The Popular Bedding Choice That's Making Your Bedroom Look Bad (And What To Do Instead)

Stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond (currently only online) and other big box stores and retailers sell a popular bedding combination known as "bed in a bag." The draw is that people can get all the pieces of bedding they need in one purchase including a duvet, sheets, and even sometimes decorative pillows or a bed skirt, saving both time and money when it comes to decorating a room. The pros are there, but these collections might be dating your space and taking away from the rest of the aesthetic you worked so hard to curate. The overly-matched patterns, colors, and fabric points to a certain lack of creativity and can even leave a bedroom rather dreary or boring, whereas mixing and matching different materials and shades can elevate a space and make it more cozy, welcoming, and stylish.

Your linens and combinations don't have to be super pricey, though you can splurge since this is one place you want to be as comfortable as you can get. Many bed in a bag sets are made of 100% polyester, which is definitely not the softest or most inviting material to sleep in. Scratchy and stiff, the dated designs were more for show or saving a little cash during their peak. With so many other options, it would be a shame to pick these over more sustainable or just plain comfortable materials when styling your bed like a designer.

If you're trying to decorate several bedrooms in one and want to do it in a cost efficient way that is still comfortable for everyone sleeping in them, consider microfiber or cotton sheets. Stores like Target or Walmart have sheet sets that are budget friendly and take out the hassle of having to buy every piece separately, leaving only the duvet or duvet cover, decorative pillows, and a bed skirt to find. Alternatively, if you want to invest a little more and ensure your bedding lasts, linen and bamboo materials are known for their comfort, style, and durability.

A great option for any room is to mix a few different shades of one color with the linen sheets and a duvet cover, keeping the aesthetic simple but combining various shades to add dimension. Because linen is so unassuming but stylish, it doesn't overwhelm a room, and the interchangeable color palettes mean you can match any theme without worrying about clashing patterns or designs. Busy patterns can make a space a little chaotic if not added with intention, so plain linen sheets are especially great for rooms that feature heavy wallpaper, dramatic paint shades, or a maximalist aesthetic that leans into heavier decor around the room. Joanna Gaines makes a bed look luxurious and elevated by adding bedding that's practical and stylish, and then you can bring in more texture with thick wool throws or quilts and various pillows. These allow you to use different fabrics, materials, and even shapes without feeling too heavy or overwhelming.