How to Style a Bed In Front of a Window

Drape the Wall in Curtains

Whether a bed has one window behind it or an entire wall of windows, draping the whole wall gives a uniform appearance when the curtains are closed. The luxe drapery offers a soft, high-end hotel look in this space.

Keep the Bed Low

Choose a headboard that meets the window at the bottom of its frame and you'll have a vertical, cohesive look that appears intentional rather than looks like a last resort. This look is even better with a minimalist bed frame that fades into the background.

Contrast Window and Wall

Most styling tips for putting a bed in front of a window involve hiding the window or trying to make it blend in with the wall and bed. But what if you contrasted it instead?

Paint the window trim a color exactly the opposite of the walls and make it stand out, then throw in a vibrant-colored headboard. Let each piece become part of the design, rather than trying to hide elements.

Add a Solid Headboard

If you have a bed in front of the window, choose a strong and sturdy headboard that is attached to the bed. This provides necessary support, which is not provided by the window wall. The best feng shui headboards are solid, without perforations or bars, which are less supportive.

Install Window Treatments

Visually, window coverings can provide a layer of safety and reinforcement for you while sleeping. Install window treatments like drapes or roller shades to create energetic support.

Choosing treatments that are easy to keep clean is important—you don't want dust and debris collecting behind and above your bed.

Create a Focal Point

Use the bed and other furnishings and accessories to lead your eye past the bed and right to the window to make the view outside a focal point.

In this room, a line of light fixtures and a wide doorway guide the eye straight to the window, making the bed feel like a destination rather than an afterthought.

Hang Drapes Up High

By hanging drapery almost to the ceiling, you create the illusion of an extended headboard rising beyond its upper limits. Sheer drapery will give a solid look behind the bed while letting light in to maintain a bright and airy look.

In this room, the black drapery rods echo the light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, perfectly framing the bed.

Embrace Multiple Windows

If you can't avoid windows, embrace them. Use multiple windows to surround the bed, and create a light and airy sleeping-in-the-clouds feeling. Try dreamy, billowy drapery and a minimalist frame on the bed to drive home the sense of being one with the outdoors.

Work Around High Windows

If the bed is situated below a high window, you can easily place the bed underneath and have the window function as a source of light rather than a distraction.

Think about it like a skylight above the bed—just make sure you can get custom window treatments made for it to block early morning sun or bright street lights.

Try a Parallel Placement

If a bed has to go in front of a window, that doesn't mean it has to back up to the window. You can also run the side of the bed parallel to the window, which gives you the feeling of sleeping next to the sky. Since that likely rules out a nightstand on that side, this look works best with twin- or full-size beds.