Bedroom Design Don'ts

By Leah Hennen

Even the most decorated houses often have a dirty little secret: a dull and dreary (or cluttered and chaotic) bedroom. Because it's a private space, this room is sometimes the last to get our decorating attention, making it the poor stepchild to the rest of our lovingly designed abode.

Neglecting to make the boudoir something special is mistake number one, interior designers say. This is a place you should love to spend time in, an indulgent oasis and welcoming haven from the stresses of the day. "The bedroom should not be overlooked; in fact, it should be the best room in the house," asserts Shelly Riehl David, an interior designer with offices in Palm Beach and Minneapolis. "You deserve to come home to a beautiful, relaxing space where you can close the door to the world."

Other common bedroom-design problems? Read on to find out — and to get expert solutions that, no matter what your decorating style, will help transform your bedroom into the lush cocoon or tranquil retreat you've been dreaming of.