These Rules of Bedroom Design Were Made to Be Broken

You want a beautifully decorated home, but when it comes to your bedroom, you should consider functionality over fashion. A bedroom can be gorgeously appointed yet the elements of style interfere with your sleep. Some design trends aren’t conducive to a good night's sleep. Here is some décor to avoid in the bedroom.

1. Overlarge furniture

At one time, more delicate furniture was the norm, while the latest trend being very large pieces. These can look great in a cavernous furniture showroom or oversized room in a decorating magazine, but might not translate well to your home. A massive headboard can overwhelm the room and leave it visually unbalanced which can be disruptive to your sleep. Get yourself a good mattress for optimal sleep and consider a minimalist headboard that’s attractive but not supersized.

2. Dramatic lighting

Lighting is a key factor for good sleep. Design options to avoid with illumination are recessed lighting, track lights, and exposed bulbs. Edison bulbs are trendy, but any direct light source, especially if hung right over your bed, put too much light in your face. Close to bedtime, you want to incrementally diminish your exposure to light, particularly blue light (standard in most bulbs). Instead, consider bedside lamps with diffused lighting on dimmer switches to get gradually darker before bed.

3. Too much stuff

Many designers tend toward lots of accessories. From knick knacks on dresser surfaces to a myriad of art on the walls, home magazines often make more seem better. Don’t forget, every product on that page is a marketing opportunity for the magazine and its sponsors. Instead of overcrowding, stick to a few pieces. You don’t want anything in your bedroom that’s overly stimulating. This room is where you go to unplug, relax, and rest. Simply put, don’t overdo it.

4. Profusions of pillows

Another trend is to pile your bed high with pillows. There are pillows to sleep on, pillows in shams, and accent pillows. These are a hassle to offload at night and reload when you make your bed the next day. Again, simplicity is a better approach. Figure out what type of pillow helps you sleep best (memory foam, buckwheat, cooling, etc.) and have one or two of those on hand. You can add a couple of pillows in shams for when you’re propped up reading but keep accessory pillows to a minimum.

5. Dramatic color

Every year, like clockwork, paint companies unveil their “color of the year,” and for 2019, there is dark blue, grey, greenish-grey, and an orangey-clay, among others. Again, these can look incredible in a magazine and could work well in another room. In your bedroom, though, avoid this design trend and stick to neutrals that don’t excite the senses. Stick to a neutral palette of pastel, beige, or light taupe. The overall effect should be soothing and spa-like, not dramatic and awakening.

You’ll get your best sleep in a room that’s cool, dark, and quiet. Trends designed to draw the eye are best avoided in your sleep sanctuary. To create a look that’s all your own, experiment with texture rather than color for a serene quiet design. Velvets and suedes are current trends to explore that won’t disrupt your rest while still reflecting your style.