Discover the top 10 home décor mistakes and learn easy fixes to create a stylish, spaceful home.
Decorating a home is exciting, but it can also be confusing when you’re trying to balance style, comfort, and function. Many people unknowingly make small décor mistakes that can change the look and feel of a room. Most décor mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
In this blog, we break down the 10 home décor mistakes and exactly how to avoid them, helping you create a stylish, welcoming, and well-balanced space.
1. Choosing the Wrong Paint Color First
Many people pick paint colors before choosing furniture, but this is one of the biggest home décor mistakes.
Reason :
Paint colors come in thousands of shades, while furniture and décor items have limited fabric and material options. Choosing paint first can limit your design options.
Solution:
Select your main furniture pieces first (sofa, bed, rugs).
Choose paint shades after finalizing your décor palette.
Always test paint samples on the wall before deciding.
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| Source: Pinterest |
Pro Tip: Neutral shades like beige, greige, or warm white are easier to work with.
2. Ignoring Natural Light
Lighting completely changes how a room feels. But many homeowners ignore natural light and rely too much on artificial lighting.
Reason:
Poor lighting can make beautiful décor look dull, create shadows, or make the room feel smaller.
Solution:
Keep windows uncluttered.
Use sheer curtains instead of heavy drapes.
Place mirrors opposite windows to reflect light.
Add different light sources: floor lamps, table lamps, wall lights.
3. Overcrowding the Space
Filling your home with too much furniture or décor pieces is a very common mistake, especially in small apartments.
Reason:
Clutter makes a space feel tight, stressful, and visually overwhelming.
Solution:
Follow the “less is more” rule.
Choose multifunctional furniture (storage ottomans, nested tables).
Leave enough walking space around furniture.
Declutter surfaces like coffee tables and sideboards.
Pro Tip: If you love décor items, rotate them seasonally instead of displaying everything at once.
4. Incorrect Rug Size
Believe it or not, choosing the wrong rug size is one of the top 10 home décor mistakes people make.
Reason:
A small rug makes the room feel awkward and disconnected. It throws off the proportions of the entire space.
Solution:
In living rooms, the rug should touch all furniture legs or at least the front legs.
In bedrooms, the rug should extend beyond the bed.
In dining rooms, the rug should be large enough for chairs to pull out easily.
5. Hanging Artwork Too High
This is one of the easiest décor mistakes to fix.
Reason:
Artwork hung too high breaks the room’s visual flow and feels disconnected from the furniture.
Solution
Hang artwork at eye level (around 57–60 inches from the floor).
For gallery walls, keep consistent spacing between frames.
Align art pieces with furniture, not just wall height.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, go lower, not higher.
6. Following Too Many Trends at Once
Trends come and go, but your home should feel timeless, comfortable, and personal.
Reason:
Mixing too many trends can make your home feel chaotic or outdated quickly.
Solution:
Pick one trend to focus on (e.g., Japandi, boho, minimalism).
Keep trendy items small (pillows, vases, prints) so they can be replaced easily.
Invest in neutral, high-quality essentials.
7. Not Considering Scale and Proportion
A room needs balanced proportions between furniture, décor items, and spacing. Many people buy items that are too big or too small.
Reason:
Wrong proportions make the room feel awkward—either too empty or too cramped.
Solution:
Measure your room before buying furniture.
Choose furniture that matches the room size.
Mix small, medium, and large décor pieces for balance.
Keep large pieces like sofas and beds proportional to wall size.
Pro Tip: Use design apps to visualize items before purchasing.
8. Ignoring Vertical Space
Most people focus only on floor-level décor and forget about vertical design elements.
Reason:
Ignoring wall height and vertical space makes the room feel flat and smaller.
Solution:
Use tall bookshelves or vertical wall art.
Add floating shelves.
Install curtains from ceiling to floor to create height.
Try tall plants like snake plants or palms.
9. Not Creating a Cohesive Color Palette
A common home décor mistake is choosing random colors for each room without a cohesive theme.
Reason:
Clashing colors can make your home feel disjointed and visually stressful.
Solution:
Choose a 3-color palette for your entire home:
Main color (70%)
Secondary color (20%)
Accent color (10%)
Use the same undertones (warm or cool).
Repeat similar colors across rooms to create flow.
Pro Tip: Neutrals like beige, gray, cream, and soft pastels work best for calm, cohesive homes.
10. Forgetting About Personal Touch
Many homes look like a catalog because the décor lacks personality.
Reason:
Your home should tell your story. Without personal touches, it feels cold and impersonal.
Solution:
Display family photos or travel souvenirs.
Add handmade items or DIY décor.
Use art or color schemes that reflect your style.
Mix old and new items for a curated look.
Tip: Not Using Enough Textures. Even though it’s not in the main list, this is one of the most overlooked aspects of interior design.
Textures add warmth, depth, and coziness. Without them, a room feels flat.
How to Add Texture
Layer rugs
Use knitted throws
Add velvet or linen cushions
Use wicker baskets or wooden décor elements
A beautiful home isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a space that feels good to you.