Interior designers share 6 things you should never have in your bedroom

Some bedroom decorations and design choices can just add visual clutter. 

Although bedrooms aren’t widely considered to be the heart of a home, most people spend a lot of time in them.

So, the stakes for designing them are high — the furniture, decorations, and even wall colors you choose can make or break the vibe and look of the space.

With that in mind, B-17 asked interior designers what kinds of things people should avoid having in a bedroom.

Here’s what they said.

Say no to cool-white bulbs.

The bulbs you put in your light fixtures can make or break a space.

Bulbs are nearly as important as fixtures when choosing the best lighting for a bedroom.

Ariyan Parvaresh, interior designer at AP Design, recommends skipping any cool-white bulbs.

“People should avoid them because they’re incredibly unflattering and tend to make you more alert, hence why they’re used in markets and commercial spaces more,” she said.

Warm-white bulbs will give your space a much softer glow that’s better for relaxing around bedtime.

Lighting that hangs too low can be troublesome.

A large chandelier shouldn’t be too close to your bed.

There are many types of lighting options available for bedrooms, but interior designer Perla Lichi said it’s essential to avoid fixtures that hang too low.

Poorly placed lights can interfere with a bed, windows, or TV. If you have low ceilings, she suggested trying flush-mount lights.

Furniture that’s too small for the space can cause issues.

Your furniture should not overwhelm your bed or space. 

Lichi told B-17 that you should be intentional when choosing furniture for your bedroom. Pieces that don’t properly fit the size of the space will quickly make it look cluttered or empty.

“It’s best to start with your signature bed and measure accordingly. Leave enough room for end tables, corner vases, plants, and a chaise lounge/lamp for reading by the window,” Lichi said.

Rethink placing exercise equipment in your bedroom.

Exercise equipment can add a stressful vibe to a bedroom. 

It’s not uncommon to use the bedroom as a dual-purpose space, but you may want to set some limits.

Sarit Marcus, interior designer and founder of Minted Space, suggests anyone reconsider putting bulky exercise equipment near their bed.

“Ideally, a bedroom is a tranquil place to promote healthy, restful sleep — having exercise equipment like a treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical machine creates a different energy in the room,” Marcus told B-17

Pass on hanging photos of anyone besides you and your partner.

You can also hang paintings instead of photos.

Although hanging photos of loved ones can make a space feel comforting, interior designer Rachel Larraine told B-17 it’s important to be selective about the pictures you hang in your bedroom.

“I do not recommend having anyone else’s photo in your bedroom except for you and your partner, if you have one,” she said. “It can be really awkward having your mother-in-law staring at you while you get intimate with your partner.”

Don’t choose to have a bed without a headboard.

Headboards can complete a space.

Although low-profile, platform beds have risen in popularity, Larraine said, people should always choose to have a headboard.

A headboard gives a bed a “finished and complete look” and creates a focal point in the bedroom.

“Headboards also act as mountain energy in Feng Shui. It gives you the feeling of being supported in life as you sleep,” she added.