Walk into any big-box furniture store and they’ll try to sell you a generic, oversized canvas of a foggy forest or a map of Paris. It’s safe. It’s also incredibly boring. Honestly, your bedroom is the most private sanctuary you own, so why are we all decorating it like a mid-range Marriott? Deciding what to put above the bed isn't just about filling a void on the drywall; it’s about weight, safety, and how you want to feel when you wake up at 6:00 AM.
Most people panic. They see that vast expanse of white space above the headboard and just slap a mirror up there. But there’s a science to it. Or at least, a heavy dose of common sense mixed with some basic design principles that interior experts like Kelly Wearstler or Nate Berkus have been preaching for years. You have to consider scale. You have to think about the "earthquake factor"—especially if you live in California or Japan. Nobody wants a heavy gilded frame falling on their face in the middle of a REM cycle.
The Psychological Impact of Art Above Your Head
Visual weight matters. If you hang something too small, the bed looks like it’s floating in an unfinished room. If it’s too big, it feels like the wall is leaning over you. Feng Shui experts often argue that what you hang above your head impacts your quality of sleep. They usually suggest avoiding "heavy" energy. Think water scenes (which can represent instability) or sharp, aggressive shapes. Instead, look for landscapes that recede into the distance. This creates a sense of depth. It makes a small room feel like it has an exit strategy.
I’ve seen people use heavy, ornate mirrors. They look great in photos. In reality? They can be unsettling. A mirror reflects light, which is cool for a dark room, but it also reflects every toss and turn you make. If you’re a light sleeper, that extra movement in your peripheral vision is a nightmare.
Why Texture Beats a Flat Canvas Every Time
Flat prints are fine for a hallway. For a bedroom, texture is king. We are seeing a massive shift toward "soft" art. Think woven tapestries, macramé (the high-end kind, not the 1970s basement kind), or even draped vintage textiles.
The benefit here is twofold. First, it’s safe. If a piece of linen falls on you, you just go back to sleep. Second, it absorbs sound. If you live in an apartment with thin walls, a large textile piece above your bed acts as a functional acoustic panel. It kills the echo. It makes the room feel muffled and expensive. Designer Shea McGee often utilizes varied textures in her primary suite designs because it grounds the bed. It makes the sleeping area feel like a destination rather than just a piece of furniture shoved against a wall.
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Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing What to Put Above the Bed
Height is the biggest offender. People hang their art way too high. You want the bottom of the piece to be roughly 6 to 10 inches above the top of the headboard. Any higher and it looks like it’s trying to escape toward the ceiling. Any lower and it feels cramped.
Then there’s the width problem.
A good rule of thumb is that the art should cover about two-thirds the width of the bed. If you have a King-sized bed, a single 12x12 frame is going to look ridiculous. You need scale. If you can’t afford a massive original painting, don't just buy a small one. Group things. A triptych—three vertical frames side-by-side—is a classic move for a reason. It spans the distance without requiring a forklift to get a single heavy frame onto the wall.
- Avoid the "floating" look: If there's a huge gap between the bed and the art, it lacks cohesion.
- Watch the glass: If your room gets a lot of sun, non-glare glass is a must. Otherwise, you’ll just see a reflection of your window and not the art itself.
- Scale up: When in doubt, go bigger. Small art on a big wall is the most common "amateur" mistake.
Architectural Alternatives to Traditional Frames
Maybe you hate art. Or maybe you just don't want to spend three months scrolling through Etsy trying to find a print that isn't a cheesy motivational quote.
Shelving is a polarizing choice. A "picture ledge" is a shallow shelf that lets you lean art rather than hanging it. It’s great for people who change their minds every two weeks. You can swap photos, add a small trailing plant like a Pothos, or lean a small sketch. But—and this is a big "but"—you have to be organized. If that shelf becomes a graveyard for half-empty water bottles and charging cables, it’ll ruin the vibe of the whole room.
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Architectural salvage is another underrated path. Think antique wooden shutters, a vintage carved door header, or even a set of decorative screens. These items bring a sense of history. They don't feel like "decor"; they feel like part of the house. I once saw a designer use a vintage rowing oar above a bed in a coastal cottage. It was simple, it was long enough to match the bed's width, and it cost twenty dollars at a flea market.
Lighting as the Main Attraction
Sometimes the answer to what to put above the bed isn't an object at all, but light. Sconces are a game-changer. If you have a low headboard, mounting two high-end swing-arm lamps can fill the vertical space perfectly. It eliminates the need for bulky bedside lamps and creates a hotel-like symmetry.
Neon signs were a huge trend a few years ago. They’re a bit dated now, but a soft, dimmable "halo" light or a back-lit wood panel can create a moody, high-end atmosphere that art just can't touch. It’s about the glow. It’s about making the wall disappear into shadow at night.
The "Organic" Trend: Bringing the Outdoors In
Dried botanicals are having a moment. I’m not talking about dusty potpourri. I’m talking about oversized, framed pressed ferns or a single, massive branch mounted horizontally.
Biophilic design—the practice of connecting human spaces to the natural world—is proven to lower cortisol levels. Since the bedroom is where you go to decompress, this makes total sense. A series of botanical prints can feel both traditional and fresh. If you’re going this route, keep the frames simple. Thin black or light oak frames allow the organic shapes of the plants to do the heavy lifting.
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- Pressed Flowers: You can actually do this yourself with a heavy book and some parchment paper. It’s cheap and personal.
- Hanging Planters: If you have enough light, a wall-mounted planter can work, but watch out for water drips on your pillows.
- Woven Baskets: A collection of African Tonga baskets or seagrass trays adds incredible texture and a global feel. They are lightweight and virtually indestructible.
Safety First: The Logistics of Hanging
Let's talk about the boring stuff. Anchors. Do not, under any circumstances, hang a heavy mirror or a large framed piece using a single nail and a prayer. If you aren't hitting a stud, you need toggle bolts.
For those in earthquake zones, museum wax (often called QuakeHold!) is your best friend. It’s a tiny dab of wax you put on the bottom corners of the frame so it doesn't swing or bounce off the hook. Also, consider using "security hangers" or "Z-bars." These aren't just for museums; they keep the art perfectly level and flush against the wall. No more crooked frames every time someone slams a door.
Making the Final Decision
Choosing what goes above the bed is a balance between your personal style and the physical constraints of the room. If you have a high ceiling, you need verticality. If you have a low ceiling, you need horizontal pieces to stretch the room out.
Don't feel pressured to buy something just to fill the space. A blank wall is better than a bad choice. Wait until you find that one piece that actually means something to you. Maybe it’s a textile you bought on a trip, or a series of photos you took yourself. The best bedrooms look like they evolved over time, not like they were bought in a single afternoon from a "room-in-a-box" catalog.
Actionable Steps for Your Wall
- Measure your headboard: Take the width and multiply it by 0.6 and 0.75. That is your "target zone" for the width of whatever you’re hanging.
- Test with painters tape: Before you hammer a single hole, outline the shape of the art on the wall with blue tape. Leave it there for 24 hours. If it feels oppressive or too small, you've saved yourself a lot of drywall repair.
- Consider the "Dust Factor": If you choose an intricate carved piece or a shelf, remember you have to clean it. If you have allergies, stick to glass-fronted frames or smooth surfaces that are easy to wipe down.
- Check your lighting: See where the shadows fall at night. Sometimes a piece looks great during the day but becomes a dark, ominous blob once the bedside lamps are on. You might need a dedicated "picture light" mounted above the frame to do it justice.
Start by looking at the height of your ceiling. If you’ve got standard eight-foot ceilings, a horizontal orientation is almost always the right move. It prevents the room from feeling "stumpy." If you’re lucky enough to have vaulted ceilings, go big and go vertical. It’ll draw the eye upward and celebrate the volume of the space. Whatever you choose, make sure it's secure. Peace of mind is the ultimate bedroom accessory.