8 Designer-Approved Bedroom Decorating Tricks That Cost Less Than They Look

The bedroom is the one space we probably spend the most time of our lives in—snoozing, getting ready, and unwinding from long days. As such, it deserves to feel like a sanctuary, which the right design can allow for.

However, between the bedding, furniture, and decor, upgrading your bedroom might feel like a stretch of the imagination. Luckily, though, there are always workarounds to get the sanctuary of your sleepy dreams—whether it’s coming up with creative ideas for headboards or taking on a budget-friendly DIY project. In need of inspiration?

Ahead, we tapped three designers for their top tips to decorate a bedroom without breaking the bank.

Use Drapery as a Headboard

To avoid purchasing an entirely new headboard while still achieving the same look, repurpose your textiles.

„An easy DIY that I love is adding full-length drapery along the entire wall behind a bed—it’s so luxurious and cozy!“ says Madelaine Mayer, founder and principal designer of AD:ROIT. „If you have a ceiling that you can screw into (not popcorn), you can even take the drapery onto the ceiling to create a canopy. Solid velvet or sheer panels are particularly cost effective and well-suited to this type of installation.“

These panels can be found at an affordable price from retailers like IKEA or Target.

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Refinish Wood Pieces

Real wood items can often be found second-hand or from accessible retailers. But if a piece isn’t quite your cup of tea, you shouldn’t immediately write it off, especially if it’s just about the color or finish.

„If you’re not afraid of a bit of DIY work, you can stain or paint on unfinished furniture—those raw pine dressers from IKEA or Home Depot, for example—to match your space exactly and still remain within budget,“ explains Anton Liakhov, interior designer and founder of Roomtery.

Liakhov particularly finds that Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or local Habitat for Humanity ReStores are gold mines for unique wood pieces.

Update Your Textiles

Incorporating layers to your existing bedding is another high-impact, low-cost design upgrade.

„Add a textural throw blanket at the foot of the bed and accent pillows in front of the sleeping pillows for a more polished look,“ suggests Jennifer Jones, principal designer of Niche Interiors.

Mayer adds that since the bed is the largest piece of furniture in the bedroom, it carries the most visual weight.

„Make it beautiful, however you define that, and it will set the tone for the rest of the room,“ she notes.

Use Peel-And-Stick to Fancify Your Walls

For luxurious walls without the luxury cost, Liakhov likes using wall molding kits.

„They sell peel-and-stick molding strips that will give you that classic Parisian apartment feel for under $50—just pair with the appropriate paint color and suddenly your room is bespoke,“ he says.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper has a similarly show-stopping effect.

„If you have a lot of patience and time, it’s such a fun way to transform a space. “ Jones says. „It can instantly add bold pattern to your room and can be removed if you rent or decide to change up the design.“

Opt for Unexpected Seating

Liakhov recommends focusing your budget on one showpiece, such as a quality mattress or bed frame, and then getting creative with the rest of the furnishings.

„I like finding ottomans or stools [and using them] in unexpected ways—sometimes a ‚bathroom bench‘ can look great at the end of a bed,“ the designer says.

Paint Smartly

Painting is a tried-and-true way to make a space feel brand new.

„Changing the wall color to a rich, moody hue will completely transform the vibe without much investment,“ Jones says.

Plus, you don’t always have to drench the entire room.

„Instead, paint one wall, the ceiling, or even half a wall—hi, on-trend two-tone movement,“ Liakhov says. „It’s an affordable way to create depth and shine without buying a single new piece of furniture.“

Rearrange What You Already Have

Revamping your bedroom doesn’t have to mean buying new pieces—or shelling out any money, for that matter.

„The majority of people overlook the magic of restyling or rearranging,“ Liakhov notes. „Try rearranging your bed a different way, moving your dresser across the room, or using an older bookshelf as a nightstand. That one change of setup can provide you with a fresher, better-styled look without a penny spent.“

Layer Lighting

Decorative lighting is another way to brighten up your bedroom (literally) without denting your wallet.

„Look for vintage lamps or sconces at your local flea market, or try Etsy or Ebay for great deals online,“ Jones says.

Being able to manage the brightness of your lighting can also help set a soothing ambiance.

„Adding table lamps or wall sconces with dimmable bulbs instead of relying on a bright and old-fashioned ceiling light is an instant upgrade,“ Mayer says.

Liakhov notes that there are plenty of inexpensive plug-in sconces available on the market if hardwiring isn’t possible for your space, and the benefits are well worth it.

„Suddenl,y even the most budget-friendly bedroom is like a boutique hotel,“ he says.