A tapestry is one of the easiest ways to change how a bedroom feels. It is light, renter-friendly and large enough to transform a wall in a few minutes. Here are bedroom tapestry ideas, from the obvious to the less expected, and how to choose one that suits a room you sleep in.
1. Behind the bed
The classic. Centre a landscape tapestry above the headboard, roughly as wide as the bed or a little wider. It frames the bed and becomes the focal point of the room. Leave 6 to 10 inches between the top of the headboard and the bottom of the tapestry.
2. As the headboard
No headboard? Hang the tapestry low so its bottom edge sits just behind the pillows. It reads as a soft fabric headboard.
3. On the ceiling above the bed
A night-sky or cloud design on the ceiling is something to look at as you fall asleep. Our guide explains how to hang a tapestry on the ceiling safely.
4. A canopy
Draped from two hooks or a rod above the bed, a tapestry creates a cosy, tented corner.
5. A room divider
In a studio or shared room, a tapestry hung from a ceiling track separates the bed from the rest of the room. See tapestry as a headboard, canopy or room divider.
6. On the wall facing the bed
The wall you see first when you wake up sets the tone of your morning. A calm landscape or sky here is a gentle start to the day.
7. With fairy lights
Warm lights along the top edge or around the tapestry give a soft glow for the evening. See tapestries with fairy lights and LED strips.
8. Two tapestries, rotated
Keep one cool, dark design for winter and one bright design for summer. They fold small for storage.
9. Across a window you don't use
In a room with an awkward window or a view of a wall, a tapestry hung from a curtain rod can act as a blind and a piece of art at once. Choose a lighter design so some daylight still comes through.
10. In a portrait shape beside the bed
A tall tapestry on the narrow wall next to a bed or wardrobe fills a space that frames rarely suit.
Choosing a bedroom tapestry
- For calm: night skies, misty landscapes, soft gradients, water.
- For drama: neon cities, cosmic scenes, bold abstracts. Best on a wall you don't face from the pillow.
- For a small room: darker designs make walls recede; lighter ones make the room feel airier.
- Shape: landscape tapestries suit wide walls and the space above a bed; portrait suits narrow walls.
See the tapestry size guide to pick a size, and celestial tapestries for the bedroom for night-sky ideas.
Bedroom tapestry ideas by room type
- Dorm room: a tapestry is often the only big decoration allowed. Use adhesive hooks and choose something that makes the room feel like yours, not a hotel. See tapestry vs poster vs canvas for a dorm room.
- Teen bedroom: pick a design that can grow with them, such as a galaxy, a landscape or an abstract, rather than a passing craze.
- Adult bedroom: keep the rest of the room calm and let one well-chosen tapestry do the talking.
- Small bedroom: one tapestry instead of several frames keeps a small room uncluttered.
Match the bedding to the tapestry
Pick one colour from the tapestry and use it in a cushion or throw. Keep the duvet plain. This ties the bed and wall together without competing patterns.
Hanging without damage
Clear thumbtacks, adhesive hooks or a slim rod all work. Our guide to hanging a tapestry without nails compares six methods, and how to wash a tapestry explains how to remove creases first.
Keeping it looking good
Shake it out or run a lint roller over it every few weeks, keep it out of strong direct sunlight to stop fading, and wash it gently when needed. Re-hang it with fresh tension if the top edge starts to sag between fixings.
Browse every design, in landscape and portrait, in the tapestries collection.