When it comes to bedroom interior design, there are a number of do’s and don’ts that experts recommend. While everyone has their own sense of style and personal preference, certain trends are simply overdone and outdated. If you want to update your bedroom, you have come to the right place. Below, we will discuss some of the most common design errors homeowners tend to make. In order to give your bedroom a fresh and modern look, be sure to avoid these trends at all costs!
Matching Furniture Sets
Looking for the perfect furniture set for the bedroom can seem like an overwhelming task. After all, there are so many options to choose from. However, most homeowners tend towards sets that match other furniture items in their bedroom, such as their bed frame or dresser.
While this may seem like the logical option, it can actually ruin a space entirely! Nowadays, interior design experts recommend that people opt for more unique and vintage furniture sets. Having everything match can be a little bit overwhelming at times. More so, nothing will stand out if everything looks the same!
Matching Bedside Tables
Many homeowners make the mistake of only selecting bedside tables that perfectly match. While this has been an unspoken rule of interior design in the past, most modern experts agree that having some variety will only do the room good.
While there’s nothing wrong with having matching nightstands, it’s also perfectly fine to mix and match if you find two items complementing each other. Sometimes, this means having a low bureau on one side and a standard bedside table on the other.
Too Much Clutter
There is nothing more distracting than having a bedroom filled with clutter. This is especially true when the clutter is at eye level. While many homeowners think adding more furniture to a room will make it appear ‘lived-in’ and homely, it actually has the opposite effect.
Instead, opt for furniture pieces that are both practical and appealing to the eye. For example, you don’t need to display many books that you have never and will never read. With time, they will simply begin to gather dust.
Too Much Technology
There is no denying the fact that technology plays a vital role in our everyday lives. However, when it comes to the bedroom, there simply shouldn’t be any place for technology.
Many homeowners make the mistake of adding as much technology to their bedrooms as possible, thinking it makes the space more modern. However, certain devices can leave the room feeling ‘cold.’ Bedrooms should also be geared towards sleeping, whereas technology, such as televisions, distracts from sleep.
No Color or Character
One of the more recent design trends involved many bland colors and basic furniture. While simplicity is often better, you want to ensure you aren’t going overboard. After all, there’s nothing wrong with adding a bit of color to the most important room of your house.
You don’t want your bedroom to feel like a hotel room. Find a subtle color and a few unique pieces of furniture and add them to the space. Your bedroom can be both classy and simple and have character.
A Lack of Zoning
When it comes to the interior design of any room, zoning is essential. In recent years, interior design experts have started leaning more towards snug, broken-plan houses than the open-plan house designs that took the world by storm a few years back.
When it comes to the bedroom, comfort and coziness are key, which means that having vast, open spaces is not ideal. To avoid this, ensure that you create various sections in your room. This can be done using furniture items such as bookshelves or dressers.
Overlooking the Power of a Beautiful Bed
When it comes to the interior design of a bedroom, beds should always be the centerpiece. After all, the space is to be used for sleeping. Many completely ignore the impact a beautiful bed can have on a space. There are so many ways in which you can upgrade your bed.
From a new mattress to sheets of your favorite color and pattern. You can tie the whole room together with a few simple upgrades. If you have a bigger budget, you could even look at investing in a new bed frame or headrest.
The Accent Wall
In past years, the accent wall has been a staple in just about every bedroom. However, interior design experts have started moving away from this trend, as it can divide a space. To be more specific, it makes the room look unfinished.
If you want to add a pop of color to your room, experts recommend that you fully commit instead of simply painting one wall and calling it a day. There’s nothing wrong with adding a lot of color to a room if you do it the right way.
You could also use furniture to divide the space and add a more neutral undertone to the room. For example, if you have bright yellow walls, we recommend choosing white pieces of furniture in order to add some reprieve.
A White Ceiling
Most homes come with plain white ceilings. This offers a more traditional look, which isn’t always what homeowners are going for. If you crave something a bit more eye-catching, you could always opt for a bright color that matches the space below.
Additionally, many interior design experts have started using unique wallpapers to attract the eye to the ceiling. Height is your friend when it comes to making a space feel more open and welcoming.
By adding a bright and bold pattern to your ceiling, you immediately attract the eye upwards, making the room appear bigger and more spacious. Just be sure to choose a light color to avoid the opposite effect.
Kids’ Toys
Most parents know that when a young kid is in the house, there are likely to be toys everywhere. That being said, the primary bedroom is no place for toys. Essentially, your bedroom should feel like your safe space, away from all the clutter accumulating around the rest of the house.
The more the main bedroom looks like a room for adults, the better. Make sure that any children’s toys stay in their own bedrooms. This will avoid any unnecessary distractions while in your own safe space.
In addition, it is a bit of a safety hazard to walk on a floor covered in toys! Imagine going to the bathroom at night, only to step on a sharp piece of plastic…
Sheer Curtains
Natural lighting is always the way to go, no matter which part of the house you are in. However, when it is time to sleep, the last thing you want is for your bedroom to be lit up with whatever outdoor light.
For example, imagine trying to sleep and a street lamp shining right into your bedroom. Or maybe a car passes by, and the headlights wake you up. At night, you want thick, opaque curtains to block out any unwanted light.
The darker your bedroom, the better your sleep will be. Interior design experts tend to layer their windows with black curtains in order to ensure a good night’s sleep. However, you also don’t want the curtain to be too dark and distracting during the day.
Sticking to the Furniture Basics
A lot of more traditional homeowners believe that a bedroom should have nothing more than a bed, a dresser, and two nightstands. However, having a bare bedroom can leave the space feeling cold and unhomely.
While you don’t want to add too many pieces of furniture, you also want to avoid sticking to the furniture basics. Think of what you will use — what will be practical in your bedroom — and stick to that.
However, be careful not to go overboard, as this will result in the bedroom feeling cluttered and chaotic. There is nothing worse than feeling stressed when walking into your bedroom, as the space is meant to have the opposite effect.
Carpeted Floors
Carpeted bedroom floors are a thing of the past. According to interior design experts, you should think twice before adding wall-to-wall carpeted flooring to your bedroom. While it may have been popular in the ’90s, more than a few cons come with having a carpeted floor.
For starters, it is infinitely more difficult to clean. On top of this, if you spill anything onto your carpet, it will more than likely leave a permanent stain. Over time, keeping your carpet looking new, fresh, and appealing is almost impossible.
Instead, interior designers lean more towards hardwood flooring. If you enjoy the feel of carpet under your feet, you could add an area rug. In fact, area rugs are recommended, as they work wonders for tying a space together.
Too Much Reading Material
Many homeowners like to add random furniture to their bedrooms, thinking that it makes the space feel more homely and lived-in. However, storing large piles of reading material in your bedroom is not always recommended, especially if you aren’t a big reader.
Having books, magazines, newspapers, and other reading materials lying around the space will simply make it look messy and cluttered. If you have a lot of reading material, storing it on a bookshelf in the study or living room is always better.
You want the bedroom to be a calming space for sleep and relaxation. Having large piles of books gathering dust in the corner will only have the opposite effect.
Traditional Ceiling Lights
Most homes built between the 1990s and 2010s contain traditional ceiling lights. In other words, the small, circular light fixtures that are inserted into the ceiling. With so many unique and fancy lighting options available nowadays, recessed lighting can come across as tacky and outdated.
If you want to spice up your bedroom, you could add a decorative lighting fixture, such as a chandelier or desk lamp. However, be sure not to choose something too over-the-top, as this could make the space feel less like a bedroom and more like a living room.
It is also becoming more popular to incorporate dimming fixtures, which allow homeowners to turn down their lights for a more ambient feel. Remember that practicality is key to interior design in the bedroom.
A Desk
Studies show that bedrooms that function specifically for rest and recovery aid in better sleep. For this reason, it is important that you don’t overdo it when it comes to furniture. Certain features belong in other rooms of the house, such as a desk.
If you require a home office, the last thing you should do is tie it in with your bedroom. Ensure that your desk, computer, and other important documents are strategically placed in any room except the bedroom, and your sleep cycle will improve drastically.
According to experts, finding a way to separate work from time off is essential. Your sleep zone should be a place of comfort and relaxation, meaning that any objects that cause you stress should be removed immediately.
Unused Gadgets
Another common way bedrooms are made to feel cluttered and messy is by having collections of unused gadgets lying around the space — generally on the bedside table. This includes things like old TV remotes, AC controllers, and similar devices.
While some of these gadgets may be useful in certain scenarios, they should never be left lying around the bedroom to gather dust. Instead, have a designated gadget drawer or shelf for storing them when needed.
Remember that you want your bedroom to be as functional and clean-looking as possible. Your bedside tables should be free from clutter so they can store items you use frequently.
An Old Mattress
There is nothing worse than coming home to an old, uncomfortable mattress after a long day of work. You can have the most beautifully designed bedroom in the world, but if your bed is uncomfortable, you won’t look forward to retreating to your bedroom at the end of the day.
For this reason, the best investment you can make is upgrading your mattress. Experts recommend that homeowners invest in a new mattress every 10 years, depending on the quality. However, you can also extend its lifespan using a mattress protector.
Mattresses can be rather pricey, so you want to ensure you are happy with your purchase. A bedroom is geared towards optimal rest and relaxation, so it only makes sense that you have a comfortable mattress to return to every night.
Work-Related Items
We already know that the bedroom should be geared towards rest and recovery. A lot of people struggle to fall asleep after a long day of work. According to research, this may be due to the fact that we keep work-related items in the bedroom, which makes it hard to switch off at night.
There’s nothing more self-destructive than working in the bedroom. This teaches the mind that the bedroom is a place of work, not sleep and restoration. If you want to improve your sleep cycle and the interior design of your room, make sure that you remove all work-related items from the area.
This includes laptops, desktop computers, documents, files, and even cell phones. Essentially, try to limit screen time in the bedroom.
Too Many Pillows
When staying at a hotel, you’ve probably noticed that the bed is covered in a variety of throw pillows. In the past, interior designers believed that the more pillows, the more stylish and comforting a space would be.
However, we have started to move away from this trend. Having a maximum of four pillows on your bed will achieve a much cleaner and less chaotic look. While there’s nothing wrong with adding a throw pillow or two, be sure not to go overboard.
Some people are even choosing to cover their pillows entirely with their comforters. While this is a bit extreme, it definitely gives a minimalistic look, which has become immensely popular over the past few years.
Tired Bedding
We already know how important a bed can be to a bedroom’s interior design. No matter how on-trend the rest of the room may be, an old, tired bed will simply leave the space looking outdated. To avoid this, we highly recommend investing in a decent set of bedding.
After all, there’s nothing like slipping into a comfortable, soft set of sheets after a long day of work. With so many colors and styles to choose from, it should be easy to find something that will tie your whole room together.
When it comes to bedding, it is hard to go overboard. Bright and bold patterns have become more and more popular in recent years. Just make sure that your bedding matches the aesthetic of the rest of your room.
Overly Bright Colors
Sometimes, painting the bedroom a bold color looks great. However, you should be careful to stay away from overly bright and distracting hues, such as bright red, yellow, orange, or pink.
Most people don’t know that colors can have a massive impact on our mood and overall energy. This is why hospitals tend to paint their walls very light shades of blue, as this is seen as the most calming color.
You want the same effect when walking into your bedroom. There’s nothing wrong with adding some color to your room… Just make sure that it has the right effect on your mood.
Oversized Mirrors
It used to be believed that oversized mirrors could be used to make a space feel bigger. After all, when you walk into a room and see a mirror on the wall, it looks as though the space continues into it.
However, interior designers agree that adding oversized mirrors to the bedroom is not a great idea. The same goes for intricately designed mirrors that attract a lot of attention. These pieces distract from the room’s ambiance and can disrupt its balance.
Additionally, mirrors should never be placed directly opposite the bed, as this creates an almost unsettling atmosphere. Instead, opt for smaller mirrors that don’t distract from the room’s focal point, which should be the bed.
Electrical Clutter
Having electronics in the room is one thing, but electronic clutter is a whole different story. Nothing is more stress-inducing than walking into a room and seeing a bunch of tangled cables.
Again, these cables distract from the bedroom’s sense of serenity. You can eliminate or hide these cables in many ways while keeping your television or other beloved devices.
For starters, try concealing the cables behind other pieces of furniture, such as the bed or a dresser. You could also invest in wireless charging options to maintain a neat and tidy appearance.
LED Lighting
A few years back, LED lighting became all the rage because it is more energy-efficient. However, while interior designers recommend using these lights throughout the rest of your house, they are not ideal for the bedroom.
This is mostly due to the fact that LED lights are brighter and emit a much whiter tone than traditional light bulbs. Harsh lighting has a negative effect on sleep and should be avoided at all costs in the bedroom.
Instead, opt for a warmer-toned bulb. Interior design experts also recommend a dimmer, which allows you to keep the lights on at night while preparing your mind and body for sleep.
An Oversized Television
Most people enjoy watching television in bed at night before going to sleep. However, according to design experts, TVs have no place in the bedroom, as they promote unhealthy sleeping habits and disrupt sleep cycles.
Other than this, TVs look like black boxes when turned off. Unless your bedroom’s color palette is black and white, having a black box on your bedroom wall will be incredibly distracting.
If you absolutely must watch your favorite shows and movies while in bed, experts recommend using your phone or laptop instead, as they don’t need to be integrated into the room’s decor.
Varying Heights
One of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when designing their bedroom is choosing furniture of varying heights. This can be incredibly distracting and even make the room look poorly proportioned.
Experts recommend that bedside tables be the same height or about an inch below the top of the mattress. Avoid furniture pieces that are higher than the bed, as this distracts from the room’s focal point.
When you walk into the bedroom, you want your eye to be attracted directly to the bed. Incredibly tall nightstands or dressers will make the room feel unbalanced and, in all honesty, a bit off-putting.
