by Elle Webstar
- Original Preppy Style
- What Preppy Means Now
- Preppy Aesthetic Room Decor Ideas
- Cute and Clean Preppy Bedroom
- Preppy VSCO Girl Bedroom
- Preppy Kids’ Bedroom
- Classic Preppy Guest Room
- Preppy in Pink
- The OG Preppy Bedroom
- How Preppies Choose a Bedroom Color Scheme
- Preppy Bedroom Decor Must Haves
- Collegiate Wallpaper
- Preppie Lighting
- Classy Furniture
- Traditional-ish Bedding
- Sloan Ranger Rugs
- Posh Pillows
- The Preppiest Bedroom Accessories
- Preppy Wall Collages
- Preppy Accents
- Stylish Storage
- FAQ: Preppy Bedroom Ideas
- How can I keep my preppy bedroom organized?
- How do I make my preppy bedroom look more mature?
- How do I make my preppy bedroom look more cozy?
- How do I make my preppy bedroom look more unique?
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If you love bright colors, playful patterns, and classic elegance, then you might want to consider a preppy style for your bedroom. A preppy bedroom is a great way to express your personality, creativity, and sophistication in your personal space. Whether you are inspired by the preppy fashion of the 1980s, the prep school chic of Gossip Girl, or the coastal charm of New England, there are many ways to create a preppy bedroom that suits your taste and budget.
We’re sharing preppy bedroom ideas that’ll help transform your room into a fun and stylish retreat. We’ll also give you tips on how to use color, pattern, texture, and accessories to achieve a preppy aesthetic that reflects your own flair.
What is Preppy Style? (Then & Now)
Original Preppy Style
Technically, it’s known for its polished, timeless, and classic touch; the preppy style borrows from the American and British upper-class casual style, associated with the old private northeastern university-preparatory schools (“preppy” came from the term preparatory school). Preppy style was always characterized by:
- Essential colors such as navy, red, green, pink, and white
- Bold patterns such as stripes, plaid, gingham, floral, and animal prints
- Quality materials such as cotton, wool, silk, leather, and wood
- Elegant details such as monograms, embroidery, buttons, bows, and tassels
- A mix of old and new elements that create a sense of history and heritage
Preppy style is not only a fashion trend but also an attitude. It conveys confidence, sophistication, optimism, and fun (and it always made me think of rich people, Ha!). It’s also adaptable and versatile, as it can be mixed with other styles such as coastal, bohemian, modern, or eclectic.
What Preppy Means Now
If you were to ask me and my daughter what “Preppy style” meant when it first started becoming popular on Tiktok and Instagram, you would’ve gotten two different answers! I totally think of preppy as the definition above. I picture Claire from Clueless, the cast of Gossip Girl, and Ivy Leaguers. But, my daughter and those through Gen Z age, think about it way differently. I’m writing this for them because that’s who is googling “Preppy Bedroom Ideas” at the moment. It’s a lot of pretty pastels, cool wall decor, and it overlaps a little with the noriginal preppy definitions too! Check out these pictures to see what I mean!
Preppy Aesthetic Room Decor Ideas
Cute and Clean Preppy Bedroom
Preppy VSCO Girl Bedroom
Preppy Kids’ Bedroom
Classic Preppy Guest Room
Preppy in Pink
The OG Preppy Bedroom
How Preppies Choose a Bedroom Color Scheme
One of the most important aspects of creating a preppy bedroom is choosing a color scheme that reflects your personality and mood. You can go for the mainstay preppy palette of navy and white (my fave) with pops of red or green for a crisp and nautical look. You can also opt for a more feminine preppy palette of pink and green with touches of gold or white for a sweet and romantic look (ok, I love this too). Or you can experiment with other colors such as yellow, purple, orange, or turquoise for a more vibrant and playful look.
The key to choosing a color scheme for your preppy bedroom is to balance the bright colors with some neutral tones such as beige, gray, or cream. This will help create contrast and harmony in your space.
You can also use different shades of the same color to create depth and interest. For example, you can use light pink for your walls, medium pink for your bedding, and dark pink for your pillows.
Preppy Bedroom Decor Must Haves
Collegiate Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a great way to make a statement in your preppy bedroom.You can choose a wallpaper that features a preppy pattern such as stripes, plaid, gingham, floral, or chinoiserie.You can also opt for a wallpaper that features an animal motif such as elephants, zebras, or butterflies. Wallpaper can be used on all four walls for a dramatic effect or on one accent wall for a subtle touch.
Preppie Lighting
Choose a statement lighting fixture, such as a crystal chandelier or a sleek contemporary lamp, to add to the preppy vibe. Lighting can dramatically alter the mood of a room, so choose wisely!
Classy Furniture
Furniture is a great way to add more function and comfort to your preppy bedroom. Choose furniture that features classic preppy materials such as wood, leather, or cane.You can also choose furniture that features elegant details such as studded headboards, scalloped edges, or tufted upholstery.
Consider adding distinctive elements like a monogrammed headboard or a stylish vanity table. These pieces can serve as focal points, adding character to the room while also providing functional benefits.
Traditional-ish Bedding
You can choose bedding that matches or complements your wallpaper or wall color. You can also mix and match different patterns on your bedding such as stripes with floral or plaid with animal prints.Bedding can also include other details such as monograms, embroidery, buttons, or bowsthat add more preppiness to your space.
Sloan Ranger Rugs
Rugs MAKE a room! You can layer different rugs on top of each other for a cozy and eclectic look.Rugs can also introduce different textures such as wool, cotton, or faux furthat add more warmth and comfort to your space.
Posh Pillows
Pillows are another great way to incorporate your favorite styles. Pillows can include cute details like tassels, sequins, or pom-poms that add more fun and whimsy to your space.
The Preppiest Bedroom Accessories
Preppy Wall Collages
Wall decor is a great way to add more interest and charm to your preppy bedroom. Create a gallery wall using artwork, personal photographs, and memorabilia to add a unique personal touch to your space.
Preppy Accents
Accents are the items that add more personality and flair to your preppy bedroom. You can also choose accents that feature quintessential preppy motifs such as monograms, anchors, flags, or crests. Nowadays, many people choose accents that feature playful preppy motifs such as pineapples, flamingos, or palm trees.
Stylish Storage
Preppy bedrooms are always organized. Invest in stylish storage options like wicker baskets, vintage trunks, or chic storage boxes to keep your room clutter-free while maintaining that preppy aesthetic.
FAQ: Preppy Bedroom Ideas
How can I keep my preppy bedroom organized?
Invest in stylish storage solutions like wicker baskets, classic trunks, or chic storage boxes to maintain organization while sticking to the preppy aesthetic.
How do I make my preppy bedroom look more mature?
If you want your preppy bedroom to look mature or use this style in a guest bedroom:
- Choose a color scheme such as navy and white, gray and pink, or beige and green
- Choose a more sophisticated pattern such as herringbone, chevron, or damask
- Choose a more minimalist wallpaper or paint your walls a solid color
- Choose simple bedding such as solid colors, stripes, or plaid
- Choose sleek furniture such as metal, glass, or acrylic
- Choose refined accessories such as crystal, silver, or marble
How do I make my preppy bedroom look more cozy?
If you want to make your preppy bedroom look more cozy, you can follow these tips:
- Choose a warmer color scheme such as red and white, yellow and blue, or orange and green
- Choose a softer pattern such as floral, polka dot, or paisley
- Choose a more textured wallpaper or paint your walls a lighter color
- Choose fluffy bedding such as faux fur, velvet, or fleece
- Choose comfy furniture such as wood, wicker, or rattan
- Choose cozy accessories such as candles, lanterns, or pillows
How do I make my preppy bedroom look more unique?
If you want to make your preppy bedroom look more unique, you can follow these tips:
- Choose an unexpected color scheme such as purple and white, turquoise and pink, or black and gold
- Choose an unusual pattern such as cow print, zebra stripe, or leopard spot
- Choose a creative wallpaper (I love LARGE flowers) or paint your walls with a mural or stencil
- Choose a quirky bedding
