Designing your home should be exciting, not overwhelming. But even with the best intentions, many homeowners make common design mistakes that can leave a room feeling “off.” The good news? Most of these missteps are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Discover what to avoid while redecorating your home and what you should do instead.
1. Choosing Paint Before Everything Else
It’s tempting to pick your paint color first — after all, it’s the backdrop of your room. But this is one of the most common missteps in the design process. Why? Because paint is available in thousands of shades, you can easily adjust it. However, finding the right sofa, rug, or fabric is far more limited.
Fix: Choose your key furnishings and textiles, like rugs, upholstery, and drapery, first. Then, select a paint color that complements those choices. You’ll have a much easier time finding the perfect hue once your larger pieces are in place.
2. Hanging Art Too High
Art that’s hung too high can make a room feel disconnected and awkward. When beautiful pieces float near the ceiling, they miss the opportunity to anchor the room and engage the eye.
Fix: A good rule of thumb is to hang artwork so the center is at eye level — around 57 to 60 inches from the floor. If it’s going above furniture, like a sofa or console, aim for about 6 to 8 inches above the piece. Art should feel like part of the furniture arrangement, not separate from it.
3. Buying Furniture That’s Too Big or Too Small
Scale is everything in design. A common mistake is choosing either oversized furniture that overwhelms the room or is too small and gets lost. This is especially true with rugs that “float” in the middle of the room without anchoring the space.
Fix: Always measure before purchasing. Sofas should typically be no longer than two-thirds the length of the wall they sit on. For rugs, opt for one large enough that at least the front legs of your furniture sit on it. Positioning the pieces like this creates a cohesive, grounded layout.
4. Lack of Layered Lighting
One ceiling light fixture isn’t enough to properly light a space, yet many rooms rely on a single source of illumination. Without adequate lighting, the room can feel flat and harsh, especially in the evenings, says an interior designer in Cincinnati.
Fix: Use a mix of ambient (overhead), task (lamps), and accent (wall sconces or under-cabinet lighting) to create depth and mood. In living rooms, aim for 3–5 light sources to allow flexibility depending on the time of day or activity. Dimmers are also a worthwhile investment!
5. Playing It Too Safe
Neutral palettes are timeless, but when every piece in a room is beige, white, or gray, the result can feel uninspired. Many homeowners are hesitant to commit to color, pattern, or unique pieces, but the risk is a home that lacks personality.
Fix: Introduce visual interest with textures, bold accessories, or even one or two statement pieces. This could be a vintage rug, an oversized piece of art, or a pop of color on an accent chair. A little contrast goes a long way in making a room feel curated, not cookie-cutter.
Even the most well-intentioned design plans can go off track with just a few minor missteps. But the beauty of good design is that it’s always fixable. With thoughtful adjustments, you can transform your home into a space that feels balanced, comfortable, and entirely your own.