In the bedroom, it’s all about the bed.

Your bed is the design anchor of your bedroom.

Select a headboard or bedframe that adds beauty and commands attention.

Make your bed the centerpiece of your boudoir and the first thing people notice when they walk in.

Beds can be made from so many materials, including wood, upholstery, brass, bronze, iron or leather – or a combination of these materials, such as a wood headboard frame with an upholstered insert or a wooden canopy bed with softly draped fabric. Some headboards even include built-in shelves above the bed or built-in nightstands at each side.

Beds come in so many shapes and sizes. They should be the right scale for the room, with larger rooms requiring taller or more substantial beds to add drama. In general, a headboard with sharp square corners will look more tailored and modern, while a cut-out or rounded shape will look more feminine and soft. The bed should also complement the other furniture and fabrics in a room. For more interest, add tufting or nailheads to upholstered headboards and think about painting the wall behind the bed in a dramatic accent color.

If you don’t have a headboard, your bedroom may look like something is missing. However, you can fill out the space above your bed with artwork, shelves, a hanging tapestry or a Japanese fan – or display lots of pillows standing upright on the bed.

Make your bed the star of your bedroom by focusing on the design of the bedframe or headboard in your decorating plans. Then your next decorating project can include all the other beautiful elements in a bedroom, including linens, furniture, rugs and window fashions!

Copyright Hunter Douglas.