This article is about how to make your bedroom grunge.
The beauty of grunge décor is that it’s less about perfection and more about being yourself. You might want to decorate your room in an effortlessly grunge style because It lets you express a sense of rebellion or nonchalance.
Grunge is a laid-back, effortless aesthetic, far from anything uptight or overly curated.
The whole point is that there are no rules—you get to decorate in a way that feels right for you, without worrying about whether it matches some trend or aesthetic standard.
To make your bedroom grunge, you’re going to be using a lot of what you already have or can easily get your hands on; instead of flipping through magazines for cutouts like guys did back in the 90s and 2000s, you just print out those Pinterest inspo pins from your mood and vision boards, and create a mood wall or poster collage.
You might decide to raid your grandparents’ attic or storage room, hunting down those unique, vintage pieces you can’t just pick up at any store anymore—like a quirky, old-school lampshade for your bedside table, or a cute and colourful Persian rug that’s been tucked away, unused, for years.
Those items that add a nostalgic, lived-in feel to your space, especially now that minimalism and sleek, modern decor have sort of made them seem “outdated” in the mainstream, and any other interesting necessities, like lights and sorage baskets, that you can have shipped over that really speak to your rebel soul.
But that’s what makes grunge so great!
In this article
If you’re the kind of person who wants to make your bedroom grunge, you’re in the right place. It’s very simple.
What’s a Grunge Bedroom Supposed to Look Like?
To make your bedroom grunge, you have to throw away all the ideas you’ve read about concerning the cookie-cutter idea of grunge.
Make your bedroom grunge with lighting.
Find a way to create a low, warm glow in your bedroom.
LED strip lighting
Grab some warm white LED strips from a hardware store or online retailer like Amazon. Look for ones that come with adhesive backing.
Start by measuring the space you want to light up, like the back of your headboard, under your bed, or along shelves.
Clean the surface to make sure the strips stick properly.
Once it’s clean, peel off the adhesive backing and press the strip into place, making sure it’s even. Plug it in and hide any cords behind furniture or use cable clips to keep it tidy.
Dimmer switches
You can get a dimmer switch kit at most hardware stores like Home Depot, or check out AliExpress or Amazon Global. Turn off the power at your circuit breaker before you do anything.
Remove your current light switch by unscrewing it, then disconnect the wires. Follow the instructions in the dimmer switch box—usually, you’ll connect the wires in the same spots.
Screw the dimmer into place and turn the power back on. Now, you can adjust the lighting to whatever mood you’re feeling.
Fairy lights in jars
Pick up some warm white fairy lights from LightInTheBox, Banggood or even Tmart.
Battery-powered ones work best so you can put them anywhere without worrying about outlets. Get a couple of glass jars or vases—Mason jars are popular, but any clear container works.
Place the fairy lights inside, leaving a little of the wire exposed to hide the battery pack behind the jar. Pop them on a shelf, bedside table, or windowsill for that soft, glowy vibe.
Wall texture and colour make your bedroom grunge
To make your bedroom grunge, you want walls that have personality. Your personality.
They’ll tell you that grunge isn’t bright or cheerful; that you want to make your bedroom grunge with darker, muted tones like deep gray, forest green, or even a moody navy.
But your bedroom walls are where your personality is displayed before any place else.
So even if you’re a girly girl, your pinks and yellows and purples can make your bedroom grunge.
You can have a vintage aesthetic grunge wall, a garden aesthetic grunge wall, 90’s Rock bands aesthetic grunge wall or even a wall covered in only your drawings.
Exposed brick is the ultimate grunge look, but if you’re not tearing down drywall anytime soon, don’t sweat it. Peel-and-stick brick wallpaper is a solid lazy-person hack.
It gives grunge without the mess. You can stick it on one othe the walls or on just a portion of the wall with a creative torn-edge strip at the ends to make it like you tore off the dry wall to expose the brick.
If bricks aren’t your thing, how about some distressed wood panels? You can find them at most home improvement stores, and they’re super easy to stick up.
Although, if you’re going for a more authentic, lived-in grunge look, posters are your best friends to help you achieve whatever aesthetic you want.
My fave is naruro comic pages and faux-newspaper clippings, packed tight all across my wall.
You should also consider a few faux-climbers to run across and down your walls in case you want an extra boost to the grunge look.
Use the bed to make your bedroom grunge
Your bed should evoke comfort and chaos if you want to make your bedroom grunge.
Layers—lots and lots of layers. Go for colors that make your bed feel inviting to you, not anyone else.
Whatever shades make you want to jump in, those are the ones to pick. The sheets, blankets, or duvets?
They’ve got to be no-pressure affordable, and as comfortable for you as you can get them. Because grunge is about you, your space, and your rules—if any.
No one else’s choice or preferences should even come into it. You could have Hello Kitty bedsheets and black-and-white striped covers if that’s what you’re feeling.
They don’t have to match, and they don’t have to “go together” if you couldn’t care less about that coordination stuff. It’s your bed, your style, your comfort—period.
Pillows? The more, the merrier. Mix and match textures—think velvet, leather, and chunky knits. Don’t worry too much about them matching; the beauty of grunge is that it’s perfectly imperfect.
Toss in a couple of throw blankets and you’re good to go. Your bed should look like a place you can sink into after a long day, maybe while listening to some Ralph or ROMES.
And let’s talk about the bed frame. If you can swing it, go for something metal and slightly industrial—a little rusty, even. If that’s not in the cards, a simple wooden frame will do, especially if it’s a little rough around the edges.
And if you really want to make your bedroom grunge, don’t bother with a frame at all—just throw the mattress on the floor. It doesn’t get more laid-back than that.
Furniture to make your bedroom grunge
When it comes to furniture, think thrift store chic. You want pieces that look like they’ve been around the block a few times. Scratches, dents, and a bit of rust only add to the charm. Grunge isn’t about shiny, new things—it’s about the stuff that has a story to tell.
Start with a dresser or nightstand. Go for something wooden, but not too polished. If you find an old piece that’s seen better days, even better. Give it a distressed look with some sandpaper, or if you’re really feeling lazy, just leave it as is. A little chipped paint never hurt anyone.
For your seating area, a comfy, slightly worn-out armchair or even a beanbag would work. Again, mix and match fabrics—think leather, corduroy, or that weird-but-cool pattern you found at a secondhand shop.
The key is to make it look like you didn’t overthink it, even though you totally did.
Shelves are great for stacking up your books, vinyl records, or random trinkets you’ve picked up along the way. Keep them open and cluttered—grunge is all about organized chaos. If you have a desk, make it a simple one, maybe even an old wooden table.
Scatter some notebooks, a couple of pens, and a coffee mug. It’s not about being neat; it’s about creating a space that feels real and lived-in.
Background music to make your bedroom grunge
One thing that often gets overlooked when you make your bedroom grunge is the soundtrack. Yep, we’re talking about the music that’s always playing in the background. Grunge is, at its core, tied to music. So, crank up the volume on some Matt Hansen, Griff, some GAYLE and Olivia Rodrigo.
Let it set the mood. The right music can make even the most put-together space feel a little more grunge.
Don’t worry about having the latest sound system. In fact, even if you’ve got an old boombox or a record player, use that. The grunge aesthetic is about authenticity.
Let’s riff on the ’90s vibe for your closet.
Start by slapping some rad stickers on those closet doors—band logos, classic ’90s icons, maybe even a cheeky quote or two. You can never have too many.
Then, string up some coloured fairy lights above your clothes rack for that soft, moody lighting—perfect for setting the grunge scene. Load up the rack with a mix of graphic tees, some flannel for good measure, and don’t forget the distressed denim. Get that mix of rough and ready meets laid-back right.
Top shelves are prime real estate for quirky mugs or cups, ideal for stashing your trinkets or a succulent or two. And hey, if you’ve got some ’90s posters or magazine cutouts, pin ’em up there to complete the look. There you have it—a closet that’s not just storage.
To make your bedroom grunge, try:
#1. Vintage metal frame and dress it with a plaid comforter, adding an array of pillows for a cozy feel.
#2. Create a collage of posters, photos, and artwork in mismatched frames above the headboard and spread out to the surrounding walls for an eclectic touch.
#3. Drape fairy lights along the top edge of your walls and around the window to cast a warm, ambient glow.
#4. Install moody hue drapes on your window to provide a stark contrast against lighter wall tones and enhance the grunge aesthetic.
#5. Position an ornate wooden wardrobe with intricate designs to one side of the bed, ensuring it aligns with the wall.
#6. Set up bookshelves filled with an assortment of books to create a cozy reading corner. Place them along one wall from floor to ceiling.
#7. Layer multiple patterned rugs on the floor for added texture.
#8. Establish a small seating area with floor cushions or low stools at the foot of the bed for a casual lounging spot.
Personal Touches:
Display personal items like journals or keepsakes on shelves.
Use a corkboard or a section of the wall to pin notes, photos, and mementos.
Decorative Items:
Set candles, figurines, or vintage boxes on top of wardrobes or shelves.
Add soft elements like throw blankets over chairs or at the end of the bed.
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