What to Put Above Bed: 14 Wall Ideas by Budget
What to put above your bed: art or posters, a gallery of prints, a tapestry, a light, or a very light shelf, sized to about two-thirds of the bed's width and hung roughly 8 to 12 inches above the headboard (or about 1.5 to 2 feet above the mattress if there's no headboard). Keep anything heavy, glass or breakable off that wall, since it's right over your head.
If the wall over your bed looks bare, too busy, or just wrong and you can't pin down why, RoomMaxx scores your room from one photo and hands you one fix a day for your lowest score. Scan my room
The sizing rule
Most above bed decor fails because of size, not taste. A tiny poster floating over a double bed looks lost. Here's the fix.
Width: two-thirds of the bed
Aim for your art (or group of art) to cover about two-thirds of the bed's width.
| Bed size (approx width) | Target art width |
|---|---|
| Twin / single, about 39 in | About 26 in |
| Full / small double, about 54 in | About 36 in |
| Queen / UK king, about 60 in | About 40 in |
| King / UK super king, about 76 in | About 50 in |
Bed widths vary by brand and country, so measure yours and multiply by two-thirds.
Height: how high to hang art above a bed
- With a headboard: roughly 8 to 12 inches above its top.
- Without a headboard: roughly 18 to 24 inches above the mattress, so you won't hit it sitting up.
- Center it on the bed, not the wall, if the bed isn't centered.
Art and posters
The classic answer to what to put above bed on wall space.
1. One big poster or print (low budget)
A single large poster, framed or in a cheap hanger frame, is the easiest win. Match the vibe of the room: film posters, album covers, a big abstract, a photo you took.
2. A trio of prints (low to medium)
Three matching frames in a row look clean and grown-up. Keep the gaps equal, around 2 to 3 inches.
3. A gallery wall (medium)
Mix prints, photos, a small mirror and a quote. Lay it out on the floor first, or trace paper shapes and tape them to the wall. Keep the overall shape within the two-thirds width.
4. Polaroid or photo string (free to low)
String, mini clothes pegs and photos from your camera roll. Peak "my room is mine" energy.
5. Framed textile or scarf
A patterned scarf or vintage fabric in a frame. Cheap and very unique.
Shelves and ledges
6. Picture ledge
A slim ledge lets you lean frames and swap them whenever. Keep items light and use stick-on putty so nothing slides off.
7. Floating shelf (with care)
What to put above bed headboard areas if you want storage? A shelf can work, but only if:
- It's anchored properly into studs or with the right wall anchors.
- It holds only light, soft or unbreakable things: small plants in plastic pots, a few paperbacks, a soft toy.
- It's high enough you won't bang your head sitting up.
On Reddit's "what to put above bed" threads, falling shelves come up a lot. If you're not sure about the wall, skip the shelf.
This is the moment most people get stuck: you hang something, stare at it, and can't tell if it's too small, too high or too much. RoomMaxx scores your room's vibe (whether the pieces agree with each other), so you can rescan after hanging the art and see if it actually pulled the room together. Scan my room
Lights above the bed
Lights are underrated above bed decor. They look good and they're useful.
8. Wall sconces
Plug-in sconces either side of the bed give you reading light and free up nightstand space. Cable covers make the cords disappear.
9. LED strip behind the headboard
A warm LED strip behind the headboard throws a soft glow up the wall. Keep it warm white or a soft color, not max-brightness blue.
10. Neon sign
A small LED neon word or shape above the bed. Very aesthetic, very Gen Z, works in any budget.
11. Fairy lights
Drape them in a swoop or tuck them behind a tapestry for a glow-through effect.
Tapestries, flags and fabric
12. Tapestry
A tapestry covers a lot of wall for little money, and doubles as a "fake headboard." Great if you're wondering what to put above bed without headboard.
13. Flag or banner
Sports team, uni pennant, band merch, pride flag. Above bed decor for guys often goes this way, and it works for anyone.
14. Canopy or draped fabric
Hang light fabric from two hooks and let it drape behind or over the head of the bed. Soft, cozy, instantly cottagecore or boho depending on the fabric.
What to put above bedside table and dresser
Same rules, smaller scale. Above a bedside table, go for a small framed print, a plug-in sconce or a mirror. Above the dresser, a medium mirror or a leaning art piece works. See where to put dresser in small bedroom for placement first.
What not to hang above a bed
This is the safety bit, and it matters.
- Heavy framed art with glass. If it falls, it lands on your face. Use lightweight frames with acrylic instead of glass.
- Big mirrors. Heavy and breakable. Feng shui also says no.
- Loaded shelves with books, speakers or ceramics.
- Anything hung with one nail or cheap tape in a spot where a fall would hit you.
- Anything with sharp edges or corners pointed down at the bed.
If you rent or can't drill, go for lightweight options with removable hooks rated above the weight you're hanging.
What to hang above bed, feng shui version
Feng shui prefers calm, soft images above the bed (nature, gentle art, things that make you feel safe), and avoids heavy objects, water scenes, sharp shapes and mirrors over the bed. The practical takeaway overlaps with safety: light, soft and secure. If you're into bed placement beliefs, see bed facing door superstition.
Find out if your above-bed wall is working
Figuring out what to put above bed is half the job. Knowing if it worked is the other half. RoomMaxx scores your room out of 100 from one photo, rating tidiness, light and vibe, then gives you one fix a day aimed at your lowest score, usually free and under 20 minutes. Photos are scored and never saved.
FAQ
What should I put above my bed on the wall?
Art or posters sized to about two-thirds of the bed's width, a tapestry, plug-in sconces or a light picture ledge are all good options. Keep anything heavy or breakable off that wall.
How high should you hang a picture above a bed?
Roughly 8 to 12 inches above a headboard, or about 18 to 24 inches above the mattress if you don't have one. The goal is that you can sit up without hitting it and it still feels connected to the bed.
Is it safe to put a shelf above your bed?
It can be if it's anchored properly and only holds light, soft or unbreakable things. If you're not confident in the wall or the fixings, choose art, fabric or lights instead.
What can I put above my bed without a headboard?
A tapestry, a large poster, a fabric panel or a painted rectangle on the wall all act like a fake headboard. Plug-in sconces on either side also help frame the bed.
What should you not hang above your bed in feng shui?
Feng shui avoids mirrors, heavy objects, sharp shapes and water scenes above the bed. Calm, soft art or nature images are the usual suggestion.