10 Common Bedroom Decorating Mistakes That Make Your Space Feel Dated

Decorating a bedroom can be a challenge, especially when it comes to creating a space that feels both modern and personal. While trends come and go, some decorating choices can inadvertently make your bedroom feel stuck in the past. Fortunately, designers have identified common mistakes that can easily be avoided to keep your bedroom looking fresh.

From mismatched furniture to inadequate lighting, these errors can detract from the overall ambiance of your sanctuary. Here are 10 things that designers say can make your bedroom feel dated and how to fix them.

10. Overusing Bed-in-a-Bag Sets

Interior of modern comfortable bedroom with bed with pillows and blanket under shelf combined with bedside wardrobe
Photo by Max Vakhtbovych

While convenient, bed-in-a-bag sets can make your bedroom look uninspired.

Designer Laura Tribbett suggests mixing and matching your bedding to add personality. Opt for a classic white duvet, colorful shams, and a statement pillow to create a chic and cohesive look.

9. Sticking to Matching Bedroom Sets

A bedroom with a bed, dressers and a mirror
Photo by Brian Wangenheim

Matching furniture sets can make your bedroom feel like a showroom rather than a personal retreat.

Mix different furniture styles and finishes to add depth and interest to your space. Consider combining wood, lacquer, and mirrored pieces for a curated look.

8. Choosing the Wrong Rug Size

Elegant bedroom with rug on the floor
Photo by Francesca Tosolini

A rug that’s too small can disrupt the balance of your bedroom layout.

Tribbett advises opting for a larger rug that extends under the bed and provides substantial coverage on both sides and at the foot to create a cozy and well-proportioned space.

7. Neglecting Window Treatments

photo of blue framed glass window with curtain
Photo by Tarik Haiga

Bare windows can make a bedroom feel unfinished and less inviting.

Incorporate drapery or shades to add softness, texture, and light control, completing the room’s look and enhancing its comfort.

6. Ignoring the Importance of a Headboard

Simple bed and pillows with no headboard
Photo by Christina Radevich

A bed without a headboard can make the room feel incomplete.

Lindsay Olson emphasizes selecting a headboard as a focal point to anchor the room and enhance its style.

5. Relying Solely on Overhead Lighting

Luxurious bedroom with modern decor and large windows.
Photo by Aalo Lens

Harsh overhead lighting can detract from a bedroom’s coziness.

Layer lighting with sconces, table lamps, and dimmable fixtures to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

4. Overindulging in Design Trends

a bedroom with a bed, desk and television
Photo by Yuriy Vertikov

Following every design trend can make your bedroom feel chaotic and quickly outdated.

Instead, focus on timeless pieces and add trendy elements sparingly to maintain a classic and enduring style.

3. Choosing Inappropriate Nightstands

brown wooden table with white and orange floral bed linen
Photo by Tina Witherspoon

Nightstands that are too small can throw off the balance of your bedroom.

Ashley Macuga advises selecting nightstands that are proportionate to your bed, especially for king-size beds, to ensure a harmonious setup.

2. Forgetting an Extra Seating Area

Interior of modern apartment with bed near colorful wall and table near cabinet and door
Photo by Max Vakhtbovych

Without additional seating, a bedroom can feel less functional.

If space allows, adding an upholstered chair or bench provides a place to relax and enhances the room’s overall functionality and comfort.

1. Overlooking Personal Touches

Spacious minimalist bedroom featuring wooden floors and large windows for natural light.
Photo by Max Vakhtbovych

A bedroom without personal elements can feel sterile and impersonal.

Incorporate personal mementos, art, and textiles to make the space uniquely yours and to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

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About the Writer

Jenny Milam

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