Designer Isabel Ladd is a self-proclaimed maximalist and a lover of what she calls “designer camo”—layering a dizzying variety of prints over each other—so of course the primary bedroom she designed for House Beautiful’s 2023 Whole Home is over-the-top. Wallpaper illustrated with exotic birds, bamboo, and an abundance of florals provides a playful backdrop for Ladd to build on: “The whole aesthetic is ‘more is more; less is a bore,'” she explains.

A neutral Fornasetti wallpaper from Cole & Son sets a warm, quiet tone in the primary bedroom of this historic Boston home by Thiara Borges.

Katie Hodges wanted the primary bedroom of her Hollywood Hills home to feel like an Italian hotel. The butterscotch-and-saffron color palette is “rich and soothing,” she says.

Stepping into your bedroom should feel like a departure from real life, like a vacation. It really can be a place of total relaxation. Bring on the tropical getaway vibes as Breeze Giannasio Interiors did in this Maui home by adding a mural inspired by the relaxing natural surroundings.

If your bed frame is as fabulous as this velvet-upholstered, channel-tufted masterpiece, it would be a shame to cover it up with pillows, bolsters, and blankets. Keep your bedding simple, as Christopher Kent did here, and opt for a minimal coverlet to let the bed shine.

If your primary bedroom isn’t as big as you’d like, consider installing a Murphy bed to save space. Ignore everything you thought you knew about these humble fold-up beds. They can be stylish and add color and interest to a space, the way this one designed by Michael Chen does.

Designer Emily Janak’s primary goal when designing the primary bedroom in her Jackson Hole, Wyoming, cabin was to make it feel as luxurious as possible. Cue an indulgent Loro Piana bed curtains and a West Elm bed frame that she had reupholstered in mohair.

No room for wall sconces or table lamps? No problem. You have a ceiling perfect for a pair of pendant lights. The rattan Atelier Vime ones in the bedroom of this Orinda, California, home by designer Lauren Nelson provide light and texture that amplify its warmth.

An RV may not seem like the right place for a sanctuary-like primary bedroom, but you deserve good design even on the road. Here, in Karlee and Weston Marsh’s renovated RV, wood panels cover the original mirrored closet doors, and a custom headboard from a local Michigan mill adds warmth to the all-white space.

Bedrooms are so much more than just a place to sleep. To make the most of your space, consider placing a bench or pair of armchairs at the end of the bed as designer Kari Arendsen did in Hillary and Chase Daniels’ California home. You can use your new sitting area as a reading nook and handy drop-zone or even as a place for your little ones to hang out while you get ready for the day.

To accentuate the four-poster bed in this primary bedroom, Thomas Jayne added a subtle rectangle of light blue paint to the wall to frame it and coordinate with blue accents in the bedding.

High-gloss jewel tones adorn most of the walls in a Brooklyn Tudor designed by Katie Curtis, but she took a softer approach in the primary bedroom. A custom mural in a soothing, nature-inspired color palette gives the homeowners a break from the richer hues in the rest of the home.

Too many walls, not enough cohesion? Take inspiration from this Pennsylvania bedroom designed by Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey. Chipper yellow gingham wallpaper by Scalamandré unifies the many angles of this attic bedroom.

If you happen to be blessed with towering ceilings like ones in the primary bedroom of our 2022 Whole Home, take advantage of them by accentuating them. Mark Williams Design and architect Yong Pak set an extra-tall headboard against ceiling-height curtains to draw the eye up toward the stunning paneled ceiling.

Whether you’re reading in bed or getting ready for a night out, you want bedroom lighting that can adapt to multiple settings or moods. Take a note from Society Social, who designed our 2023 Whole Home’s guest suite, and use multiple sources. Sconces allow for soft, in-bed direct lighting, while dual table lamps cast a wider glow when more visibility is needed.

Purple and yellow may seem too high contrast for a calming bedroom, but when you adjust the tone and saturation, they’re perfect color complements. This main bedroom, designed by Toledo Geller for our 2021 Whole Home, proves that an ochre wallcovering works beautifully with deep brownish purples and earthy pinks.

Take inspiration from the bedroom in this Long Island home by Danielle Fennoy and forgo patterns and prints in favor of solid swaths of color. The cobalt throw breaks up the all-white bedding, while the yellow throw pillow coordinates perfectly with an equally sunny task lamp.

Pattern play is best achieved when you use a common through line to tie them all together. From the geometric curtains to the tiger-stripe accent pillows, each of the patterns in the jungle-inspired bedroom of Vern Yip’s vacation home references the bedspread.

In this bedroom, a mix of warm-toned browns and reds craft a cozy color palette that’s ideal for a cocooning sleep space. By choosing shades that are on the same side of the color wheel, you don’t have to worry about them coordinating or looking too busy.

If your home’s architecture leans more quirky than traditional, embrace it! In the bedroom of an Los Angeles home designed by Madeline Stuart, the bed and nightstands sit inside an arched alcove that anchors the room.

In the primary bedroom of a Darien, Connecticut, home designed by Ashley Whittaker, the nightstand is the hardest working piece of furniture. A small tray pulls out for extra surface area, and everything you could need for a day in bed—from water to your next read—is within arm’s reach.

An easy way to make an impact without having to navigate the tricky task of coordinating colors, patterns, and textures, is to choose one and run with it. Follow this example from Kristen Panitch, who used a large-scale paisley from Peter Dunham Textiles to adorn nearly every inch of the bedroom in this adorable L.A. cottage.

Adding indoor plants to your bedroom not only adds texture and a vibrant pop of color, but it also helps you sleep more soundly. Houseplants produce more oxygen and help clear the air of harmful chemicals and allergens that can disrupt your rest.

The Phillip Jeffries wall covering in Benjamin Vandiver’s Brooklyn townhouse resembles wool fabric (without the itchy quality). The texture lends the feeling of being wrapped in a blanket every time you walk through the door.

Designed by Elizabeth Georgantas, this 273-year-old home in Nantucket tells a story but has fresh finishes that keep it from dwelling in the past. This is particularly true in the main bedroom, where the cracked beams over an antique désoupaged bed were given a fresh coat of crisp white paint.

Nothing makes a home feel homier than a roaring fireplace. If you’re lucky enough to have one in the main bedroom, make it the focal point by placing your bed directly across from it. We also love the textured blue ceiling and accent wall here—they bring softness to the rustic stone walls.

“I wanted to create a bedroom full of personality,” designer Jae Joo says of the main bedroom in this Boston rowhouse. Though classic and understated, the shrunken photo gallery, curved furniture, and colorful accents give the room character. The light gray walls are also a welcome departure from the go-to shades of white paint most bedrooms feature.

Challenge the default layout and experiment with new ones—you may find that something less cookie-cutter works better for you. In the bedroom of this Virginia home, floating the bed and bedside table in the center of the room enabled designer Raji Radhakrishnan to add a sitting area.

A headboard is great, but this is your main bedroom. Why not go all out and add a footboard, canopy, and statement wall, too? A bold pattern and color make any room pop. Take note of this edgy yet classic space by ETC.etera and mix toile with something geometric and mod.

When designing your main bedroom, the only real rule is to be true to your personal style. If that means mixing fun prints and using bold colors, don’t hesitate to do so. Take inspiration from Matthew Carter‘s bold purple window treatments.

Think about how you want to feel in your bedroom, and take it from here. Here, Radhakrishnan was aiming for a “breezy, comfortable,” atmosphere, so he opted for white walls, curtains, and bedding, with a mix of midcentury and Japanese-accented furnishings.

Ellen Niven took inspiration from traditional Provençal hotels, padding the walls, swathing the headboard and lampshades of the primary bedroom in her Long Island home in Le Manach’s Balmoral blue floral pattern and hanging a gilt frame. The monogrammed pillows mark a personal touch, while the tiger-print throw pillow spices the room up.

Brighten up your bedroom and let the natural light and organic materials do all the work. The formula: white walls, neutral bedding, minimal decor. And, of course, billowing drapes are a must. Better yet, hang an ethereal canopy.

Sophie Ashby, the founder and lead interior designer of Studio Ashby, explains that “a wide upholstered headboard brings more fabric into a bedroom while enabling the integration of eclectics.” Think of it as an opportunity to use color without taking up a huge amount of space.

This main bedroom is basically a cloud. The plush, almost glowing carpet makes the whole space feel more luxe without overwhelming the eye. The end bench and table lamp also introduce great architectural lines.

Wallpapering your whole bedroom might feel a bit daunting, but if you choose a more understated print and stick to a tight color story, it won’t be overwhelming. And if you like mixing in vintage pieces, take note. In this primary bedroom, contemporary bedding gives the retro-inspired accents, like the clock and wall sconces, a second life. The sconce also frees up some room on the side table.

A built-in reading nook in the main bedroom will earn you some major bonus points, style-wise and beyond. It makes the space even more of a retreat and makes it feel more personalized. Just add throw pillows.

Sweet dreams are made of the exposed beams in this bedroom by Leanne Ford Interiors. Less is more in this effortlessly sophisticated main bedroom. The tall four post bed stretches up the ceiling, making the room feel even bigger than it is. The darker linens contribute to the easy elegance of the space while keeping things earthy and grounded.

Brigette Romanek opted for a sleek caramel leather stool to contrast with the romantic blush bed frame and blue mirror. If you don’t have enough room to pull up a bench to the end of your bed, a stool is a great alternative. It’ll add that desired design polish and give you a place to put on your shoes or store a blanket, but it won’t look as bulky or take up as much visual real estate as a bench.

If you love the bohemian look but also want your main bedroom room to feel grounded and contemporary, use this space as your guide. Think plush pillows and blond floors, wicker furniture, and neutral-hued linens.

One perfect place is over your bed. As Sophie Ashby says, “the headboard’s low profile allows for a sizable artwork.” You could also try a gallery wall if you don’t have larger artworks to display. “The headboard’s muted gray wool mix balances the impact of t

Corey Damen Jenkins balances approachable, comfortable materials with more refined accents and staples, an ideal combination in the main bedroom of this Michigan home. It’s complete with contemporary light fixtures, a geometric rug, bright pops of color from blue upholstery and throws, and customized surfaces (a beige accent wall, blue wallpaper, and a white ceiling).

The primary bedroom of designer Fawn Galli’s New York apartment evokes the work of Dutch artist M.C. Escher. Bold, over-the-top black-and-white carpeting and drapes coordinate with the glam light fixture, eye-catching artwork, and luxe throw blanket, while the delicate pinks and creams on the bed add softness.