Three Bedroom Design Mistakes I See All the Time
By Cigal Kaplan
One of my biggest pet peeves as a designer is curtains that don’t touch the floor. Worse still, when they stop halfway down a windowpane or sit awkwardly above a radiator. I’ve felt this way for longer than my career as an interior designer. I have a very visceral memory of visiting a friend’s house as a child, where the curtains stopped just at the window ledge, leaving an exposed stretch of radiator underneath. I thought it looked just like the trousers I had outgrown, and was ashamed to be wearing out the house. But when curtains are cut to “kiss” the floor, the effect is transformative: ceilings appear higher, the room feels grander, and the generously cut fabric takes on a sense of abundance and luxury as it waterfalls downward.
The second mistake also has to do with curtains. So often I see people skip sheers. Sheers have a bad rep because the cheap kind can look a little tacky, or reminiscent of the lace curtains of suburban homes in the 80s (again, window dressing reminds me of embarrassing wardrobe moments…) But they serve a function. Bedrooms should feel airy and light-filled during the day, but also private and cocooned at night (when we draw our thicker, fabric curtains). Without sheers, we are faced with an unfair decision, one that we shouldn’t have to make: either full blackout or full exposure – and with that, comes zero privacy. Sheers let us have it both ways: natural light and privacy during the day. It’s a very small moment of consideration that can have a big impact on the way we can live inside our bedroom.
Another classic bedroom design misstep: choosing a bed that’s too big for the room. I know the temptation – who doesn’t want the largest bed possible? But without space on either side for bedside tables, the room loses its balance and, frankly, its practicality. Bedside tables are essential for storage, lamps, books, or even just a glass of water. If you’ve ever had to lean over to the floor to find your phone at night, you’ll know what I mean. Scale matters, and sometimes choosing a slightly smaller bed actually makes a bedroom feel larger and far more comfortable to live in. I also recently did a project where the bedside table was probably up there with my favourite statement pieces of the whole house – a set of 1930s Art Deco Tables in a wonderful Burr Walnut.
And finally (and I know this sounds a little boring), is the question of storage. I’m always seeing rooms overwhelmed with piles of clothes, dry cleaning that has just been picked up but has struggled to find cupboard space, or suitcases peeking out from corners that are too small. I even recently saw a single ski boot escaping from under the bed, like a lone explorer. But there is a very simple solution to this phenomenon – using the bed itself. A bed with built-in storage underneath is one of the most practical investments you can make. It keeps bulky, infrequently used items (winter coats, hiking boots, suitcases, spare bedding) tucked away but easily accessible. It also allows the visible parts of the bedroom to remain serene and clutter-free, so we can really celebrate our beautiful dressing tables or satin quilts. After all, our bedroom should be the number one place in the home that feels restorative, and nothing spoils that quicker than unnecessary mess.
