9 Simple Styling Tips for a Serene Bedroom

In this post – I’m sharing 9 simple styling tips for a relaxing bedroom retreat.

Getting Started

Creating a serene bedroom involves several key elements that focus on promoting relaxation and tranquility. When planning the design for our Bay Area primary bedroom, the goal was a cohesive look and a peaceful-feeling space. Choosing furniture online while we were still in San Diego was not easy, but if we didn’t want to be sleeping on a mattress on the floor the first few nights after we moved in we needed to make some decisions asap. As the largest piece of furniture, the style of the bed would dictate the style of the room. I found a bedroom set at Pottery Barn that I loved and designed a mood board (below) to get the ball rolling.

A Serene Bedroom Mood Board

In my original design, I chose the Pottery Barn Toulouse Upholstered Bed, but after some more research I was able to find a nearly identical bed at Living Spaces for about half the price and similar quality. Below is a comparison of the beds side by side. We have ordered furniture from Living Spaces multiple times with great success. Their biggest selling point (for us) is that they let you pick the date and time of delivery – super helpful when you’re coordinating a move! However, the matching nightstand and dresser from Living Spaces were not the style I was looking for, so once we moved in I ordered the Toulouse nightstands and dresser from Pottery Barn. They are a near-match with the bed and bench and are the right size and style for our space. The Living Spaces bed is on the left, Pottery Barn on the right.

Our painter sent me these photos after finishing the room. You can see that we have a lot of natural light and the ceilings are high with interesting detail. It’s a nice-sized room without being overly large. These photos were helpful to refer to as I was planning the space while we were still in San Diego.

9 Steps for Creating a Serene Bedroom

1. Soft Color Palette

I like to use calming, neutral colors like soft blues, greens, whites, and greys. These colors can help create a soothing atmosphere. Our cotton duvet cover from Pottery Barn was saved from our last house (pictured below.) I’m glad I kept it and the blue shams, also from PB.

The decorative yellow and blue embroidered pillow is from Serena & Lily Outlet. Unfortunately it’s not in stores anymore, but the white bed throw can still be found in stores.

The lamps and picture above the bed are from HomeGoods.

2. Minimalist Decor

Keep the decor simple and uncluttered. Choose a few meaningful pieces rather than an abundance of decorations. Plus, if you have allergies, you’ll want to limit clutter so that it’s easier to keep surfaces clean.

3. Comfortable Bedding

Invest in high-quality, comfortable bedding. Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen in neutral tones can enhance the serene feel. Layering bedding and pillows can enhance the feeling of luxuriousness. The white cotton throw at the foot of our bed adds a another layer of comfort without being too heavy.

4. Ambient Lighting

Use soft, ambient lighting. Consider dimmable lights, bedside lamps with warm bulbs, or string lights for a cozy glow. Avoid harsh, bright lights. Our bedroom has overhead recessed lighting but we hardly ever use it. The room gets a lot of natural light during the day, and at night our bedside lamps provide more than enough light without being too harsh.

5. Natural Elements

Incorporate natural elements like houseplants, wooden furniture, or stone accents. These can help bring a sense of nature and calm into the room. I like the look of rough-hewn wood with linen or cotton bedding. We have a large Peace Lily in one corner of the room that adds another touch of nature.

6. Reduce Noise With a Rug

Use thick carpets, rugs, or curtains to reduce noise. A white noise machine or a quiet fan can also help create a more peaceful environment. In our last primary bedroom we installed beautiful wood floors to match the rest of the house, but a rug was needed to provide softness and absorb sound.

7. Declutter

Keep surfaces like nightstands and dressers free of unnecessary items. A tidy room contributes to a calm mind. Our Toulouse nightstands have doors that allow for more out-of-sight storage. Unfortunately, that style isn’t available anymore, but a similar style is shown below.

8. Include Comfortable Seating

If space allows, include a comfortable chair, bench, or a small reading nook to create a cozy spot for relaxation. We have an upholstered bench at the foot of our bed that gives us a comfortable spot to sit and put shoes on. We don’t have room for an upholstered chair here, but I love the look and feel of extra seating in a bedroom, and I did incorporate a small seating area in our San Diego bedroom, below.

9. Artwork

Choose artwork that evokes calm and peace. Nature scenes, abstract art in soothing colors, or personal photographs can enhance the serene atmosphere. The beautiful picture above our bed reminds us of the beach in San Diego. I’m still trying to decide if I want to add some kind of smaller art pieces or baskets or something around the main picture on the wall above the bed. I may let it evolve over time, or I might just leave it as is.

More bedroom style inspiration…

This article includes affiliate links; if you click on a shopping link and make a purchase I may receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Matching Furniture Sets?

I prefer (mostly) matching bedroom sets, but the decision to match or mix bedroom furniture depends on your personal style preferences and the overall look you want to achieve. Both approaches can result in a beautiful and inviting bedroom. Some good reasons to go with matching are:

Cohesive Look: Matching furniture sets provide a coordinated and uniform appearance, making the room feel put together and aesthetically pleasing.

Easy Coordination: Purchasing a matching set can simplify the decorating process, as you don’t need to worry about finding pieces that complement each other.

Traditional Style: Matching furniture is often preferred in more traditional or classic design styles, where symmetry and consistency are valued.

This is not to say I’m opposed to mixing it up a little bit! A unique piece of furniture can make a room more interesting and personal. Plus, a mix of furniture styles, colors, and textures can add visual interest and depth to the room. So if you love to mix it up – go for it!

TV or No TV?

Our bedroom isn’t quite finished yet. (Is any room ever really finished?) We have a TV that is currently sitting on the dresser and have to decide if we want to hang it up on a wall or not. There are a lot of pros and cons of having a TV in a bedroom, and deciding whether or not to have one in a bedroom is a personal choice for the people who are using the room. In a smaller home like ours, having an extra TV in our bedroom is convenient. Others might feel that a TV in a bedroom disrupts the calm atmosphere. To each their own.

Pin It!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you can use some of the tips I’ve shared to create your own serene space. Be sure to subscribe below to automatically receive the latest From the Bay to the Beach in your inbox.