Transforming your bedroom into the ultimate Harry Potter themed space may seem overwhelming. However, using these ideas, you will have fun while creating a magical and exciting space.
The Gryffindor Dormitory bedrooms in the Harry Potter movies are typically cozy, warm, and inviting. They feature four-poster beds draped with crimson velvet curtains. Wardrobes and mirrors walls and the windows look out onto the lush grounds of Hogwarts castle. Trunks serve both as storage under the beds and as impromptu tables for games and snacks.
Floors
The floors of the Gryffindor dormitory bedrooms in the Harry Potter movies are made of dark-colored hardwood, stained in walnut or chocolate. Not everyone has the luxury of customizing the floors for a bedroom, but don’t despair, a large rug inspired by the Gryffindor common room will warm the space up while staying on-theme and without the need to change the flooring.
Walls
Create the look of a medieval castle by painting the walls a creamy shade of stone or plaster. If you want to go the extra mile, use wallpaper that mimics stone walls in a large pattern in gray like this one.
You can also add a dark red or burgundy accent color like the Lady and Unicorn tapestry from in the Gryffindor common room. You can buy a real tapestry from stores like Wayfair, or shop on Etsy for much cheaper imitations.
Other wall decorations include typical school dorm decor, like banners with the house crest, framed photographs of previous Gryffindor head students, paintings of famous Quidditch moments, and trophies celebrating past victories.
Light fixtures
To create a truly Hogwarts-like atmosphere in the bedroom, use a brass wagon-wheel style chandelier or an antique-style pendant for the overhead light fixture.
The brass shade lamps used in Gryffindor dormitory bedrooms in Harry Potter movies are fancy yet old-fashioned light fixtures. They have a teardrop-shaped inner shade made out of clear glass. These styles of lamps are reminiscent of oil student lamps from the 1800s. The light from the lamp is warm and glowing, creating an inviting atmosphere in the bedrooms.
Look for the converted oil and kerasine lamps in your local antique stores, and try to avoid fixtures that are painted with flowers or overly ornate. Most Hogwarts light fixtures had a clear inner chimney shade, often paired with a glass globe or brass cone shade.
Windows
The Tudor-style windows of Gryffindor dormitory bedrooms, seen in the Harry Potter movies, are inset in thick stone walls. They feature traditional diamond-paned glass. They give the dormitories a classic look, reminiscent of medieval castles, with a warm and inviting atmosphere.
If you want to add Tudor flare to your windows, you can use inexpensive vinyl film with a diamond pattern for a temporary effect.
For the drapes, you can’t go wrong with burgundy-colored velvet drapes. When choosing the drapes, make sure that the color works well with other reds you are using in the room. Having a slightly different color may add to the depth and interest in the room. If you are also using red velvet bedding and a canopy over the bed, make sure it’s not too much velvet for the space and consider other options.
Bed
Gryffindor dormitory in the movies had very distinctive beds. The simple unadorned dark wood canopy beds were designed with four corner posters, connecting top beams, and a drape of burgundy curtains. The bed was made of dark mahogany wood and had a clean, uncluttered design.
If you want to purchase a dark wood canopy bed for this project, look for a bed that does not sit too low to the floor, has thick posts, and a top suitable for hanging velvet curtains.
If you are handy and don’t mind to go an extra mile for your Gryffindor-inspired bed, this blog post shows how to DIY your own, and that’s the best option for a similar bed that I found online.
Bedside Chest and Other Furniture
No Harry Potter bedroom would be complete without a nightstand to keep books, potions, and other magical items. A simple, dark brown wooden chest will provide a perfect storage solution for your bedroom.
Above the chest, hang a mirror in a dark frame and put one of the converted oil lamps on the chest.
In most bedrooms, there is a study area, and you should consider other furniture found in the Gryffindor common room, like bookshelves and a desk. Read my article about recreating the common room for ideas about other types of furniture.
The best place to buy furniture for your Hogwarts-inspired bedroom is estate sales, auctions, and antique stores. Many large pieces can become very affordable if you are able to make your own loading and moving arrangements.
Bedding
To tie the whole room together, use a quilt or duvet cover in rich red velvet. While having a Hogwarts or Gryffindor branded crest on the bedding is welcome, a simpler set would work, too. The set below is rather expensive, but I am using it as an example of what to look for. Sites like Amazon and Wayfair have multiple options for red velvet bedding.
If you are creating a room for a child, to bring the Hogwarts theme to life, choose a sheet set that Has a Hogwarts theme, featuring magical creatures or views of the castle.
Pottery Barn Teen offers a wonderful Harry Potter branded bedding collection, with velvet quilts and throw blankets for every house that feature the house crests.
Storage
The storage trunks used in Gryffindor dormitory bedrooms in the Harry Potter movies are wooden trunks with the owner’s initials on them. The trunks themselves are made of wood boards, and the lid is secured with clasps.
The best places to buy real antique trunks are estate sales and auctions and antique stores. I got my trunks very inexpensively and was able to spray paint them the color of my choice (black, for a Slytherin/Burkes & Burgin inspired room).
If you want to buy a trunk from branded sites like Pottery Barn, you can choose your house, and its crest will appear on the side of the box to add a nice touch. You can use the trunks as bedside tables or for storage of personal items.
Decorative Elements
The last step to take when decorating your own Harry Potter themed bedroom is to add a few special accessories that project the spirit of Hogwarts. A large glass orb is a great choice, ideally placed in a prominent position in the room. Other decor pieces could be statues of magical animals, old books, magnifying glasses, quills, broomsticks, hourglasses, or quidditch memorabilia. These items are perfect for any Harry Potter fan and will create the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable bedroom.
Ready for more Harry Potter magic? Here are some ideas on how to accessorize your Hogwarts themed room in a sophisticated and authentic way.