I'm an interior stylist whose job is to make rooms look nicer in an instant – these are the 5 items I always add to a bedroom to make it look 10x better

As an interior stylist, it’s always a joy styling bedrooms, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of styling a wide variety of spaces, from luxurious townhouses to quaint cottages. So I know the key pieces to include that will instantly elevate the space for a shoot or a new project.

My aim is to get a bedroom looking cozy, welcoming, and picture perfect, which involves a careful curation of pieces and the addition of a few hand-picked props inspired by the decor of the rooms to dial them up and give them that extra wow-factor.

Having transformed countless bedrooms over the years, I’m a firm believer that you don’t need to completely redecorate or spend lots of money in order to make a bedroom look more luxurious and elevated. With the right statement cushions, luxurious bedding, and a vase of seasonal flowers, even the most muted of spaces can be transformed into an inviting sanctuary.

Here I've shared the go-to styling tips and items I turn to for putting those finishing touches to an elegant sleep space, alongside some stylish buys and advice from interior designers

1. Throw pillows in a mix of plains and patterns

Throw pillows are an absolute must in any cozy bedroom. Not only do they provide essential comfort for sitting up and reading the papers on those lazy weekends, but aesthetically, they add that essential finishing touch that ties the bed in with the rest of your decor. If, like me, you’re partial to crisp white sheets, then throw pillows are especially important as they help break up the large expanse of white, adding depth and interest.

What pillows you go for should always be led by the decor of the room. For spaces with plain walls, layering up a mix of patterns from florals and checks to textured plains creates a focal point and injects a welcome dose of pattern. You can also play around by mixing in piped designs or pillows with ruffles. Ultimately, it all depends on the decor that you're seeking to complement.

In this guest bedroom belonging to Madeleine Olivia, I chose to pair the bold green walls with a range of cushions in small-scale prints from Birdie Fortescue, alongside plains and florals in complementary green and rust tones.

Alternatively, in rooms that feature bold prints over wallpapers or headboards, I recommend going for more pared-back throw pillows. A pair of plain, textured designs work well, or one luxurious lumbar pillow, as demonstrated in this beautiful scheme by Rebecca Udall.

‘Throw pillows are hands-down the most flexible way to update your bedroom’s look. I always recommend investing in high-quality inserts; from there, it’s easy to rotate covers seasonally or as your style evolves. It’s a great way to introduce new textures, patterns, or colors without commitment,’ adds Cathleen Gruver, an interior designer of the Northern Gruver Cooley design studio.

2. Classic white bed linen

When it comes to the best bed sheets, personally, I’m a stickler for crisp white cotton sheets in a high thread count. I think they instantly make a bedroom look more expensive.

Not only do they feel lovely and cool to sleep in, they are effortlessly elegant and complement any bedroom color scheme. When paired with good-quality down pillows and duvets, they evoke the feeling of a luxurious hotel, and if you’re anything like me, where your bedroom is your real sanctuary, you definitely want that feeling of indulgence.

Another benefit of white sheets is that they allow you to showcase beautiful decorative pillows and throws to complement your scheme. There’s also a wide variety of options available with decorative and embroidered edging, should you wish to add a feminine flourish.

It seems I’m not alone, many interior designers also turn to crisp white bedding to complete their bedroom looks. ‘Crisp white sheets are always a great starting point as they’re timeless and allow you to be more adventurous with accessories and color around the room, says Carina Raymond, founder of Studio Raymond. ‘I also love adding a playful detail, like a contrast border, scalloped edge or delicate piping, which can tie in with the wider scheme and make the bed feel beautifully finished.’

3. Flowers and plants

If there’s one thing that instantly elevates a space over anything else, it’s fresh flowers or greenery. Whether it’s a little posy cut from the garden or a lush potted house plant, botanical touches breathe life into a space and help evoke calm.

Whenever I go on a shoot I always bring buckets of freshly picked seasonal flowers inspired by the colors of the room, alongside a range of vases in different styles and sizes. Once I arrive, and I can get a real feel for the space and the size of the bedside tables, then I’ll make a call on which blooms and vessels work best.

Sometimes just a few branches of foliage are all you need, especially if it’s a calming, pared-back scheme – I love eucalyptus. Alternatively, if you’re faced with a bare corner, then a large, whimsical floral arrangement can really help fill the space. Generally, I lean towards looser, more wild arrangements as these give a relaxed, feminine feel, but sculptural house plants also work well – just be sure to consider what houseplants work best in a bedroom.

‘A small jug of seasonal flowers on a bedside table instantly makes a bedroom feel alive and cared for – we often use soft-scented blooms like sweet peas, stocks or garden roses. Even a single stem in a bud vase can elevate a space with minimal effort,’ adds Melissa Hutley, co-founder and Interior Designer at Hutley & Humm.

There’s also an array of superb quality faux and silk flowers available for those too busy to refresh flowers on a regular basis.

When it comes to vases, I tend to go with plain glass botanical vases, bud vases, as these let the beauty of the blooms speak for themselves. Sometimes, if I'm styling a particularly luxurious bedroom, I'll go for a plain ceramic urn-style vase for a romantic feel.

4. Timeless table lamps

Bedrooms are spaces designed for relaxation, so factoring in plenty of ambient lighting is a must, as it can instantly turn the mood from cold and stark to warm and inviting.

Of course, when it comes to creating beautiful pictures for magazines, bedroom lighting isn’t too much of an issue, because most of the time we photograph with lights off, but when it comes to how a space feels, it’s incredibly important. For me, ceiling spot lights in a bedroom should be avoided, unless they are in a walk-in closet area, as these are cold and stark. I rarely turn on the ceiling light in my bedroom, as for me, it’s all about the soft, cozy lighting created through a range of table lamps.

Having a pair of table lamps on either side of the bed is a go-to for providing both mood lighting and handy task lighting for reading. However, they also play a decorative role, especially those beautiful fabric shades. I like large table lamps, as they bring confidence to the space.

‘Lighting can be a statement, and table lamps offer a fantastic opportunity to bring in interesting textures and shapes,’ says Cathleen Gruver. ‘Scale is key here – too small and it feels like an afterthought; slightly oversized lamps, when well-balanced, add instant sophistication and intentionality to the space.’

Portable lamps are my preferred choice as they can be placed anywhere in the room to create pockets of warmth, but they’re also a great styling device, too. ‘Try upgrading your dressing table or bedroom mantelpiece with mini wireless lamps, or a tray layered with a floral arrangement and a stack of books to create a welcoming, lived-in feel,’ suggests Sue Jones, creative director at Oka.

5. Textural quilts and throws

Layering is the key to creating that cozy, inviting look, and for me no bed is complete without a throw or a bedspread draped over the end. A throw brings that extra layer of warmth on cold nights, but it also instantly elevates the appearance of a bed, adding texture and color. Often, I’ll layer a bedspread and a throw as it makes the bed feel so full and luxuriant, just like a five-star hotel.

For timeless, elegant looks I love a quilted white design which adds subtle texture to white bedding. Alternatively, sometimes a textural plain throw in a strong color helps tie in the bed to the decor, as demonstrated in this beautiful room I styled above.

I prefer to introduce pattern through throw pillows, but a patterned throw can work wonderfully to breathe life into pared-back spaces.

'A carefully chosen throw at the end of the bed adds warmth, texture, and a lovely sense of intentionality – think soft wool, linen, or hand-blocked cotton, a French white quilted throw also adds a timeless luxury,’ adds Melissa Hutley.

Throws can also be switched up throughout the year to reflect the seasons. Furs, velvets, and chunky woolen throws are perfect for winter, while lighter cotton and linen throws are more suited to lighter summer looks.

As you can probably tell, a bedroom is one of my favorite rooms to style. They are such personal spaces, and they are the rooms we want to reflect our own style and lifestyle, perhaps more than any other room in the home. As a stylist, I see my job as making the space look more... polished, but never to take away the personality.