Bedroom styling inspiration and tips: The $22 Big W buy that sets the scene for a stunning bedroom makeover

It’s almost time to transform our bedroom from the cooling oasis it needs to be in summer to a cosy space we look forward to snuggling in during the chilly seasons.

But deciding what to use to make our beds not just warm but looking beautiful can be hard if you don’t know where to start and are worried about your budget.

To give us inspiration for styling a stunning bed without breaking the bank, Big W has shared its secrets for recreating this mid-century look.

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Recreating the look in full will set you back $176, not including the homewares around the bed.

But you don’t have to get all of the new pieces to achieve something similar, instead you can incorporate elements from the look such as the cushion arrangement or the hero piece, the $22 Elsie faux mohair throw, and add them to your existing bedding.

“The Elsie faux mohair throw serves as a focal point in this bedroom design. It is rich in colour which provides warmth and contrast. This timeless check pattern and chunky fringe, blends the bedding elements and enhances the overall cosy atmosphere,” Cara Gibson, senior home designer at Big W, tells 9honey Living.

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Before you pop that throw on your quilt though here is how to recreate the entire look from the fitted sheet up.

After putting on the fitted sheet and flat sheet, which in this case is flannelette in a charcoal colour, you can add a contrasting blanket in dark purple and then the quilt in another contrasting colour.

“Once the foundation is set, it’s time to elevate,” Gibson says. “Pick a quilt cover with texture and drape it over the bed. Then, together with your flat sheet, fold the top quarter back towards the base of the bed. This effortless fold creates the plush, oversized bedding look seen in stylish bedrooms.”

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The quilt used in this look is the Brilliant Basics cinched quilt cover set for $35 for a queen size, which has a white colour that allows the pillow and cushion arrangement to pop.

For a finishing touch add a striking throw.

“Drape it casually over the foot of the bed, this piece adds colour, warmth, and a contrast of textures for that retro look,” Gibson says.

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Now it’s time for the pillows of which you’ll have two in the charcoal flannelette and two in the cinched design if you’ve bought the sets. These can be arranged in a few different ways using all four, or two of one colour, and laid flat or leaning against the bedhead or wall.

Then add cushions in contrasting colours and patterns. A grouping of an odd number such as three usually looks best.

“We went with the Openook ruched velvet cushion in meta rose ($14) and dark denim ($20) and finished with the Openook printed rectangular cushion ($10) for a touch of retro fun.”

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But it’s what you can’t see in the bedding look that Gibson says really sets the scene for a cosy vibe.

“One detail that makes a big difference, but often goes unnoticed, is the quilt insert. For a truly luxurious, cloud-like feel, opt for the fluffiest quilt insert you can find. It instantly adds volume and elevates the entire look, making your bed feel as inviting as it looks,” she says.

For anyone not a fan of pink, white and blue, this look can be recreated with other colours.

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“While the original design highlights white, meta rose, and dark denim, there are plenty of other colour combinations to explore,” Gibson says.

“For a fresh take, try swapping meta rose and dark denim [cushions] for sagebrush green and butter yellow. This pairing creates a softer, more understated nostalgic feel, while still embracing bold geometric prints and playful textures.”

Products used to create the retro bedding look:

• Brilliant Basics cinched quilt cover set $35
• Openook flannelette sheet set in charcoal $40
• Brilliant Basics teddy fleece blanket double/queen in dark purple $19
• Openook Elsie faux mohair throw $22
• Openook ruched velvet cushion in meta rose $15
• Openook ruched velvet cushion 60cm in dark denim $20
• Printed rectangular cushion $10

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