How to Decorate a Bedroom Like a French One From the 1700s

Include huge, lush, overwhelming patterns and colors. The brighter and gaudier, the better. The baroque was about the conquest of space, so stuff as much as you possibly can into the space you have. For the neoclassical look, be more restrained and use mostly straight lines and even divisions among parts of the bedroom.

Aquire a large, colorful canopy for the bed. This is a must for both the baroque and rococo. Bright blue or red will work best. Make sure the sheets fit and use mountains of pillows. For the baroque and rococo, go for lots of curves and a "feminine" feeling. The neoclassical is "masculine" in that it is based around straight lines and right angles. The neoclassical should feel severe, while the baroque should feel sensuous and decadent.

Fill the walls. Go for a different theme for each wall. One can be a powerful gold and maroon print paper, while the other can feature ornamented carvings and large paintings. Leave little space open. If you are going for the early 18th-century baroque, then you are going to overwhelm the senses. The neoclassical movement is more restrained and less colorful, but it is still a busy style. The rococo and baroque look more cluttered than the neoclassical. In both cases, you are going for lots of carvings and decorations, especially of wood or metal.

Buy large dressers and tables, high and wide, made from deep-colored woods like cherry. In the baroque style, nothing should be plain, but all must be carved and decorated. In both neoclassical and baroque styles, go for large, flat facades in all furnishings with lots of gilding.

Remember your ceiling. Try to make it a recessed ceiling with a large hanging chandelier that gives lots of light. The borders should be carved and decorated. For the rococo, use oval and other curved designs, but with the neoclassical, go for straighter lines and less overwhelming decorations.

Use colors with abandon. For the baroque, blues and reds in deep, royal colors. Think Roman when dealing with the neoclassical, which is generally less colorful, but still powerful. Get lots of leaf designs, busts and pillars as well. Buy vases and pots for shelves.