9 Ways to Make Your Bedroom look 'Grown-up'
Look up these tips on how to showcase your bedroom in a way that says you've arrived – into adulthood
Taste and personal style change with time and age. A time comes, sooner or later, in every young homeowner’s life, when they make the transition from being a carefree decorator to being one who plans their spaces strategically and with deeper thought. It’s akin to ‘growing up’ in decor terms.
And a lot of how ‘grown-up’ we feel translates into the way we present our living spaces, more so into our most personal space – the bedroom.
And a lot of how ‘grown-up’ we feel translates into the way we present our living spaces, more so into our most personal space – the bedroom.
Layering is the next step in making your bed the adult way. Since the bed sets the tone of the room, learn to make it well. A mixed pile of practical and toss pillows, a throw and a minimum of two layers over the bottom sheet (if you are not a fan of triple sheeting), is a class act.
Read here to find more ways of making a 5-star-hotel-worthy bed.
Read here to find more ways of making a 5-star-hotel-worthy bed.
2. Invest in a headboard
There’s nothing more careless than a mattress pushed up against a wall. A headboard may not be a necessity but it is a small finishing touch that gives the room a central focus and immediately makes it feel more polished. It doesn’t have to be a fancy tufted or faux-leather affair – a simple wooden panel works just as well.
Look up these ideas for headboards, some of which are DIY
There’s nothing more careless than a mattress pushed up against a wall. A headboard may not be a necessity but it is a small finishing touch that gives the room a central focus and immediately makes it feel more polished. It doesn’t have to be a fancy tufted or faux-leather affair – a simple wooden panel works just as well.
Look up these ideas for headboards, some of which are DIY
3. A detailed nightstand is next
A grown-up bedroom has bedside tables on both sides of the bed (even if you are single, because just one would look awkward), with space enough to hold your current book, phone, alarm clock, and the rest. Personalise it with something you love; the more distinctive it is (like the old-fashioned fan in this image), the more it will be a testament to your personal style. Also, don’t forget the reading lamps – because what is more attractive than a grown-up who likes to read.
A grown-up bedroom has bedside tables on both sides of the bed (even if you are single, because just one would look awkward), with space enough to hold your current book, phone, alarm clock, and the rest. Personalise it with something you love; the more distinctive it is (like the old-fashioned fan in this image), the more it will be a testament to your personal style. Also, don’t forget the reading lamps – because what is more attractive than a grown-up who likes to read.
4. Frame your pictures
The bedroom being your most personal space, is where you can best display your personality; and what better way to do it than via your art – but not with double-sided tape and thumbtacks. Pick your artwork carefully – and frame it even more meticulously. Whether it’s family photos or limited-edition prints, framing your pictures shows they are important enough to be preserved and highlighted.
Here are some innovative ways to hang art.
The bedroom being your most personal space, is where you can best display your personality; and what better way to do it than via your art – but not with double-sided tape and thumbtacks. Pick your artwork carefully – and frame it even more meticulously. Whether it’s family photos or limited-edition prints, framing your pictures shows they are important enough to be preserved and highlighted.
Here are some innovative ways to hang art.
Tip: If you are loath to give away your collection of concert posters and ticket stubs, yet hate to see them collecting creases and dust, give them a grown-up makeover by popping them in large black frames and mingling them with other similarly framed prints – even better, have yourself a dedicated concert wall.
5. Ban the TV, bring in music
The bedroom is meant for sleeping and the TV has no business being in it. Most adults, I am assuming, would know the less-than-pleasant effects of having the TV in the sleeping space. Whether you live alone or, especially, if you are a couple, make your bedroom tech-free. The only exception being a set of speakers (bluetooth preferably, for ease of use) for your music – music sets the mood and creates just the right ambience.
The bedroom is meant for sleeping and the TV has no business being in it. Most adults, I am assuming, would know the less-than-pleasant effects of having the TV in the sleeping space. Whether you live alone or, especially, if you are a couple, make your bedroom tech-free. The only exception being a set of speakers (bluetooth preferably, for ease of use) for your music – music sets the mood and creates just the right ambience.
6. Add a couch, or two
It’s nice to have a space other than the bed to lounge upon, to read a book or to have a conversation or a drink with your partner. It’s also great for putting on shoes or checking emails, so you can leave tech out of your bed.
It’s nice to have a space other than the bed to lounge upon, to read a book or to have a conversation or a drink with your partner. It’s also great for putting on shoes or checking emails, so you can leave tech out of your bed.
7. Get yourself a chic clothes rack
If you have a generously sized bedroom, consider converting a section of it into a dedicated dressing area. If not, start with getting yourself a smart clothes rack, so that now, you have no excuse to throw your clothes on the nearest seating space. With a clothes rack at hand, you can also get next day’s outfit ready and waiting for you to step into, as well.
If you have a generously sized bedroom, consider converting a section of it into a dedicated dressing area. If not, start with getting yourself a smart clothes rack, so that now, you have no excuse to throw your clothes on the nearest seating space. With a clothes rack at hand, you can also get next day’s outfit ready and waiting for you to step into, as well.
8. Use a mix of textures
Texture adds visual and tactile dimensions to a room, which makes it more interesting. You can add texture on the walls with a paint finish, on the floor with a rug or in the room with a carved wooden table or a glass chandelier. This bedroom is rich in textures with its embossed ceiling, a quilted bedspread with a mix of silk and shaggy cushions, a padded headboard, sheer curtains and metal-and-fabric bedside lamps.
Texture adds visual and tactile dimensions to a room, which makes it more interesting. You can add texture on the walls with a paint finish, on the floor with a rug or in the room with a carved wooden table or a glass chandelier. This bedroom is rich in textures with its embossed ceiling, a quilted bedspread with a mix of silk and shaggy cushions, a padded headboard, sheer curtains and metal-and-fabric bedside lamps.
9. Get rid of clutter
I mention this last, but it should probably come on top of the list. ‘Organise and minimise’ is a mantra worth learning, no matter how old one is. Do a spring cleaning of everything you own once a year – you’d be surprised how much of your stuff you don’t really need and how much more space you gain from giving or throwing away those things. You will also learn to keep only the things you really love and need – the rest is ephemeral.
Read more:
Designing Your Bedroom: 7 Secrets to Know
8 Must-haves in a Modern Master Bedroom
Urban Indian Decor: 12 Irresistible Bedrooms
Tell us:
What’s your idea of making a bedroom look grown up? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
I mention this last, but it should probably come on top of the list. ‘Organise and minimise’ is a mantra worth learning, no matter how old one is. Do a spring cleaning of everything you own once a year – you’d be surprised how much of your stuff you don’t really need and how much more space you gain from giving or throwing away those things. You will also learn to keep only the things you really love and need – the rest is ephemeral.
Read more:
Designing Your Bedroom: 7 Secrets to Know
8 Must-haves in a Modern Master Bedroom
Urban Indian Decor: 12 Irresistible Bedrooms
Tell us:
What’s your idea of making a bedroom look grown up? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
Assuming you have outgrown the futon or mattress-on-floor style of sleeping soon after you left college, and now have a proper bed and mattress (queen size at least, with a grade-A mattress), hopefully you’d have also thrown out the mismatched bedding.
Bed linen should be addressed in a serious fashion as one matures. Classic white or neutrals in good-quality linen are the mark of a sophisticated adult. Remember, neutrals are to a bedroom what a tan trench coat is to a wardrobe – an all-time, classic staple.