5 Bedroom Design Mistakes You Should Avoid

After a long day, your bedroom should be a calming oasis to retreat to. But often, easily avoidable design blunders can turn this sanctuary into a stressful, uninviting space. As a professional interior designer for over 10 years, I’ve seen countless bedroom design mistakes and know just how much of an impact they can have.

That’s why I’ve put together this detailed article covering the 5 biggest bedroom design no-nos – and simple, effective ways to fix them fast. Let’s get started!

Mistake #1: Poor Lighting

Nothing kills a relaxing bedroom vibe quite like improper lighting. Excessively bright overheads or harsh lamps make it feel stark and anything but tranquil. But dim, gloomy lighting is just as problematic – it’s difficult to read, get dressed, or even see where you’re going!

The Fix:
The key is to layer different lights at various brightness levels to create a flexible, mood-setting ambiance. I always recommend:

• Installing dimmer switches on overhead fixtures for gentle all-over illumination
• Flanking the bed with matching table lamps for focused task lighting
• Incorporating floor lamps or wall sconces in shadowy corners
• Using accent lighting like picture lights to highlight decor or reading nooks

With this strategic layering approach, you control the ambiance with just a flick of a switch or two. Dim the overheads for ultra-cozy movie nights, but brighten things up when it’s time to get ready in the morning.

“Good ambient lighting design is essential for making a bedroom feel cozy versus institutional,” says Shea McGee of Studio McGee. “It creates a sense of hygiene.”

Mistake #2: A Cluttered, Chaotic Space

From stacks of magazines to overflowing dressers, clutter is the anti-cozy. Not only does it make a space feel cramped and visually overwhelming, but all that disorder has been proven to elevate cortisol levels and increase anxiety. Not ideal for a room meant for rest and relaxation!

The Fix:
I always kick off bedroom refreshes with a major de-cluttering and organizational overhaul. First, take everything out and purge any clothing, books, and knickknacks you no longer need or use. Recycle, donate or trash these items to clear the decks.

Next, bring in smart, stylish storage solutions to neatly contain what’s left:

• Storage beds with drawers or ottomans built-in
• A proper dresser and nightstands with drawers
• Decorative boxes, baskets or shelving for small items
• A closet organization system with built-ins or modular units

Then put everything away neatly and give yourself space to breathe! Maintaining a streamlined, clutter-free bedroom is truly the foundation for a calming, restorative ambiance.

Mistake #3: Neglecting Bedding and Textiles

The bed is truly the star of any bedroom design. But if you’ve styled it with an uninviting mess of flat, faded bedding, you’re instantly cheapening the whole look and vibe. Overly minimal bedding reads as stark and cold rather than serene and cozy.

The Fix:
As a designer, one of my favorite tricks is to use plush, layered textiles and bedding to create a sense of enveloping luxury. It’s an easy change that makes an enormous impact.

Kick things off by investing in a fresh set of high-quality sheets with a lofty thread count. Look for colors and patterns that speak to you – anything too basic or bland can feel impersonal.

Next, add layers of visual and tactile interest:

• A plump comforter, quilt or duvet in lush fabrics
• Printed or textured shams and throw pillows
• A soft faux fur or knit throw blanket
• An upholstered bench or pouf at the foot of the bed

By surrounding yourself in these sumptuous textiles and textures, your bed transforms from a basic snooze spot into an ultra-inviting, cloudlike cocoon you can’t wait to burrow into at the end of every day. Absolute heaven!

“Exquisite bedding is non-negotiable in any bedroom design,” says designer Rebecca Robeson. “It communicates comfort, indulgence, and recharging on a nightly basis.”

Mistake #4: Lacking Functional Zones

In many bedrooms, the entire room gets treated as just a bedroom space – not taking into account the different activities and zones required. The result is often a cramped, clutter environment that feels more like a dorm room than a grown-up retreat.

The Fix:
One of the first things I do in any bedroom revamp is take a close look at the floor plan and intentionally plan out functional zones for:

• Sleeping (the most important!)
• Dressing/clothing storage
• Seating/lounging
• Work or hobbies (if space allows)

This zoning helps maximize every square foot and ensures there’s a dedicated spot for every activity, cutting down on chaos and clutter.

Here’s an example layout I might use for a good-sized primary bedroom:

By segmenting out rooms within the main room, each zone can be optimized for its purpose without any overlap or clutter creep from other areas. Focused, functional bliss!

Mistake #5: Forgetting Personal Style

While serene, neutral bedrooms have their place, you also don’t want a space that feels impersonal or generic. After all, your bedroom is your own private oasis – it should reflect your authentic style and personality quirks!

The Fix:
There are so many simple yet impactful ways I love to infuse custom character into bedroom designs:

• Hang beloved framed photos, artwork or sentimental objects
• Incorporate signature hues, patterns, or design motifs
• Reupholster a vintage chair or refinish a family heirloom dresser
• Incorporate DIY decor like painted murals or handmade textiles

Even the smallest custom touches will make the space feel thoughtfully curated just for you, not like a catalog showroom!

“Your home should rise up to greet you,” declares designer Justina Blakeney. “Surround yourself with the things that make you happiest.”

Bringing in personality and reflections of your unique story turns a bedroom from just another room into your own cozy, layered haven.

Case Study: The Cluttered Bedroom Overhaul

To really bring these fixes to life, let’s walk through a real bedroom makeover tackling clutter, improper lighting, lack of defined spaces and more.

The “Before”:

In this 200 square foot primary bedroom belonging to a busy professional couple, the space felt cramped and chaotic despite its decent size. Years of accumulated clothing, books, and miscellaneous items were piled everywhere with no real organization system.

Harsh overhead lighting and blindingly bright lamps made the whole space feel stark and institutional rather than cozy. And with two small dressers as the only storage, the bed took up most of the floor footprint – there was no room for any other functional areas.

The Process:

1. First, an aggressive de-cluttering and purge to remove over half of the belongings weighing down the space. Anything not currently worn, read or used was donated or discarded.
2. Next, installing custom closet organizing system to neatly contain clothing and accessories. All hampers, shoe racks and other storage was neatly integrated.
3. Replacing small dressers with one large, accommodating unit with plenty of drawers.
4. Adding a storage bed with roomy drawers underneath to get any remaining clutter off floors.
5. Defining separate sleeping and lounge zones by rearranging the new bed placement and adding a cozy reading nook.
6. Installed dimmer switches and a new layered lighting plan with overhead, task and ambient lamps.
7. Swapped out old bedding for a plush new set with pops of color and pattern. Layered in cozy throw blankets and pillows.
8. Painted the walls a soft, serene blue-gray and added warm wood tones through a refinished vintage dresser.
9. Incorporated personal artwork, photos, and treasured keepsakes throughout the space.

The “After”:

The refreshed primary bedroom is an absolute oasis! The custom closet system and new dresser completely eliminate any clothing clutter.

The bed zone is utterly inviting with soft, layered bedding, romantic lighting, and a cozy windowed reading nook. Even the heirloom dresser fits right in with its modern farmhouse refinish.

But the best part is how the functional lounge area gives the couple space to relax, work, or pursue hobbies – something severely lacking before. Every area has a designated purpose, cutting down on that suffocating dorm room chaos.

Pops of their favorite shades, curated artwork, and treasured keepsakes make the whole space feel custom-tailored just for them. An ideal blend of serenity and personality! The couple now eagerly retreats here at the end of each day.

Marnie’s Insight:

“As the lead designer on this project, one of my biggest priorities was injecting as much thoughtful storage and functional spaces as possible into the main bedroom. It truly is crucial for cutting down clutter and relaxing the overall vibe.”

“We chose a fresh color palette of pale blues, warm woods, and energizing prints to give it a bright yet serene feel. And by peppering in vintage pieces like that dresser, it feels layered and curated rather than catalog-y.”

“My top tip for any bedroom revamp is establishing intentional zones from the start. This allows you to think through each area’s unique purpose and equip it accordingly – no more chaos and clutter!”

Final Thoughts on Avoiding These Bedroom Design Mistakes

I hope this thorough look at common bedroom design pitfalls – and how to easily remedy them – will help you create your own personal oasis for rest and recharging. Just remember:

• Layer your bedroom lighting for maximum ambiance control
• De-clutter aggressively and bring in ample storage solutions
• Use luxe bedding and textiles to create an ultra-cozy look
• Designate functional zones so no space goes underutilized
• Incorporate personality through beloved pieces and your favorite hues

With these fixes in place, your refreshed bedroom will be a calming, rejuvenating retreat you’ll never want to leave! It’s incredible what a difference thoughtful design can make in our day-to-day lives and well-being.

So take a look around your own bedroom – what changes will you make first? If you need any other tips or design advice, I’m always just an email away. Sweet dreams!