Whether it's an endless mental to-do list or every creak and groan in the house suddenly sounding louder at night, there are plenty of things that can disrupt our sleep. But it turns out your decor choices could also be making your bedroom feel far less restful.
"The bedroom should feel like an exhale," says designer Lonni Paul. "Anything that interrupts that sense of calm is worth reconsidering."
Because the biggest bedroom blunders go far beyond a lumpy mattress or a too-flat pillow, we asked a handful of interior designers to share the items they never bring into a bedroom – and that they suggest you shouldn’t either.
Their list runs the gamut from reconsidering your bedspread to saying “so long” to the television. Good news – you’re really just a few easy tweaks and little decluttering away from your best night's sleep yet – and your most stylish.
Too many cushions
While a bed that's covered in quilts, throws and a smattering of cushions might look like it was plucked out of a five-star hotel, Lonni insists less is more.
"A bed layered with too many pillows, cushions or competing textures feels fussy instead of inviting," she says. Instead, Lonni encourages you to focus on restraint. "Beautiful, high-quality linens styled simply will always feel more luxurious," she says.
TVs and other screens
We love movie night as much as the next person, but that doesn't mean you need to have a television in your bedroom.
"There is no reason anymore to have unsightly TV screens taking up valuable wall space," says designer Michael Mitchell, "especially in a sanctuary like a bedroom".
Not only can a screen stick out like a sore thumb, but televisions are also known to emit blue light that can wreak havoc on your circadian rhythm. In its place, consider hanging a large piece of art or tapestry.
Matching furniture sets
Just because it's easy to buy – or you've inherited – a matching bed frame, bedside table, and chest of drawers (often referred to as a bedroom suite) doesn’t mean you should go that route.
After seeing far too many matching arrangements – which evoke the starkness of a high-street furniture shop – designer Heidi Houdek says it's time to embrace mix-and-match furniture for your bedroom. So go ahead and break up that set – maybe even adding some secondhand furniture into the mix.
"It adds character and creates a more unique, collected feel," she says. "People are often hesitant to mix pieces because they're not sure what works together, but that's actually where a space starts to feel more layered and interesting."
Her secret to getting the look right? Create a through-line with tone. She says different wood species can look harmonious if they have a similar warmth or coolness.
Hodgepodge bedding
One place where too much mixing doesn’t work? Your bedding.
"If your bedroom feels slightly off, mismatched bedding is often the culprit," says designer Elizabeth Burch. "Competing tones, textures and patterns can make the space feel unfinished."
Now, don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you can’t mix patterns on your bed, but you just need to be thoughtful with your choices. For a polished yet personable setup, fine-tune your colour palette. In the bedroom above, Elizabeth used multicoloured floral cushions as inspiration and chose the other layers to coordinate.
Bulky furniture
Just because your great-aunt passed down her dark mahogany, ornate Victorian armoire to you doesn't mean you have to use it.
"A bedroom should feel like a visual exhale, so don't discount its negative space. Visual weight matters as much as physical scale," says Lonni. "Pieces that feel too bulky can disrupt flow."
She encourages you to select furniture with slimmer profiles to reduce visual clutter and create a light, airy oasis.
Bedside table clutter
Speaking of clutter, Lonni also wants you to clear your surfaces. "Luxury is often about what you don't see," she says. "Edit your bedside table down to a few intentional objects. Negative space creates that sense of calm."
Designer Catherine Earp demonstrates this perfectly in her own home, with a curated collection of objects that feels beautiful but not cluttered.
Home organisation edit
Label maker
Tava Handwoven Utility Baskets
Kilner 1.5 Litre Square Clip Top Jar
The Edited Life Back of Door Organiser
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, ELLE Decor, and Country Living among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
