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If you’re about to redecorate your master bedroom and en-suite bathroom then you might be wondering if the décor should match or not.
Bedroom and bathroom décor do not HAVE to match, but by choosing a cohesive color scheme, using similar material finishes, uniting your accessories, and aligning the themes you can create a pleasing complementary ambiance that extends throughout both spaces.
The rest of this article explains how to match your bedroom and bathroom décor step-by-step, and includes 5 visual matching bedroom and bathroom décor ideas to give you some inspiration.
Related: Can you use bathroom paint in your bedroom?
How to Match Your Bedroom and Bathroom Decor
Below is a 5-step guide that walks you through the process of helping you to successfully match your bedroom and bathroom décor:
1: Choose a Cohesive Color Scheme
The most decisive step that you can take to make your bedroom and bathroom décor match is that of choosing a matching color scheme so that you’re able to experience the same ambiance as you transition between the rooms.
To do this, use the Adobe Color Wheel to create a basic color palette based on the color harmony rule of your choice (analogous, monochromatic, triadic, complementary, compound, shades, etc) and use it to pick the primary, secondary, and accent colors that you’ll use throughout your bedroom and bathroom.
With your cohesive color palette chosen, the next step is to decide between using a unified or a contrasting application of these colors in your bedroom and bathroom as follows:
Unified
A unified bedroom and bathroom color scheme is one where you apply your primary, secondary, and accent colors in the same manner throughout the two spaces to create a feeling of continuity that doesn’t overstimulate your senses (ideal for sensitive and autistic individuals).
For example, if you’re planning on using a neutral palette then you can paint all of the walls the same primary color and selectively apply your accent color in the same way.
Contrasting
A contrasting bedroom and bathroom color scheme is one where you reverse the primary and accent colors in the two spaces to create cohesive variance without deviating from your chosen color palette.
For example, if you’re using green as your primary color for your bedroom walls with a white accent, you would paint your bathroom walls white and use green as the accent.
2: Use Similar Material Finishes
One of the most challenging aspects of getting your bedroom and bathroom décor to match is that of matching the finishes because the higher-gloss paint finishes required in your bathroom to combat moisture do not look all that great when applied to larger surface areas such as your bedroom walls.
Selecting a cohesive color scheme and aligning the paint finishes as closely as possible can solve this problem in part, but you can also look to match the finishes of your cabinets, furniture, headboards, tilework, carpets, and mirrors as far as is practically possible – with selective contrast also being a viable option if you want to break up the continuity somewhat.
For example, you can match the material finishes of wooden veneers, white vanities, bold wardrobes, cabinets, and so on.
3: Unite Your Accessories
In addition to using a cohesive color scheme and matching material finishes, you can also coordinate your bedroom and bathroom accessories to forge an air of continuity.
For example, you can match lamps, artwork, rugs, throw pillows, and accent wallpaper in some creative ways.
More specifically, if you have blue throw pillows, green wallpaper, or a blood-red armchair in your bedroom, use that hue as an accent in the artwork, a towel set, or decorative ornaments in your bathroom.
This is a classic way of achieving unification between the two spaces without dramatically altering the color scheme.
4: Match the Ambiance
With the color, materials, and accessories now strategically coordinated, the next step is to ensure that the overall ambiance of the two rooms match.
For example, if you’ve chosen a bedroom décor design that promotes relaxation (as opposed to a more energetic bedroom/study) or even follows the principles of Feng Shui, then you’ll likely want to take steps to continue this ambiance in your bathroom.
This can be quite challenging because bathrooms often have a stark feeling that can often shock you out of your relaxed state as soon as you switch on the light.
However, you can combat this problem by looking at what some higher-end hotels do by using strategically placed spotlights to angle the light in a way that it’s not quite as aggressive.
You can also use mirror placement to reflect natural light if more energy is required in either room, or remove extra mirrors to downplay the ambiance.
Similarly, you can try matching your window treatments and shower curtains in terms of colors, shades, materials, and patterns.
And going back to the main color palette, you should consider matching the colors so that you have either a ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ ambiance in both spaces if continuity is your goal.
Finally, the most extreme step that you can take if you admire a singularly characteristic space is that of introducing your bathtub to the bedroom with a minor partition like tinted-glass, a decorative screen, or a fancy drapery that offers privacy.
This is a classic way of linking both zones into a magnificent single space like many luxury resorts, hotels, and mansions do.
5: Align the Themes
With many of the core elements now covered, the final step to ensure that your bedroom and en-suite bathrooms match is to look at the big picture and ensure that the overall design themes fit together.
For example, you can’t expect a super clean, crisp, and stark white Scandinavian bathroom to go with an absolutely rustic, textured, and woody farmhouse bedroom.
So regardless of whether you’re going for a minimalistic, French country, shabby chic, or another design style, make sure that the themes correlate between the two spaces.
5 Matching Bedroom and Bathroom Décor Ideas
Below are 5 matching bedroom and en-suite bathroom décor design ideas that you can copy for some inspiration:
1: Go Floral
If you enjoy flowers then you can replicate a floral theme in both your bedroom and bathroom through selective application of flowery wallpaper, curtains, and/or carpets.
However, be warned that too many flowers and patterns can create an almost psychedelic feel when overdone, so make sure that you are thoughtful in your placement.
You may even wish to consider the flowers as an accent (think curtains) to draw the eye or as a patterned backdrop (accent wallpaper).
2: Bold is the New Classy
If you have an extroverted personality then you might like to add some vigor and boldness to your bathroom and bedroom through the selective use of terracotta oranges, midnight blues, olive greens, crimson reds, and slate greys.
Leave three of the walls in neutrals and paint the focal wall with a bold color to add the much-needed statement to your bedroom.
Repeat in the bathroom: paint the wall adjacent to the bathtub in the accent and let your space feel unified.
Pair these sophisticated colors with golden-tinted hardware, lighting, and furniture in the bedroom along with your bathroom accessories and hardware for a bold and elegant look.
3: Timeless Monochrome
Opting for a cohesive, monochromatic color palette in your bedroom and bathroom can create a sophisticated look that never really goes out of style.
For example, try painting your bedroom walls in white or off-white, place a dark grey frame on your bed with an attached headboard, and select matte-black storage cabinets.
You can then create a cohesive contrast in your en-suite bathroom by reversing the application of the same tones with a white classic cabinet, grey walls, and lighter wooden flooring.
To add warmth, use red, orange, or yellow accent colors throughout.
4: Pick Fancy Patterns
Patterns are an excellent way to break up larger blocks of color in your bedroom and bathroom in a congruent manner.
For example, you can use hexagons to ovals, circles, zigzags, vertical and horizontal lines on your wallpapers, bedding, pillows, and curtains throughout to create detail and interest.
Another way to utilize fancy patterns is by leaving the wall unfinished – try using a beautiful natural stone as cladding on one of the accent walls on each of your spaces and observe the noticed connectivity.
Another option is to use exposed brick to give an authentic, natural look to your space.
However, remember to use the same exposed materials in both the spaces for a unified look.
5: Bring the Outdoors In
Incorporating plants into your bedroom and bathroom can create a natural ambiance throughout your bedroom and bathroom.
Mix and match leaf types, colors, heights, and plant species across your tabletops, bathroom vanity tops, floating shelves, and empty room corners for unification.
Popular plant selections include succulents, tall fig-trees, and lilies to help freshen the air and promote relaxation.
You can opt for artificial faux plants if you have allergies.
Conclusion: Cohesion is Key
If you want your bedroom and en-suite bathroom décor to match, then creating cohesion through matching color schemes, material finishes, accessories, and themes are the keys to creating the ambiance that’s right for you.
However, you shouldn’t be afraid to add your own style to match your personality and create the look and feel that you love.
Related: why are hotel mattresses so comfortable?
Image Attribution and Licencing
Main image: ‘Luxurious Bedroom and Bathroom’ by sl-f (Getty Images).
Picture 1: ‘Modern Chic Bedroom’ by Frazaz (Getty Images).
Picture 2: ‘Orange Bathroom, Gray Bedroom Interior’ by Ismagilov (Getty Images).
Picture 3: ‘Luxury Bedroom and Bathroom Interior’ by Ismagilov (Getty Images).
Picture 4: ‘Bathroom Connected With Bedroom’ by Katarzyna Bialasiewicz (Getty Images).
Picture 5: ‘Stylish Bedroom With An Attached Bathroom’ by JR-stock (Getty Images).
Licencing: all images used with permission in accordance with the terms of Canva’s One Design Use License Agreement.
Dan is the founder and head content creator at Bedroom Style Reviews.
He has been working as a professional online product reviewer since 2015 and was inspired to start this website when he ended up sleeping on a memory foam mattress that was too soft and gave him backache.
Through in-depth research and analysis, Dan’s goal with this website is to help others avoid such pitfalls by creating the best online resource for helping you find your ideal mattress, bedding, and bedroom furniture.
Dan is a qualified NVQ Level 2 Fitness Instructor with 6 years’ experience helping clients improve their health through diet, exercise, and proper sleep hygiene.
He also holds several college and university-level qualifications in health sciences, psychology, mathematics, art, and digital media creation – which helps him to publish well researched and informative product reviews as well as articles on sleep, health, wellbeing, and home decor.
Dan also has direct personal experience with insomnia, anxiety, misophonia (hypersensitivity to sounds), and pain from both acute and long-standing sporting injuries – he enjoys writing insightful articles around these subjects to help fellow sufferers of such conditions.
Learn more about Dan here.