Hanging Art Above The Bed: Animal Art Ideas

Imagine walking into your bedroom and feeling an immediate sense of comfort and personal connection. The artwork above your bed plays a pivotal role in creating this atmosphere.

It’s not just about filling the space; it’s about showcasing artwork that resonate with you, turning your bedroom into a reflection of your personality.​

In this guide, we’ll explore various ideas for placing art above your bed, each accompanied by visual examples to spark your creativity. I’ll also share some popular drawings and offer subtle ways to incorporate such themes into your bedroom decor.

N.B. These are my own drawings. They are NOT AI generated. I have placed them within AI mockups for inspiration.

1. Art Above the Bed in a Soft Blue Coastal Inspired Bedroom

A Room That Feels Calm, Collected and Put Together

This bedroom gets everything just right. The light blue tones, natural wood, and soft textures all work together to create a calm and collected space. It feels fresh without feeling forced. The trick is in the details, especially the Art above the bed.

The bed is simple and modern with a warm wood frame that grounds the room. A cushioned bench adds comfort and a useful place to throw a blanket or stack a couple of books.

The bedding is layered with crisp white sheets, soft blue cushions and one striped pillow that ties the whole scheme together.

On each side of the bed, ceramic lamps sit on matching tables. They add structure and balance without drawing attention away from the rest of the room. A few accessories like a round clock, a small vase, and a tidy book stack keep things relaxed but tidy.

The Art above the bed pulls everything into focus. I used three of my wildlife drawings in black and white. One features a cockatoo, another shows a baby elephant with its mother, and the last is a prowling jaguar.

These art pieces bring a quiet sense of life to the room. They sit neatly across the panelled wall, evenly spaced and perfectly scaled to the bed below. The frames are slim and neutral so the art feels part of the space, not an add on.

This is a look that invites you in. Nothing shouts for attention, but every detail feels deliberate and useful. The colour, the texture and the art work together to create something personal and easy to live with.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with white bedding and soft blue accents
  Layer in a few pale blue cushions and choose one patterned pillow to pull things together.
  
• Use natural wood furniture with soft edges
  Look for a simple wooden bed frame and matching bedside tables in a pale finish.
  
• Balance both sides of the bed with useful details
  Add matching ceramic lamps. Use books, a clock or a small vase to add personality without clutter.
  
• Hang three black and white artworks in simple frames
  I used my own drawings in this space. Black and white subjects are easy to pair and let you change other decor without needing to swap the art.
  
• Add one bold but simple ceiling feature
  Here a dark wood ceiling fan gives the room a visual break and helps anchor the space.

2. Art Above the Bed with Soft Greens and Florals

A Fresh Take on Quiet Colour and Simple Styling

This space feels like a gentle breath of spring. Not in a loud or flowery way, but in a soft, natural one. The colours are muted and calm. The details are simple but thoughtful.

The walls are painted in two subtle tones of green. One cooler and one just a touch warmer. The bed itself is upholstered in a soft green fabric that blends in beautifully with the background. It all works together to create a smooth and calming palette.

The bedding is light and airy. Pale green stripes mix with white and a few carefully placed cushions add texture and interest. One of the cushions has a floral pattern that nods to the vase of fresh flowers sitting on the bedside table.

That table is a perfect example of practical styling. It’s made from light wood and finished with a woven front that adds texture. On top sits a small black clock, a glass vase full of pastel blooms, and a stack of books.

There’s just enough there to make it feel like a lived in space without tipping into clutter.

The Art above the bed is where the eye settles. A framed drawing of two zebras, nestled together, hangs above the headboard. It’s one of my own pieces. Black and white works really well in rooms like this because it brings a little contrast without disrupting the palette.

It feels grounded and calm.

Everything in this space works to support a quiet kind of beauty. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing less, better. And that’s what makes this look so easy to live with.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with soft green walls and light bedding
  Choose paint in pale sage or mint and layer your bed with soft green stripes, plain white sheets and one patterned cushion for interest.
  
• Use a padded headboard that blends into the background
  Pick a fabric headboard in a similar tone to the wall to create a smooth and continuous feel behind the bed.
  
• Add a bedside table with natural texture
  Go for light wood with a woven or cane detail. Keep the surface clean with a small clock, a stack of books and a glass vase with fresh flowers.
  
• Hang black and white art in a clean frame
  I used my own zebra drawing here. The monochrome tones keep the room feeling calm and grounded while adding subtle character.
  
• Choose compact lighting that saves space
  A small wall mounted light or sconce works well and helps keep the top of the bedside table clear.

3. Art Above the Bed with Rich Wood and Tailored Bedding

A Room That Mixes Comfort and Structure

There’s something timeless about this bedroom. The colours are calm but not cold. The shapes are soft but still grounded. It’s the kind of room that feels complete without needing to explain itself.

The walls are painted a soft blue grey that sets the tone. Against that, the headboard stands out with its curved shape and pale padded fabric. It adds height and formality without feeling heavy.

The bed is made up in soft striped bedding with shades of beige, cream and blue. A navy cushion in the centre pulls it all together.

Either side of the bed sits a deep wood nightstand. One holds a ceramic lamp and a white jug filled with warm toned flowers. The other is just out of frame, but the balance is clear. These details are simple but chosen with care. Nothing here feels added for show.

Above the headboard hangs a framed drawing of a stag. It is one of my favorite pieces. The clean lines bring a sense of symmetry and strength to the wall. The black frame creates a nice edge without distracting from the rest of the room. It is a quiet focal point.

This space is calm, balanced and well proportioned. The colours sit easily next to each other. The textures are mixed in just the right way. It is the kind of room that feels easy to spend time in.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Choose a soft blue grey for the walls
  This works well as a backdrop for both cool and warm tones
  
• Use a padded headboard with a curved shape
  Stick to pale neutral fabric to keep it soft against the wall

• Layer bedding in sandy tones with blue stripes
  Use one dark cushion to give the centre of the bed a bit more depth

• Pick traditional wood furniture with clean lines
  Look for matching nightstands and add a ceramic lamp with a warm neutral shade

• Hang one piece of framed art above the bed
  I used a stag drawing from my own collection. The image adds strength and structure to the wall without needing colour

4. Art Above the Bed in a Deep Green Bedroom with Mustard Accents

A Bolder Style That Still Feels Thoughtful

This bedroom doesn’t whisper. It speaks clearly and confidently. The deep green walls immediately draw you in and create a rich backdrop that makes every element stand out just a little more. It’s bold, but not loud.

The bed has a clean vertical channeled headboard in a soft forest green velvet. It adds shape and texture without interrupting the wall behind it. The bedding brings warmth into the mix with layers of mustard and ochre.

There’s a thick knit throw, a soft gold blanket, and a few patterned pillows to give it structure. That black and white check cushion in the centre breaks it up in just the right way.

The bedside table is midcentury in feel. Simple legs, a small drawer, and a few carefully placed items on top. A dark glass vase, a leafy plant, and a retro-style alarm clock. Above the table, a brass pendant light hangs low and warm, softening the whole scene.

On the wall, silver framed drawings add a flash of contrast. The one in focus here shows a pair of badgers nestled in grass. It’s one of my pencil drawings, chosen here for its balance and detail. The silver frame reflects enough light to stop the space feeling too heavy.

This room is proof that dark colours don’t have to be cold. It’s warm, stylish and grounded. Everything here works to balance bold choices with soft textures and natural finishes.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with rich green paint on the walls
  Choose a flat or matte finish to get that deep, enveloping feel

• Use a fabric headboard in a tone that blends into the wall
  Soft velvet or suede works especially well in darker colours

• Layer bedding in mustard and gold tones
  Mix textures with a knit throw, smooth sheets and structured cushions for contrast

• Add a midcentury inspired bedside table
  Keep the styling minimal but meaningful with a vintage clock, a dark vase and a leafy plant

• Hang black and white artwork in a metal or silver frame
  Here I used one of my badger drawings. The metallic frame gives the art just enough lift against the darker wall

5. Art Above the Bed in a Green and Blush Bedroom

A Softer Style with Just Enough Strength

This room feels calm but not too quiet. The combination of earthy green walls and dusty pink accents adds warmth without going full pastel. It’s a gentle space, but it’s not afraid to show a little strength.

The bed is simple and low with a light upholstered headboard. It adds comfort without taking up too much visual space. The bedding is all about soft texture.

Crisp white sheets are layered with blush cushions in different patterns and a deep pink throw with tassels that add movement and a bit of charm.

To the side, the wooden bedside table brings in a natural touch. The base of the lamp echoes the colour of the wall and helps the light blend right into the scene. A couple of yellow flowers in a red vase give the palette a little jolt without stealing focus.

The Art above the bed is clean and confident. It features one of my lion drawings, framed in wood. The tone of the frame matches the furniture while the black and white drawing anchors the softer colours around it.

The lion’s gaze gives the whole wall some presence without pushing the room into a heavier mood.

This bedroom shows how contrast can work gently. Pink doesn’t have to be sweet. Green doesn’t have to be serious. And art doesn’t have to shout to be the most powerful part of the room.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with an mid-olive green wall colour
  Choose a soft, slightly muted tone that still brings some depth
  
• Use a neutral bed with a padded headboard
  Light fabric helps the bed blend in and keeps the focus on the bedding and artwork
  
• Layer blush cushions and a textured throw
  Mix different pinks and add a throw with tassels or weave to give the bed some softness and interest
  
• Choose a natural wood bedside table with a matching lamp
  Stick with a simple lamp base in a similar tone to the wall and style with small flowers or a single colourful vase
  
• Hang a bold drawing in a warm wood frame above the bed
  I used my lion drawing here. The detailed lines and square format give the wall strength and help balance the softness of the palette

6. Art Above the Bed in a Sunset-Coloured Boho Bedroom

This one has a warm, earthy charm that feels effortlessly relaxed. The tones are rich but natural, and the whole space invites you to slow down. Here’s your next section, keeping things fresh, personal,

Warm Colours and Simple Comfort

This bedroom feels like it catches the last light of the day. The walls are painted in a warm terracotta and grounded with a soft clay tone below. It’s a look that feels handmade, layered and lived in. The kind of space you want to curl up in without fixing a thing.

The bed sits low to the ground with natural cotton sheets and layers of rust and caramel toned throws. The mix of cushions feels casual and effortless. Patterns, plains, textures — they’re not perfectly matched, and that’s exactly why it works.

On one side of the bed, a rattan table adds a relaxed feel. Books are stacked, candles flicker, and a trailing plant spills out of a terracotta pot. A small shelf by the window holds a few more candles and a ceramic bowl. The lighting is soft and low.

There’s no symmetry here, and the room is better for it.

Above the bed hangs a framed drawing of a tiger. It’s one of mine, naturally. The expression is quiet but focused, which suits the energy of this space. The black and white art cuts through the warm tones and adds definition to the soft background.

This setup is a reminder that you don’t need perfection to make a space feel good. Texture, tone and a little personal style go a long way.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Use terracotta or sunset pink paint on the walls
  Add a colour block around the bed to ground the space without needing a headboard
  
• Choose soft cotton bedding in earthy tones
  Mix rust, clay and beige tones with casual throws and pillows in varied textures
  
• Style a low rattan or cane table instead of a formal nightstand
  Add stacked books, candles and trailing greenery for a softer, more lived-in feel
  
• Hang one piece of monochrome art above the bed
  I used a tiger drawing here. It brings a bit of structure to the space without disrupting the colour scheme
  
• Let the light stay low and golden
  Keep it warm with candles or diffused daylight through sheer curtains

7. Art Above the Bed in a Vintage Style Bedroom with Soft Florals

This one brings in a light, floral touch with soft neutrals and vintage character. It’s airy and delicate without being overly feminine, a lovely balance.

Light, Layered and Full of Character

This bedroom feels like something out of an old country house but with just the right modern touches. It’s soft but not fussy. The colours are muted and fresh, and the whole space feels like it’s been built up over time.

The wainscotted wall adds charm right away. It creates a visual break that works perfectly as a backdrop for the artwork above. The bed sits neatly in front, dressed in floral bedding that’s light and easy.

The tones are soft greens, creams and faded blues. There’s a touch of blush in the striped cushion and floral detailing, which picks up the colours in the curtains and rug.

The bedside table is styled like a small tiered shelf, stacked with books and topped with a large ceramic vase full of dried blooms. Candle holders and a few jars sit on the wall ledge above the bed. The whole scene is calm and collected. Nothing is out of place but it doesn’t feel overly polished.

On the wall above the bed, two framed black and white drawings add quiet structure. The first is an elephant with its calf, the second a curious Siamese cat looking straight ahead. They’re both from my own collection.

The contrast between the softness of the florals and the clarity of the linework brings just enough edge to the wall without tipping the balance.

This room is an example of how to make something feel personal without over-decorating. It’s not trying to be perfect. It’s trying to feel like home.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Use soft neutral tones on the walls with wainscoting or paneling
  Keep it muted with creams or warm greys for a timeless base
  
• Choose floral bedding in faded tones
  Look for soft greens and pastels that feel easy and not too busy
  
• Style a small shelf or table with mixed height items
  Add a vase of dried flowers, vintage brass candlesticks and a few favourite books
  
• Hang two monochrome drawings in simple frames
  I used my elephant and cat drawings here. They bring a crisp edge to the soft setting and balance out the florals
  
• Layer in natural textures like wood flooring and jute rugs
  Use muted tones to keep the room feeling light and open
  

8. Art Above the Bed in a Light Modern Bedroom with Bold Framed Art

Clean Lines with a Bit of Edge

This bedroom is crisp but not cold. The colour palette is light and airy, but there’s still plenty of warmth thanks to the wood accents and soft layers. It’s got that polished but relaxed feel that’s hard to pin down, and even harder to fake.

The bed is upholstered in a pale grey fabric with clean, straight edges. It’s framed neatly between two dark wood nightstands, each topped with a lamp and just enough styling to keep things feeling personal.

A bench at the end of the bed adds both function and a place to add texture without adding visual weight.

The soft beige bedding is layered with neutral pillows and throws. It doesn’t rely on colour to make its point. Everything comes together through tone and material. Linen, cotton, wool, it all reads soft and effortless.

What really stands out here is the art. Three black and white animal drawings hang evenly above the bed, each with its own unique frame.

The centrepiece is a male orangutan drawn in detailed pencil, one of my personal favourites. On either side, a zebra pair and a young donkey bring symmetry and a bit of playfulness. A set of three makes them feel collected and coordinated.

This bedroom is about letting a few key pieces do the talking. It shows that even in a quiet space, art can hold the centre without needing to be loud.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with soft beige or off-white paint
  Keep the background light to make the furniture and art pop
  
• Use an upholstered bed in pale grey or taupe
  Choose clean lines and a low profile to suit the modern feel
  
• Layer neutral bedding in natural textures
  Use cotton or linen sheets, a few soft throws and a long lumbar cushion for balance
  
• Add matching wooden nightstands and a bench
  Keep the accessories simple, a clock, a lamp, maybe a small floral arrangement
  
• Hang three bold framed animal drawings above the bed
  One horizontal centerpiece (landscape) and toe vertical (portrait) pictures give smaller art maximum impact.

9. Art Above the Bed in a Pale Green and Cream Bedroom

This one has that fresh, early-morning feel, soft colours, clean lines, and just enough personality to make it feel like home

Soft Colour and a Sense of Quiet

This bedroom feels like it was designed for peaceful mornings. There’s light flooding in from the window, and the colour palette is a blend of soft greens, creams and taupes. It’s gentle and put together without being too styled.

The bed has a light upholstered frame that keeps the look grounded and neutral. The bedding follows the same theme, pale greens in soft textures, finished off with a striped cushion that adds a bit of pattern.

The layering here is subtle but works well. It’s one of those spaces that doesn’t need a lot of colour to feel welcoming.

A pale wood bedside table adds a natural finish to the look. There’s a glass vase filled with fresh flowers, a stack of books, and a small brass clock, enough to feel lived-in but still calm. Nothing here is shouting for attention. It all works together quietly.

The Art above the bed adds focus. One of my drawings of two giraffes hangs in a slim grey frame. It’s a gentle moment between the mother and baby, and the detail draws the eye without needing bright colour.

This room shows how to do calm without slipping into plain. It’s soft, thoughtful and personal. And that’s what makes it work.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with soft cream walls and pale green accents
  Use colour sparingly to keep the room feeling open and fresh
  
• Choose an upholstered bed in a light neutral fabric
  Keep the shape simple and low to stay within the calm tone of the room
  
• Layer bedding in greens, whites and muted patterns
  Use a mix of smooth and textured fabrics for depth without clutter
  
• Use a light wood bedside table and keep styling minimal
  A glass vase with flowers, a few books and a small clock is all you need
  
• Hang black and white artwork with a calm subject
  I used my drawing of giraffes here. The shape and soft tone work well in a room with lots of natural light
  

10. Art Above the Bed in a Casual Bedroom with Peach Tones and Natural Wood

this one has a fresh and lived-in feel with a little personality tucked into every detail.

Relaxed Style With a Personal Touch

The peachy bedding looks soft and crumpled in the best way, like it’s meant to be slept in, not just styled. There’s a natural rhythm to the space. It feels like a real room.

The walls are pale grey and the bed is low and tucked casually under a slim wooden shelf. That shelf acts as the anchor for everything above it. It holds a simple framed candle, a book, and my black and white drawing of a Siamese cat.

The bedding is a bold move, but it’s not overdone. The peach tones bring energy while the soft cotton keeps it grounded. A few matching pillows tie it together, while the white sheets underneath stop the palette from becoming too heavy.

A dark folding screen in the corner and a concrete-style side table add contrast. The mix of soft fabrics, warm tones and cooler materials gives the space its personality. It’s an ideal mix of old and new, clean and cozy.

This space feels human and unforced. Just right.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with pale grey or off-white walls
  Keep the backdrop neutral so the colours in the bedding and accessories stand out
  
• Choose cotton bedding in a warm peach or coral tone
  Let it look soft and relaxed, not overly styled
  
• Add a slim floating wooden shelf above the bed
  Use it to display a framed piece of art, a book and a small candle
  
• Hang a monochrome drawing in a slim black frame
  I used my Siamese cat here. The eye contact and tone give the space just the right
  amount of character
  
• Mix in natural materials like a dark wood screen and a concrete side table
  The contrast adds edge without removing the warmth
  

Art Above the Bed in a Warm Green Bedroom with Natural Accents

This one’s got a really grounded feel, rich, olive walls with warm lighting and layered neutrals.

A Rich Backdrop for Soft Layers

This bedroom has depth without being dark. The olive green walls bring a strong presence, but the natural light and soft neutrals keep it from feeling too heavy. It’s the kind of space that feels calm and pulled together, without a hint of fuss.

The bed is low and neutral, layered in warm whites, beiges and soft greys. The knitted throw and cushion textures make it feel cozy. Everything feels soft but intentional. It’s a room that invites you to slow down and rest.

The side table is simple and circular, with just enough styling to keep it feeling personal, a matte black lamp, a small vase of fresh flowers, and a couple of well-worn books. Natural light filters in through the soft beige curtains, giving the whole space a warm cast.

What anchors the wall above the bed is a bold black and white drawing. It’s one of mine, a rhino resting beneath a tree. It’s quiet, but strong. Just like the room.

The frame adds a slight coolness that helps break up the warm tones around it. Paired with a second drawing just off frame, the art gives the space balance and personality.

This room shows how earthy tones and thoughtful layers can feel modern without being minimalist. It’s all about balance and tone.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with a soft olive green on the walls
  Choose a rich tone that feels warm and earthy but still light enough to reflect natural light
  
• Layer natural bedding in whites, beiges and soft textures
  Mix linen and cotton and add one or two textured throws for a lived-in look
  
• Choose a rounded bedside table in a wood tone
  Style it with a small black lamp, fresh flowers and a couple of simple personal touches
  
• Hang black and white framed art above the bed
  I used my rhino drawing here. It has a strong shape that works beautifully against the darker wall
  
• Keep the lighting warm and soft
  Use natural light during the day and soft lamps or sconces at night
  

12. Art Above the Bed in a Soft Green Bedroom with Natural Textures

It’s soft and sunlit with thoughtful detail, and it pulls together a lot of the ideas we’ve touched on, relaxed layering, natural textures, and artwork that quietly steals the show.

Gentle Colour and Personal Details

This room makes the most of natural light. There’s a softness to everything, the walls, the bedding, even the way the morning light spills across the furniture. It feels warm and real, like someone actually wakes up here and reaches for that book on the nightstand.

The palette is green and neutral, but it’s not too coordinated. The bedding is loosely layered with soft whites and sage greens. A wicker basket at the end of the bed holds a few casual extras, keeping the space practical as well as stylish.

The bedside table has a woven drawer front that brings texture, and it’s styled just enough with stacked books, a small clock, and a vase of fresh flowers.

Above the bed, there’s a framed drawing of a mother and baby elephant. It’s one of mine, and it felt right for a space like this, something familiar. The black and white contrasts with the pale green wall behind it and keeps things feeling centred.

There’s no clutter in this room, just quiet choices and soft shapes. It shows how art above the bed doesn’t need to compete, it can work in harmony with everything else you’ve built around it.

How to Recreate This Look at Home

• Start with soft green or beige walls
  Go for a light tone that reflects natural light and works with natural textures
  
• Use a mix of white and pale green bedding
  Combine smooth sheets with a heavier throw for a balanced layered look
  
• Add a wooden nightstand with woven details
  Style it with fresh flowers, stacked books and a classic bedside clock
  
• Hang a framed drawing with soft subject matter
  My elephant drawing worked perfectly here. It brings comfort to the space.
  
• Include a wicker bench or basket at the end of the bed
  It adds texture and gives the room a relaxed, useful feel
  

Ideas for Art Over You Bed: Final Thoughts

In each of these rooms, I’ve shared examples of how black and white drawings can hold their own in different styles, from light and airy to warm and moody.

I’ve added art from my own collection to show how artwork can tell a story, create structure, or simply add a point of interest without shouting.

You don’t need to get everything perfect. Start with what you love, build around that.

What’s your favorite animal?

Thanks for following along. If something here inspired your next bedroom update, feel free to explore more of my wildlife drawings. You’ll find plenty of inspiration.

And if you enjoyed this post, save your favourite look to Pinterest so you can come back to it when you’re ready to start.

You can see many more of my drawings HERE

Has this post been of any help? If so, you may like to read the following articles:

• 10 Kitchen Wall Art Ideas
• More Black and White Wall Art Ideas For Your Kitchen
• 10 Staircase Decor Wall Art Ideas With Framed Drawings
• Stylish Modern Wall Art: 11 Bedroom Ideas
• 10 Bedroom Wall Art Ideas For Men
• Black & White Animal Art for Minimalist Bedrooms
• 10 Cozy Small Bedroom Ideas With Black and White Wall Art
• 10 Green Bedroom Ideas for Men With Matching Wall Art

Pin This