Top 9+ Bedroom Designs That Are No Longer in Style

Heavy, Matching Bedroom Sets

Once upon a time, every respectable bedroom had a matching suite: bed, nightstands, dresser, and even an armoire, all carved from the same wood and finished in the same shade. These sets promised elegance and order, but now they just feel stiff and uninspired.

Today’s design landscape embraces individuality and a mix-and-match philosophy. People want their bedrooms to feel like a reflection of their lives, not a furniture showroom.

Mixing vintage finds with modern pieces, or blending wood with metal and glass, creates a space that feels both lived-in and fresh. Heavy sets can also make a room feel cramped and less flexible for future updates.

Letting go of this old standard opens up opportunities for creativity and personal expression in the bedroom.

Overly Themed Rooms (Especially Tuscan or "Shabby Chic")

There was a time when bedrooms decked out in Tuscan yellows, faux-vineyard murals, or "shabby chic" whitewashed everything were the height of sophistication. But now these themed rooms often come across as forced and overly fussy.

Modern design values subtlety—think a touch of rustic here or a whisper of vintage there, not an all-out commitment to a single motif. Overly themed rooms quickly feel dated, especially when trends shift.

Instead, people are opting for versatile spaces where a change of a throw pillow or a new piece of art can transform the vibe. It’s about gentle nods to style rather than shouting it from every corner of the room.

Carpeted Bedrooms (Especially Wall-to-Wall Berber Carpet)

Remember sinking your toes into thick, wall-to-wall carpet every morning? While it was once prized for comfort, especially the popular Berber variety, carpeted bedrooms have fallen out of favor.

Carpets can trap dust, pollen, and allergens, making them a hassle for anyone who values clean air and easy upkeep. Spills and stains are a nightmare to remove, and the look itself is now considered dated.

Today, hardwood, laminate, or luxury vinyl flooring are preferred, giving rooms a sleek, modern feel. Area rugs add warmth without the permanence or maintenance issues of full carpeting, and they can be swapped out whenever you want to change the look.

Overhead Fluorescent Lighting or Hollywood-Style Vanity Bulbs

The harsh buzz of a fluorescent light or the glaring shine of rows of vanity bulbs can make a bedroom feel more like a backstage dressing room than a peaceful retreat. These lighting styles are not only outdated but also unforgiving, casting unflattering shadows and making it hard to create a cozy atmosphere.

Modern bedrooms favor layered lighting—soft bedside lamps, adjustable wall sconces, or gentle recessed lights. Warm-toned LEDs can mimic natural sunlight without being overwhelming, setting the stage for relaxation at the end of the day.

The right lighting transforms a bedroom from a utilitarian space into a welcoming sanctuary.

Waterbed or Sleigh Beds

Waterbeds were once the ultimate symbol of cool—a futuristic, wobbly wonder that seemed to defy gravity. Sleigh beds, with their dramatic curves and bulky frames, added a touch of old-world romance.

But both styles have lost their luster. Waterbeds require constant maintenance, can leak, and don’t offer the kind of support most people want today.

Sleigh beds, on the other hand, take up a lot of space and can make a room feel cramped. Streamlined, low-profile beds are now in vogue.

They’re easier to move, less visually overwhelming, and fit seamlessly into modern or eclectic aesthetics.

Overly Matchy-Matchy Bedding Sets

Matching comforters, shams, and bed skirts in the same pattern used to signal elegance and forethought. Now, it just comes off as bland and unimaginative.

The new rule is: don’t be afraid to experiment. Mixing textures, colors, and patterns creates a more inviting and unique space.

Throw pillows in different fabrics, a contrasting blanket, or a bold patterned sheet can give your bed character. This approach also allows you to update your look seasonally or whenever the mood strikes, without being tied down to a single, uniform style.

Your bed should tell your story, not someone else’s idea of what a bedroom “should” look like.

Dark Wood Paneling or Sponge-Painted Walls

If your bedroom walls look like they belong in a 1970s cabin or are covered in sponge-painted clouds, it’s time for a change. Dark wood paneling can make even large rooms feel confining, absorbing light and shrinking the space.

Sponge painting, once a fun DIY project, now just feels dated. The move today is towards lighter, brighter spaces—neutral tones, soft pastels, or even one bold accent wall can open up a room and make it feel modern.

Whitewashed wood and smooth, simple walls are also popular, creating a clean canvas for art and decor.

Canopy Beds with Heavy Drapes

Canopy beds once whispered of royalty and romance, especially when draped in thick, luxurious curtains. But those heavy drapes now seem more suffocating than dreamy.

They gather dust, block natural light, and can overwhelm smaller bedrooms. Today’s version of the canopy bed is all about airiness and lightness.

If you still love the look, sheer fabrics or minimalist frames can evoke that same sense of drama without weighing down the room. The goal is to create a bedroom that feels open and restful, not closed off and formal.

Cluttered Gallery Walls with Tiny Frames

Once a favorite among design enthusiasts, cluttered gallery walls packed with tiny frames now feel busy and chaotic. Too many small pieces can distract the eye and make a room feel crowded.

The trend now is towards intentionality—selecting a few larger, impactful pieces of art or photographs that tell a story. This approach brings focus and calm to the bedroom, turning the wall into a true statement rather than visual noise.

It’s about quality over quantity, letting each piece breathe and be appreciated.