Nothing beats the old-school appearance of steampunk, from gears and wheels to applications and classic furniture. It’s a form of industrial elegance that no other style can replicate. Whether a classic or modern décor, anything can benefit from this trend.
Redefining your bedroom space requires good preparation, at least in terms of practicality. However, when it comes to the actual design, there are no rules whatsoever. Throw in some Victorian ingenuity, mechanical aesthetics, and the right lighting and you have the perfect décor.
That being said, you don’t have to exaggerate and turn your bedroom into a junkyard either. There’s a very fine line between succeeding and failing here. All in all, let’s explore some of the best decoration ideas if you want to give your bedroom a unique steampunk charm.
Cogs and Gears
Do you have an empty wall? How about a big area on a wall? Ideally, it would be best if you covered the entire visible area with steampunk accessories. In this case, you can’t go wrong with cogs and gears. Your options are more diversified here.
You can head over to an antique shop and buy all the gears and cogs you can find, but you can also start buying off the web. Opt for a big piece, surrounded by many small pieces. It will become a focal point that draws instant attention.
Now, based on the available space, this industrial masterpiece can become quite expensive to organize. The rugged beauty of old machinery is definitely worth it though. However, if you’re on a limited budget, you can always just invest in steampunk wallpaper depicting the same type of décor.
You can still add a few natural cogs and gears though, only for the 3D effect. Make sure everything is fitted correctly to look good, but also to avoid having random pieces fall on your head while you sleep.
Industrial Lighting
Industrial warm lights are just as useful in decorating your steampunk bedroom. The good news is such a trend is quite popular today. You can find those steampunk wire lights everywhere, from hardware stores to general furniture stores.
Now, since the steampunk style is shaded and slightly dark, you’ll have to focus on accent lighting. Sure, a big fixture light could still help every now and then. It’s practical and provides light when you need to clean the room, for example.
But then, it’s not mandatory.
Accent lights can go in more directions. Lamps here and there will definitely help, but make sure it’s not all about the design only. Their location should also make them practical.
Other than that, the warmth of the light isn’t everything. These pendants and lamps should also have an industrial design to match the rest of the décor. Plus, these elements shouldn’t just illuminate the surroundings, but also cast a specific glow on certain focal points.
Steampunk Bookshelf
When it comes to furniture, you’ll have to keep it classic and traditional. Forget about smooth lines and black-and-white minimalism. What you need instead is classic furniture, a mix of light and dark woods, as well as intricate wooden details and carvings.
A bookshelf is one of the most important things to consider. Even if you’re not a big reader, get a bookshelf that matches the furniture. Bigger is better. Then, fill it up with old-school books. Try to maintain the same color and pattern. Old books with leather covers that look like they’re 300 years old.
It may take a while to fill it up, yet you can find such books in charity or antique shops. Prices vary based on the titles, but if you’re only for the design, you don’t care what books you get. Just find the cheapest ones and start filling up.
The key is to create a visually rich display that captures your imagination and gives visitors a world of mechanical wonder.
Exposed Mechanics
Exposed mechanics go hand in hand with cogs and gears. However, it doesn’t mean you’ll need to buy old engines from a local junkyard. Instead, they need to look good too. The good news is there are a few simple ideas to satisfy this concept in your steampunk bedroom.
Clocks! Exactly, try to find some exposed mechanical clocks. Compared to other decorations in the bedroom, you don’t need too many of them. Get one big unit and that’s it. It has to be practical too. However, if you still have empty wall space, you can also invest in a set of more clocks in different sizes.
They don’t necessarily need to work though. It’s just for the actual design.
Exposed Vintage Typewriter
Similar to the clocks, a vintage typewriter can become a focal point in a room. The beauty of these mechanical writing devices lies in their design and vintage charm. If you can find a massive one with exposed mechanisms, even better. If not, anything with a vintage and old-fashioned look will do. Make sure it shows some sort of mechanics, rather than plastic.
Again, you won’t need too many such things. One of them will do. Put it somewhere nicely and turn it into a focal point that draws eyes and sparks conversation. A smartly placed lamp near it can put it in a dramatic shade too, giving it a unique perspective.
Leather Furniture
If you’re up for a full makeover, furniture could do with a change too. The best part about steampunk décor is the fact that you don’t need to spend a fortune on modern things. But at the same time, quality vintage stuff can even cost more, so you’ll need to research your options here.
The steampunk bedroom design covers two elements. First, you want leather in a dark color. Think of rich brown, deep mahogany, classic black that exudes sophistication. Second, you want a vintage feel. Luckily, there are plenty of vintage furniture shops out there, both online and in physical locations. The pieces you buy don’t even have to be part of a set, but it helps if they match.
Now, the problem with furniture (other than a bed and perhaps a bookshelf) is that space could be limited in your bedroom. Thoughtful placement becomes crucial in this scenario. You may have a wardrobe, but it doesn’t necessarily need leather on it. Perhaps you could get an armchair somewhere by the window or a stool close to the desk.
Antique Brass
Small brass accents here and there will give the bedroom a unique allure. The good news is you can find old-fashioned brass stuff everywhere you look. Candle holders, cups, and other decorations are fairly common and won’t cost you a fortune. These metallic elements can transform an ordinary space into a rich environment.
For a more authentic appearance, stick to brass things made decades ago, rather than new things that imitate the design. After all, the aged patina of these things will give your room a warm feeling. It’s elegant but also opulent.
But then, like for any other decorative thing, make sure you find a balance and you don’t exaggerate. Too many brass elements can turn your space into a cluttered museum display.
Vintage Map
By this point, you’re in luck if you still have some empty wall space because you don’t necessarily need to bring more of what you already have. Instead, wall art has a significant impact in a steampunk bedroom and luckily, you can fill a pretty big chunk with just one accessory.
If you could find a massive map made decades ago, even better, but that could cost you a fortune and must be preserved accordingly. Instead, you can get a new design that replicates the ancient design of an exploring map. It looks good, it takes plenty of space and matches the décor. It not only serves as decoration but as a storytelling element as well.
Pipes
If you’re good with welding and DIY stuff, you can get some old pipes around the edges, whether walls meet the ceiling. While it might sound complicated, but it offers a truly authentic steampunk feel. However, you have other options too. Given the impressive popularity of steampunk decors, you can find pieces of furniture based on actual pipes.
Pipe shelving units are quite popular and easy to find. They come in all shapes and sizes, and many can actually be customized. Of course, such a shelf implies having some decorations too. Maybe a few more books from 1600? How about some empty bottles from 1900? Your options are countless.
In Conclusion
As a final conclusion, if you want to turn your boring bedroom into something amazing then there’s no better option than steampunk design. These nine ideas are more than just decorating tips, and to implement them, you don’t require technical knowledge. Whether you’re a design lover or just want something different, these tips will help you create a space that’s unique, functional, and seriously cool. Just to let you know the images you see here are for illustration purposes only.
