15 Christmas Bedroom Decor Ideas That Look Expensive
Two Christmases ago I woke up on Christmas morning in a bedroom that looked exactly like it had in October, and it bothered me more than I expected. The living room was dressed, the kitchen smelled of cinnamon, but my own room felt forgotten. So that evening I moved a few things around, draped fairy lights over the headboard, and folded a plaid throw across the bed, and the room felt like a hotel. These christmas Bedroom decor ideas are the ones I still use, and none of them cost more than a lunch out. Save this list before you start, because your bedroom deserves the season too. I have linked a few related reads like (see also: cheap-christmas-bedroom-ideas) and (see also: budget-christmas-decor-ideas) if you want more, and (see also: cozy-bedroom-decor-on-a-budget) for the rest of the year.
Shop your home first: Before you buy anything, check the living room for spare fairy lights, the kitchen for cinnamon sticks, and the linen cupboard for a plaid throw. Most of these ideas use things you already own, and the ones that do not cost less than five dollars.
1. Plaid Throw Folded Across the Foot of the Bed
A plaid throw folded across the foot of the bed is the single easiest way to make a bedroom feel Christmassy. Fold the throw in thirds lengthwise, lay it across the foot of the bed, and smooth it so the edges line up with the bed frame. I keep the throw folded neatly during the day and unfold it at night, because a throw that is always draped ends up on the floor. Choose a red or green plaid against plain bedding so the pattern stands out instead of fighting with the sheets.
Cost: ~$0 | Time: 5 minutes
2. Fairy Lights Draped Over the Headboard
Fairy lights draped over the headboard turn the whole bedroom into a soft glow at night, and they cost less than a coffee. Start at one end of the headboard, loop the string loosely around the top edge, and let it sag gently between the loops. I use clear command hooks to hold the wire, because tape peels the paint off the headboard. Choose warm white lights, because cool white makes the bedroom feel like a shop window instead of a place to sleep.
Cost: ~$5 | Time: 15 minutes
3. Mini Tree on the Nightstand
A mini tree on the nightstand is a small joy every time you wake up, and it takes up less space than a book. Set a small potted tree on a folded cloth so water does not mark the wood, add three or four tiny ornaments, and tuck a battery tea light at the base. I tried a bigger tree once and it knocked my water glass over in the night, so small is the rule here. Water it once a week and it will last until January.
Cost: ~$7 | Time: 10 minutes
4. Flannel Pillowcases in Deep Red
Swapping plain pillowcases for deep red flannel ones changes the whole bed in two minutes and makes it feel warmer to sleep in too. Take off the old cases, put on the flannel ones, and smooth the pillows so they sit evenly against the headboard. I wash flannel in cold water so it stays soft and does not shrink, which was my mistake the first winter. Pair them with plain cream sheets so the red is the only strong colour on the bed.
Cost: ~$10 | Time: 5 minutes
5. Pine Garland Along the Window Frame
A pine garland along the window frame frames the view and makes the whole room smell like a forest. Lay the garland along the top of the frame, tie it in place with twine at the corners, and let the ends hang down the sides. I use faux garland in the bedroom because real pine drops needles onto the bed, which is a miserable way to wake up. Add a few small ornaments to the garland if the room feels plain, but keep it simple.
Cost: ~$8 | Time: 15 minutes
6. Velvet Cushions in Forest Green
Velvet cushions in forest green on the bed look rich and expensive, even when they come from a discount store. Prop two cushions against the pillows, one on each side, and smooth the covers so the velvet catches the light. I buy cushion covers rather than whole cushions, because covers cost half as much and store flat in January. Brush the velvet one way with your hand so the colour looks even instead of patchy. I like that it works in a small room just as well as a big one, because it never needs much space to look good.
Cost: ~$9 | Time: 5 minutes
7. Stockings Hung on the Bedpost
Stockings hung on the bedposts are a sweet surprise on Christmas morning, and they take one minute to hang. Loop a ribbon through each stocking and tie it around a bedpost, letting the stocking hang at the foot of the bed. I fill mine with a few small treats the night before, because an empty stocking on Christmas morning is a sad sight. Keep the stockings small so they do not swing and knock things off the nightstand. When the season ends, most of it packs away in a single box, which is exactly how I like my decorations to behave.
Cost: ~$4 | Time: 5 minutes
8. Cinnamon Candle on the Dresser
A cinnamon candle on the dresser makes the bedroom smell like Christmas every time you walk in. Set the candle on a small plate or tray so wax never reaches the wood, and light it for an hour in the evening. I never leave it burning overnight, because a bedroom candle and sleep do not mix safely. Blow it out before bed and the scent lingers until morning, which is the best part. It is one of those ideas that looks harder than it is, and once you have done it once you will wonder why you waited.
Cost: ~$4 | Time: 5 minutes
9. Knitted Throw in Cream and Red
A chunky knitted throw in cream and red draped over the end of the bed adds warmth and texture in one move. Fold the throw in half, drape it across the foot of the bed, and let the ends hang evenly on both sides. I keep mine within reach of the bed because someone always wants it on a cold night, and it is easier to grab than the spare blanket in the cupboard. Choose a soft knit, because a scratchy throw never gets used.
Cost: ~$12 | Time: 5 minutes
10. Wreath Above the Bed
A wreath hung on the wall above the bed is a bold statement that costs less than a picture frame. Hang a simple green wreath from a nail or a command hook, centred above the headboard, and let it be the only thing on that wall. I hung mine slightly too high the first time and it looked lost, so eye level from the doorway is the right height. Keep the wreath plain, because a bow above the bed looks fussy when you are trying to sleep.
Cost: ~$8 | Time: 10 minutes
11. Festive Bedding in Classic Tartan
Tartan bedding turns the whole bed into a Christmas statement, and it is the fastest full-room change on this list. Swap the duvet cover for a tartan one, add plain cream pillowcases, and smooth the cover so the pattern lines up at the edges. I wash tartan in cold water and hang it to dry, because the dryer shrinks it and the pattern goes wonky. Pair it with a plain throw so the bed does not look like a picnic blanket.
Cost: ~$15 | Time: 10 minutes
12. Twinkle Lights in a Glass Jar on the Nightstand
A glass jar of twinkle lights on the nightstand is a soft night light that makes the bedroom feel magical after dark. Coil a short battery string of warm lights into a mason jar, tuck the battery pack behind it, and set it on the nightstand away from the edge. I leave mine on in the evening and switch it off when I go to sleep, because the glow is lovely but it is still a light. Swap the batteries once and it lasts the whole season.
Cost: ~$4 | Time: 10 minutes
13. Pine Sprigs in a Vase on the Dresser
Three pine sprigs in a vase on the dresser bring the smell of Christmas into the bedroom without any clutter. Trim the sprigs to the same height, fill the vase halfway with water, and set it on the dresser where it catches the light. I change the water every few days so it stays clear, because cloudy water in a vase looks worse than no vase at all. Tie a bit of twine around the vase neck to make it look finished.
Cost: ~$0 | Time: 5 minutes
14. Faux Fur Throw Over the Reading Chair
A faux fur throw over the reading chair makes the corner of the bedroom feel like a winter lodge. Drape the throw over the back of the chair, letting it fall naturally over the arms, and add a small cushion in a deep colour. I shake the throw outside once a week so it stays fluffy, because a flat fur throw looks tired. Keep the throw on the chair rather than the bed, so the bed stays neat and the chair becomes the cosy spot.
Cost: ~$10 | Time: 5 minutes
15. Small Ornaments Hung From the Bed Canopy
Small ornaments hung from the bed canopy or the curtain rod above the bed add a playful touch that you only notice when you look up. Tie a few lightweight ornaments to short ribbons and hang them from the canopy frame, spacing them unevenly. I use shatterproof ornaments here, because a glass ornament falling on a sleeping person is a bad idea. Keep them high enough that they never brush your face when you sit up in bed. A small thing done well beats a big thing done in a rush, and this one proves it every single time.
Cost: ~$3 | Time: 15 minutes
