Decorating Ideas For Dresser Top

It's safe to say that most bedrooms have a dresser. But it's important to remember that a dresser is not only a piece of furniture for clothing storage—but it also offers surface space to your room! And it's important to consider this element in bedroom design if you want a space that feels polished and considered.

dresser decorating ideas But what do you put on a dresser? And how do you style it in a way that looks polished and not cluttered? First, there are many ways to style a bedroom dresser, so there's not one right or wrong answer! It all depends on your needs—Is the dresser in a kids room? Is there a TV on top of it? Do you need extra space for storage and organization?—your personal style, and what else is happening in your space. (Aka the room shape, size, and window placement.)

But there are some universal tips that you can use to style your dresser. And we're not just talking tips for on top of your dresser, but also for around it. Keep reading for our 10 best dresser decorating ideas and tips on how to style your dresser in a way that complements your design style!

For the Contemporary TV Viewer

When you have a TV on or hung above your dresser, we recommend adding low-profile decor on the dresser top. Think: short vases and plants or a small stack of books. You want to make sure you don't obscure the view of the TV. But using these elements on your dresser top helps incorporate the TV into the design so that it doesn't feel like an eyesore.

We also love the idea of having a full-length mirror next to your dresser for getting dressed and having a tall basket nearby for laundry or extra storage. A taller plant on the other side of the dresser helps visually balance out the overall set-up.

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For the Refined Rustic Lover

Going for a symmetrical design is a more formal approach to dresser styling—but one that certainly looks beautiful. Top your dresser with a mix of sentimental objects, photos of loved ones or favorite vacations, and a plant for a vase of flowers. (And maybe even a tray for your morning coffee!) But don't overdo it—keep your dresser top decor simple and refined.

With this approach, we like the idea of centering a mirror over the dresser—just make sure it's no more than two-thirds the width of the dresser. Because then you can hang sconces or pendants on either side, saving surface space on your dresser while still giving you cozy layered lighting. However, this lighting approach is definitely more permanent—so it's not great for renters or if you like to rearrange your layout often!

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For the Contemporary Collector

Love an eclectic bedroom design? We have some bedroom dresser decor ideas for that. Hanging a tapestry above your dresser adds soft texture and an interesting decorative element. Pair that with a large lamp to add light and give an eclectic flair to the set-up. We also love the idea of using a hat as a decorative element in your dresser styling—which also allows you to keep it close-at-hand for sunny days!

Add a practical element with a hanging clothing rack for jackets, hats, and bags, as well as a nearby mirror for getting ready. And a record player atop your dresser lets you enjoy your favorite music while beginning and ending each day.

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For the Discerning Collector

Hanging a mixed media gallery wall above your dresser is a perfect way to incorporate a small TV, a mirror, and some favorite artwork. With a busier wall design, keep the surface of your dresser minimal but personal—with personal touches like a jewelry box, picture frames, and fresh flowers. A neutral color palette creates a cohesive look and keeps it from feeling too eclectic. Meanwhile, large plants add texture.

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For the Mod Enthusiast

Bedroom decorating can be challenging when you have to work around doors and windows. If you have a window above your dresser, keep dresser top decor simple below the window and don't block the view. Above, you'll see a great example of how to style a dresser under a window, with just a lamp, vases, and a box for trinkets or jewelry. Since the dresser top design is more simple, we added a practical element to the side, with a wall mirror, stool, and storage basket—along with some cheery pops of yellow!

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For the Classic Collector

Just because you have a smaller dresser doesn't mean you can't utilize large decor. In fact, we recommend it! It's a fun, unexpected way to play with scale. And, as long as you're embracing the drama, consider some dramatic contrast with colors as well—like dark walls with pink, orange, and gold decorative accents.

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For the Rustic Traveler

Add some personality and color to your dresser set-up with a large piece of art hung above your dresser. Pair it with layered decor like baskets, plants, and an interesting lamp. Small baskets atop your dresser are perfect for jewelry, scrunchies, or makeup.

Next to the dresser, add extra storage with woven laundry hampers and other baskets—which coordinate with the baskets on the top of the dresser. A large mirror makes getting dressed and checking your outfit a breeze, plus helps make your room appear larger—a great hack for small bedroom designs!

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For the Contemporary Minimalist

Are you a minimalist? Go for a clean and clutter-free dresser top. Include just what you need—a small, practical lamp, and perhaps your journal and current book to keep them nearby. Opting for a larger mirror gives you a more bold, contemporary look. (And we love how the shape of this mirror echoes the shape of the dresser.) A simple, muted color palette keeps the look calm and clean.

A hamper next to the dresser is really the only other thing you need. Just make sure you opt for one with a lid if you don't like seeing dirty socks and want to have a more streamlined look!

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For the Rustic Bohemian

A trunk-style dresser is a bold and unique bedroom furniture piece—not to mention very sturdy. Layering decor on and near your dresser promotes an eclectic vibe. The tapestry, mirror, and basket all add some wonderful texture. (And the basket offers both storage and an aesthetically pleasing way to fill out the empty space next to your dresser.) On top of your dresser, play with different heights of objects—like taller vases and a simple tray, perfect for placing your morning cup of tea in a way that keeps the look classy and helps ensure you don't spill on your dresser! But, with all these layers and textures, you may want to ground the look in an earthy color palette, which gives this space a soothing vibe.

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For the Kids Bedroom

There are many approaches you can take to styling the dresser in your child's bedroom—but we love taking the practical approach. In a nursery, you may want to simply go for a dresser with a changing table topper. But once you're past the diaper-changing phase, you can leave the changing table topper on there and use it to help corral clutter and keep things organized! Here, we're using it for layered storage of toys, blankets, and other necessities—great for small rooms that don't have a ton of storage. We love baskets as an easy and low-maintenance way to stash kids toys. And, during the day, you can just set the basket on the floor and let your kids dig in!

To balance out the practicality of layered storage, we went with a colorful and youthful approach—with bright walls, fun poms on the basket covers, and a lovely lamp.

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