12 Bedroom Decor Ideas That Are Making Your Space Look Cheap

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Everyone wants their bedroom to be warm, stylish, and serene. While it’s definitely a good thing to want to create the perfect space, sometimes, in the process of doing that, we end up with cheap decor choices.

If you follow certain design trends or budget-friendly shortcuts, your room will look less refined. Here are our 12 cheap decor ideas that could be making your bedroom look cheap and what to do instead.

Too Much Matching Furniture

bedroom with dresser — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Bedroom sets have their convenience, but every piece of furniture having to match perfectly can make your room look over staged and impersonal. As it is in your control, mixing different styles, finishes or textures gives the space a character and makes it feel curated. To mix things up try swapping one or two pieces such as a nightstand or dresser. Creating a harmonious not overly coordinated room is balance.

Artificial Flowers

While artificial flowers can offer a quick and low-maintenance way to provide color, they tend to look outdated and soon introduce a tacky element into a space. Instead of synthetic plants or fresh flowers, bring life and freshness into your bedroom by opting for real plants. When you have to use faux plants, opt for the best quality ones that look as natural as possible. Be minimal and simple, so you don’t overload the room with arrangements.

Overly Bright, Harsh Lighting

A bedroom that’s all bright, white lights can make it feel more like a sterile office than a cosy retreat. The soft white or amber-toned bulbs create warm lighting and help create a less intrusive, more relaxing atmosphere. Don’t use a single overhead light as your main source of illumination. What works best when working with layering your lighting – bedside lamps, sconces, or even string lights for a softer, more inviting glow.

Cluttered Nightstands

Too many books and personal items on your overcrowded nightstand can make your bedroom feel chaotic and messy. It’s okay to keep only essentials like a lamp, a book, and possibly a small decorative item. Clutter cheapens the room’s look and disrupts the calm setting you’re after. Choose minimalist nightstands with hidden storage so that things stay neat.

Cheap Bedding and Fabrics

Pink Bedding on a Bed — Photo Credit: Alexey Demidov /Pexels

Stiff sheets or thin duvets can instantly turn your room into a cheap hotel. Get bedding from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen for a comfortable, stylish sleep. Layer your bed with plush pillows, a cozy throw, and a nice-weight duvet. The quality of your bedding can dramatically affect the feel of the room.

Great Oversize or Poorly Fitting Curtains

Modern Hotel Room Desk Interior with Mirror — Photo Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh/Pexels

Short, long, or thin and cheap curtains can throw off the balance of your room. Get curtains that are just the right length and width, just touching the floor, and just a little wider than the window. Linen or velvet makes the thick, luxurious fabrics give the room a more refined feel. If you’re on a budget, take the step up to the curtain rods themselves — upgrading to something more substantial provides an immediate boost in elegance.

Over-the-Top Wall Art

Overly bold artwork or too many framed prints can make a room look cluttered, but large and overly bold artwork or too many framed prints can overwhelm a room. Instead of choosing a few pieces that are all over the place, opt for a few carefully chosen pieces that all reflect your style but don’t take over the room. This can be a great thing if you curate your gallery wall well with complementary frames and artwork. Less is usually more for wall decor, so remember this!

Too Many Throw Pillows

Too many throw pillows can pile on your bed and make it look like a display more than a comfortable place to sleep. Choose a couple key pillows that adds texture or color the space, but don’t overwhelm it. Usually two or three pillows arranged together will create a cozy look. Don’t go overboard with the decorative or shiny pillows, they can be tacky.

Outdated Furniture Finishes

Scratched, old, or worn-out furniture finishes can give your bedroom the feel of a cheap room. Rather than spending more money to buy new furniture, why not give your existing pieces of furniture a fresh new paint job or new hardware? That small change can make a big difference in the look of the room. Old furniture can instantly be modernized with neutral tones or soft pastels.

Overused Patterns

Patterns can give a room visual interest, but too many competing prints can make it look chaotic and disjointed. Stick to one or two focal points in your decor, such as your bedding or a rug, and keep the rest of your decor more neutral. Balance is everything—bold prints should be teamed up with solid colors to ensure the space doesn’t become overdone. As with mixing patterns, you have to have a light touch and ensure the colors go well together.

Over-the-Top Headboards

According to Abingdon Bed, a huge, ornate headboard can make your bedroom feel stuffy and small. Instead, go with a simple, sleek headboard that fits in with the rest of your decor. This way, the texture of the space is not dominated by overly bold upholstered headboards in either tone. For a feel that is both personal and polished, though adventurous, try a DIY headboard.

Visible Cords and Wires

Minimalist Interior Design in Modern House — Photo Credit: Max Vakhtbovycn/Pexels

Lamps, electronics, and chargers with exposed cords and wires instantly add visual clutter to the room and detract from its look. Organizing and keeping things hidden can be achieved with cord covers, cable ties, and even wireless charging stations. Tidying up visible wires can make your bedroom feel more put together. To maintain a sleek and modern aesthetic, it’s important to have a clutter-free environment.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.