Above Bed Decorations [19 Ways to Decorate Above Your Bed]

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Are you looking for some fresh ideas on how to decorate your bedroom?

Aside from your bed, bedding, and linens, there’s another aspect of your bedroom that you can decorate that many people don’t focus on:

The wall above your bed.

This overlooked space is prime real estate for decorations, and there are lots of easy and inexpensive elements you can add to turn it into the most useful, functional or stylish part of the room.

Whether your style is minimalist, glamorous, casual, rustic, or boho-chic, we know all the best ways to decorate the wall behind your bed.

Ready for some inspiration?

Here are 19 of the best ways to add above bed décor to your bedroom tonight.

Editors’ Top Picks

Reasons to Decorate Above Your Bed

Decorating the wall above and behind your bed is one of the best ways to give your bedroom a new look. But decorating this unused space offers some other benefits as well.

One, it’s a way to create a focal point in your bedroom.

Two, it’s a great way to disguise the fact that you don’t have a headboard. (If you have a headboard, it’s an excellent way to draw attention to it).

Three, it’s a simple way to add color and pattern, especially if you live in an apartment with beige walls and a landlord who won’t allow you to paint!

Related: The 20 Best Ceiling Fans For Your Bedroom [2022 Guide]

Tips for Decorating Above Your Bed

Before buying above bed decor, consider the size and scale of your walls, your bed frame and headboard, and the overall room dimensions. Whether you have a small bedroom with little wall space or a large wall to decorate, buy décor that fits and enhances the space.

For example, if you have a small wall, hanging a large tapestry or a large art print can create the illusion that the room is larger. On the other hand, super-small décor hanging on a large wall can easily get lost. Use the wrong size décor, which can look like an afterthought rather than an impactful, purposeful intention.

No matter what type of bedroom wall décor you choose, there is one thing you absolutely must keep in mind:

Make sure you hang or mount your decorations safely.

Whether you hang a small shelf or a giant art print, you don’t want it falling on your head while you’re sound asleep!

19 Wall Decor Options We Love

Need some ideas on how to decorate the wall above your bed? From art prints to shelving units, here are 19 of our favorite above the bed decor ideas to work in any guest bedroom or primary bedroom suite.  

1. ARTLAND Canvas Wall Art Painting

With an eye-catching piece of art, you can instantly give your bedroom a brand new look. Wall art isn’t just a way to transform the look of your bedroom, it’s also a way to express your personal sense of style. Whether you love abstract art, black and white photography, or natural landscapes, there are thousands of artists selling their designs online, making it easy to find any color, style, and theme that suits your aesthetic.

2. Herbal Bounty Framed Prints

With a series of small art prints in frames, you can create a stylish display of different images above your bed.

This four-piece set of botanical art prints is perfect if you’re looking to add some soothing, natural style to your bedroom. If you’re looking for something brighter or funkier, mix and match different prints in different frames to create a headboard-to-ceiling gallery wall.

3. Custom Wall Mural

Hire an artist or use your DIY skills to paint a massive mural on the wall behind your bed. No matter what your style or color scheme is, a mural is a great way to give your home a one-of-a-kind touch.

Murals work in any type of bedroom, but we especially love them in a kid’s room. A giant mermaid mural, a wall covered in hand-painted dinosaurs, a galaxy theme with funky aliens and spaceships … they all make a statement!

4. Picture Sensations Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Instead of decorating above your bed, hang wallpaper to turn the wall behind your bed into an eye-catching accent wall. Peel and stick wallpaper is super easy to apply and remove, making it perfect for use in any home, including rented spaces.

There are numerous options available, from lush forests to sunsets on the beach. The options are endless.

5. Wall Decal and Stickers

With a single wall decal, you can create a one-of-a-kind bedroom design. From flower decals to flying birds, wall decals with natural images are the perfect way to bring a bit of the outdoors into your sleep space. 

6. 3D Metal Wall Sculpture

A large piece of 3D metal wall art can easily transform the entire look of your bedroom. Whether you’re into geometric-shaped sculptures with an industrial feel or romantic floor blooms with a super-feminine vibe, a single piece of metal wall art always makes a statement.

Just keep in mind that metal wall sculptures can be heavy. So be sure to mount them with the proper hooks and hardware. You might also want to pull your bed a few inches away from the wall so that in case it does fall, it will fall behind your bed and not on it.

7. Crochet or Macrame Wall Hanging

If it’s the laid-back vibe you love, a crochet or macramé wall hanging is the perfect way to turn your bedroom into a boho haven built for sleep.

Don’t have a headboard?

Hang this macramé wall hanging low on the wall and it can serve as both decoration and a makeshift headboard.

8. Abstract Wall Tapestry 

Tapestries get a bad rap in that most people think they’re only for college dorms and van-lifers looking for a cheap way to decorate a small space with trippy patterns and Grateful dead bears. This Grey Marble Wall Tapestry proves otherwise!

This marble wall tapestry is sleek and modern, and the little bit of metallic makes it ideal for hanging above a bed in a sophisticated bedroom sprinkled with luxurious elements.

9. Madison Park Sunburst Mirror

Add some glam to your bedroom with this Metal Sunburst Mirror. Available in silver or gold, this round mirror features a cool round design in a sunburst shape that makes it easy to coordinate with traditional, industrial, boho, or transitional décor. 

10. West Elm Oak Floating Shelves

With one or two floating shelves above your bed, you can turn that empty wall space into a mini library! The West Elm Volume Floating Shelves are perfect for creating an over-the-bed book display.

Why?

Because they come in different lengths and widths, and each one holds as much weight capacity as it measures (the 36” shelf holds 30 pounds, the 48” shelf holds 48 pounds, and so on). 

Books can be heavy, so if you want to make a book display above your bed be sure to do so with shelves that can hold the weight.

11. Geometric Wall Shelves

These three-dimensional Hexagonal Wall Shelves allow you to add depth, dimension, and decorative items to the wall above your bed.

Sold in sets of four, these small shelves make a big impact, and they can be scattered or placed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, depending on your personal taste. They’re not huge, but they offer plenty of storage for potted plants, decorative items, or even a few books.

12. Crystal and Iron Wall Scones

To create a minimalist or space-saving bedroom design, ditch your nightstands and table lamps in favor of over-the-bed lighting fixtures.

Instead of hanging art or decorative items, fill in the space on the wall above your bed with new sconces or lights.

If you’re looking to add glamorous touches or vintage-inspired style to your bedroom, these dimmable crystal and iron sconces are perfect!

13. Upholstered Panel Peel and Stick Headboard

No headboard? No worries.

You can fake one by mounting upholstered soundproof panels on the wall behind your bed.

What we love about these is the fact that you can mount them horizontally or vertically, or offset them to create a one-of-a-kind headboard that no one else has. 

14. Dream Neon Sign

Add some industrial style to your bedroom with this sweet dreams neon sign. An absolutely perfect sentiment to hang above your bed, this dimmable neon sign allows you to add a hint of light above your bed or a whole lot of it.

Most neon sign makers offer customized versions, so “let’s get it on” and “make love, not war” are always options!

15. Eucalyptus Garland

Fresh greenery works in every room of the house, but adding a eucalyptus garland above your bed isn’t just a way to decorate – it’s a way to help you fall asleep.

Eucalyptus leaves contain oils that help to soothe the mind and clear blood flow to the brain. With fresh eucalyptus swag, your bedroom won’t just look better and smell better, it will actually help to promote a good night’s sleep.

The only downside to decorating with fresh eucalyptus is that it doesn’t last forever. Depending on the season, climate and conditions in your bedroom, it rarely lasts more than eight weeks.  

16. Assorted Hat Display

There’s an old superstition that says it’s bad luck to put a hat on a bed. But hats hanging behind a bed? That’s perfectly acceptable!

One of the easiest ways to decorate a wall above your bed is to install a few little hooks to hang hats.

If your style is rustic and country, create a display of cowboy hats. If you’re trying to create a beachy, coastal vibe, floppy straw sun hats are the way to go. If you want a whimsical, colorful display with an ultra-femme feel, hang colorful fascinators with beads and feathers.

There are so many styles of hats to choose from that this is easy to do no matter what your style or budget is. 

17. Driftwood Wall Art

Give your bedroom a rustic or beachy look by decorating the wall above your bed with some natural wooden wall art. This Driftwood Wood Art Panel is made from multiple pieces of natural driftwood and has a cool three-dimensional design that makes it somewhat mesmerizing to look at.

In the mood for a creative DIY project? Gather your own twigs or slats of wood from the beach and make your own one-of-a-kind piece (for a teensy fraction of the price of this one).

18. Large Dreamcatcher 

Nothing screams bedtime quiet like a dreamcatcher.

Traditionally crafted and used by Native American and First Nations cultures to serve as protection charms above beds and cradles, dreamcatchers make for a fine piece of distinctive art. Hang a large one or several small ones in clusters to decorate the empty space over your bed with color, texture and personal style.

19. Natural Sunlight

Don’t want to spend money or time buying or DIYing above the bed décor?

You don’t have to.

Move your bed in front of a window and let the natural sunlight that pours through be your wall décor!

What Are the Best Ways to Decorate Above Your Bed?

Whether you’re looking to give your bedroom a complete makeover or just make your room feel a bit more unique, it’s time to decorate that empty space above your bed.

From expensive art pieces to DIY projects that only cost a few bucks, you can turn that empty, unused space into a super-stylish focal point in your bedroom suite in a matter of minutes.   

You might also be interested in: Redecorating Your Living Room [High And Low End Options]

19 Above Bed Decor Ideas:

1. ARTLAND Canvas Wall Art Painting
2. Herbal Bounty Framed Prints
3. Custom Wall Mural
4. Picture Sensations Peel and Stick Wallpaper
5. Wall Decal and Stickers 
6. 3D Metal Wall Sculpture
7. Crochet or Macrame Wall Hanging
8. Abstract Wall Tapestry 
9. Madison Park Sunburst Mirror
10. West Elm Oak Floating Shelves 
11. Geometric Wall Shelves
12. Crystal and Iron Wall Scones 
13. Upholstered Panel Peel and Stick Headboard
14. Dream Neon Sign
15. Eucalyptus Garland
16. Assorted Hat Display
17. Wood Wall Art
18. Large Dreamcatcher 
19. Natural Sunlight