6 Easy Tricks To Make Your Room Look Instantly More Aesthetic
Sometimes, the spaces we live in start to feel a bit dull, a bit less us, and suddenly, the itch to revamp kicks in—hard and fast. Maybe you’ve found yourself scrolling through those dreamy room setups on social media, thinking how do they do that? Well, today we’re going to tackle just that—turning your room into a space that feels like it’s straight out of those pictures, but still unmistakably yours.
Here’s the thing: curating a space that mirrors those inspirations, a space that vibrates with your personal style and fits your daily needs, isn’t just for the pages of magazines. It’s entirely achievable, and today, I’m going to share how to breathe new life into your room with simple updates that can make a significant impact.
Maximize Natural Light
Living in a darker space can sometimes feel a bit downheartening, especially when you crave that open, airy vibe you see in beautifully lit rooms. It’s amazing what a difference maximizing natural light can make—not just for the aesthetics of your space, but for your mood and the overall feel of your home. Today, I’m excited to share a few simple yet transformative ways to bring more light into your room, turning even the gloomiest of spaces into bright, welcoming areas.
One of the first and easiest steps is to give your windows a thorough cleaning. It’s surprising how much light can be blocked by a layer of dust and dirt that builds up unnoticed. Also, take a moment to trim back any foliage that might be casting shadows and blocking sunlight from entering your space. Plants are wonderful, but not when they keep the sunshine out!
Mirrors can do wonders for a dark room. Placing a large mirror directly across from your largest window can double the natural light in your room by bouncing it back across the space. Think of mirrors as windows you can move and manipulate to enhance light exactly where you need it. And why stop at one? Multiple smaller mirrors arranged artistically can break up wall space and scatter light in beautiful ways, adding both brightness and visual interest to your room.
Reflective surfaces aren’t limited to mirrors. Introducing metallic elements into your decor can also help brighten a room. Whether it’s brass frames, silver handles, or decorative items with a glossy finish, these touches can help reflect light around your room. Just be mindful of the overall balance—you want to create light, not a space shuttle!
Add Some Green
Adding some greenery to your bedroom can genuinely enhance your mood, purify the air, and even promote better sleep. Let’s dive into how you can incorporate plants effectively to create that serene, aesthetic vibe you’re aiming for.
One of the simplest ways to introduce nature into your bedroom is with a snake plant. Known for its hardy nature, the snake plant is perfect for those who might not have a green thumb. It not only adds a modern touch with its upright, stripy leaves but also works hard at night, purifying the air by converting CO2 into oxygen. This makes it ideal for keeping in the bedroom, helping you breathe better while you sleep.
If you’re looking for something that feels a bit softer and also thrives with minimal fuss, consider the spider plant. This plant is incredibly forgiving and adaptable, making it perfect for bedrooms and living areas alike. Spider plants are great at removing pollutants like carbon monoxide and xylene, enhancing the air quality wherever they’re placed.
A peace lily is also a great option. Its glossy leaves and white blooms bring a sophisticated aesthetic to any room. Beyond its beauty, the peace lily is a powerhouse when it comes to cleaning the air—removing ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. And if you love a bit of texture and lush greenery, a Boston fern might be up your alley. Its feathery leaves add a lovely bit of drama and comfort to any corner, purifying the air and injecting a bit of wilderness into urban dwellings.
Play with Textures
Incorporating different textures into your bedroom not only adds visual interest but also creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. Start with the basics—your bed linens. Opt for a combination of materials that feel luxurious and comforting. Mixing textured linens with quilted cotton or velvety throws can add depth.
For pillows, don’t shy away from mixing materials like chunky knits with smoother, silkier fabrics. This variety not only looks appealing but feels great, too.
Nothing says cozy like a well-placed throw. Drape one over the corner of your bed or a bedroom chair to invite relaxation. Choose throws that contrast with your furniture for that effortless, chic look—think a soft, knitted throw over a leather chair, or a plush velvet one against a minimalist, modern backdrop.
Also consider adding a soft rug underfoot to dramatically make it softer and warmer. If your room has hardwood floors, a thick, woven rug or a shaggy piece can soften the space instantly. The texture of the rug can add to the room’s overall aesthetic while providing comfort.
Create a Focal Point
Creating a focal point in your bedroom isn’t just about adding a decorative flair; it’s about drawing the eye and anchoring your space around a central, compelling feature. Accent walls, often referred to as feature walls, are a fantastic way to achieve this effect. They can transform an ordinary room into a visually interesting and stylish space.
When deciding on the perfect wall to accentuate, consider the architecture of your room. Do you have a natural architectural feature like a fireplace, or is your room more of a blank canvas? If your bedroom lacks inherent architectural interest, the wall your bed is on is typically a good choice. This is often the first thing you see when you enter the room and naturally lends itself to becoming a focal point.
Painting a single wall in a bold color can dramatically change the dynamics of your room. If you’re adventurous, a deep, rich color can make the wall pop and give your bedroom a modern and chic look. For a more subtle approach, choose a color that complements your overall decor but is a few shades darker than the other walls.
Wallpaper offers endless possibilities in patterns, textures, and styles. From geometric patterns that add a modern touch to soft floral designs that can make a room feel cozy, wallpaper is an excellent tool for creating a feature wall. Today’s peel-and-stick options are perfect for those who love a DIY project and make it easy to change styles when you’re ready for something new.
Warm Lighting
Smart lighting choices can significantly influence how you feel in your space, making it essential to get it just right. Start with a mix of overhead lights for general illumination. Ceiling fixtures or recessed lighting provide a good base layer, but they can sometimes feel too harsh or impersonal. That’s where the additional layers come in. Floor lamps and table lamps add warmth and can be placed strategically to cast a soft glow where it’s needed most—next to your bed for reading, or in a dark corner to soften the shadows.
For a truly cozy and inviting atmosphere, incorporate ambient lighting. This can be achieved with wall sconces that wash the walls with light, adding a gentle brightness that doesn’t overpower the space. Accent lighting, such as string lights draped along a headboard or small LED displays on shelves, can highlight architectural features or artwork, adding depth and character to the room. Consider installing dimmer switches for your main light sources. Dimmers allow you to adjust the light intensity based on the time of day or your current activity, which can significantly enhance the room’s comfort level.
The color temperature of your bulbs can affect your perception of space and mood. Warm white bulbs (around 2700 Kelvin) tend to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, ideal for relaxing at night. Cooler white bulbs (around 3500 Kelvin) can mimic daylight and are good for task lighting but use them judiciously to avoid making your bedroom feel too sterile.
Incorporate Art and Mirrors
When you’re setting up your bedroom, art and mirrors can really transform the space. Wall art adds a splash of color and a touch of your personality, which makes the room feel uniquely yours. You don’t need to spend a lot on artwork; even posters or your own DIY projects can fill your space with style and make it feel more personalized.
Mirrors, on the other hand, do wonders for making a small bedroom feel larger and brighter. They reflect light and visually double the space, which is particularly useful in smaller or darker rooms. For the best effect, consider placing a large mirror directly opposite a window. This not only bounces natural light around the room but also offers the illusion of an extra window, enhancing the sense of space.
When selecting artwork, think about what resonates with you. It could be abstract paintings, framed quotes, or photographs. Align these pieces with the overall color scheme and style of your bedroom to create a cohesive look. For mirrors, consider various shapes and frames that complement the existing decor. An ornately framed mirror can add a touch of elegance, while a simple, slim frame may lend a more modern feel.