Bedroom furnishings seem to be the purchase that lasts a lifetime, rarely changed. Ironic since the bedroom is the room we spend the most time getting ready to start our day or to end our day in rest for the next day. So, it would seem we would want to give more attention to what this room is offering us in sanctuary.
The first design tip I often give to someone seeking to make changes to their bedroom starts with breaking up the bedroom set look. Exchanging the matchy-matchy elements with functional pieces that add interest to the space. Like changing out the matching bed for an upholstered bed or headboard. Eliminating the mirror over the dresser that matches every other piece in the room and hanging a television over the dresser instead or hanging a decorative mirror over the dresser instead. Adding an upholstered bench to the foot of the bed. Changing out the top of bed and window treatments. These are quick ways to start making a difference in the feel of a bedroom with matching furniture.
But let's take that further with another design element that will enhance the bed wall. An enhancement that draws you into a good night's dream. We often designate murals to a dining room, as rule breakers we need to realize that there are very few limitations to where you can add a mural to your home. The only rule I'd say exists is to limit your home to only one special mural. In this post we are exploring the idea of enhancing the bed wall by adding a mural or other wallpaper with mouldings.
No matter what media or style your bed is, enhancing it with a mural or wallpaper and mouldings is definitely an option to make the bed wall have impact. This design element is many steps above just painting the bed wall an accent color. Be brave and take the leap!
You may find that your bedroom is already architecturally set up for enhancement. Mouldings may already exist. An inset on the bed wall may have already been part of the construction. If these elements don't already exist don't fret - they can always be added. The important step is to make sure that the bed placement in your room is at its best advantage, but don't force it. There is generally only one, maybe two perfect places for the bed in a room.
Murals can be panels printed as wallpaper or handpainted by a local artist. Either way make sure the scale and proportion of the finished product is conducive to your space. Most importantly it needs start near or at the bottom of the crown moulding and drop behind the headboard to end at the very least to the tops of the nightstands or to the top of the baseboard. The mural background color should blend with the wall color in the rest of the bedroom and for continuous continuity even the mouldings. If the background is dark and you don't want to go that dark on the rest of the walls - select a color from the mural that will be the color of the rest of the walls and mouldings.
The shape of the moulding that is framing the mural does not have to mimic the shape of the headboard. As a matter of fact, I feel that it is better if it doesn't. Just don't get too out there with the moulding application. This element is an enhancement, a backdrop - not the main event.
Keep in mind when selecting your mural palette that your top of bed treatment will coordinate with this and carry throughout the rest of the room in area rug, upholstery, window treatment, and other design elements. The mural is only one layer of design in the space and needs to partner well with all other selections in your design plan. However, don't settle on a mural and feel stuck because it's the only one that seems to work with your other selections - every element of your design plan needs to be something you love so you may need to play around with the selections until they all work well together beautifully.
Whether updating your bedroom design plan or starting fresh, be inspired to enhance your headboard! And then don't forget every other detail, especially lighting elements.
Sources (in no particular order): Instagram, Pinterest, Behance Design, Home and Gardens Magazine, Melanie Jade Design
