10 Common Interior Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Introduction
Interior design is more than just picking pretty cushions and matching curtains. It’s about creating spaces that feel good, function well, and tell your story. But let’s be honest: even with the best intentions, it’s easy to mess things up. A room can look off and you might not even know why. Sometimes it’s the layout, other times it’s the lighting, or maybe it’s just… too much of something.
If you’ve ever stepped into a space and felt like something was “off” but couldn’t quite put your finger on it — this blog is for you. Today, I’m breaking down five of the most common interior design mistakes people make (yes, even the seasoned ones), and how you can easily avoid them to create a space that not only looks amazing but actually works for your lifestyle.
1. The Scale Is All Wrong — and It Shows
Let’s start with one of the sneakiest mistakes: scale. Ever walked into a room with a teeny coffee table surrounded by oversized armchairs? Or a sofa so big it feels like it’s swallowing the room whole? That’s scale gone wrong. A well-designed space needs balance, and scale plays a huge role in that. Too many small things can make the room feel cluttered and fussy, like it’s trying too hard. On the flip side, cramming huge furniture into a compact room can make it feel tight and awkward.
So how do you fix it? Think of your room like a city skyline — you want different heights and shapes to keep the eye moving. It’s okay to have one bold, oversized piece, like a plush sofa or dramatic floor lamp, but let it be the star. Everything else should support it. It’s all about mixing sizes with intention.
2. Everything Pushed Against the Wall… Like It’s Running Away
This one’s a classic. I don’t know who started the idea that all furniture needs to be lined up against the walls like they’re in time-out, but we need to let that go. Yes, it might seem like you’re creating more space in the middle, but what you’re actually doing is killing all the good energy in the room.
Floating your furniture inward helps define zones — like creating a conversation area around the coffee table or a cozy reading corner near a window. Even in small rooms, pulling the sofa a few inches away from the wall, or placing a slim console table behind it, can make the space feel more inviting. Trust me, your room will thank you.
3. Lighting as an Afterthought — Big Mistake
If you only remember one thing from this blog, let it be this: lighting can make or break a room. It’s not just about being able to see — it’s about how you feel in the space. Harsh white lights can make a room feel cold and clinical. Dim lighting with no task lamps? Hello eye strain. And if the only light source in the room is a single overhead fixture, you’re definitely missing out.
Great lighting is layered. Start with natural light — open those curtains and let the sunshine in. Then add ambient lighting (like ceiling lights), task lighting (like a desk or reading lamp), and accent lighting (like wall sconces or LED strips under cabinets). A warm glow in the evening can instantly make your home feel cozier and more lived-in. Don’t wait till the end of your project to think about lighting. Plan it from the start — it’s just as important as your furniture layout or color palette.
4. Picking Paint Colors First — Rookie Move
I get it. It’s tempting. You find this beautiful dusty pink or moody blue and instantly want it on your walls. But here’s the thing — paint is the easiest thing to change. Fabrics, not so much. If you choose your wall color before picking your rug, sofa, cushions, or curtains, you’re boxing yourself in. It becomes way harder to find textiles that match — and suddenly that perfect pink feels a little… off.
Do yourself a favor: choose your fabrics first. Your rug, your couch, your favorite throw pillow — these things are harder to match and more expensive to replace. Once you’ve got your core pieces, then pick a paint color that complements them. And remember, test the paint. Swatch it on your wall, and look at it during different times of the day. Light changes everything.
5. Playing It Too Safe with Neutrals
We all love a good neutral. Whites, beiges, greys — they’re timeless, versatile, and easy on the eyes. But there’s a fine line between calm and completely lifeless. A neutral room without any texture, contrast, or personal touches can feel… blah. Like a hotel room that’s nice but forgettable.
If you’re going for a neutral palette, lean into layers. Think soft linens, woven throws, rustic wood, creamy ceramics. Add pops of contrast with black or deep green. Bring in nature with plants or florals. Use art and books to show personality. Your home should feel lived-in, not like a catalog page. Add some warmth, some soul. A little risk — even just one bold color or unexpected piece — can bring the whole room to life.
6. Copy-Pasting Pinterest Without Personality
We’ve all been there. You fall down a Pinterest rabbit hole, saving dreamy living rooms and kitchens that look straight out of a catalog. But here’s the problem — your home isn’t a Pinterest board. When you copy a design as-is, it might look good on screen but feel lifeless in reality. Why? Because it doesn’t reflect you.
Designing your space should be personal. It’s okay to be inspired by trends, but always add your own twist. Maybe that viral beige-and-wood kitchen looks great online, but if you’re someone who loves color and chaos, it’s going to feel flat. So take inspiration, then make it your own. Mix a vintage piece you thrifted. Hang art that actually means something to you. Incorporate your travels, your hobbies, your quirks. That’s what makes a home feel real — not just photo-ready.
7. Hanging Artwork Way Too High (or Way Too Small)
I’ve seen this one so many times it hurts. You walk into a room and the artwork is either floating awkwardly near the ceiling or it’s so tiny it looks like a mistake. Art is supposed to anchor a wall, not get lost in it.
There’s a simple rule here: artwork should generally sit at eye level — about 57 to 60 inches from the floor to the center of the piece. And if you’re hanging art above a sofa or console, make sure it’s around two-thirds the width of the furniture below. Bigger is almost always better when it comes to wall art. If you’re nervous about size, go bold. It gives the room confidence and style. Or, create a gallery wall using cohesive frames and spacing. But whatever you do — don’t leave your walls looking like blank deserts or postage stamps in a big field.
8. Choosing Trendy Over Timeless (Without Balance)
Trends are fun. They keep things exciting, and it’s okay to want to try out curved furniture, checkerboard rugs, or arched mirrors. But if you lean too hard into trends, your space can look dated fast — and you’ll be tired of it before the season ends.
That doesn’t mean avoiding trends altogether. It just means using them with intention. Try weaving trendy elements into your smaller items — like decor, throw pillows, or lighting — while keeping your big investments like sofas, flooring, and cabinetry more timeless. That way, you can update your space easily without doing a full renovation every year. Design is like fashion: the trend might turn heads, but the classics are what stay in style.
9. No Focal Point — Just a Sea of Stuff
A room without a focal point is like a movie with no main character. You’re not sure where to look, and nothing holds your attention for long. Sometimes people try to play it safe by spreading out everything evenly — furniture, decor, lighting — but that can leave a space feeling flat and forgettable.
What you need is a moment. A place for the eye to land. It could be a statement chandelier, a large piece of art, a fireplace, or even a boldly styled bookshelf. From that focal point, you build the rest of the room outward. It adds structure, drama, and clarity. Don’t be afraid to go bold here — one striking feature does more for your space than twenty tiny accessories ever will.
10. Playing It Too Matchy-Matchy
Design isn’t about symmetry — it’s about rhythm. And yet, so many people fall into the “match everything” trap. Matching sofa and chairs. Matching lamp and coffee table. Matching colors, matching textures. The result? A room that feels safe… but boring. Like a showroom.
Instead, aim for harmony, not uniformity. Combine textures — maybe a soft velvet chair with a raw wood coffee table. Mix metals — brass lighting with black hardware. Layer colors in the same family instead of picking the exact same shade. This is where your space starts to come alive. When things feel collected, not bought in a set, it shows thought, intention, and style.
Conclusion
Mistakes happen — even to the best of us. But knowing what to avoid makes designing your dream space so much easier. Whether it’s picking furniture that fits your room’s scale or giving your home a personal touch instead of copying the latest trend, these ten design mistakes are super common — but also super fixable.
Great design doesn’t mean perfect. It means thoughtful. It means making decisions that reflect your personality, support your lifestyle, and bring a little joy every time you walk into the room.
So next time you’re styling a space — pause and ask yourself: Does this feel like me? Is it functional? Does it spark something? If the answer is yes, you’re doing it right.
Let’s Talk Design
Have you spotted one of these mistakes in your own home? Or maybe you’re guilty of all ten (no judgment, we’ve all been there). Let me know in the comments, or shoot me a message — I love hearing real stories from fellow design lovers.
And if you need help creating a space that looks amazing and feels like home, I’ve got your back. Book a free consult and let’s design something beautiful together.