Recreate This Zen-Inspired Apartment Bedroom Design

What if your bedroom could feel like a luxurious retreat every day? That’s exactly what we created for Jon—a zen-inspired apartment bedroom that balances modern style with cozy functionality. At Dwellier Design, we specialize in turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary ones, and this project is the perfect example of how thoughtful design can transform your room into a calming oasis.

 

Ready to create your own zen-inspired retreat? Let’s break down all of the zen bedroom decor ideas, why we chose them (drawing insights from our Modern Bedroom Decor Inspiration article), and how you can achieve the same look with our curated product recommendations and exclusive discounts!

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Modern bedroom design with a serene nature-inspired mural framed by black vertical slat walls, red silk pillowcases, beige waffle duvet cover, and a cozy red chaise lounge, featuring a dog resting on the bed for added warmth and personality.
Modern apartment bedroom design featuring a black velvet bed frame, nature-inspired wall mural framed by vertical slat walls, copper Moroccan pendant lights, floating nightstands, and a cozy red chaise lounge.

All of the Products In the Japandi-Inspired Bedroom

Item

Price

Image

$179.71 for 6′ 8″ x 3′ 11″ mural

Serene landscape artwork featuring a calm river and autumn trees, perfect for Zen-inspired bedroom decor and wall mural designs

$159.99 for set of 6

Vertical black acoustic wall slats, ideal for modern bedroom designs, adding texture, sophistication, and soundproofing to Zen-inspired decor.

$349.99 for 7’10″x10′ Rug

$61.27 per Nightstand

$94.98 for Set of 2

$172 for 2 (25cm diameter)

$204

Modern black ceiling fan with sleek, aerodynamic blades and integrated LED light, perfect for contemporary Zen-inspired bedroom designs.

$1,410 after saving $604 through Dwellier Design’s exclusive discounts

$274.99 for King Size

$139 for King Size Duvet Cover

Beige waffle duvet cover set on a cozy bed, paired with soft pillows and minimalist wooden nightstands for a modern Zen bedroom aesthetic

$42.99 Per King Pillow Case

$80.19 Per King Pillow Case

UGG faux fur throw blanket in taupe, soft and luxurious bedding accessory for cozy Zen-inspired bedrooms

$132.26 for 24″x36″ Ashford Style Matted Gloss Gold Frame

Zen Bedroom Decor Ideas

Product Details & Reasons Behind Each Choice

Apartment bedroom before transformation featuring a serene nature-inspired mural and white walls, with a black-painted fur down ceiling for modern symmetry.

What is a Fur Down? A fur down, also called a soffit or bulkhead, is a lowered ceiling section that conceals plumbing, wiring, or ductwork.

Why We Chose This Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black in a flat paint is a deep, true black that we love for accent spaces. 

How Much Paint Do You Need? A quart of paint covers 90–100 square feet, making it perfect for smaller projects like accent walls or fur downs; one quart was enough for Jon’s fur down and accent wall with two coats.

Black Fur Down: Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black

Clickable Links to Products You Need to Paint A Fur Down

Step-by-Step Instructions to Paint the Fur Down

  1. Mark the Bottom Edge: Use a level to draw a straight pencil line across the bottom of the fur down to ensure it’s leveled correctly.
  2. Tape Off Areas: Apply painter’s tape along the edges of the fur down and any adjacent surfaces you want to protect from paint splatter.
  3. Seal with Caulk: Using paintable caulk and a caulk gun, apply a thin line of caulk along the inside edge of the tape where you’ll be painting. Smear off most of the caulk with your finger or a tool to create a crisp, solid line after painting.
  4. Cut In with a Brush: Use an angled brush to carefully paint along the edges and corners for precision.
  5. Roller Application: Fill in larger areas using a roller for even coverage.
  6. Apply a Second Coat: Once the first coat dries, apply another coat for full opacity and smooth finish.
  7. Remove Tape: Once the paint is completely dry, peel off the painter’s tape carefully to reveal clean, sharp edges.

This process ensures professional-looking results while highlighting architectural features like Jon’s fur down!

Peel & Stick Wallpaper Installation Process:

To ensure a seamless look, we centered the mural over the bed and positioned it high enough to begin just under the bed frame. This placement creates a cohesive visual flow between the mural and the headboard. Here’s how you can install it:

Prep Your Wall

  • Clean the wall with a dry cloth to remove dust or debris.
  • Ensure the surface is smooth and flat for optimal adhesion. The drywall for this project had a soft texture to it that did not affect installation

Mark Your Position

Use a level and pencil to draw light guidelines for centering the mural above your bed frame.

Peel & Stick

  • Peel off about 6 inches of backing paper at the top of the mural.
  • Align the exposed adhesive area with your guidelines and press it onto the wall gently.

Smooth As You Go

  • Gradually peel off more of the backing paper in 4–6 inch increments while smoothing the mural with a felt applicator or squeegee (like this kit we recommend from Amazon: $5.80).
  • Avoid applying excessive pressure to prevent scratches or wrinkles.

Trim Excess If Necessary

Use a sharp utility knife to carefully trim any overage along ceiling edges or around outlets for a clean finish.

Final Touches

  • Inspect for bubbles; if any appear, lightly press them out or use a sewing pin to pop them before smoothing.
Apartment bedroom before redesign, featuring a serene nature-inspired mural from the National Gallery of Art and a black-painted fur down ceiling for symmetry.

Why We Chose It: We recommended a custom mural from Limitless Walls.   We opted for their Standard Fabric Peel & Stick material, which is highly durable, easy to install, and renter-friendly—perfect for apartment living. 

Dimensions: 6’8″ x 3’11”

How We Found the Artwork: We explored open-source images to find a landscape that matched Jon’s desired color palette and Zen aesthetic. The chosen artwork reflects tranquility while complementing the room’s natural elements, such as the green rug and wood accents.

Peel-and-Stick Wall Mural

Apartment bedroom with a serene nature-inspired mural sourced from the National Gallery of Art, framed by sleek black vertical slat walls and a black-painted fur down ceiling.

Why We Chose It: These vertical black wall slats from Amazon (set of 6 for $159.99) add texture and sophistication to the room while improving sound quality—an ideal feature for apartment living. Their clean lines draw the eye upward, making the space feel taller and more expansive. Incorporating vertical elements is a great way to enhance architectural interest while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic.

How We Installed Them: The slats are incredibly easy to install, as they come with simple screws that pass through the felt backing, securing them to the wall. For Jon’s bedroom, we used two sets of slats to frame the mural on either side, creating a balanced and cohesive look. The foam backing also provides a convenient solution for hiding wiring for plug-in lighting, such as the wall-mounted lamps and pendant lights featured in this design.

Vertical Acoustic Black Wall Slats

Modern apartment bedroom featuring a green earth-toned rug, a serene nature-inspired mural, and black vertical slat walls for a polished and cohesive design

Why We Chose It: This 7’10” x 10′ green rug ($349) grounds the room with its earthy hue, tying together natural elements like the mural and bedding. Its soft texture adds warmth underfoot, enhancing comfort in the space.

A green floor rug is an easy way to add biophilic elements to any modern bedroom design.

Green Area Rug

Apartment bedroom with a serene nature-inspired mural from the National Gallery of Art, paired with a black-painted fur down ceiling for modern symmetry.

Why We Chose It: These walnut nightstands from Amazon ($55 each) save floor space while offering sleek storage options—perfect for smaller bedrooms. Their minimalist design keeps clutter at bay while exposing more of the beautiful green rug below.

Floating Wood Nightstands

Nature-inspired apartment bedroom with a serene landscape mural sourced from the National Gallery of Art, framed by black vertical slat walls and paired with an earth-toned green rug

Why We Chose It: These lamps ($94.98 for a set of two) provide both ambient backlighting and focused reading light, freeing up valuable nightstand space while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. Their sleek black finish ties in with other dark accents in the room.

Wall-mounted lamps are a practical yet stylish solution for optimizing space in small bedrooms.

Wall-Mounted Lamps

Modern apartment bedroom featuring a serene nature-inspired mural framed by black vertical slat walls, floating nightstands, copper Moroccan pendant lights, and an earth-toned green rug

Why We Chose It: These Moroccan-inspired copper pendant lights for $172 for a pair (25 cm diameter) add warmth and elegance to the room while casting a soft glow that enhances relaxation—a key feature in zen bedroom decor ideas. We took this hardwired pendant light and converted it into a hanging plug in light using the process below. We plugged these lights into these smart outlets from Amazon (2 pack for $28.79) so he could easily turn them on and off like a regular light switch. 

Copper Pendant Lights (DIY Plug-In Conversion)

DIY Process to Convert to Plug-In Lighting:

1. Remove the Hardwired Components From Copper Pendant

Clip off the existing cord on the pendant light using sharp pliers, removing any chain links or base plates attached to the fixture.

2. Prepare the New Cord:

Take a black hanging lantern cord kit from Amazon ($15.99 for a set of 2) and shimmy a flat head screw driver into the notched area shown. Once cap is off, firmly pull out the internal wires from both ends of the cord. Note the position of the wires before removing them for easier reassembly later.

3. Thread the Cord Through the Pendant Light:

Insert one end of the new cord through the pendant light’s opening, ensuring it’s properly aligned.

4. Rewire the Pendant Light:

Inside the pendant light, connect the wires from the new cord to their corresponding locations. Ensure they lock in appropriately.

5. Test Your Work:

Plug in your newly rewired pendant light to ensure it works properly before hanging it. If it doesn’t light up, double-check your connections and ensure all wires are securely fastened.

6. Hang Your Pendant Light:

Use a ceiling hook to hang the pendant light at your desired height. For Jon’s room, we positioned each pendant symmetrically on either side of the bed for balance and visual appeal.

Why We Chose It: This sleek, black ceiling fan from Amazon ($204) ensures comfort without compromising on aesthetics—a must-have for modern bedroom designs. To ensure proper installation, we recommended hiring an electrician through TaskRabbit (average cost: $30/hour).

Modern black ceiling fan with sleek, aerodynamic blades and integrated LED light, perfect for contemporary Zen-inspired bedroom designs.

Black Ceiling Fan

Modern apartment bedroom design with a red chaise lounge, nature-inspired mural framed by black slat walls, floating nightstands, copper Moroccan pendant lights, and a sleek black ceiling fan.

Why We Chose It: This round chaise lounge in Banks Currant velvet ($1,410 after saving $604 through Dwellier Design’s exclusive discounts) is cozy yet sophisticated, offering a luxurious spot to relax or read while adding a pop of color that complements the mural’s tones. Its pet-friendly fabric ensures durability without sacrificing style!

Joybird Amelia Grand Chaise Lounge

Modern bedroom featuring a black velvet bed frame with white bedding, nature-inspired mural framed by black vertical slat walls, copper Moroccan pendant lights, and green earth-toned rug.

Why We Chose It: This black velvet bed frame from Amazon ($274.99) was selected for its clean, modern design that anchors the room while complementing the bold black slat wall and mural. Its plush upholstery adds a touch of luxury and softness to the space, balancing the harder textures of the slats and accent wall. The adjustable headboard makes it versatile, accommodating various mattress heights for a tailored look. This makes for an incredible zen bedroom decor idea.

How It Fits the Design: This bed frame serves as the centerpiece of Jon’s zen-inspired bedroom. Its sleek black finish ties together the darker elements in the room, while its padded texture provides visual contrast against the crisp waffle bedding and silk pillowcases. The low-profile design ensures the mural remains the focal point, seamlessly blending into the overall aesthetic.

Black Velvet Bed Frame

Modern bedroom design with a serene nature-inspired mural framed by black vertical slat walls, red silk pillowcases, beige waffle duvet cover, and a cozy red chaise lounge, featuring a dog resting on the bed for added warmth and personality.

Item

Why We Chose It

Price

Adds texture and warmth while maintaining simplicity

Luxurious touch that promotes better sleep and is preferred for skincare and haircare.

Soft neutral tone adds warmth and coziness

Soft neutral tone adds warmth and coziness

The Finishing Touches

FAQs

Zen Bedroom Decor Ideas

How do I recreate this look on a budget?

Purchase our Room Refresh Package for access to all of our exclusive discounts!

Can I install the black slat wall myself?

Yes! The slats are easy to install with the included screws that go through the felt backing. For Jon’s room, we used two sets of slats to frame the mural and hide wiring for plug-in lighting. This DIY-friendly project is perfect for renters or homeowners looking for a stylish upgrade.

What’s the best ideas for styling zen-inspired bedroom decor?

Focus on creating balance with neutral tones, natural textures, and functional furniture. Key elements include a bold yet calming black accent wall, soft bedding like waffle duvets and silk pillowcases, and greenery like a vibrant floor rug or plants. Refer back to our Modern Bedroom Decor Inspiration article for more tips!

Do I need professional help for installing the ceiling fan?

For safety and efficiency, we recommend hiring an electrician through TaskRabbit (average cost: $70/hour) to install the black ceiling fan featured in this design.

Where can I find these products?

All product links are included in this article for your convenience! From Amazon to Etsy and Rugs.com, we’ve curated affordable yet stylish options that align with this Zen-inspired design.

Jon’s zen-inspired apartment bedroom is the perfect blend of tranquility, functionality, and modern style. By thoughtfully incorporating zen bedroom decor ideas like the bold black accent wall and slat panels alongside softer elements such as the serene mural, green rug, and luxurious bedding, we created a space that feels both calming and inviting.

Whether you’re drawn to the sleek black bed frame, the renter-friendly peel-and-stick mural, or the elegant pendant lighting, every piece in this design was chosen to enhance balance and harmony. With our detailed instructions, curated product links, and exclusive discounts, recreating this look in your own home has never been easier.

Let this project inspire you to transform your bedroom into a serene retreat that reflects your personal style while prioritizing comfort and functionality. Ready to get started? Explore the links above and bring your dream Zen bedroom to life today!

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