1. Matching Mayhem

While we all want a space that looks effortlessly coordinated, putting too many things in a room that match exactly can actually detract from the overall continuity. That floral comforter may be beautiful, but adding a dust ruffle, pillows, drapes and a wallpaper border in the same print can be overwhelming. A better option might be to look for coordinating prints and solids in the same color palette that will complement the comforter without matching exactly. For example, you might pair a striped bed skirt with your floral comforter or use solid colored drapes and throw pillows in varying textures. Instead of a wallpaper border, you might try choosing a paint color that pulls out one of the less dominant colors in the comforter.

2. Paint with no Pizazz

Choosing paint colors for the bedroom can be tricky which often causes people to shy away from making a choice altogether. However, those stark white walls are not doing your room any favors. The key to color in the bedroom is to choose colors that make you feel relaxed. This is, after all, the room where to go to unwind and drift off into a peaceful sleep. For most people, a bare white wall does not inspire feelings of tranquility. Some good options are warm neutrals, sage green, or a soothing blue. Any color can work really, but a toned down version of your favorite shade will probably feel more serene. If you love violet, go with a soft lavendar or choose buttercream instead of dandelion yellow. Some color will enhance the room greatly, but a shade that’s too bright will keep your mind active and make relaxation and sleep more difficult.

3. Lackluster Lighting

Lighting is an extremely important element in the bedroom and is also one that often gets overlooked. Ideally, you should have three types of lighting. General lighting, such as a standard overhead light is a necessity for times when you need full light in the bedroom, such as when you’re getting dressed in the morning or when you’re putting away your laundry. You’ll also want to have task lighting. In the bedroom, this usually means a pair of reading lamps. However, if you have a sitting area in your bedroom, you’ll also want floor or table lamps to adequately light that area. Finally, accent lighting adds the final touch. In a smaller room, this could simply mean putting your overhead light on a dimmer switch. If you have a large room with a fireplace, you might want some track lighting or inset spot lights to highlight this area. A few well-placed hanging paper lanterns can also make effective and inexpensive accent lighting. The key to lighting is giving yourself options so that you can get the most enjoyment out of your room.

4. Decorating in a Day

When it comes to projects, many of us have an internal desire to get the project done quickly so that we can move on to the next thing. However, when this mindset is applied to decorating, we often end up with less than satisfying results. Decorating is a process, and the finished result should reflect who you are. Accumulating pieces over time from different places you’ve visited will give your home much more character than going out and purchasing everything all in one day. Trying to buy for an entire room in a short period of time can lead to snap decisions and, ultimately, a bedroom that looks more like a furniture showroom than the cozy retreat you were hoping for. Whether you’re working with a decorator or flying solo, remember to take your time and consider your choices and purchases carefully. Decorating a room can be an expensive proposition and once you’ve committed to something, you may not be able to afford to change your mind.

5. Naked Windows

When you think about decorating a bedroom, windows are probably not the first thing to come to mind. However, window treatments can have a great deal of impact on the room while also providing privacy and blocking out early morning light on a Sunday morning so you can catch up on some z’s. While sheer drapes may look pretty, they are probably not the best choice for the bedroom unless they are paired with a substantial lined drape as well. A sheer drape will not really offer anything in the way of privacy or light blocking. However, pairing a solid drape with sheer allows you to pull back the drape on top to reveal the sheer underneath during times when privacy is not an issue. This can be a very beautiful and dramatic look. Another great option for the bedroom is the use of blinds. Roman shades with a blackout lining or wooden slat blinds are both elegant ways to dress your bedroom windows.

6. Knick-Knack Overload

While there is nothing wrong with having a collection, the bedroom is generally not the best place to attempt to display your precious collectibles. Dresser tops that are covered with knick-knacks just look cluttered. Many of us tend to keep things in the bedroom that have sentimental value and before we know it every available surface is covered. Not only does the clutter make the room look less appealing, but a chaotic environment can lead to a chaotic mind as well. A few well-placed pieces will look much better and create a more relaxing environment.

7. Pillow Pile-up

A few throw pillows on the bed can be a stylish accent, but there comes a point at which it’s just too many pillows. If you’re covering at least half of your bed by the time you put all the pillows on, not only have the pillows ceased to be a pleasing accent, but you’re probably taking valuable time out of your day arranging all your pillows which could be spent doing something else. In all seriousness though, less is more. A few pillows will have a more positive impact than a whole bed full.

8. Stingy Storage

Storage is not a word that pops right up when discussing decorating, but in can be a huge help when it comes to reducing clutter. If you want to keep a neat bedroom, you need places for everything to go. Even if you don’t have a gigantic walk-in closet, you can utilize the closet space you have more wisely. Adding additional shelving or a shoe rack may make it possible to store more things while still keeping the space organized. Another way you can add storage space to your bedroom is by choosing furniture pieces with built-in storage. For example, choose nightstands that have drawers or doors where you can stash reading material or the remote control. A trunk or storage bench at the foot of the bed is a great place to store extra blankets. If you use a dust ruffle, you can also utilize the space under your bed by packing infrequently used items into flat storage boxes.

9. Sabotaging your Sanctuary

One way that we defeat our own goals of having a relaxing sanctuary is by inviting things into the bedroom that can make us feel less relaxed. For instance, most of us do not find looking at our treadmills or computers to be particularly soothing, yet these items often wind up in the bedroom. Whether this happens due to lack of space in other rooms of the house or because we want to keep these unsightly items out of the spaces where we entertain, they do detract from the ambiance of the bedroom and should be removed if at all possible. While there is not much you can do with an item like a treadmill, a computer or TV can be hidden inside an entertainment armoire or cabinet to keep it out of sight when not in use.

10. Choosing Fashion over Function

While style is a key element of any decorating project, it’s important to also keep function in mind when choosing materials and decorative pieces. If you have a dog or young children in the house, you should probably shy away from that gorgeous cream colored carpet. It may look beautiful when you’re matching up swatches, but it simply doesn’t fit your lifestyle. Your bedroom should be a haven of comfort, so keep that in mind when choosing your bedding. A heavy brocade may look stunning, but it may not be very comfortable when it comes time to actually sleep in that lovely bed. In general, natural fibers will feel more sumptuous than synthetics. Think down, silk, and cotton. You can certainly have a stylish room that is still appropriate for your lifestyle, so make sure to consider whether an item is practical or just pretty before you purchase it.