7 Bedroom Design Mistakes You Should Immediately Notice

If you’re designing a bedroom or planning a renovation, make sure you avoid these common design mistakes.

Here are some key décor errors to watch out for and the best tips to fix them, ensuring your space is warm, relaxing, and stylish.

1. Using Oversized Furniture

Your bedroom shouldn’t be filled with large, bulky furniture—it can make the room feel dark, cramped, and smaller than it really is, which goes against the goal of most of our ideal bedroom spaces.

Related to this is layout—ensure your bed is the focal point of the room. All other furniture should be secondary to the bed.

The bed is the star of your bedroom, so it should be placed centrally on the main wall, with beautiful bedding to complement it.

2. Not Prioritizing Space

You might be tempted to start decorating the main living spaces as soon as you move in, but leaving the bedroom for last can have a negative impact.

Your bedroom influences how you start and end your day, so don’t neglect it. Plan ahead and make sure this space reflects your personal style.

Your bedroom should also showcase your personality—it’s your private haven, after all. Whether it’s adding a unique chair or some cool accessories, enjoy the design process. The ultimate goal is to create a perfect space where you can truly relax.

3. Lack of Storage

When buying nightstands, be sure to look for ones that offer ample storage.

You might need a multifunctional nightstand that not only stores your current reading material but also hides away clutter in its drawers. This keeps the top of the nightstand neat, while everything you need is still within reach.

If you have a king-size bed, opt for a nightstand that’s at least 30 inches wide.

4. No Layered Lighting

You definitely don’t want to rely solely on ceiling lights in the bedroom. Ceiling lights are fine for chores, but they’re not ideal for everyday use. I love using dimmable bedside lamps, and if possible, even remote-controlled ones.

Even if you install pendant lights or recessed lighting, you’ll still need table lamps or wall sconces to give the room a cozy feel and prevent it from looking too flat.

5. Bringing a TV Into the Bedroom

If possible, leave the TV outside the bedroom. Unless you want the whole world to sleep in your bed, keep the TV in the living room, away from your personal space.

6. Not Paying Attention to Textiles

To ensure the best possible sleep, use blackout curtains in the bedroom and invest in high-quality window treatments.

When it comes to bedding, don’t forget to give your choices some thought.

It’s easy to make your bed look beautiful, but most people fail to truly make the most of it. All you need is a basic duvet and then layer it with different colors or tones of bedspreads, throws, and pillows.

Mixing and matching different pillow sizes on your bed creates a stylish and inviting look.

7. Using Too Small a Rug

When designing your bedroom, don’t skimp on rug size—it’s worth spending a little extra on one that ensures the space feels complete.

Here’s a helpful rule of thumb: for a king bed, choose at least a 9’ x 12’ rug; for a queen bed, an 8’ x 10’ rug; and for a twin bed, a 7’ x 9’ rug. If you’re willing, you can even go bigger!