Rookie decorating mistakes in the bedroom

It might pain you to hear that you’re making huge mistakes in the bedroom (style mistakes, of course!). The good news is there are some simple ways to overcome these common problems.

Let’s delve into a few of the more typical issues you’re experiencing with the decor and furniture in your boudoir – and give you some quick fixes to sort them all out.

Your bed is flatter than week-old soft drink

The bed is your little cocoon and you need to make it plush. Minimalism is cute and all, but not when it comes to this area of your home.

It all starts with what’s happening under your doona. On my mattress, I have a mattress topper, quilted protector and wool underlay. Then I pop on the fitted sheet, flat sheet, and quilt cover. I know, it sounds like a lot of ingredients, but these layers make the bed feel (and look) soft and cosy.

You also need to ensure the bed is covered in oodles of pillows. Think two Euros, four standard pillows and tonnes of cushions. I also like to lay a blanket across the top of the bed, and then pop a throw on the end of it, too. This might seem like overkill, but trust me – it makes for an inviting bedscape.

Your walls are barer than freshly shaved legs

The bed might be the wow moment in the room, but the walls are the next essential layer, and they need to be decked out.

A piece of wall art (framed or canvas) is an obvious choice and will work wonders above the bed. That said, do think outside the box and consider some alternative wall coverings. Things like fairy lights, macrame wall hangings, picture rails, shelving, wall decals, or a mirror are also a good idea.

Bare walls in a bedroom make the space feel incomplete, so ensure you have something above the bed, and then a few other pieces on adjacent walls. Opt for one big piece and keep the other pieces in the room smaller and complementary.

Your bedsides are as loved as Brussels sprouts

One of the biggest rookie decorating mistakes you can make in the bedroom is leaving the top of your bedside tables looking dire.

This area of your room is prime styling real estate and you need to ensure both of the bedsides look fully resolved.

Now, a common misconception is that both bedside tables have to look exactly the same. Not true! Have one item duplicated on the bedsides (like the lamps, which are essential), and then have other pieces displayed that feel more personal to you.

You might have a photo frame and stack of books on one bedside, and a vase and ornament on the other bedside. As long as they make sense stylistically in the space, the bedsides don’t have to be mirror images of one another.

The space is as fragrant as a locker room

Bedrooms get smelly. There’s no denying it. The last thing you need to do in this space is bring in some fragrance.

Fragrance is important because it creates mood in a room. When you walk into a home and there’s a gorgeous scent in the air, it can be transportive. The bedroom is a space that benefits greatly from mood being set.

You already have lighting coming from the lamps on your bedside (lighting is the other essential in creating mood), so a candle or diffuser is the final piece of the puzzle.

Choose a scent that isn’t too overpowering and let it work its magic before bed.

The moral of the story: Layers!

Most rooms fall flat because there aren’t enough layers in the room. So ensure there’s furniture, art, soft furnishings, lighting and scent all intermingling in the bedroom and you’re onto a winner.

— realestate.com.au