Every time you come across a swoon-worthy designer bedroom, there’s more at play than meets the eye—design rules! These are the tried-and-true principles every designer swears by to create a perfectly styled space, no matter the bedroom size or home layout.

Since scale and proportion are key to achieving a well-balanced and luxurious feel, this post will walk you through all the essential design rules you need to follow to get that high-end look without the headache!

1. Height of the Headboard

If you’ve ever walked into a bedroom where the bed feels like it’s hugging the ceiling or sitting so low that it looks lost in the space, chances are the issue comes down to the distance between the top of the headboard and the ceiling. This is such a key rule to get right because the bed is the focal point of the bedroom. It sets the tone for the entire space and plays a huge role in how balanced everything feels.

A good rule of thumb is to keep 3 to 5 feet between the top of the headboard and the ceiling. The exact distance depends on your ceiling height, but here’s a general guideline:

For 8-foot ceilings (which is pretty standard), aim for 3 to 4 feet of space above the headboard.
For ceilings higher than 8 feet, you can go for 4 to 5 feet to maintain the right proportions.

Before you start shopping for bed frames, it’s worth measuring and even marking the height with painter’s tape to get a feel for how different headboard sizes will look in your space. The right height makes all the difference in achieving that perfectly balanced, designer-worthy look.

2. Height of the Nightstand

The reason we place a nightstand next to the bed is mostly functional. You want your nightly essentials within easy reach. But just as important as function is proportion. A nightstand that’s too low makes it awkward to access drawers and can visually sink the look of the space, while one that’s too high feels bulky and just as inconvenient to use.

To avoid this, follow a simple guideline: the top of the nightstand should align with the top of your mattress.

Before buying a nightstand, set up your bed with the mattress (and any topper you use), then measure the height from the floor to the top of the mattress. That’s the height you should aim for. It’ll keep everything looking balanced and not to mention, functional!

3. Height of the Table Lamp

Table lamps are the most common choice for nightstand lighting, but wall sconces or even a combination of both can work beautifully too. No matter what you choose, here are a few designer-approved rules to keep in mind:

The height of the table lamp should be just enough that the top of the shade sits below the top of the headboard.
If the lamp ends up taller than the headboard, you’ll need to balance things out by adding artwork above the bed. Otherwise, the bed itself can start to feel visually shorter, throwing off the proportions of the space.
If you want to layer your lighting, or if your table lamp feels too small for the nightstand, you can pair it with a wall sconce. This not only provides extra reading light but also creates a more intentional, designer-worthy vignette on each side of the bed.

The key is to ensure the lighting feels cohesive and proportional while adding function and style to the room.

4. Symmetrical Setup

One of the most common design mistakes in bedrooms is an unbalanced setup on either side of the bed. As obvious as it may seem, mirroring the styles on both sides is a designer-approved trick for creating a luxurious, polished look.

This symmetrical setup isn’t always a hard rule, though. Sometimes, an awkward bedroom layout, like an off-centered wall or a smaller footprint, makes it tricky to create a perfectly mirrored look. In those cases, an asymmetrical layout can work just as well, but that doesn’t mean mismatched nightstands. Instead, you can balance things out by placing a long writing desk on one side while keeping a nightstand on the other for a visually cohesive look.

That said, if your layout allows for it, stick with symmetry. Evenly spaced nightstands instantly elevate the space and make the design feel so high-end.

5. Artwork Above the Bed

No high-end, designer bedroom is complete without artwork above the bed! It serves as an anchoring element, tying the space together and adding a polished, intentional touch.

When choosing artwork, bigger isn’t always better. Contrary to popular belief, a large piece won’t necessarily make the bedroom feel more high-end. In fact, designers often prefer a smaller, well-proportioned piece that feels refined and balanced.

As for placement, the bottom of the frame should sit 6 to 12 inches above the headboard. This ensures the artwork doesn’t feel glued to the bed or floating too far away, keeping everything visually connected while maintaining a designer-worthy look.

6. Width of the Bench

Placing a bench at the foot of the bed is like the cherry on top and if you’ve nailed everything else, this final touch completes the look. It adds extra seating, and looks very high-end.

But what is important to note is that the size of the bench matters. If it’s too wide, it overwhelms the space; too small, and it feels like an afterthought. The bench should be about two-thirds the width of the bed.

Leaving about one-third of the bed’s width open on each side keeps things visually balanced and prevents the setup from feeling like a rigid rectangle. A high-end look is all about balancing crisp lines while adding depth and variation, and the right bench size makes all the difference!

7. Rules of the Rug

Speaking of anchoring elements, I can’t talk about bedroom design rules without mentioning rugs! While I’ll cover a detailed rug size guide in a separate post, here’s a simple rule of thumb when it comes to rug placement and its distance from the nightstand.

No matter the rug size (6’x9’, 8’x10’, or 9’x12’) keep these guidelines in mind:

The rug should never extend under the nightstands. Instead, it should sit under the bottom two-thirds of the bed for a balanced look.
Leave 8 to 12 inches of space between the rug and the nightstand.

This ensures the rug doesn’t feel like it’s crowding the floor or overpowering the space, while also preventing it from looking too disconnected from the bed.

These seven designer-approved rules are the secret behind every polished, luxurious, and high-end bedroom. Follow them, and you’ll have the perfect foundation to start styling your space with confidence. From here, it’s all about adding your personal touch to bring your dream bedroom to life!

Designer-Approved Bedroom Rules for a Stylish, High-end Look