Bedroom Design Don'ts

By Leah Hennen

The bedroom, more than any other space in your home, should be a tactile and sensual wonderland. "We spend a third of our lives in bed — we might as well do it in luxury," designer Shelly Riehl David reasons. Outfit yours with textiles: Adorn the bed with plush pillows, sumptuous sheets, cozy covers and oh-so-touchable throws that make it a place you can't wait to melt into at night.

When it comes to sheets, designers are unanimous in their preference for natural fibers like cotton (don't settle for less than 100 percent) or linen, and for high thread counts (aim for 350 or more). "Synthetic fabrics don't breathe," designer Lori Dennis explains. "Satin sheets may look great in movies, but they have two problems: They make you sweat like crazy and slide off the bed." David's favorite trick for giving sheets hotel-level luxury? Sending them to the drycleaner for professional washing and pressing, which doesn't cost much, but creates a crisp smoothness worthy of the Ritz.

Bedding isn't the only place for tactile treats in the bedroom: Drape a sinfully soft cashmere throw over the arm of your reading chair; upholster the walls with fabric or textured wallpaper; hang silk sheers or substantial curtains from a canopy bed; and create a soft landing by placing a plush rug at your bedside or by splurging on soft, natural-fiber carpeting for the bedroom.