4 Outdated Bedroom Decor Pieces Designers Say You Should Avoid

Modernize your space with just a few simple swaps.

Certain design decisions can instantly make a bedroom appear dated . If you're looking to revamp your space so that it appears fresh and stylish, you will want to be sure to avoid the pitfalls that seven interior designers have outlined below so that you can design a sleep sanctuary that's equal parts cozy—and current.

Related: 5 Rules for Arranging a Bedroom

Matching Bedroom Sets

Remember when most people purchased a headboard , dresser, and set of nightstands all from one retailer and called it a day? "Matching bedroom sets have been popular for a long time," says Jennifer McKissick , the founder of Jennifer McKissick Interiors. "Big box stores make it oh-so-simple for you!"

However, the designer comments, it's far more ideal to aim for a collected look in the bedroom. "Most of the bedrooms I design have a combination of new, vintage, and antique pieces," she says, adding that this is a more environmentally friendly approach to take, too.

If you have your heart set on a bunch of furniture items from the same company, that's okay, but still opt for some variation, instructs Leigh Herr , an interior designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors. "Change up the collections you're picking from," she says. "A simple, sleek bed frame can pair beautifully with nightstands of a contrasting style."

Wallpapered or Painted Accent Walls

If you're going to wallpaper your bedroom, cover all four of the walls present—not just one, designers share. "What once felt like a splash of interest is now a design relic," says Molly Machmer-Wessels , the founder of Woodland Design Studio. "We love a papered room, but please, just commit!"

Cami Weinstein , the founder of Cami Weinstein Designs, agrees. "Don’t be afraid to wallpaper the entire room and really make your space cozy and enveloping," she says. If you still want a bit of contrast, she suggests painting the ceiling a hue that complements the wallpaper.

Just because you're not using wallpaper doesn't mean you're off the hook when it comes to accent walls, though. Rashida Banks isn't a proponent of painted ones, either. "Choose a paint color that you love enough to cover all of your walls, or if you want to add an accent color do it with bedding, drapery or decorative items," says the interior designer. "The only time I'm ok with an accent paint color is if it's on the ceiling!"

Heavy or Overstyled Bedding

Gone are the days of overly heavy comforters and bed skirts, Weinstein notes. Instead, she recommends using a combination of crisp linens, one to two blankets, and a throw at the end of the bed.

That said, the key to a well-dressed bed is to keep it relatively simple. "Gone are the days of a collection of pillows on the bed that clients have to take on and off," says Anna Baraness , the founder of Studio AK Interiors.

And by all means, skip the bed in a bag look, Banks states. "They usually look low quality," she says. "If you want a budget-friendly option that looks more tailored, you can buy a quilt with matching shams and then build out your bedding over time with a few more accent pillows."

Related: The 19 Best Places to Buy Bedding, Tested and Reviewed

Low Beds

Low headboards and low four-poster beds alike are both to be avoided, shares Cece Bowman , the founder of Cece Bowman Interiors. "Beds are the centerpiece of the bedroom, so they should be in command," she says. A four-poster bed should nearly kiss the ceiling or crown molding , and upholstered headboards should extend past the eye's midline, she advises.

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