Does this look dated?

[Readinggirl]

We've had a new mattress, so decided to clear everything off our ottoman. Our bed & Ottoman very rarely looks this tidy. Does this look dated?

It’s less that it’s ‘dated’, OP than that it just doesn’t look good. The soft pastel cream and pale green just doesn’t work with bright red. They come from different colour universes. You either need colours of a similar depth (ie all deep, strong colours, or all pastels) or something to draw the bright red together with the cream — the AI picture generated by a PP that used an interim tan colour to tie the red together with the pastel worked well.

The other thing for me here is scale. It’s quite a big room. The bedside lamps are far too small. The ottoman is too small for the bed. The rug is too small. The overhead light fitting is too small. What’s on the walls (the mottos and photo) are too small. Scale up to the size of the room and everything will look better.

https://sonno.co.uk/products/chesterfield-ottoman-storage-box-emerald-coniston?currency=GBP&country=GB&variant=55059900039543&stkn=2fd87759a8be&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=19390640385&tw_kwdid=&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=19390640385&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19398177782&gclid=CjwKCAjwwpDQBhAuEiwAa-4WoyLDdsvbdN7gX67-mPuYHkKqpU7AyuwaOWg-DqOfB0JQVj0VQ6wBeBoC4IYQAvD_BwE

You could cover the ottoman. Use a vinyl wrap in a more neutral colour. You can buy it on line or in places like B&M and B&Q. There’s loads of YouTube videos that you can watch to get the idea. Or you could use fabric, sometimes places like Dunelm have some remnants that aren’t too expensive.

We haven't got a Primark near us unfortunately

A vinyl wrap? Just as dated as everything else! It’s not Blue Peter for the bedroom.

Do you know anyone who does? Primark does click and collect now, you can order on line if someone would collect it for you.

The TV needs to be opposite bed. Where would u put dressing table?

@Readinggirl just forget anything colourful. It’s too difficult and needs wholesale changes. White to start with. Simple and easy and just about everywhere does white cotton duvet covers and pillowcases! Then look at a throw snd some cushions. Look at the neutrals I posted earlier. So
much easier! Get a big rattan type basket - really inexpensive. Yes to much bigger lamps. Avoid gold! Or any colour accents. Put up cheap linen curtains over the blind. You can easily find ones on line and it will soften the whole look and make it feel cohesive. Don’t get into silly projects. Find a bedroom chair to take up some space in a neutral fabric. Do this incrementally and start with the bed and getting rid of the box. Shopping is easy on line! You don’t need a local Primark!

Something like this would look so much better and wouldn't be expensive to achieve. Start by removing everything red in your room and go from there.

I had no idea a duvet cover and cushions could be dated. No wonder the planet's had it, if people are concerned by this stuff. I've never replaced either unless they were beyond repair.

What is the ottoman made of?

I'd just cover it with a throw or something. It's not really the right size and looks a bit cheap and dated BUT it's perfectly functional.
You could cover it with upholstery fabric - not difficult but I'd just put a throw or rug over it.

I'd go bold with the colours - I like ankara prints and batik. If you're in Reading I think you can get some in the market there.

@Zigzaglace So what’s your interest in this thread then? You can keep your stuff and the rest of us like a bit of a change every so often, especially as bed linen does need replacing! Do you never replace yours? Odd.

I just buy what I love. I don't think it looks dated even if it is Ikea 2008.

I don't like red in home decor. Makes me think of teenage boy room / football colours or a trying to be sexy... like tacky underwear!

I have red accents in my bedroom. I'm as tacky as fuck.

I said I replace it when it's beyond repair, and I was interested to find out what looked dated and why it mattered.

Unfortunately the idea that we just keep replacing things because we want a change is one reason why we're where we are.

Sorry but yes.

I disagree that the red is outdated. Lots of red accents about at the moment. I do think the bed frame is very 2000s however, if you’re able to update that I think it’d make all the difference.

I just have the room neutral and change the duvet cover and artwork when I fancy a change.
Might be bright red or floral or bright springtime green.

Thames hospice superstore and British heart foundation could be good places for second hand furniture.

From this view, your rug is way too small. The trend these days is to be oversized and run under the bed.

Work out your colour pallet - red, floor colour, built in cabinet colour, chrome of bed. You could say there is no dark and light, just mid tones plus red. That's why the tv unit looks out of place. It's the only dark thing in the room. You need more dark things scattered around the room.

Do you need the dressing table? Do you use it? It's a other random colour that is nowhere else in the room.

You also need to consider scale. Eg the tv unit is small. It needs to be bigger for that space so it feels balanced.

I’d definitely keep the red blinds. You could even do an accent wall and extend up your slanted ceiling. Lulworth Blue or Parma Grey by Farrow and Ball. Paint any skirtings, coving and doors in the same colour. I’d incorporate some stripes somewhere too.

I like the throw it looks lovely and cosy . I don’t like anything else . I hate things with “Love” on them and the duvet cover is reminiscent of shared accommodation during my college days in the 2000s. But I mean everyone has different taste so does it matter what I think

This idea that a room has to be decorated every six months with all new "bits" is what is killing the planet with landfill rubbish.

Your room is warm, comfortable and clean. Who cares if some fashionista somewhere thinks it's "dated".

The dressing table is similar to the wardrobe not an exact match I know. Yes I do use it and I know it needs clearing. The TV is from my late parents and the stand was 2nd hand to match the TV.