Interior design is a delicate balance between form and function, where style meets practicality in the most harmonious way possible. Yet, many of us fall into common traps when styling our homes that can turn a beautifully designed room into a chaotic or unbalanced space. Whether it’s overcrowding a room with oversized furniture or neglecting the scale of decor, there are several decorating mistakes that interior designers simply cringe at. To help you create a home that feels as good as it looks, here are the top seven design missteps and how to avoid them.
- Ignoring Scale and Proportion When Shopping for Furniture
Online shopping has revolutionized the way we furnish our homes, but it also comes with some pitfalls. Rashmi Patel, principal designer at RushMeHome Designs, highlights the importance of considering scale before making a purchase. “A piece might look perfect in a photo, but once it’s placed in a room, it can feel out of place or disproportionate,” she explains. A common example is placing a small mirror on a large wall, which can feel awkward and unbalanced.
To avoid this, Patel advises measuring the space where you plan to place an item before clicking “buy.” If you’re unsure about the size, it’s generally safer to opt for slightly larger pieces. These tend to create a more cohesive and intentional look, making the room feel complete and well-planned.
- Sticking to the Same Size Decor for Shelves
When it comes to styling shelves, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying matching items that you already love, thinking that they’ll naturally go together. Louis Duncan-He, president and creative director of Louis Duncan-He Designs, points out that using decor of the same size can actually make the arrangement feel unnatural. “It can create a sense of uniformity that’s too rigid and lacks the organic charm of a curated space,” he says.
Instead, aim for variety in your shelf decor. Play with contrasting shapes, textures, and materials to create a layered, more dynamic composition. Mixing in items of different sizes and finishes can bring a shelf to life, adding personality and visual interest.
- Overcrowding Rooms with Bulky Seating
Large, comfortable sofas and sectionals are undeniably inviting—but not when they overwhelm a small room. Patel emphasizes the importance of leaving enough space for movement and flow in a room. “Cramping a room with oversized seating can make it feel cramped and disrupt natural walkways,” she notes.
For smaller spaces, opt for more streamlined, proportionate furniture pieces that allow for proper circulation. Choosing furniture that doesn’t block pathways can help make your home feel spacious, even if you’re dealing with limited square footage.
- Playing It Safe with Small Artwork
A blank wall can seem daunting to decorate, and it’s easy to play it safe with smaller pieces of art that feel less imposing. However, Louis Duncan-He warns that this approach often leads to a disproportionate look. “Nothing disrupts a room’s balance more than artwork that’s too small for the wall,” he says. Larger pieces of art, on the other hand, make a bold statement and create a focal point in the room, adding personality and confidence to the design.
If you’re unsure about going big, try experimenting with large canvases or oversized prints. These pieces will often feel more natural and commanding within the space than a small, delicate print would.
- Overcrowding Your Space with Too Much Decor
It’s tempting to fill every empty corner with stylish decor, but Louis Duncan-He suggests that sometimes less is more. “Just like Coco Chanel’s advice to remove one accessory before leaving the house, sometimes your space needs to lose something to truly shine,” he explains.
Over-decorating can make a room feel cluttered and overly busy. Rather than adding more accessories, try removing or reorganizing existing ones. A bold change—like a statement wallpaper or a unique furniture piece—can often refresh a room far more than adding more small items.
- Choosing a Rug That’s Too Small
A rug is a powerful tool to define and anchor a room, but choosing the wrong size can have the opposite effect. Duncan-He points out that a rug that’s too small can make a room feel cramped or segmented. “The rug should be large enough so that at least 30 percent of each piece of furniture rests on it,” he advises.
A rug that appropriately fits the furniture layout not only makes the space feel more expansive but also helps tie everything together. Opting for a larger rug creates a more cohesive and grounded look, making the room feel more inviting and complete.
- Overlooking Functionality for the Sake of Aesthetics
While aesthetics are crucial, functionality should never be an afterthought—especially in smaller spaces. Rashmi Patel highlights the importance of choosing pieces that serve a dual purpose.
