5 Tacky Bedroom “Upgrades” That Are Making Your Space Less Relaxing, Designers Say

When it comes to designing a bedroom, the goal is almost always the same—to create a peaceful, restful retreat. But not all upgrades deliver on that promise. Some popular design choices can unintentionally disrupt the calm and make your bedroom feel more chaotic than
cozy.

We asked designers Terri Brien and Jennifer Jones to share which upgrades they see backfire most often, plus how to avoid them.

Oversized Furniture

It’s tempting to go big when upgrading your bedroom furniture, especially if you’re aiming for a luxurious look. But oversized pieces can quickly overwhelm the space.

“A bed frame or dressers and nightstands that feel heavy and bulky can dominate the room and make it feel cramped instead of restful,” Brien says. “Bedrooms benefit from pieces that feel proportional to the space, with a bit of breathing room around them.”

When furniture is too large, it not only makes the room feel cluttered but also disrupts the energy flow.

“It weighs down the energy of the room and makes it harder to create that light and relaxing atmosphere,” Brien adds.

Instead, opt for streamlined pieces that suit the scale of your room and
leave space to move freely.

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Bold Wallpaper

Wallpaper is having a moment, and bold patterns are often seen as a way to add personality to a space. This can be tricky, though, when you implement these bold patterns into a bedroom.

“While it might look fun and striking in a showroom, a large-scale, busy or chaotic wallpaper pattern in the bedroom will usually create visual noise,” Brien warns. “Instead of being calming, it keeps the eye moving around the room.”

Bedrooms are meant to soothe, not stimulate. If you love wallpaper, consider softer patterns or muted tones.

“They can still add all the personality without sacrificing the restful and peaceful feeling you want in a space meant for sleep,” Brien says.

Bright Overhead Lighting

Recessed lighting is often seen as a sleek, modern upgrade, but in bedrooms, it can be more disruptive than helpful.

“Bright recessed lighting may seem like a welcome, modern upgrade, but think again,” Jones says. “The last thing you want in your bedroom space is bright overhead lighting—it doesn’t create a relaxing, calm space.”

While recessed lights may work well in kitchens or living rooms, they’re too intense for a space meant for rest.

Jones recommends layering ambient light instead.

“Use dimmable table and floor lamps to create a softer, more inviting atmosphere,” she suggests.

This approach allows you to control the mood and avoid the harsh glare that can come from ceiling fixtures.

Other Harsh Lighting

Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements in bedroom design, and it’s easy to prioritize aesthetics over function. But the wrong lighting can sabotage your sleep environment.

“Many fixtures are chosen for aesthetics alone, but they don’t allow for adjusting the brightness or the Kelvin temperature of the bulbs,” Brien explains. “Harsh lighting that’s too bright or too cool (in the 4000K–5000K range) feels clinical and alerting, which is better suited for offices or kitchens.”

Instead, bedrooms thrive on warm, dimmable light.

“Bedrooms are at their best with warm, dimmable light in the 2700K–3000K range,” she says. “It’s soft, cozy, and helps your body and mind naturally wind down at the end of the day.”

Tech Docking Stations

With more and more people working remotely, it’s common to set up a home office in a bedroom. But integrating docking stations for laptops and phones into your bedroom design can be a mistake.

“While it may be convenient to have a docking station for laptops and phones in your bedroom, consider putting this in another room of the house,” Jones advises. “Staring at your work computer and phone while lounging in bed doesn’t help with unwinding.”

Bedrooms should be a sanctuary from screens, not an extension of your office. Removing tech from the space, or at least keeping it out of sight, can help reinforce boundaries between work and rest, making it easier to relax and fall asleep.