1. Upgrade Your Hardware
Think of hardware like jewelry for your bedroom. In the same way, a big pair of earrings or a statement necklace can perk up a plain outfit, a new set of knobs or pulls on, say, your nightstands or dresser can refresh the whole room.
2. Zhush Your Pillows
Plump, over-filled pillows are the gold standard at fancy hotels, so bring that same look home. Overstuff your decorative throw cushions, so they appear high-end. Stylists do this by buying inserts that are slightly larger than whatever their pillow covers are.
3. Bring in a Tray
Trays instantly class up a room, especially when they’re filled with special trinkets. If you’re planning to put one on a vanity, you can stock it with pretty perfume bottles, favorite creams, and jewelry.
4. Make a Blanket Statement
If you can’t afford new luxury bedding, don’t worry. Focus on your throw blanket instead. A big chunky knit throw placed across the foot of your bed will take the focus off a tired duvet or comforter.
5. Add Some Texture
Textural elements can make a bedroom feel layered and visually rich. Try a faux fur throw on a side chair or a sheepskin rug on the floor by the bed to cozy things up a bit. Bring in rattan baskets and look for a fun woven light fixture if you’re into a boho luxe look.
6. Style Your Nightstand
Don’t let your nightstand devolve into a junk drawer that’s basically on display. Regularly empty your drinking glasses and clear things like hand creams and dogeared paperbacks off its surface. To make your room feel more glamorous, put in a real effort to style out your nightstand.
7. Upgrade Your Mirror
If you still have the plain mirror you got during college, it’s time for a change. Try an antique-inspired brass mirror or something curvy that will open up the room. You can also find a model that has a shelf, so you gain a little vertical storage space out of your purchase, too.
8. Fake Architectural Features
If you rent and can’t make permanent changes to your space or own and just don’t want to take on a massive project, fool-the-eye paint treatments and decorative finishes can make your room’s architecture look much fancier than it actually is. Make faux wall paneling with washi tape or paint a half wall that looks like wainscoting.
9. Update your lighting
Forget the “boob” light fixture that often comes in a builder-grade bedroom. Replace yours with something a little more swanky, like a drum-shaped pendant, sputnik lamp, or small chandelier. IKEA has a bunch of inexpensive but trendy lighting options, so start your search there.
10. Raise the Curtains
Make your room feel bigger by raising your curtain rod two to three inches below the ceiling line. Your room will feel loftier, and your windows will seem larger, making the space, on the whole, feel much more elegant.
11. Showcase a Special Piece
You probably have at least a few hobbies, and with those interests comes stuff. Leverage decorative collections and any special pieces, like an acoustic guitar, for example, as wall decor, and your space will look instantly bespoke.
12. Work a Wall Hanging
No budget for a fancy headboard? No problem. If you find a tapestry or vintage textile you love, that’s all you really need to make the space above your bed look pulled together. Just be sure your sleeping pillows are firm and full enough, so you can still prop yourself up in bed for reading.
13. Put a (Faux) Sheepskin on It
If you feel like your bed frame or headboard is a little lackluster, do the same thing you would to an older sofa or dining chair: Throw a fuzzy sheepskin on it! Not only will layering add visual interest to your bedroom furniture, but it’ll also add some plus coziness, too.