At Modsy, we’re big believers that your bedroom design should be an oasis—a place where you can retreat at the end of a long day to relax and unwind. It’s also the place you start each day, so you want it to be a bit inspiring as well! But that can feel like a tall order—especially for a room many people neglect to design since it’s not as high-traffic as other rooms in your house.
But here’s the thing—you spend about one-third of your life in bed. Sure, a lot of that time is sleeping. But for those waking hours, spent relaxing or getting ready for the day, you want your bedroom to be functional and beautiful. But that requires some intentionality in the design.
We’ve seen a lot of bedroom design mistakes over the years. So, we’ve rounded up the top offenders to help you identify these bedroom design mistakes and learn how to fix them!
1. Your bed is pushed into the corner
Most people instinctively push furniture against walls. But this is a major bedroom design mistake. It creates bad flow in the space and makes it awkward and difficult to design the rest of your room around it. Since your bed is the main furniture piece in your bedroom, you want to give it a prominent space in your room—so, don’t put baby in a corner.
The Fix
Instead of tucking your bed into the corner of the room so that two sides are touching the walls, pull your bed away from the wall. Make sure only the headboard is against the wall, and keep both sides open. This helps make your bed more of a centerpiece in the room and gives it a more sophisticated look, overall. (And speaking of your bed, your headboard is the perfect place to make a stylish statement and set the tone for the rest of your room’s design.)
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2. Your rug it too small or missing altogether
When it comes to choosing a rug for your bedroom, you want to get the size right. A rug that’s too small will make the room look strangely out of proportion. Too large and it will feel cramped. Worse yet is not having a rug at all! Not only does this amplify the noise in your room, but it also makes your room look cold and spare—and not in a lovely minimalist way either.
The Fix
In general, an 8×10 rug is the perfect size for a bedroom—but of course, adjust the size for a larger or smaller bedroom. Rugs can be an investment, but there are plenty of budget-friendly options, like natural fiber, flatweave, and indoor/outdoor rugs.
3. You have too much clutter
A cluttered room leads to a cluttered mind. And who wants that?? Leave anxiety at the door by nixing clutter in your bedroom. This will help make your room more of an oasis and less of a dumping ground for discarded clothing and objects.
The Fix
Invest in clever storage solutions that help you stay organized. This might look like under-bed storage, choosing a nightstand with drawers where you can stash stuff, and making sure your dresser is big enough for your folded clothes. You can also add floating shelves for a bit more surface space for bedroom decor and incorporate baskets for good-looking stashable storage! Then, take five minutes at the end of each day to return everything to its proper place.
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4. Your nightstand is too short (or tall) for your bed
A common bedroom design mistake is having a nightstand that’s too short or too tall for your bed. Furniture proportion here is key—and when you don’t nail the proportions, things just look off, no matter how lovely the design of your bed or nightstand.
The Fix
You want to make sure your morning alarm or midnight gulp of water are well within arm’s reach. So, opt for a nightstand that’s about the same height as your mattress. (Here’s a quick guide to finding the right nightstand to help you out!)
5. You’ve got no place to sit
One bedroom design element many people fail to consider? A place to sit! While you don’t need to create an all-out bedroom seating area with multiple furniture pieces, a single chair is nice to have. It gives you a place to put on or take off shoes, lay out the next day’s outfit, and—for the germaphobes—an easy way to keep street clothes away from clean bed sheets!
The Fix
Simply add a bench at the end of your bed or place an armchair in the corner—which also makes for a perfect reading nook. You can even steal a chair from your dining room table if you don’t need a full set!
6. Your wall color is too aggressive
Your bedroom should be a soothing, serene place. But loud, jarring wall colors make it hard to relax. Stay away from bright colors like neons or bold reds and oranges.
The Fix
Opt for shades that are calming. Soft blues, greens, and neutrals are our favorites. But if you want something more saturated, you could opt for a deep charcoal or navy, which gives you that moody look without being aggressive.
7. You forgot a mirror
If you’ve ever stayed in an Airbnb without a mirror, you know what a struggle this is. Mirrors in a bedroom are necessary for outfit checks and getting ready in the morning. But they also reflect light and help make your room feel larger!
The Fix
We’re going to make this one easy: simply add a mirror. It could be a full-length mirror hung on the back of your door or a floor mirror leaning against your wall. If you don’t have room for a full-length mirror, simply hang a smaller mirror over your dresser. Or, you could hang a statement mirror above your bed for an added dose of style and practicality.
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I like your furniture tips. I need a new table. I’ll have to get something made of wood.