Ideas for a Mythological Bedroom

Theme

• Choosing a theme for your mythological decor is like choosing a setting for a story you want to create. Having a clear idea in mind will help you to choose everything from your color schemes to your furnishings. Let your favorite fantasy books and movies inspire you, such as "Clash of the Titans" or King Arthur tales about the Knights of the Round Table. Alternatively, pick a time and place, such as fortress from the Dark Ages or a witch's cottage made of candy and gingerbread.

Walls

• No matter what you add, if the walls don't have the right look, everything else will look out of place. The walls are the backdrop that will set the stage. Consider giving your walls a faux paint treatment of stone walls for a princess castle bedroom or use paneling for a cottage in an enchanted forest. A painted or printed mural across one wall can transport your room to a different place. Colors play a big role, too. All white walls may be the perfect setting for Mount Olympus, but black and red might be more suited to Hades. If you can't creatively paint or alter your walls, try peel-and-stick wall decals.

Furnishings

• No matter what your mythological theme, consider the kinds of furnishings you might encounter in such a setting. For a Gothic tower, you would encounter heavy wood and forged iron, while in a fairy glen you would be more likely to find delicate furnishings made of woven reeds, like wicker. To pull off your look, invest in at least one piece of unusual specialty furniture, such as a bed with Roman columns or shaped like an old ship. If specialty furnishings are out of your budget, turn to used furniture from antique stores or repurpose inexpensive thrift shop finds.

Fabrics

• Fabrics go a long way in transforming a bedroom. Nothing will make a room feel quite so cozy and comfortable than an abundance of soft, flowing fabrics. Use fabrics to carry across your theme. For example, if you dream of a mythological room in a gypsy wagon theme, drape lots of lush mixed fabrics, not just in window treatments but on walls and over furniture. The liberal draping of pink and purple tulle can turn an ordinary bed into one fit for a princess.

  Perhaps you don't want to carry your theme too far. You might not want your room to look like a movie setting, but want to add some splashes of fantasy elements. Fabric is the place to do it, such as celestial prints on the bed or unicorn print window treatment.

Accessories

• You don't have to overload your room with accessories, but a few carefully chosen decorations pull all the elements of your room together. Think first of wall art and what would best suit your theme. A large, old-fashioned portrait, a mirror in a gilded frame, candle sconces or a collection of natural objects can make your walls pop. Grecian urns, ornamental treasure boxes and antiques can make a stunning display. Statuary can be instrumental in setting the right mood, such as a Greek god, Roman hero or dragon figurines.