Style Guide: Bedroom Walls - Southern Living

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Paint

For a restful space, choose muted, calming paint colors. To reduce the pollutants in your bedroom, use a low-VOC (volatile organic compound) product.

Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto / Styling: Matthew Gleason

Paint Effects

Create large-scale, custom designs using paint and painter’s tape.

Photography Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett

Printed Wallpaper

Wrap the room in pattern with wallpaper. There is an endless variety of options—both classic and modern—to choose from.

Photo by Laurey W. Glenn

Grass Cloth

Grasscloth is a woven wallpaper that can be purchased in many colors and patterns. Its textured surface adds warmth to a room.

Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto / Styling: Matthew Gleason

Stenciled Wall

If you have more time than cash to contribute to a project, try painting one wall of the bedroom with a stencil for the look of patterned wallpaper at a fraction of the cost.

Patterned Accent

Trim out a section of wallpaper with molding as an accent.

Fabric Wall Treatment

Another patterned alternative to wallpaper is fabric. If you use fabric as a wallcovering, you can also use the same textile to create matching linens and drapery.

Photo: Erica George Dines

Stained Wood

The natural look of stained wood is warm and cozy on bedroom walls.

Painted Wood

Get both the pattern of wood and the uniform color of paint with painted wood walls.