How to Style The Space Above Your Bed

When we hear from our followers, we often get the question, “how should I decorate the area above my bed?” It’s a tricky spot to make cute, but we love dishing out bedroom design ideas, so you’ve come to the right place. The hardest part about decorating above your bed is that there’s typically a lot of space to fill. And while not all beds need something hung above them, above-the-bed decor can be the perfect way to add style to your overall bedroom design and pull everything together. To get you inspired to tackle that space, we’re rounding up a few of our favorite above-the-bed moments from past design projects and McGee & Co. collection shoots.

Artwork is the go-to decision for decorating the space above your bed. Well, a good idea in almost any open space, and above the bed is no exception. If you have the wall space, consider a large statement piece that ties into the colors utilized elsewhere in the room. It’s a simple, easy way to make an impact and create a focal point. 

For tips on hanging artwork correctly, read our comprehensive guide for How To Hang Art here.  

It’s one of my favorite things to do in a layout when you have tall windows and a big, blank space above your bedIn our Tahoe Pines project, Shea and the design team opted out of hanging any artwork above the primary bed and instead chose a pair of sconce lights. “It’s one of my favorite things to do in a layout when you have tall windows and a big, blank space above your bed,” Shea notes. “For the utility, it’s great because one partner can turn the light on but it’s also nice because it fills the space visually.”  

Shop McGee & Co. wall sconces here.

“A pair of sconces is one of my favorite things to do in a layout when you have tall windows and a big, blank space above your bed.”

Shea McGee

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Nowra Sconce

McGee & Co.

Saylor Sconce

McGee & Co.

Lupe Sconce

McGee & Co.

The area above the primary bed in our Summit Estate project is one of our all-time favorites. In this case, Shea and the design team opted for a pair of frames, each custom-made with a patterned mat. We love this tip for creating a unique and personalized feel to your bedroom space. The frames are smaller in scale and hung inside of a canopy bed for a fun dose of drama.  

In The Houston Estate, Shea and the design team heavily emphasized the room’s existing wall moldings. Above the bed, the team styled one piece of art that is smaller in scale and let the moldings frame the bed.

Daya Floral Pillow Cover

McGee & Co.

In the refreshed version of Syd and Shea’s Utah primary bedroom, Shea didn’t cut anything and instead hung a pair of sconces with a single artwork in between. We love how it complements the space without overwhelming it. If you go this route in your above-the-bed styling, choose a smaller frame that leaves plenty of room between the edges of the frame and sconces on either side.  

Abstracted Votives

McGee & Co.