What Will A Doctor Suggest If Your Testosterone Is Low
Photo Courtesy: SDI Productions/Getty Images
While you may have heard the income gaps in the United States are getting larger, you might not know what earning level is considered low income. To help you better understand the income thresholds and the government assistance available, we've rounded up some helpful tips and resources for those qualifying as low-income.
No matter where you live and how many people are in your household, living below the poverty line can be overwhelming. We'll go over different government programs available and tips for saving and getting out of debt. Let's get started and see if your income qualifies for some of the great resources available.
What Is Considered Low Income in the USA?
Photo Courtesy: Juanmonino/Getty Images
In the United States, the Census Bureau defines low income as a family whose income level didn't go over 150% of the national poverty level. In 2020, for example, an individual making less than $12,760 is considered low-income. A two-person household earning under $17,240, and a three-person household earning less than $21,720 qualify as low-income. For a family of four, you'd need to earn less than $26,200 to fall under the low-income threshold.
Do You Qualify As Low Income?
Photo Courtesy: SEAN GLADWELL/Getty Images
In the United States, poverty and income levels are used to determine eligibility for financial and housing assistance programs. To determine whether you qualify as low income, a few factors need to be considered. First, you'll need to look at the income for your household. You'll then take into account your family size and where you live. The cost of living, for example, varies significantly depending on your address.
Limits for qualifications are calculated using median income percentages. There are three categories of low-income determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development also known as HUD.
The first is low income where you must earn less than 80% of the median income in the U.S. to qualify. To qualify as very low income, you'll need to earn less than 50% of the median income. To qualify as extremely low, your earnings can't exceed 30% of the median income or the poverty line in the United States.
You can see the 2021 income limits according to where you live and your household size using this chart. Depending on where you live, the salary of a low-income family may surprise you. In San Francisco, for example, the real estate prices are much higher than the national average. A family of four earning $117,400 a year is considered low income.
What Is Low Income Housing and How Does It Work?
Photo Courtesy: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Low-income housing is provided by federal and local governments to help people in poverty and low-income levels afford housing. With low-income housing, a renter will pay a portion of their income towards rent. The remaining rent that isn't covered gets paid by the state or federal government. Just because you may qualify as low-income, doesn't mean you'll receive any low-income housing assistance.
With low-income housing, there are also restrictions on where you live. The programs will also only cover the home if it's within fair market value. To encourage more affordable housing, a tax credit is often given to buildings and developers who make a portion of their apartments available to low-income renters.
Low-income housing is run by HUD as well as local state governments. HUD offers a variety of assistance programs to renters and homeowners with qualifying incomes. HUD will verify your income as well as the dependents and people living in your home to determine your eligibility.
How to Budget With Low Income
Photo Courtesy: Vladimir Simovic/Getty Images
When you have a lower income, budgeting can seem overwhelming. While it may be tough when resources are spread thin, budgeting is key to keeping you on track. If you haven't already, visit the HUD website to see what housing programs you qualify for. Once you have an adjusted rent you can set your budget for all of your fixed and variable expenses.
Write out all of your expenses on a spreadsheet or piece of paper. Compare this with your income and any assistance you're receiving. What you're left with will help you create a budget for your variable expenses such as eating out, groceries, and television, for example. Writing everything out will help you determine where you can cut back and where you can save money.
Money-Saving Tips With Low Income
Photo Courtesy: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images
On a low income, saving money may be difficult, but it isn't impossible. Start by looking at anything in your budget that you don't need. Music subscriptions, cable, and fast food are all luxuries. Cancel anything you aren't using. Make saving automatic by withdrawing money from your checking account directly into your savings account each month.
Having a car when you can walk, is an area you can look at cutting back, for example. If you can cook at home or qualify for free school lunches, do so. Eating out or buying fast food can add up. A $5 a day lunch habit adds up to $1,825 a year.
How To Get Out of Debt With Low Income?
Photo Courtesy: Guido Mieth/Getty Images
It's easy to use a credit card when money is tight. If you've found yourself in a cycle of debt, making small changes can help. Take your new budget and savings plan and put it into action. Every month take a portion of your savings and put it towards your debts. It's helpful to go with the lowest hanging fruit to knock it off your plate. Once you pay off your small debts, you can tackle the bigger ones little by little.
Take a portion of your savings each month and put it toward your remaining high-interest debt. While you're paying off your debt, don't create more. Stop using your credit cards and don't use any payday or advancement loans to float you. Speak with your creditors about debt settlements as well. While there are fraudulent companies out there promising to remove your debt, you can negotiate your debt yourself by speaking to a creditor directly.
Oftentimes a creditor would rather hear from you about settling or making smaller payments rather than taking you to collections or pursuing legal actions. These avenues are expensive for a creditor. The more upfront and honest you are, the more likely they are to work with you.
Low-Income Resources and Help
Photo Courtesy: ferrantraite/Getty Images
In addition to housing, low-income families have additional resources to help make ends meet. There are supplemental food programs, healthcare assistance, student financial aid, child tax credits, and more. Check out the Federal benefits website for a full list of resources and programs.
Bedrooms are such personal spaces, which is why it's so important to decorate yours in a way that suits your tastes, and your needs. From giving you energy in the morning so that you wake up refreshed, to being serene enough to help you wind down with ease, this space works hard at keeping you happy! So we've put our best bedroom ideas together to help inspire your own space.
What we love about decorating a bedroom, is that you don't have to make huge changes to see and feel great results. A simple switch of a headboard, new colorful cushions, or even just a statement rug could add so much depth to your bedroom decor.
We have covered it all in this gallery – modern bedroom ideas, small bedroom ideas, DIY bedroom ideas and more, so no matter what your style or budget you'll find plenty of inspiration here...
The main thing you want from your bedroom decor is for it to create a comfy and cozy space. No matter what your style; super modern or boho rustic like this bedroom, the easiest way to achieve this is to layer up the textures. Pile up throw pillow and blankets on the bed and keep things soft underfoot with a large area rug and small rug layered on top.
Our guide to the best bedding brands will give you plenty of inspiration for where to source some boudoir layers, whilst our guide to the best duvet covers and bedding sets brings you our tried and tested favourite bed linen for combining style and comfort.
'In our hectic age of constant connectivity – creating a calm, beautiful bedroom where we can retreat and sleep well in, is vital.' explains Chrissie Rucker founder of The White Company. 'Take time and enjoy the pleasure of making it a really special space, because we spend 1/3 of our lives here too. The bed is always the main feature, so styling it beautifully is important and which bedspread, throw or cushions we choose can transform the way the room looks.'
Find more tips on how to design a bedroom
2. Pick a statement bed as a focal point
(Image credit: Rachel Manns)
If you have always dreamed of a four-poster bed, we say go for it. There are so many grown-up designs out there now and something to suit all styles too. It will add an instant focal point to your space and you can choose how much you dress it up. Keep it super simple like in this bedroom or add curtains to create a really zen sleep space or hang houseplants from the frame to add loads of texture.
3. Strip back on furniture
(Image credit: Fiona Murray)
Obviously, there are some pieces that are essential to a bedroom, ie. a bed and some form of storage but don't clutter up the space with too much furniture. If you want to create a lovely, calming, minimalist space, less is probably more so really think about what you are bringing into the space.
Furnish your bedroom only with the essentials – a bed, a couple of bedside tables, and a dresser with a chair if you need one. If you have a closet keep all your clothes storage in there to free up space in the bedroom.
4. Have fun with mixing patterns
(Image credit: David Burton)
And if minimalist isn't your vibe, take inspiration from this fabulous space with a gorgeous bedroom wallpaper idea. Don't be afraid to mix patterns or styles too, it will give your bedroom personality and make it feel unique to you. This bedroom just proves how stylish it can look when you bring together different styles. There are loads going on here, traditional style, boho textures and industrial elements too with the lighting. It creates an all over laid back, purposely messy feel that's perfect for a bedroom
Also loving the barn door used in the bedroom to slide over the bookshelf, you could use it to go over your closet too. They take up zero space and look stylish too.
5. Pick a cohesive color scheme
(Image credit: Heather Dixon)
If you are after a more cohesive bedroom color idea, sticking to a limited color palette is a good look to go for. We love this pink and green scheme, and how the pink covers all four walls and the ceiling too – a great hack to make a small bedroom feel bigger. The touches of white and black provide some contrast and stop the room from feeling too 2D.
6. Add pattern to your bedroom floor with a rug
(Image credit: Carmine & Teal)
When your bedroom flooring is looking a bit tired, or if you live in a rented home and want to add some personality, a rug is one of the easiest ways to change up your bedroom design without costing you a fortune!
If your current flooring is really ruining the whole vibe of your room, we recommend throwing down a massive area rug in a neutral color and material (something like jute is perfect) and then adding a patterned rug on top.
7. Redesign your bedroom with a new color scheme
(Image credit: Crown Paints)
If you want a completely new look, a different bedroom color scheme could be a great place to start. You might not need to change up too much either, especially if your walls are already painted quite a neutral color.
Create a mood board or use Pinterest to come up with colors you love and even look at paint swatches to see how they will all work together. Then just start bringing all those new colors in with bedding, cushions, rugs and once you know you are really happy with the new colors you can maybe go a bit bolder with paint, wallpaper and furniture.
Uber fresh, light and airy, this sunny scheme is a sure-fire winner to lighten and brighten up a dark room and create the illusion of space.
8. Choose a subtle pattern to add interest
(Image credit: Cole & Son)
If you are confident in the atmosphere you want to create in your space, bedroom wallpaper can be a quick and cheap way to bring in the right colors and patterns. Use the colors within your wallpaper to dictate the rest of your room – we adore how the subtle pink hues work with the gorgeous bed set up here.
9. Wallpaper all your bedroom walls for a cozy feel
(Image credit: Sandberg )
Oooh, how cozy is this room? Love it. This shows how lovely the right wallpaper can look on all four walls of a bedroom and it's one of the most effective small bedroom ideas also to help create interest in a tiny space. The print is nice and neutral and really subtle, plus it totally matches everything else going on in the room, which is a great way to make a small bedroom feel nice and cocooning.
10. Or use paint to update your bedroom walls
(Image credit: Perch and Parrow)
Even easier than wallpaper, paint can totally change your room in a matter of hours, plus it's a great way to experiment with color because it's not really permanent. Our choice for bedroom paint would always be soft, rosy hues that are going to be relaxing and you can add more colors in if you want a brighter look.
11. Get creative with paint
(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
Firstly, this color palette is gorgeous, all those rusty colors and the bright pink! But we also love the idea of making the area above your bed a focal point by turning it into a mural. Why not scrap the headboard and create something like this with just paint? All you would need is some masking tape, some paint and some patience!
12. Create a panel effect with paint
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball )
This is a great bedroom design idea for any space, and it works particularly well in small bedrooms to heighten the room. All you need to do is use masking tape and a ruler to mark where you want your lower color to end and just get painting!
13. Work with the alcoves in your space
(Image credit: Christies )
Working with your bedroom design is a must in all decorating schemes. And, if you want to be bold in your color choices, particularly if you love dark interior design ideas, painting an alcove is a great way to work this in to your space. This room still looks bright and fresh but the dark wall, along with the matching bedding add a more dramatic feel.
14. Create uniformity with DIY paneling
(Image credit: Little Greene)
Paneling is everywhere at the moment! And, not just in traditional homes, as wall paneling works really well in modern spaces too. Fear not if you haven't been blessed with original paneling in your bedroom, as you can DIY the look. Just head over to guide on how to DIY wall paneling for an easy to follow step by step.
15. Choose contrasting colors for a vibrant space
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
You see, wall paneling works so well in a cool and modern bedroom! We love this room, particularly because of the contrasting colors. The softness of the pink brings out bright teal and yellow so well, making it a great bedroom idea for couples and for anyone that adores vibrant spaces.
16. Add shiplap paneling for a rustic look
(Image credit: Amara)
This is a look that's all over Instagram at the moment. Very beachy, very relaxed, shiplap walls are the thing to have in a bedroom. Now, you can DIY the look with just cladding but we have also seen some fab wallpaper that replicates the look without the faff. Wayfair make loads, as do Etsy so check them out.
17. Create a gallery wall with mirrors
(Image credit: Rebecca Hughes Interiors )
We have always been fond of a gallery wall, and we are loving the latest trend of maxing out on mirrors as an alternative to prints. A gallery wall of mirrors is a fab bedroom idea because no matter what the size of your room it's going to bring in more light, texture and interest.
We have loads more mirror ideas over in our gallery.
18. Add pattern with an upholstered headboard
(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)
Choosing a pattern can help soften this often cumbersome-looking object! Because, particularly if yours is dated, a solid headboard can often dominate the entire space. A really easy bedroom idea is to cover it up with a playful patterned fabric.
All you need for this DIY project is the fabric of your choice– enough to cover your headboard – and a staple gun. Lay the fabric flat on the floor, then remove the headboard and lay it over the fabric. Get someone to help you stretch the fabric over the front of your headboard and then secure it with a staple gun to the back. It doesn't matter if it looks a bit messy at the back of the headboard because no one will ever see it.
If you want an easy route, then check out our roundup of the best headboards.
19. Or, completely DIY a headboard with cute cushions
(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies )
If you want an even softer look, copy this lovely bedroom look. For this super easy DIY headboard idea, just pick two or three large square cushions and attach some small brass rings (curtains rings work well) to the top two corners. Then, using the size of your chosen cushions as a guide, mark out where you need to place the nails or screws that will hold up the cushions. Hammer some large brass nails (or use screws if you prefer), hang the cushions and you're done.
20. Pick bedroom furniture that plays with scale
(Image credit: KDLoves)
What does this mean exactly? Well, it can mean three things. First, and importantly, you don't want to put a king-sized bed in a small bedroom. So, furniture kept in scale within the room is much more likely to make it feel larger.
Next: don't over-clutter a small bedroom with too much furniture. Doing so will again take up space visually (as well as really).
Lastly, pick a tall headboard like this one. Doing so will make the room feel taller and give it great focus. Patterns and prints on the bed and headboard like this fab design from KDLoves are great for distracting the eye and for keeping the bed as the focal point too.
21. Go for a classic grey scheme in a bedroom
(Image credit: Homesense)
You can't go wrong with gray bedroom ideas can you, they are always going to be in style and gray is a really easy color to work with other colors. You can change up the palette with seasons – in the autumn and winter keep things cozy by adding warmer colors and darker grays, and then in summer keep all them pale and add plenty of crisp whites and light colors.
22. Keep things neutral for a farmhouse feel
(Image credit: Future)
We always love a neutral bedroom decor scheme, as it's guaranteed to be soft and inviting. We like the idea of adding in lots of nice textures too, just to keep things from looking a bit flat. The rustic bedside table, upholstered headboard and thick bedroom rugs all help to create interest in a space that doesn't have much color.
23. Go for a beachy look with an all white bedroom
(Image credit: Lights4fun)
And of course white bedroom ideas are classic. You can also do so much with a blank canvas and change it up easily as styles and seasons change. During the summer months, a relaxed beachy look is definitely one to go for and this works so well with an all-white scheme. Add in some greenery a few cream or grey accents to soften the look. While in cooler months, you'll want to embrace Hygge a little more with some Scandi-style bedroom additions to your space.
24. Go for a clean fresh new look in your bedroom
(Image credit: Ikea )
We are not sure how realistic this Ikea bedroom idea actually is but we LOVE it and we are sure you can copy some elements from this space. Maybe not the 'nothing else in your bedroom but a bed and tree' part, but you could create the very relaxed, clean vibe. Give the walls a fresh coat of white paint, pick out some new white bedding and hey you could even add the tree. We love the added texture of the rattan stool too.
25. Add softness to a bedroom with blush hues
(Image credit: Furniture Village )
Can you tell we love neutral bedroom decor? This room has just a hint of color with all those lovely peachy, blush hues. Again so easy to style differently too – add darker colors for a more moody, wintery feel, add golds to go more glam or even add subtle prints for a cute boho feel.
Love pink rooms as much as we do? Well, we have a whole feature for you to check out.
26. Or pick a warmer pink for a north-facing room
(Image credit: Oakapple)
On paper, this colorway may seem quirky, but in reality, it's a beautiful combination and we love how Marisa from @oakappledecor has pulled this scheme together. The white bedding breaks it up visually and the texture of the knitted throw breaks up the overall look perfectly. A touch of pattern from the cushion and prints adds that decorative element and we love the round lighting!
Ah, finally some darker colors! Feature walls are great bedroom ideas as they come in so many different forms to suit your decorating style. What we love about this bedroom is the dark feature wall. The herringbone tiling effect adds interest and texture, which works wonderfully with those blue walls. Plus, it would be so easy to change the lookup too. Paint the walls white and voilà , a completely different space.
28. Or create a feature wall with painted beading
(Image credit: M&S)
Looking to create a stand-out feature wall on a budget? Here's how to do it: use simple pine beading, glued and pinned to a wall, to create a simple geometric pattern – then paint it in a stand-out color.
This is a bedroom paint color that's been very popular recently and it's here to stay for a while longer. So if you fancy warming up a north-facing bedroom then this is your answer. It looks fabulous with the curvy blush pink headboard, and it's a color that's easy to accessorize. Grey is another shade that looks great with it, as does dark wood, so if you have those colors already then this mustard shade will fit right in.
29. Fake Cottagecore with wallpaper that looks like wood
(Image credit: Sainsbury's Home)
All you need to complete this look are a few logs to throw on the burner so you can listen to the crackle while you doze off. We all secretly hanker after having a secret wood cabin to run away to, don't we?
Well this look – Cottagecore – is not too hard to achieve – if you have a wooden floor then you're halfway there! Good at DIY? Then you can add wood panels to the wall, if not, source a wood wall style wallpaper. Add in some cozy bedding, plants, a good book and a candle your look is complete!
30. Be bold with bright, patterned wallpaper
(Image credit: Future)
We love color in a bedroom – and while we'd say the brighter the better, what we actually think is that bright colors need to be chosen really carefully to feel restful. Our number one rule? Pick a punchy color (here, it's pink but it could just as easily be yellow), but stick to natural shades and use a lot of neutrals beneath them to show them off without them feeling garish. Like in this room above – a modern take on summery country chic we love.
31. Create a mini living room in your bedroom
(Image credit: Design: Bobby Berk; Photography: @marisavitalephotography)
A bedroom chair is an essential! Somewhere to sit and read, or spend an afternoon working, it just brings a nice relaxed feel into a bedroom. Curate almost a mini living room in the corner with a small table and a lamp too, throw down a rug and add some cushions to make it cozier.
Plus, if you are renting and basically only have a room to your name, this is one of the most effective bedroom decorating ideas to help zone your space and make it feel like you have separate areas, for different activities.
32. Mix and match for a modern take on a boho bedroom
(Image credit: Ikea/Dan Duchars)
While old furniture in a bedroom can look lovely, it's sometimes not the most practical. Drawers that don't open properly, bedside tables with uneven legs, wardrobes with doors falling off their hinges? Yes, it's a familiar set up. But why not keep that vintage bedroom, boho look with smaller infrequently used pieces of furniture and accessories, but pick modern pieces for the more heavily used items. The overall result is actually really cool.
33. Make bedroom storage stylish and discreet
(Image credit: China Cooper )
Bedroom storage is a must, but trying to squeeze in a place to keep all your clothes, bedding, shoes and more, can be tricky. And for this reason we say keep your storage as discreet and possible so your room isn't just overwhelmed by furniture. Make use of alcoves so wardrobes and drawers can be tucked away and pick small pieces of storage furniture that are going to add some style to the room as well as being practical – case in point this wooden blanket box.
34. Or, use an open storage system for decoration
(Image credit: Fiona Murray)
Of course, bedroom storage doesn't always have to be practical, you can use it to add some personality to your bedroom too. Pick storage that has both open and closed options so you can hide clutter behind doors and keep your prettiest things on show.
35. Add a clothes rail for pretty and practical storage
(Image credit: Ikea/Benjamin Edwards)
Struggling to cram all your clothes into your wardrobe? A clothes rail will not only provide a bit of extra hanging space but they can look really lovely too. Pick out your prettiest clothes and go for a color palette too that you can change up your bedroom's style with the seasons. This is the Turbo rail from Ikea, chic and simple.
For more clothes storage ideas, check out our feature.
36. Swap out bulky bedside tables for built-in shelves
(Image credit: Little Greene)
If bedside tables are compromising your entire bedroom decor scheme or your space altogether, then remember that you can swap them out for shelving, painted to match the wall behind. The lower they are, the bigger the bedroom will feel, too.
37. Pick statement lights for bedside tables
(Image credit: Pooky)
Oversized table lamps placed on either side of a bed are the perfect bedroom lighting idea and instantly give a very hotel-like vibe to a space. Combine a patterned base with a plain shade as you see above or switch it so you have a simple base and a patterned shade, maybe even go for the same fabric as your headboard or throw pillows for a really cohesive look.
When it comes to picking bedroom lighting more generally 'think about what feel you're after in the bedroom, is it calming and pared-back, warm and cozy or something with a more opulent flavor, then create your lighting scheme around that,' says Rohan Blacker, Founder, Pooky. 'Keep bulbs shaded with material as opposed to glass, unless you want to use the light source for reading. If you're a book lover, directional wall or desk lights are far more effective than lamps with lampshades, but they are less equipped to create warm, ambient light.'
38. Add character with antique effect task lighting
(Image credit: Jemma Watts)
A bedside light is obviously an essential. We love the seamless look that comes with a wall-mounted bedside light, no wires and perfect if you want to keep the space on your table totally clear. They are also great in smaller bedrooms if you cant fit in a bedside table.
39. And softness with pendant lighting
(Image credit: Ikea)
And of course you will need a 'big light'. In a bedroom, the softer the better, so pick a shade in a light, warm material and add a warm bulb too. Rattan lights are so stylish at the moment and are the best decorative ideas for bedrooms as they can make a bit of a statement but always give off a lovely light.
40. Warm up a small bedroom with fairy lights
(Image credit: Soak & Sleep)
And you just can't go wrong with fairy light can you? Perfect for adding ambiance in a bedroom you can literally string them up where ever to add a soft cosy glow.
41. Make best use of natural light
(Image credit: Jody Stewart)
If you have been blessed with lots of natural light in your bedroom, make the most of it. Pick out window dressings that aren't going to block out any light during the day – lace, net, light linen, all of these sheer fabrics would work. You can add a discreet roller blind underneath or a heavier curtain over the top to keep out light during the night.
For more bedroom curtain ideas, check out our gallery.
42. Expose bare floorboards
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
Floorboards are a really practical choice in a bedroom, they are easy to keep clean, work with any style and of course look lovely. If you are concerned about keeping the room warm, then rugs are the answer. Invest in a larger rug to keep the heat in and stop it being too noisy underfoot, and then add smaller rugs over the top.
Oh and obviously you can paint floorboards too, just head to our guide on painting floorboards for all the tips.
43. Or keep thing cozy with a carpet
(Image credit: Carpetright)
Carpet is often an underestimated bedroom decor choice. But, choose wisely and you'll see how great it can be to add both warmth and coziness. Go for something relatively neutral on your bedroom floor so it's not the focus of your room and can cope with whatever style you add to your space.
44. Add plenty of house plants for an easy bedroom update
(Image credit: Ikea/ Polly Wreford)
House plants are the most organic of all the bedroom decorating ideas out there and they are such a great way to add calming or vibrant colors into your bedroom space. Mix up the size of plants you choose and have them all at different levels to create a real jungle feel.
We have a whole feature on indoor gardening too, check that out for plenty of ideas.
45. Incorporate a small stylish workspace
(Image credit: Ikea/Dan Duchars)
We are all working from home a lot more at the moment, and for some of us it might become a full-time thing. If you are squeezed for space in the rest of your house, or rent a room and need to create a home office, the bedroom is the place to do it.
You want a small home office to fit seamlessly into your bedroom decor, so pick furniture and accessories that match the room's style. Let's be honest you don't want a massive ergonomic office chair and huge cumbersome desk, so go for slimline, stylish office furniture that could even double up as a dressing table.
46. Create calm with a light color palette
(Image credit: Philip Lauterbach)
For a truly chilled out ambiance, be sure to keep your decor – window dressings and the like – light in color. You can still add some dark hues like in this room with the headboard, but otherwise choose light and breezy tones for the defining features of the space.
47. Get a cool Scandi look with wood panelling
(Image credit: Katie Lee)
More about simple and Scandi than dark and moody? You'll love this oak wall covering, then. Behind the wall, there are actually bespoke wardrobes made from MDF carcasses, but the covering is engineered oak flooring (there's that topsy turvy floor-to-wall trend again!), which looks amazing contrasted with the plain white walls. This also shows that a feature wall doesn't have to be behind your bed, either – use bespoke joinery like this to highlight interesting shapes or dramatic ceiling heights to amazing effect.
See more of this 17th century mill house in our feature.
48. Choose a wooden headboard with character
(Image credit: Denny Designs)
While the base color palette of this bedroom decor is neutral, the pattern of the wooden headboard teamed with the textured soft furnishing and other bedroom accessories makes this space truly warm and welcoming. A great look for guest bedrooms, while we would totally choose this for our own space also.
49. Add energy with canary-colored shutters
(Image credit: California Shutters)
After colorful bedroom ideas but not sure where to start? Shutters always look lovely in a rainbow of colors, plus they are perfect if you just want a pop of brightness as when they are open they won't look as dramatic. This sunny yellow is so cool, and works well with other hints of yellow dotted throughout the rest of the room.
We have a whole guide to how to choose window shutters, so if they sound like a good choice for your bedroom, have a read through that before you buy.
50. Clash patterns and use layering for drama
(Image credit: John Lewis)
Prefer a maximalist look? Use curtains to add pattern and start to build from there. Choose prints and colors for the rest of the room that will both complement and contrast the existing patterns. Bold color palettes are always going to be one of our favorite go-to bedroom decorating ideas, and it's the contrast of patterns that adds that eclectic touch which makes it so special.
51. Add symmetry for luxurious look
(Image credit: KD Loves)
The quickest way to give your bedroom decor an upgrade to a hotel feel is to keep things symmetrical. Match your bedside tables, the bedside lights, the cushions too, just double up on everything. This will add a sense of balance to your room, plus it all just feels fancier. For more traditional bedroom ideas head over to our gallery.
What color is best for a bedroom?
The best colors for a bedroom will mostly come down to your personal style and the overall vibe you want to create in your space. For a serene, neutral bedroom opt for lighter colors like whites, creams and pale greys. And layer them up in different tones so despite the limited color palette there's still lots interest an d texture going on.
You could of course go the other way and opt for a dark bedroom color scheme. Darker colors may seem like a bold choice but they work well in bedrooms because you often get that cozy, cocooning feel, especially if you go dark on all four walls and add in some soft lighting.
And then there's the brights. Bright colors can work in a bedroom but you don't want to overwhelm the space too much as you still want it to feel relaxing. We word recommend bringing in brighter colors in the form of accessories like throw pillows, blankets and artwork.
What layout in best for a bedroom?
The best layout for a bedroom is usually pretty straightforward as there will usually be an obvious space for the bed to go and you can base everything else around that. Place the bed on the main wall – which is either the largest wall or the wall you eye naturally goes to first when you walk in the room. If you can, we would recommend leaving around 3 feet from the edge of your bed to the wall so you can move freely around the space.
For a balanced look add two bedside tables to each side of the bed and keep any other furniture on the other side of the room. To keep the space from feeling cluttered leave it at that if you can and then bring in personality with artwork and decor that reflects your style.
How can you decorate a bedroom on a budget?
The best way to decorate a bedroom on a budget is to shop for furniture and decor second-hand. Not only is this going to save your money it will give your bedroom a more personal style too.
DIY is always a good way to stick to a budget too, so give painting and wallpapering a go yourself as any DIY novice can do these successfully. And then just be wise with where you spend and where you save, a good mattress, for example, is worth investing in but for decor you are going to switch out regularly like artwork and pillows stick to a budget.
