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Bedroom4 min read

Burgundy Bedroom Ideas That Feel Rich, Not Dark

Burgundy is one of the coziest bedroom colors there is, as long as you balance it. Here is how to use it all over, on one wall, in a small room, or just in the bedding.

Words by Decorwick

Bedroom painted fully in deep burgundy with panelled walls, a burgundy velvet bed, white linen bedding, a burgundy throw, brass wall lights, an oak nightstand, a patterned rug and large bright windows with white curtains

Burgundy is having a moment, and in a bedroom it makes complete sense. It's warm, it's cozy, and it makes a room feel like a place to hide away in.

The worry is always the same: won't it feel dark? It can. But with enough white, some warm wood and a bit of brass, burgundy feels rich and calm rather than heavy.

Here are five ways to use it, from all-in to just a touch.

Go all the way: color drench the room

The room at the top of this post is burgundy on the walls, the panelling, the trim and even the ceiling. That's called color drenching, and it works better than you'd think.

  • Paint everything the same color. When the walls, trim and ceiling match, the room feels wrapped rather than boxed in. It's the contrast of white trim that makes dark walls feel busy.
  • Keep the bedding white. A white linen duvet and pillows give the eye somewhere to rest.
  • Add warm wood in the nightstands and bench.
  • Use brass for the lights. Wall lights on either side of the bed glow beautifully against burgundy.
  • Big windows help. If you have good daylight, this is the room to go bold in.

A panelled feature wall

Bedroom with one deep burgundy wall of box panelling behind a cream upholstered bed, white bedding with a burgundy throw and pillow, two ceramic lamps on oak nightstands and a rush bench at the foot of the bed
One panelled wall in burgundy, the rest kept light.

Not ready to paint the whole room? Do the wall behind the bed.

  • Add box moulding first. Simple rectangles of trim give the wall depth and make the color look intentional.
  • Paint the moulding and the wall the same burgundy.
  • Keep the other three walls a warm white.
  • Choose a cream or linen headboard so the bed stands out against the color.

It's a weekend project, and it gives you most of the drama with far less commitment.

Oak slats and a velvet bed

Bedroom with a wall of vertical oak slats behind a burgundy velvet bed with white and burgundy bedding, a cream knit throw and an oak nightstand beside a bright window
Warm oak behind, burgundy velvet in front.

For a more modern take, let the burgundy come from the bed instead of the walls.

  • A wall of vertical oak slats behind the bed.
  • A burgundy velvet headboard or bed frame.
  • Burgundy and white bedding, with a cream knit throw across the end.

Burgundy and oak are a natural pair. The wood keeps the color from feeling too formal.

Carry the color into the rug

Low view of a rustic wood bench at the foot of a bed with a burgundy velvet pillow and burgundy throw, on a patterned rug in burgundy, rust and navy
A patterned rug ties the whole room together.

One of the easiest ways to make burgundy feel planned is to repeat it low, on the floor.

  • A patterned rug with burgundy, rust, navy and cream in it links the walls, the bed and the throw.
  • A wood bench at the foot of the bed with a burgundy throw draped over it.
  • One velvet cushion on the bench.

The rug also warms up the floor and softens a room with lots of hard, painted surfaces.

A small burgundy bedroom

Small bedroom with burgundy walls, a white bed with a burgundy velvet throw and cushion, an oak desk used as a nightstand, a small lamp, a wooden chair and a tall window with sheer white curtains
Small rooms can take dark colors too.

Dark colors in small rooms sound wrong, but they often work better than white. The corners blur, and the room feels cozy rather than cramped.

  • Keep the furniture light: a white bed, an oak desk as a nightstand, a simple wooden chair.
  • Sheer white curtains let in every bit of daylight.
  • Hang one small print rather than a gallery wall.

The bedding

Close-up of a bed with burgundy velvet bedding, a textured cream blanket, a burgundy velvet pillow, a rust velvet pillow and a burgundy and cream patterned pillow
Velvet, a patterned cushion and cream texture.

If you can't paint at all, bedding is the way in.

  • A burgundy velvet quilt or throw across the bottom half of the bed.
  • A cream textured blanket underneath, so the colors layer.
  • Cushions in three tones: burgundy velvet, rust velvet and one burgundy and cream pattern.

More ideas for layering like this are in our fall bedding combo.

What goes with burgundy

  • White and cream for balance.
  • Oak and walnut for warmth.
  • Brass for lights and hardware.
  • Rust and blush as softer accents.
  • Olive and sage green from plants and branches.

Avoid cool greys and chrome. They make burgundy look cold.

Mistakes to avoid

  • White trim on burgundy walls. It makes the walls feel boxy. Paint the trim to match.
  • Dark bedding in a dark room. Keep the duvet white or cream.
  • Too little light. Plan wall lights or lamps on both sides of the bed.
  • Cool undertones. Choose a burgundy with a little brown in it, not a purple one.

Burgundy bedroom FAQ

Is burgundy a good bedroom color?

Yes. It's warm and cozy, and it makes a bedroom feel enclosed and restful. Balance it with white bedding, wood and brass.

What colors go with burgundy in a bedroom?

Cream, white, oak, walnut, brass, rust, blush and olive green.

Can you paint a small bedroom burgundy?

Yes. Dark colors can make small rooms feel cozy rather than cramped. Keep the furniture and curtains light.

Should the ceiling be burgundy too?

In a fully color-drenched room, yes. It makes the space feel wrapped. If you're only doing one wall, keep the ceiling white.

Start with the bedding or one wall. If you love it, go all the way.

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