Decorating walls in the bedroom – is it always necessary?

Hello! This article marks the start of our exclusive author column in the magazine, which we'll be publishing monthly from now on. It'll essentially be a selection of our best posts, appearing weekly on the blog. And, of course, there's a secret bonus article with a guest expert.

We will post stories where you can collect your questions – we will forward them to the expert and have him answer them.

Today we're talking about how to arrange pictures or photos in the bedroom beautifully and stylishly.

If you don't have any art or photos, check out our section Hand-Painted Acrylic Paintings on Canvas - Modern Art for Your Living Room | YSART - here you're guaranteed to find a picture that will give you that "Wow, how awesome is that! I absolutely have to invite my friends so they'll be green with envy" feeling.

What we will talk about:

• Why it's worth decorating the walls in the bedroom (spoiler: not always necessary)

• How to change the effect of a room with the right picture – larger, smaller, brighter or darker

• What you need to consider to ensure a picture hangs beautifully – distances to the floor and furniture, lighting tips

Ready? I am – let's go!

1. Decorating walls in the bedroom – is it always necessary?

Not necessarily.
If you're into loft style or pure minimalism, you can get by without any decorations. But a bare wall can quickly become boring. In this case, you can play with wall surfaces: plaster, textured paint, installations, or lighting accents create a more profound effect.

The wall can also serve as an extension of the headboard: softly upholstered or covered in real wood. Textiles add coziness, while wood adds warmth and a natural, authentic touch to the room (make sure to use materials that are as natural as possible).

2. Alternatives if you don't want to hang pictures

• A large picture or modular system

• Textured wallpapers (e.g. made of fabric for even more comfort)

• A narrow, long wall shelf for decoration and books

You can also combine: books with a picture, the shelf with photos or a large family portrait (you can also commission this from us).

3. When a large image is impractical

• Very small room with lots of furniture: A large format “eats up” the space and feels overwhelming.

• Shelves above the bed: Then a picture creates the additional impression of overload.

If you still don't want to do without it, you can simply place the picture on the floor - of course only if there is enough space around it.

4. Change the spatial effect with image and style

Your “tools”: wall color, furniture and the arrangement of the wall decorations.

4.1. Optically enlarge small rooms

• Do not push furniture against the walls (e.g. place the sofa in the middle as a room divider)

• Place a large picture on the floor, ideally with a bright, abstract motif (e.g., ray abstraction)

• Light surfaces: light table, light curtains, chrome-plated appliances, floor-to-ceiling mirrors

• Light accents: brighten up dark corners with floor lamps

• Arrange pictures/photos at different heights – this makes the wall and ceiling appear wider or higher

• Light carpets with horizontal patterns enhance the spacious effect

For lighting, spotlighting is recommended: it creates an airy effect and highlights the artwork. It's impractical to place it above the bed; it's better to place it to the side or opposite the bed—at the same time, it separates the sleeping and working areas.

4.2. Visually reduce the size of large rooms

No need to build walls – we art people can do it elegantly:

• Flooring with texture or stripes in warm natural tones (e.g., wood look, parquet, laminate; no tile or high-gloss)

• Heavy, dark curtains for coziness

• More textiles on bed and armchair

• Pictures in frames or with passepartout in warm, possibly dark colors

• Use floor lamps only in the seating/reading area

Optional: modular images or several works that complement each other in terms of content.

5. Correct height and distances

• Medium-sized pictures: Center point approx. 150 cm above the floor

• Very large formats (> 2 m): Height from floor approx. 60 cm (but ensure a comfortable viewing distance)

Combine work and sleeping areas?
Two pictures create zones: a calming abstraction above the bed, and a thematic or more clearly designed motif for concentration in the work area.

Small rooms: Several small pictures visually expand the room, provided the wall is one color.
Large rooms: A large highlight or a diptych as an eye-catcher.

6. Choice of motif and color

Focus on your preferences: What relaxes you and invites you to switch off? This could be a complex abstraction, delicate flowers, or a powerful bull.

Extra tip: Luminous, round images that glow gently in the dark are extremely versatile and replace soft light at night.

No idea which picture would fit and how to hang it? Simply send us a photo of your room, the ceiling height and wall length, and your desired design. We'll suggest suitable artworks and visualize the result for you.