple smaller pieces arranged together within these width guidelines.

The height of your artwork should generally be one-third to one-half the height of your headboard to create pleasing proportions. If you don’t have a headboard, aim for artwork that’s roughly one-quarter the height of your wall space above the bed.

These are starting guidelines, though. You can adjust based on your specific room dimensions and personal preferences while maintaining overall balance.

Centering Techniques for Balanced Looks

Perfect centering creates the foundation for professional-looking artwork displays that feel intentional and well-planned. Find the exact center of your bed by measuring its width and marking the midpoint, then align the center of your artwork with this mark.

Use a level to ensure your artwork hangs straight, as even slight tilting can make the entire display look sloppy and unfinished. For multiple pieces, center the entire grouping as one unit rather than centering each individual piece separately.

Create paper templates of your artwork pieces and tape them to the wall to test your arrangement before making any holes. This technique lets you experiment with different layouts and ensure perfect centering without damaging your walls.

When hanging multiple pieces, maintain consistent spacing between them – typically 2 to 3 inches works well for most arrangements. Double-check your centering by stepping back and viewing the display from the foot of the bed, as this is where proportion problems become most obvious.

Color and Style

Your above-bed decor should work harmoniously with your existing bedroom design rather than fighting against it for attention. Smart color choices and style coordination create a cohesive look that makes your entire room feel intentionally designed and professionally decorated.

Working with Your Existing Bedroom Colors

Start by identifying the dominant colors already present in your bedroom through bedding, furniture, paint, and other decor elements. Your artwork should either complement these existing colors or introduce new accent colors that enhance your current palette without overwhelming it.

You can safely choose artwork that includes colors for sleep already used elsewhere in your room, as this creates visual connections that tie your design together. Consider your room’s undertones – warm or cool – and select artwork that matches these underlying color temperatures for the most harmonious results.

Neutral artwork works in almost any color scheme (from brown bedrooms to dopamine decor) and provides a safe choice if you’re unsure about bold color combinations.

Take photos of your bedroom and bring them when shopping for artwork, as colors can look very different under store lighting than in your actual space.

Don’t forget to consider how your chosen colors will look under both natural daylight and your bedroom’s artificial lighting throughout different times of day.

Creating Contrast Without Clashing

Strategic contrast adds visual interest and prevents your bedroom from looking flat or boring, but you need to balance contrast with harmony to avoid jarring combinations. Use the 60-30-10 rule where your dominant color covers 60 percent of the space, a secondary color takes up 30 percent, and accent colors make up the remaining 10 percent.

Your above-bed artwork can provide that important 10 percent of accent color that makes your room feel complete and dynamic. Black and white artwork creates strong contrast that works with any color scheme while adding sophistication and drama to your space.

You can also create contrast through texture and pattern rather than color – smooth artwork against textured walls or geometric patterns in rooms with organic shapes. Test potential color combinations by placing fabric swatches or paint samples next to your existing decor before making final decisions.

High contrast works better in larger rooms, while subtle contrast suits smaller bedrooms where too much visual competition can feel overwhelming.

Matching Your Decor Style

Your artwork should reflect and enhance your bedroom’s overall design style rather than introducing conflicting elements that confuse the visual message. Modern bedrooms benefit from clean-lined artwork with minimal frames, abstract designs, or contemporary photography that echoes the room’s sleek aesthetic.

Rustic or farmhouse-style bedrooms pair beautifully with nature photography, vintage-inspired prints, or artwork featuring natural materials like reclaimed wood frames. Traditional bedrooms call for classic artwork choices like landscapes, portraits, or still-life paintings in ornate or substantial frames that match the room’s formal character.

Bohemian style rooms welcome eclectic artwork combinations, tapestries, and mixed-media pieces that reflect the free-spirited nature of this design approach. Industrial-style bedrooms work well with metal artwork, black and white photography, or pieces that incorporate raw materials like concrete or steel.

Transitional style rooms offer the most flexibility, allowing you to blend elements from different styles as long as they share common colors or themes.

Using Artwork to Tie Room Elements Together

Strategic artwork selection can solve common decorating problems by connecting disparate elements and creating a unified look throughout your bedroom. Look for artwork that picks up colors from your bedding, curtains, or furniture to create visual bridges between different areas of the room.

You can use artwork to balance bold elements elsewhere in your room. If you have a colorful accent wall, choose more subdued artwork to prevent visual overload.

Artwork can also introduce missing elements that your room needs, such as adding warmth to a cool color scheme or bringing pattern to a room filled with solid colors.

Consider the shapes and lines in your furniture when selecting artwork. Curved furniture pairs well with organic artwork, while angular furniture looks great with geometric or architectural pieces.

Use your above-bed artwork as the starting point for additional decor choices throughout the room, pulling colors or themes from the artwork to guide your selection of throw pillows, lamps, or other accessories.

This approach ensures your bedroom feels cohesive and intentionally designed rather than randomly assembled from unrelated pieces.

Low Budget Ideas

Beautiful above-bed decor doesn’t require a huge budget or expensive artwork to make a stunning impact in your bedroom. Creative solutions and smart shopping can help you achieve a designer look while staying within your financial comfort zone.

Budget-friendly decorating proves that creativity matters more than expensive purchases when creating beautiful bedroom spaces. These smart approaches will help you design a stunning room that reflects your style without breaking your budget.

DIY Projects You Can Complete in a Weekend

Canvas painting projects let you create custom artwork that perfectly matches your bedroom colors, and you can try simple abstract designs or trendy techniques like paint pouring even without art experience.

Affordable Art Sources and Alternatives

Thrift stores and garage sales offer treasure troves of artwork and frames that you can update for a fraction of retail prices, while online marketplaces feature original pieces from emerging artists.

Repurposing Items You Already Own

Look around your home for items like old scarves, vintage maps, or children’s artwork that can become interesting wall displays with minor modifications or creative framing.

Seasonal Decorating That Changes with Time

Seasonal rotation keeps your bedroom feeling fresh and current without major investments, letting you swap spring florals for cozy fall colors throughout the year.

Lighting Considerations

The relationship between your above-bed decor and your bedroom lighting can dramatically impact both the appearance of your artwork and the overall ambiance of your space. Understanding how light interacts with different materials and finishes helps you make choices that enhance rather than hinder your room’s lighting scheme.

Proper lighting considerations ensure your above-bed decor enhances your bedroom’s atmosphere rather than creating problems with brightness or glare. These thoughtful choices will help you create a space that looks beautiful and feels comfortable throughout both day and night.

How Wall Decor Affects Room Lighting

Dark artwork and frames absorb light and can make your bedroom feel smaller, while light-colored artwork and white matting reflect light back into the room to create a brighter, more open feeling.

Install Sconces or Pendant Lights

Wall-mounted sconces flanking your bed create both functional reading light and dramatic accent lighting that enhances your above-bed decor when positioned to illuminate artwork without creating harsh shadows.

Using Reflective Pieces to Brighten Dark Spaces

Mirrors positioned above your bed can significantly increase your room’s brightness by reflecting both natural and artificial light throughout the space, though you must avoid creating uncomfortable glare.

Avoiding Glare That Disrupts Sleep

Glossy artwork surfaces can reflect light from windows or lamps directly into your eyes while lying in bed, so choose matte finishes and test placement with nighttime lighting before mounting permanently.

Common Mistakes

Even well-intentioned decorating efforts can fall flat when you make basic placement and selection errors that throw off your bedroom’s entire look. Learning to recognize and avoid these common pitfalls will help you create professional-looking displays that enhance rather than detract from your space.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help you create a bedroom that looks professionally designed and thoughtfully planned. Taking time to consider proper placement, scale, and style coordination ensures your above-bed decor enhances your space rather than working against it.

Hanging Pieces Too High or Too Low

The most frequent mistake people make is hanging artwork at standing eye level rather than considering how it looks from the bed, when the sweet spot places artwork’s bottom edge 6 to 12 inches above your headboard.

Choosing Artwork That’s Too Small for the Space

Undersized artwork makes your bedroom look unfinished and poorly proportioned, so your artwork should span at least two-thirds the width of your bed to create proper scale relationships.

Overcrowding the Wall with Too Many Items

Cramming too many pieces onto your bed wall creates visual chaos that prevents any single element from making a proper impact and makes bedrooms feel busy rather than peaceful.

Ignoring the Room’s Overall Design Flow

Your above-bed decor should work harmoniously with your bedroom’s existing style and colors rather than introducing jarring elements that disrupt the room’s cohesive flow.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance keeps your above-bed decor looking fresh and protects your investment in artwork and decorative pieces over time. Regular care and thoughtful updates ensure your bedroom continues to feel current and well-maintained for years to come.

Taking care of your above-bed decor through regular maintenance and thoughtful updates protects your investment while keeping your space looking its best. These simple practices ensure your bedroom decor remains beautiful and current without requiring major replacements or expensive updates.

Cleaning Different Types of Wall Decor

Framed artwork requires gentle dusting with a soft, dry cloth while canvas paintings need careful attention with a clean paintbrush to avoid pushing dirt into the texture or damaging delicate surfaces.

Protecting Artwork from Dust and Damage

Position artwork away from heating vents and air conditioning units that circulate dust, and consider UV-protective glass for pieces exposed to direct sunlight that can fade colors over time.

Updating Your Display as Styles Change

Swap out artwork periodically to keep your bedroom feeling current with evolving design trends, and replace frames rather than entire pieces when you want to update the look affordably.

Seasonal Rotation Ideas to Keep Things Fresh

Create seasonal storage systems that make swapping artwork quick and easy, featuring bright pieces in summer and cozy, warm-toned artwork during winter months.

FAQs

What’s the safest way to hang heavy artwork above my bed?

Heavy artwork requires wall anchors or screws driven directly into wall studs to ensure secure mounting that won’t fail over time.

Use mounting hardware rated for at least 25 percent more weight than your actual piece, and always test the installation by gently pulling on it before hanging your artwork.

Avoid using adhesive strips, command hooks, or lightweight picture hanging wire for anything that weighs more than a few pounds.

If you’re unsure about the installation process or have very heavy pieces, consider hiring a professional to ensure proper mounting that keeps you safe while sleeping.

How do I choose the right size artwork for my bed?

Your artwork should span at least two-thirds the width of your bed to create proper visual proportion. So a 60-inch king bed needs artwork that’s at least 40 inches wide.

Measure your available wall space first, accounting for any headboard height and the distance to your ceiling to determine your maximum artwork dimensions.

Single large pieces work well for this sizing rule, but you can also achieve the same visual weight by grouping multiple smaller pieces together within these width guidelines.

When in doubt, choose larger pieces rather than smaller ones, as undersized artwork looks lost and unfinished above beds.

Can I hang plants above my bed safely?

Plants can work above beds if you choose lightweight varieties and use proper drainage systems to prevent water damage to your bedding and floors.

Avoid heavy ceramic pots that could cause injury if they fall, and opt for hanging planters with secure mounting or wall-mounted systems designed specifically for indoor plants.

Use drip trays or self-watering systems to minimize the risk of water spillage that could create mold problems or damage your mattress.

Low-maintenance bedroom plants like pothos, air plants, or snake plants work best since they don’t require frequent watering or care that might lead to accidents.

How high should I hang artwork above my headboard?

Position artwork so its bottom edge sits 6 to 12 inches above your headboard to create visual connection without overcrowding the space.

If you don’t have a headboard, hang pieces 8 to 10 inches above your mattress level to maintain proper proportion with your bed.

This placement ensures you can comfortably view your artwork while lying down and creates the right relationship between your bed and wall decor.

Avoid the standard 57-inch center height rule used in other rooms, as bedrooms require different considerations based on furniture height and viewing angles.

What should I avoid putting above my bed for safety reasons?

Never hang heavy mirrors, glass artwork, or sharp-edged metal pieces that could cause serious injury if they fall during sleep or earthquakes.

Avoid items with small parts that could break off, plants in heavy pots that might tip over, or anything with protruding elements that could catch on bedding or clothing.

Keep all decorations at least 18 inches away from ceiling fan blades to prevent dangerous contact and ensure proper air circulation.

Choose lightweight alternatives like canvas prints, fabric wall hangings, or wooden signs that provide visual impact without serious safety risks.

How can I decorate above my bed on a tight budget?

Create your own artwork using canvas and acrylic paints, or print digital designs from online marketplaces at local copy shops for instant, affordable decor.

Shop thrift stores and garage sales for frames and artwork that you can update with new matting or paint to match your bedroom colors.

Repurpose items you already own like scarves, vintage maps, or meaningful photographs that can be framed or mounted creatively.

Try seasonal rotations using different pieces throughout the year to keep your decor feeling fresh without buying new items constantly.

How do I make sure my artwork matches my bedroom style?

Start by identifying your bedroom’s overall design style — modern, traditional, rustic, or bohemian — and choose artwork that reflects these same aesthetic principles.

Consider your existing colors in bedding, furniture, and paint, then select pieces that either complement these colors or add coordinating accent tones.

Look for artwork that shares materials, textures, or themes with other elements in your room to create visual connections throughout the space.

Take photos of your bedroom when shopping for artwork, as colors and styles can look very different under store lighting than in your actual room.

Can I put a clock above my bed?

You can put a clock above your bed, but consider the placement carefully for both safety and sleep quality. Make sure it’s securely mounted to the wall so it won’t fall, and avoid placing it directly overhead where it could be a hazard if it were to come loose.

Also think about whether the clock face will be illuminated at night, as this could interfere with your sleep. You might be better served by an alarm clock across the room, turned away from your bed, for minimal distraction and because it helps you get moving in the morning.

Does a shelf headboard work as safe decoration?

A shelf headboard or bookcase bed frame can work as safe decoration when properly installed and used thoughtfully. Ensure the shelving unit is securely anchored to the wall and can handle the weight of whatever you place on it, since items could potentially fall onto the bed during sleep or movement.

Keep heavier objects toward the bottom shelves and lighter decorative items up top, and avoid placing anything breakable or with sharp edges directly above where your head rests.

Conclusion

Decorating the space above your bed transforms this often-overlooked area into a powerful design element that can completely change how your bedroom looks and feels.

The key to success lies in balancing safety considerations with aesthetic goals, ensuring your chosen decor enhances your sleep environment rather than creating hazards or distractions.

Whether you prefer classic artwork, creative alternatives, or budget-friendly DIY solutions for a bedroom makeover, the most important factors are proper sizing, secure installation, and coordination with your existing decor style.

This prominent wall space offers an opportunity to express your personality while creating the focal point your bedroom needs to feel complete and intentionally designed.

Regular maintenance and occasional updates keep your display looking fresh and current, allowing you to adapt your decor as your tastes evolve over time.

Take time to plan your approach carefully, considering how your choices will look from different angles and lighting conditions throughout the day.

With thoughtful selection and proper installation, your above-bed decor will become a source of daily enjoyment that makes your bedroom feel like a true personal retreat.


About the author

Rosie Osmun, a Certified Sleep Science Coach, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the health and wellness industry. With a degree in Political Science and Government from Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Rosie's academic achievements provide a solid foundation for her work in sleep and wellness. With over 13 years of experience in the beauty, health, sleep, and wellness industries, Rosie has developed a comprehensive understanding of the science of sleep and its influence on overall health and wellbeing. Her commitment to enhancing sleep quality is reflected in her practical, evidence-based advice and tips. As a regular contributor to the Amerisleep blog, Rosie specializes in reducing back pain while sleeping, optimizing dinners for better sleep, and improving productivity in the mornings. Her articles showcase her fascination with the science of sleep and her dedication to researching and writing about beds. Rosie's contributions to a variety of publications, including Forbes, Bustle, and Healthline, as well as her regular contributions to the Amerisleep blog, underscore her authority in her field. These platforms, recognizing her expertise, rely on her to provide accurate and pertinent information to their readers. Additionally, Rosie's work has been featured in reputable publications like Byrdie, Lifehacker, Men's Journal, EatingWell, and Medical Daily, further solidifying her expertise in the field.

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