The First 5 Things You Should Buy When Decorating Your Bedroom

A white bed with a lavender throw blanket on it

Katie Martinez Design

We’re not going to sugarcoat it for you: It takes a while for your new space to feel like home sweet home. Not only do you have to get used to all your place’s quirks, but you have to fill it with plenty of furniture and accessories that make it feel like home. 

But where to begin?

Take your bedroom, for example. Sure, you want to transform your bare space to reflect your personal aesthetic; however, there are some essentials you need to purchase first to turn your bedroom into a dreamy oasis.

To help, we asked Ariel Kaye, the founder of Parachute Home, and Jenny Madden, an interior designer and founder of Jenny Madden Design, to share the five pieces everyone should buy as soon as they move in.

Meet the Expert

  • Ariel Kaye is the founder and CEO of Parachute Home, which she started in 2014. The direct-to-consumer bedding brand has since expanded its product offerings to include bath rugs, robes and loungewear, and a mattress.
  • Jenny Madden is a professional interior designer with over nine years of experience. After studying architecture at Columbia University and Interior Design at Drexel University, she founded the Jenny Madden Design firm.

Go ahead, add these bedroom essentials to your e-cart.

01 of 05

Make Your Mattress a Priority

dark bedroom
Rhema Kallianpur/Unsplash

You can only sleep on an air mattress—or worse, a hardwood floor—for so long until it becomes annoying. While you (understandably) may not have a mattress the day you move in, it’s important to put a cozy mattress at the top of your wish list. 

“The bed is the focal point of the bedroom and the mattress is the foundation for your entire sleep experience,” Kaye says. “Finding a mattress that is comfortable, restorative, and luxurious is crucial.” 

Of course, finding the best mattress for your lifestyle is easier said than done. Don’t worry: We tested some of the hottest mattresses on the market so you don’t have to. 

02 of 05

Select the Perfect Sheets

bedroom
Jodie Johnson/Stocksy

No plush mattress is complete without some soft, cozy sheets to match. While everyone has their preference on material and price point, Kaye emphasizes the importance of turning your bedroom into a soothing sanctuary. 

“I like to stick to a natural color palette in the bedroom to create a cozy and calm vibe,” she says. “Keeping things minimal also helps to make the room look bigger.”

While Kaye gravitates toward light grays and tans, soft pastels and moody neutrals could work just as well.

03 of 05

Wow with Window Treatments

green bedroom
Aleksandar Novoselski/Stocksy

Admittedly, buying curtains may not be one of the first few things you’d think to buy for your bedroom, but it’s important. Not only does a great set of curtains block out the bright lights in your neighborhood, but they’ll also give you some privacy when you’re getting ready each morning.

“Consider using two different layers of window treatments in the bedroom; one can serve as a black-out, room-darkening treatment and the second should provide privacy without creating a cave-like environment,” suggests interior designer Jenny Madden.

If you don’t need black-out curtains to get a good night’s sleep, opt for a breezy sheer style. 

“Too often we see people who literally never see the light of day in their bedrooms,” Madden says. 

04 of 05

Rework Your Walls

bedroom
Minh Pham/Unsplash

Turns out, there are more benefits to a mirror than checking your outfit before you leave the house or mastering that cat-eye. 

“Mirrors can help make a space look bigger, which can be particularly helpful if your bedroom is on the smaller side,” Kaye says. “A mirror can also serve as a beautiful piece of art.”

05 of 05

Ramp Up Your Rug Search

bright bedroom
Trinette Reed/Stocksy

Believe it or not, creating a cozy bedroom doesn’t end with your bedding. Before you start splurging on throw pillows and blankets, go ahead and add a rug to the mix. 

“A bedroom should be a place where you relax, unwind and feel comfortable,” Kaye says “A rug—like our Braided Wool Rug—provides the perfect amount of softness for your feet to land upon in the morning while looking incredibly chic.”

Whether you opt for super-soft shag style or a cool girl-approved jute option, the type of rug you select will help shape your room’s aesthetic—so choose wisely!