Browsing through Instagram — or Pinterest — can be a dangerous pastime for an interiors lover. There is so much inspiration, but what if your budget just doesn’t stretch to the look you want? For example, dream aesthetic bedrooms don’t come cheap. Wall prints, cushions, and lighting are all costly. But designing an aesthetic bedroom on a budget can be a fun and creative process.
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Some Examples of Aesthetic Bedroom Styles
There are various interior design styles that can transform a plain bedroom into an aesthetic room. Each design category has its distinct features, colour palettes, and decorative elements. Here are some of the best aesthetic bedroom ideas to try.
Minimalist
A minimalist design aesthetic is synonymous with simplicity. It places emphasis on clean lines and neutral tones. Storage is key here as surfaces are uncluttered.
Think white walls, natural light and pared-back decor.
Boho
The Bohemian design aesthetic pulls together various colours, patterns, and textures — from various cultures; the more diverse the better. It offers a laid back, easy style, often accentuating natural materials and handmade objects.
The boho style is relaxed and perfect for those with eclectic tastes who want to express themselves.
Scandi
In the Scandinavian design aesthetic, there’s a shared focus on simplicity and functionality, as in Minimalist style, but it’s a little warmer and cosier and allows a little more personality.
It still very much features clean lines and a minimalist approach to furnishings, but there is more emphasis on accessories and soft furnishings.
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-century modern style often features teak or vibrantly coloured fibreglass furniture. Think sleek lines, together with a fusion of organic and geometric forms.
Mid-century modern patterns are retro-inspired and decor is graphic and stylised with pops of vibrant colour.
Industrial
The Industrial design aesthetic is defined by its use of raw, untreated materials such as metal and exposed brick, with a particular emphasis on reclaimed or creatively reused items.
Think Edison light bulbs, wire-framed (or natural wood) furniture, and a neutral colour palette.
How Do You Make an Aesthetic Room on a Budget?
There are so many ways to create an aesthetic bedroom on a budget. The best way is to envisage the look you want — regardless of cost — then try to emulate this look, to fit your budget. A few creative ideas go a very long way!
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Decide on a Theme or Colour Scheme
The first step is to decide what kind of aesthetic you want for your room.
You could go for a minimalist look, a cosy Bohemian style, a vintage mid-century modern vibe. Or maybe something bright and eclectic. Pull in elements form various design styles, if that’s what you like. Once you’ve chosen your aesthetic, choose a colour scheme you love.
Get inspiration from magazines, or online. Or just get yourself down to your local DIY store and immerse yourself in the paint charts! Seeing colour, first hand, and putting colours together is a great visual stimulator.
Create a Mood Board
Once you’ve decided on your aesthetic and pinned down your colour palette, the best way to consolidate your ideas is to create a mood board. Mood boards can be created digitally. (Use software like Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, or Picmonkey. Or apps like Pinterest or Milanote.)
Or go old-school and create an analogue version.
Personally, this is what I prefer to do as you can include textures and move things around to suit. You can include images of the furniture you’d like to use, paint and fabric swatches. It’s the perfect way to see all of your ideas in one place so you can ensure they work together.
A mood board is a great starting point for your aesthetic bedroom, and will really help you to visualise the space and the look and feel you’re trying to achieve.
Do-it-Yourself (DIY)
Getting creative and ‘doing it yourself’ is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your room.
You could make your own wall art, upcycle old furniture, create a gallery wall, or make your own cushions or curtains. YouTube — and even TikTok — have so many great tutorials.
DIY projects are a brilliant way to get the look you want, for a fraction of the cost. If you have a Cricut or Silhouette machine, you can use these to create one-off pieces, like our Leopard Print Love Cushion.
Thrift Shopping
Charity shops, car-boot sales, and flea markets can be great places to find unique pieces for a fraction of the price of new items. Keep an open mind and be ready to see the potential in pre-loved pieces.
Some items may just need a lick of paint — or a new cover — to fit into your aesthetic.
Buying second hand — and upcycling — is not only a sustainable, planet-friendly option but will very often give you something totally unique. Thrifting the best preloved bargains is an art and can be quite addictive.
Go with an open mind and really take your time when browsing. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say! Just enjoy the process and see what treasures you can find.
Repurpose and Reuse
As well as shopping for second hand items, ‘shop your home’. See what you already have in the house that could be repurposed and turned into something that might fit your bedroom aesthetic.
An old ladder can be turned into a plant-stand, a wooden crate can be a rustic bedside table. Or gather together all your mismatched photo frames and give them a coat of paint, for a brand new look.
House Plants
Plants are a relatively inexpensive way to liven up a room and make it feel more homely. They’re the perfect addition to promote biophilic design within a room. And also help to clean the air and add to your chosen aesthetic.
If you’re not great at looking after house-plants, there are plenty of low-maintenance options like snake plants or succulents.
Or, you can go down the faux plant route too. Trail faux vines and ivy around the walls for a whimsical look.
Lighting
Lighting is critical to any aesthetic room.
Fairy lights, lanterns, or stylish lamps can all change the feel of a space. Consider what kind of lighting would best suit your aesthetic.
Aesthetic Organisation
Clutter can detract from your aesthetic, so think about stylish ways to tidy up your room and organise your wardrobe. Baskets, crates, or shelves can be both functional and decorative.
Accessorise
Accessories are what really ties a room together.
Look for inexpensive items like throw pillows, rugs, curtains, wall art, mirrors, or candle holders in your chosen colour scheme.
Patience
Creating the perfect aesthetic takes time, so don’t rush it. It’s better to slowly collect pieces that you love than to quickly fill your room with items that don’t quite fit.
An aesthetic room is one that reflects your personal style and makes you feel good. Don’t worry too much about making it ‘perfect’ and Pinterest-worthy – it’s more important that it’s a space you feel comfortable in — and enjoy.
How Can I Make My Bedroom Look Aesthetic?
Aesthetic bedroom decor has an almost effortless feel. It’s cosy and laidback and can be achieved with a few key items.
Here’s a list of the aesthetic bedroom ‘must haves’ to get you inspired!
- Fairy lights and string lights.
- Disco balls. Either ceiling hung or propped up on the floor.
- Plants, faux ivy or vines. A wall of faux flowers.
- Neon lights or signs.
- Collage walls. Use maps, book pages, postcards and other ephemera for an eclectic feel. But stick to the same colour palette for a cohesive look.
- Create a gallery wall. Mirrors, framed artwork, curate the look to suit your space.
- Textile wall hangings: silk scarves, macrame, tapestries. Or even a beautiful piece of fabric you’d like to show off.
- House plants. Either floor-standing or hanging in macrame planters. You can never have too many plants!
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
