Designers Say These 5 Bedding Colors Are Totally Outdated—We Couldn’t Agree More

Bright, bold colors and mixed patterns will replace sterile, monochromatic bedding for a more eclectic look.
Heavy, dark bedding colors feel outdated and can make a room seem overly moody or season-specific.
Avoiding outdated styles ensures your bedroom feels fresh, contemporary, and inviting in 2026.

When it comes to bedding, you’ll want to keep more than just function top of mind. After all, there are so many different routes you can go when it comes to both color and pattern.

Here, three professionals weigh in with comments on some of the bedding styles they don’t foresee sticking around for long. Making an effort to avoid these five particular looks will ensure that your home looks as contemporary and stylish as possible.

Meghan Jay is the founder of Meghan Jay Design.
Jill Litner Kaplan is the founder of Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors.
Dijana Savic-Jambert is the co-founder of Maredi Design.

Gray and White

white and gray bedding — Wang Yukun / Getty Images

It’s time to move on from these simple hues, Meghan Jay, the founder of Meghan Jay Design, says. Jay explains how the hues feel a bit sterile and are on their way out. These two shades can also make a room feel cold and dull.

Instead, the designer recommends thinking outside the box. She notes that we can expect to see brighter colors such as terra-cotta and burnt orange to make a splash. Try adding these vibrant shades through small accent pieces if you aren’t completely sure.

Matching, Monochromatic Sets

green monochromatic bedding — Ryan McVay / Getty Images

Another thing to steer clear of is going all in with pillows, blankets, and sheets in the same shade. Instead, switch things up with other colors since monochromatic palettes aren’t popular anymore when it comes to bedding.

“People are more eager to create a casual and eclectic look by mixing patterns and colors,” Jay says.

Dijana Savic-Jambert, the co-founder of Maredi Design, agrees that mixing various colors is becoming more popular.

“Matching sets are definitely going to be a thing of the past,” she says. “There is a much more intentional and curated effect that comes from carefully selecting each piece of bedding to dress the space.”

Earth Tones

Deep and rich colors including spruce, brick or persimmon, and navy may seem like a great way to warm up a room, but Jill Litner Kaplan, the founder of Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors, advises against choosing bedding in these hues.

These shades, she says, “feel too heavy, moody, and like it’s fall every day.” She urges people to opt for colors that appear a bit more seamless and timeless instead.

Can’t resist incorporating colors of this nature into your sleep space? Kaplan offers a viable solution.

“Rather than doing dark and edgy colors in the bedding, one can also paint or paper the walls in a deep shade and do a more neutral bedding so that the room feels balanced,” she says.

Pattern-Heavy Pieces

bold patterned bedding — Katarzyna Bialasiewicz / Getty Images

Regardless of what colors speak to you, be mindful to select bedding that isn’t full of super busy patterns; otherwise, it can end up overwhelming your space.

More simplistic patterns will instead reign supreme, Savic-Jambert says, explaining that accent pieces with classic and subdued patterns will be the winners.

Kaplan agrees and recommends adding a bolster pillow on the bed or throw pillows in a patterned fabric that ties in with the other colors in the room to keep everything cohesive.

Formal Patterns

On the note of patterns, try moving away from patterned designs that look too formal and may end up dating your space.

If you like a vintage-inspired look, you can definitely still enjoy classic prints including florals and checks. Just make sure to incorporate them so that they read 2026, not 1926.

“These prints are being reinterpreted in a more modern way,” Jay says. “These patterns feel lighter and more casual, creating a refreshing bedding look.”