7 things that are making your bedroom look dated – here's how to fix them for 2026 and beyond

If you've recently been pondering your bedroom decor design, feeling that something looks a little 'off', then it's possible your boudoir is in need of a refresh.

When it comes to decorating, I find that time moves fast, and a room that feels like it was only painted yesterday can in truth not have been touched for five years or more.

Luckily, most bedroom trends tend to be fairly timeless, but design experts say that there are still a few things that could be making your bedroom look dated.

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I've rounded up the key culprits below, and our experts are on hand to explain how to give them a style upgrade that will bring your bedroom firmly into 2026 and beyond.

Boxy shapes

First up in our to-go list is boxy bedroom furniture. Straight lines, hard edges, and sharp corners are over, according to our design experts.

'Furniture with harsh lines and rigid shapes can make a bedroom feel heavy and outdated,' explains Josh Branigan, home interiors expert at furniture retailer BedKingdom.

Instead, curved furniture is becoming a much bigger trend, says Josh. 'Rounded headboards, softer edges and more organic shapes create a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere in the bedroom, and add softness and flow.'

'Boxy bedroom furniture has fallen out of fashion in favour of rounded edges, curved designs and organic shapes,' agrees Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village.

'Curves are gentler and less rigid than straight lines,' says Shelley, 'so they're particularly well suited to the bedroom, where it's especially important to create a soft and inviting atmosphere.'

Matchy matchy furniture sets

Overly matching furniture sets are next on the 'avoid' list for 2026 and 2027. Why? Because 'matching all of your bedroom furniture has a show home vibe which can look dated,' says Magdalena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse.

'The current trend for "soft interiors" or lived-in interiors champions layered and eclectic designs, rather than matching pieces,' explains Magdalena. 'Everything should look cohesive and consistent, but it doesn’t need to match. It’s much more interesting and contemporary to layer different colours, materials and finishes together.'

'A complete matching bedroom set can often make a room feel too uniform and showroom-like,' agrees Josh. 'When every piece is identical, the space loses character and can end up looking dated quite quickly.'

'Instead, try mixing furniture finishes, textures and styles to create a more curated and lived-in look,' suggests Josh. 'Pairing an upholstered bed with wooden bedside tables or combining vintage-inspired pieces with modern designs helps add depth and personality to the room.'

Matchy matchy bedding

And the same goes for bedding. According to design experts, you can get too much of a good thing. In 2026, bedding trends are all about mix-and-matching colour and pattern, so overly matching bedding can look a little dated.

'People are rethinking matching bedding sets,' says Jessica Hanley, founder and CEO of bedding brand Piglet in Bed. 'When everything is too similar, the bed can end up looking flat and one-dimensional. Overall, the shift is toward bedding that feels layered, textured, and personal, rather than overly uniform or too "safe"'.

Glossy finishes

In 2026, bedroom trends are all about organic textures, so it's little surprise that glossy furniture finishes are also waning in popularity.

'Highly glossy furniture can make bedrooms feel overly artificial and often doesn’t age particularly well over time,' agrees Josh. 'While high gloss finishes were once one of the biggest interior trends, they’re quickly falling out of favour.'

Instead of going for high gloss, 'consider more natural-looking materials,' suggests Josh. 'Furniture with wood textures, soft-touch finishes or subtle grain details helps create a warmer and more sophisticated feel in the bedroom.'

Mirrored bedroom furniture

There was a time when mirrored bedroom furniture was all over the high street, and although reflective surfaces can be a useful design trick to make a small bedroom look bigger, in 2026 our experts say the look has evolved.

'Mirrored furniture was once seen as a glamorous bedroom trend, but too many reflective surfaces can now make a space feel overly artificial and dated,' says Josh. 'Plus, it can often leave bedrooms feeling cold and overly styled.'

“Instead, embrace softer finishes and more natural materials,' says Josh. 'Wood textures and subtle detailing help create a bedroom that feels warmer, calmer and far more timeless.'

And Shelley says you don't necessarily need to ditch all of your mirrored furniture. Instead, take a leaf from the mismatched playbook and combine some mirrored pieces with other textures and finishes.

'The modern way to style is to avoid matching all your furniture in mirrored finishes,' explains Shelley, 'instead, add in some rustic elements, like natural wood, hand-crafted ceramics or frayed linen cushions. This strikes a balance between contemporary polish and modern rustic.'

Cool toned colours

When it comes to bedroom colours that are on the way out in 2026, design experts all agree that this year is about soft, warm, and earthy colours, and that means that cool-toned shades can make your bedroom look a little dated.

'In 2026, bedroom colour is becoming far more emotional and instinctive,' explains Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at paint brand Dulux. 'We’re moving away from shades that feel cold or overly functional and embracing colours that nurture and restore.'

So think warm tones and saturated colours, such as warm whites, warm beige, plaster pink, and clay and terracotta tones. Or opt for earthier alternatives to popular bedroom colours, such as sage green, by considering olive greens, smoky blues or deep aubergine shades in the bedroom.

Overly decorated beds

And lastly, consider your bedscaping. Whilst some artfully styled bedding can make a bed look inviting and comfortable, adding too many pillows and throws can be OTT and make a bedroom look dated.

'Beds overloaded with cushions, throws and decorative pillows can make a room feel overly staged and difficult to maintain,' says Josh. 'While layering can add comfort, too much styling often creates unnecessary clutter.'

'Simple layered bedding with a few cushions and soft textures creates a cleaner and more effortless look,' says Josh.

Our guide to where to buy bedding rounds up all the best places to shop for understated bedroom accessories.

Lastly, are there any final things that our bedroom design experts recommend avoiding in 2026? 'Rose gold hardware's time is done,' states Shelley.

However, as you peruse this list of do's and don'ts, Shelley does have one last tip that's well worth bearing in mind. 'I always say, if you love something, then embrace it, regardless of whether it’s on trend,' she says. And with hyperpersonalised bedrooms and hyperpersonalised bedding some of 2026's main themes, I totally agree.

Whilst you might not want to purposely invest in an outdated look, if you're still in love with your matching mirrored bedroom furniture, then don't let the latest trends ruin your fun. Our homes are all about what sparks joy for *us*, and if you love the way your bedroom feels, that's all that matters.