A stylish, inviting bedroom is all about the details – yet choose the wrong details and you can inadvertently cheapen the look of your space. From shoddy furniture to lackluster lighting, the pitfalls are numerous.

To help point you in the right direction, we asked an interior designer to share the biggest bedroom mistakes she sees. With her expert advice, it’s easy to transform your space into a luxurious and polished retreat.

Boring Walls

Matte painted walls are cost-effective, but sometimes they can look more economical than chic. To avoid this, consider giving your walls some character by adding wallpaper.

Don’t think you have to go all out with wild wallpapers to create a premium look. Choosing a simple, textured paper-like fabric in a solid color can instantly elevate your bedroom with a custom feel.

If you’re in the mood for something bolder, consider mural wallpaper on one wall (behind the bed is always stunning) to create an eye-catching focal point that feels worthy of a chic, downtown boutique hotel.

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Nothing special bedside tables

While it’s true that nightstands play second fiddle to your bed, cheap ones can still drag down an entire room, no matter how luxurious your bed is.

If you’ve been putting off parting with your chipboard nightstands because of cost, it’s time to rethink that excuse. A vintage or second-hand side table or drinks table can be acquired cheaply and reimagined as a unique, high-end nightstand.

Adequate bedroom

Sure, it’s easy to grab the right bedroom set and call it a day, but you’ll likely end up with a space that feels flat—like a cheap hotel room. It’s all about the mix of textures, colors and personal details that bring life to a room.

“Add some upholstery or a dresser to compliment it so the space doesn’t feel so heavy,” says Blair Britt, owner and lead designer at Bella B Home Designs. “And mix light and dark pieces—or go all-out light with your finishes, so your space looks bigger!”

No Seating

Unless your bedroom is dorm-like in its proportions, chances are the bed and nightstands won’t fill it, which can make your room look unfinished or worse, skinny.

“If you have the space, add chairs or lounge chairs to create seating and/or lounge areas,” recommends Britt.

Seating in the bedroom adds both depth and function, turning it into a space you actually want to spend time in. Try an end-of-bed settee for an elegant touch or a sleek, modern lounge chair to create a chic, cozy nook for reading or relaxing.

Boring bed

You don’t have to opt for an expensive bed as much as a standard bed to make the room look classy. Skip basic wooden or iron beds as they often need some extra styling to look anything but ordinary.

Instead, go for something more striking. Look for a headboard upholstered in a bold pattern or a spring for one in an unexpected shape. An arched headboard or a headboard with a rounded edge can add instant interest to a room.

An unimaginative lighting fixture

While a flush mount probably doesn’t hurt the look of your bedroom, it doesn’t do anything to upgrade it either.

A chandelier above your bed is one of the quickest ways to make a bedroom look more impressive, drawing the eye upwards and creating a sense of drama.

If a bedroom chandelier seems excessive in terms of light, Britt recommends a dimmer switch.

“When dimmed, the chandelier sets the perfect mood for late-night hangouts,” she says.

Lack of pillows

A bed equipped with just two pillows might do the job, but it’s not exactly what you’d call luxurious.

“A bed with just two pillows can feel a bit bare,” says Britt. “To really elevate a space, I always recommend layering in a few more layers—different sizes, textures, and colors. It instantly creates that plush, hotel-inspired feel.”

If you’re looking for a pillow formula to start with, try placing two pillows—one firm, one soft—on either side of the bed. Complement them with a decorative square or lumbar pillow to pull the look together and create the perfect finishing touch.

Oversized furniture

From large dressers that roll down to beds that take up an entire room, oversized furniture can swallow up a bedroom, blocking out light and disrupting natural flow.

According to Britt, pieces that are in the right scale let the space of the room breathe. It’s not just about filling the room, it’s about creating a sense of flow that makes the space usable. Think of it this way: when a room is cramped, your furniture feels rejected—like it chose you, instead of the other way around.

Ceiling cleaning bed

“Canopy beds in small spaces—especially when you’re dealing with low ceilings—is a design mistake I see all too often,” explains Britt.

A vaulted bed can quickly turn a small room into a cave – the exact opposite of a sanctuary.

Instead of relying on a four-poster bed to add a sense of drama, try an upholstered bed with a high headboard. It will give you that feeling of luxury and elevation without the visual clutter. In addition, it makes the space light and open, which is crucial in a smaller bedroom.