The first thing to decide is often the bedding. The current dark blues on wall, bed cover and the dark hues of the rug are currently making this space the opposite of cozy. If you are keeping the bed with the upholstered headboard, that is a good neutral start. I would go with all light neutrals in this room for walls and curtains. And bring in some softer color in only perhaps bedding and rug. You have darker wood with the dresser and what appears to be lighter wood with the bed and headboard? so you’ll have to make that work somehow…. Have you looked through bedroom photos on Houzz to see what you like or don’t like? I’m sure others will post some good ideas and options for you.

Hi! I know very little about interior design but I would have thought darker would mean cozier, but that shows how much I know! What kind of curtains and rug would you recommend, like a beige or another neutral?

There are many dark colors that work well for a moody + cozy bedroom.

A popular way to making a room moody + cozy involves color drenching the room = painting the walls, trim, doors, windows, and ceiling all the same color. Sometimes the same sheen will be used for all areas (the blue bedroom shown in photos 7 & 8 below by Emily Henderson used the same matte blue paint on all painted surfaces instead of using different sheens for walls/ceiling/trim).

A cozy bedroom typically has less accessories - walls are decorated in a more minimalistic style. However, the bedding is typically a mix of nice bedding (layered coverlets/duvets/throw blankets + pillows + pillow shams or Euro pillows + accent pillows). Different textures will be mixed together in order to create the look of a luxury hotel or a "Pottery Barn bed."

Different shades of blue are popular for bedrooms - however, the dark navy blue used below has a different look/feel to it than the shade you selected for your bedroom. This navy bedroom below looks very cozy:

Even the two shades of blue used in the above and below bedrooms created cozy bedrooms. It's a combination of the shade of blue + that the blue wasn't just used as an accent wall behind the bed. Both of these rooms were color drenched in the blue paint selected for each room.

The photos above and below are of the same bedroom. Layering different shades of blue (or another color) in a room + painting the doors/woodwork/trim/sometimes ceiling will all add to the coziness of the room. This bedroom was styled by Emily Henderson.

A bedroom doesn't have to be color drenched in order to look cozy (or moody). The room below had a very prominent tray ceiling that has been painted white - yet the room is still very inviting and "comfy" looking.

Lighter paint colors can also be used to create a cozy bedroom. I just looked for darker ones based upon the dark paint you selected for your accent wall. If you do a search, you will find many examples. However, you do have to commit to the paint color = using it on all four walls (at least). With the way your ceiling is vaulted, painting the ceiling may help make the room more cozy in order to make the ceiling not appear to be as tall or stand out as much as it does painted white.

Wow! You are so knowledgeable on all of this, thank you so much for sharing. Interior designing can be a bit overwhelming for me but I very might ch appreciate all the ideas and the pictures really help!

Julia - you are welcome! I'm currently trying to decide how to change my primary bedroom - so, I've been looking at quite a few photos. I'd like for my room to feel cozy + a bit moody. My biggest issue is that I have A LOT of bedding (many linen duvet covers + accent pillows + throws) and I like to change bedding colors fairly often + do different color combinations. Having so many options for my bedding makes it difficult to select a paint for the walls (I don't want white).

When you finalize your room, post a photo! Hopefully, I'll be finished with my room by that time! 😂

I think it would look better with the dresser under the tv - even maybe setting the tv on the dresser. I would move your picture to above your bed. I find the bright white pillowcases are a bit jarring against your headboard so it you want your pillows out I would look for a cream sheet set. I also have a few questions. Where is your water source for your coffee? Where is your closet? Is there an ensuite? If the water source is near the other window and door it might be nice to set up a coffee station on that wall with maybe an armchair or a bistro set. I would then put your bench on the wall with the mirror. Can the mirror move to your closet?

Making room looks warmer use this color pallet.

Expo baby- it is actually a baby bottle maker lol and it will be leaving my room shortly LOL also I love all your suggestions, thank you so much for taking the time to provide insights

Celery- the amber cream color definitely warms it up, I was thinking of going darker but I do love the amber colors

A bottle warmer - I think I need glasses! lol Just a few more suggestions and questions - move your laundry hamper beside the dresser if it's moved to the tv wall. It would hide it. I would get a plant stand to lift your plant up a foot or so. I would bring in the rust colour from your rug onto the bed - a pillow or throw. Do you use your long low bench for anything? Is there storage in it? Can you sit on it? If the bench is useful/sentimental, I would move it to the wall with the mirror. If possible add legs to the bench and add a cushion on top.