Share This On Social

We’ve all had that moment—standing in the middle of a room, staring at it, knowing something feels off but not quite sure what. The colors are right. The furniture is nice. The vibe should be working… but it’s just not. Here’s the thing: Even the most stylish spaces can fall victim to sneaky decorating mistakes.

The good news? Fixing them is easier than you think. You don’t need an interior design degree—just a few expert tips to get everything back on track. How? Let’s get into it:

1: Lining Every Piece of Furniture Against the Walls

Think of your furniture like a conversation—if everything is pushed against the walls, people end up shouting across the room. That’s why floating furniture (yes, even in a small space) makes a world of difference.

The Fix: Bring sofas, chairs, and tables inward to create a cozy, intentional seating arrangement. A large area rug can anchor the space and pull everything together.

Decorating mistakes and how to fix them with living room furniture placement

Room & Board

2: Styling Shelves Like a Storage Unit

A shelf packed to the brim with books, photos, and knickknacks? Chaos. A shelf with too much empty space? Sad. There’s a fine line between overstyling and understyling, and the trick is finding the balance to avoid this decorating mistake.

The Fix: Use the rule of thirds—group objects in odd numbers, mix heights and textures, and leave some breathing room. Styled, not stuffed.

Perfectly styles shelves

west elm

3: Matching Everything (AKA the Catalog Trap)

Buying a full matching furniture set might seem like the safe choice, but here’s the reality: It makes your space feel flat. The best-designed rooms feel uniquely curated, not like they were copied and pasted from a showroom.

The Fix: Mix it up! Combine different textures, finishes, and styles to add contrast and character. Think coordination, not duplication.

Mixing interior design styles

Havenly

4: Relying on a Single Overhead Light

One bleak ceiling light trying to illuminate an entire room? No wonder things feel harsh and uninspired. Lighting is the secret sauce that makes a space feel warm, inviting, and high-end.

The Fix: Layer it up! Every room needs at least three light sources: overhead lighting, table lamps, and floor lamps. Sconces are another alternative. The goal? Soft, ambient lighting that bolsters vibe and function.

Layered lighting

2Modern

5: Hanging Artwork Too High (or Too Low)

You shouldn’t have to crane your neck to see your artwork. The biggest mistake people make is hanging pieces too high, throwing off the balance of the room.

The Fix: The magic number is 60 inches from the floor to the center of the artwork. If hanging above furniture, aim for 8–12 inches above a sofa and 4–8 inches above a bed. Museums use this rule for a reason.

Art for interior design

west elm

6: Sticking to One Design Style

You love modern and are just as enamored with vintage. And come to think of it a little boho, too. So why box yourself into just one look? Rooms that are too theme-heavy are a decorating mistake that feels predictable, while a well-mixed space feels intentional and elevated.

The Fix: Combine styles (in a way that makes sense!) for a more dynamic, layered look. The right modern tuches with a traditional rug? Chef’s kiss.

Mixing modern and traditional design styles

Rugs USA

7: Nightstands That Are the Wrong Height

A nightstand that’s way too high (or way too low) throws off the proportions of your bedroom. The goal? A seamless look where your bedside table and bed actually make sense together.

The Fix: Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress. Your nightstand should be within 2 inches of that height (either slightly taller or shorter works). Bonus tip: Your lamp should also be within 2 inches of the nightstand’s height for perfect proportions.

Proper nightstand height

Pottery Barn

8: Playing It Too Safe with Color

A decorating mistake many make? One item with a single pop of color. One color is fine—but if it’s the only item in a bold shade in the room, it can feel random instead of intentional. 

The Fix: Use the 60/30/10 rule—60% of the room should be a dominant color, 30% a secondary hue, and 10% an accent shade. Layering colors this way makes everything feel balanced instead of forced.

Balancing color in interior design to avoid decorating mistakes

Welsh Design Studio

9: Ignoring the Power of Styling

A well-designed space isn’t just about big-ticket furniture—it’s the small styling details that pull everything together.

The Fix: Add a few key finishing touches:

  • A decorative tray on the coffee table
  • A stack of books on the console
  • A sculptural object or vase for dimension

Little details = big impact.

Interior design styling

Article

10: Overdecorating (or Underdecorating)

Too many things in a room? It feels cluttered. Not enough? It feels unfinished. It’s a common decorating mistake. Remember, harmony is the name of the game.

The Fix: Start with larger foundation pieces (sofa, rug, table), then layer in accents like throw pillows, plants, and décor. Edit as you go—if something feels “off,” it probably is.

Interior design decorating mistakes and how to avoid them

AllModern

The Takeaway? It’s All in the Details.

You don’t need a massive budget or a full room makeover to avoid these decorating mistakes and make your space look next-level. You just need the right tweaks.

Feeling stuck? Our expert designers are here to help. Book a consultation today, and let’s make your home look effortlessly modern, stylish, and perfectly you.

You may also like

Art for interior design

The 10 Biggest Decorating Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

We’ve all had that moment—standing in the middle of a room, staring at it, knowing ...
Read More
Modern living room using 600-30-10 rule and pop-of-color.

The 7 Questions Designers Ask to Nail Modern Interiors

1. Is Your Color Palette Minimal Yet Impactful? Modern spaces thrive on simplicity, but that ...
Read More

Cut the Excess: 8 Modern Decluttering Tips for a Stylish Start This New Year

The new year is here, bringing the promise of fresh starts and clean slates. Isn’t ...
Read More
Search

Related Post

2-weeks to a
modern design
inspired by you