I am getting a lot better at chess than when I first joined here. However, I find myself wasting too much time on opening moves and often getting into bad positions or losing pawns in the opening. I think it is time to start seriously studying opening moves. When I build an opening repertoire, should I stick to openings with less theory or the better opening with way too much theory? Finally, does anyone have recommendations for some simple openings to study?

If you're losing pawns in the opening then you have to work on your tactical vision first and foremost. Memorizing lines isn't going to help because opponents will deviate for sure. Choose a king pawn opening for white and a response to one for black. I like Dan Heisman's advice in his Novice Nook column (check it out if you haven't, it answers tons of questions like this). He says after every game look up the move you felt uncertain about, and choose how you would respond if it happens again in the future. Another piece of advice you see often is choose a gambit opening because it teaches you how to attack. Check out Paul Morphy playing the Kings Gambit and Evans Gambit as white.

I agree with moocowmoocow.

If your tactical ability is decent, then knowing the intermediate opening principles (assuming you know the basic principles with your eyes closed) will advance you to the next stage more quickly and save you valuable time studying/memorizing opening lines.

Firstly, study tactics.

Secondly, play the Open Games and QGD, and don't make the same mistake twice.

You should find that your number of opening blunders decreases significantly. If not, post your games here and the members will help you out.

I'll do just about anything to keep a game closed, including opening with queen pawn moves. Not a lot of pawn exchanges when youre keeping a game bottled up. My opponent has to think if they are to win the game. Too many surprises in open games. Just my opinion.

The main problem with this approach is that you don't get open, tactical positions very often, and your tactical vision doesn't develop as much as if you play open positions with 1.e4. It's fine if you play both 1.e4 and 1.d4, but playing just 1.d4 below 1600 restricts your chess development in my opinion.

"Openings do not really matter at the beginner level." - Kasparov

You need to only move two pawns ('e' and 'd') in the opening. The main idea is to develop all your pieces as quickly as possible. Maybe even connecting your rooks by move 10 as a rule.

@FerraL

Adding to Phoenix's post, a good example of good development from both sides is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bf6 Qf6 8.Nd5 Qd8 9.c3 0-0 10.0-0.

Against 1.d4, the following setup is solid for Black: 1...d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cd5 ed5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0.