Interior design can be fun, creative, and personal—but it’s also easy to get wrong. Even small design choices can throw off the entire feel of a room. If your space doesn’t feel quite right or is awkward to move around in, one or two common interior design mistakes are to blame. Most of them are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Common Interior Design Mistakes: Hanging Artwork at the Wrong Height
One of the most frequent design slip-ups is hanging artwork too high. It’s a subtle issue that creates an imbalance without anyone quite realizing why. Art should generally be hung at eye level. That means the center of the piece should sit around 57 to 60 inches from the floor. If you’re hanging art above a piece of furniture, like a sofa or console table, it should be close enough to feel connected—usually within six to eight inches above the top of the furniture.
When art is too high, it feels disconnected from the room and can make the ceilings look lower instead of higher. Lowering it just a few inches can ground the piece and pull everything together.
Using Rugs That are Too Small
A rug can anchor a space, but only if it’s the right size. Too many people buy rugs that are way too small for the room. This leaves furniture floating awkwardly and chops up the flow of the space. A good rule of thumb: the front legs of all major furniture should sit on the rug. In dining rooms, the rug should extend beyond the table enough for chairs to slide in and out comfortably without falling off the edge.
Undersized rugs make rooms feel disjointed and cheapen the overall design. Upsizing your rug instantly makes the room feel more pulled together and intentional.
Poor Lighting Layers
Relying on one overhead light to do all the work is another one of the common interior design mistakes. Lighting should come from multiple sources and levels. That means mixing ceiling lights with floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces, and even candles or under-cabinet lighting. Good lighting adds depth and warmth. It also lets you control the mood and functionality of the space.
Most homes are underlit, and harsh overhead bulbs can make a room feel flat and cold. Adding just one or two light sources—especially with softer, warmer bulbs—can completely change how a space feels.
Choosing Paint Before Furniture
It’s tempting to start by picking a paint color, but it’s almost always the wrong move. Paint comes in every shade imaginable and can be mixed to match just about anything. Furniture, rugs, and textiles don’t offer that kind of flexibility. If you start with paint and try to find pieces to match later, you’re boxing yourself in.
Instead, choose your key pieces first—sofas, rugs, and large decor—then pick a wall color that complements what you’ve already chosen. This approach keeps everything cohesive and gives you far more design freedom.
Pushing All Furniture Against the Walls
It might seem like pulling everything to the edges of the room will make it feel bigger, but it usually has the opposite effect. Floating furniture—especially in living rooms—creates better conversation areas and gives the space more dimension.
Leaving a bit of breathing room around furniture adds a more curated feel. If your furniture arrangement feels awkward or disconnected, try pulling pieces inward and creating zones. Even just a few inches can make a surprising difference.
Ignoring Scale and Proportion
Scale is one of the hardest things to get right without experience. Big rooms with tiny furniture feel empty and off-balance, while small rooms packed with oversized pieces feel cramped and overwhelming. Everything should relate to the size of the room and to each other.
You don’t need to be an expert to fix it. Take a step back and look at how your pieces fit together. Does the coffee table feel too small for the sofa? Are your lamps the right height for the side tables? Is there enough variation in size, or does everything feel the same? A little adjusting can create a better rhythm and flow.
Copying an Interior Design Catalog Page
It’s fine to pull inspiration from design catalogs or Pinterest, but copying them piece-for-piece rarely works in real life. Those images are styled for a photo, not for living. They also don’t account for your home’s layout, lighting, or personality.
The best interiors mix styles, materials, and textures in a way that feels natural. Don’t be afraid to add something unexpected or personal. A space that looks perfect but feels sterile isn’t doing its job. Aim for something that looks good and feels like you.
FAQs on Interior Design
How do I know if my rug is the right size?
Make sure the front legs of all major furniture pieces touch the rug. If everything feels disconnected or your rug looks like a bath mat in a big room, it’s probably too small.
What’s the best way to improve lighting in a room?
Layer it. Add floor lamps, table lamps, or sconces to supplement your overhead lights. Use warmer bulbs to create a softer atmosphere.
How important is scale in interior design?
It’s critical. If your furniture and decor don’t match the size of your room or each other, the space won’t feel balanced. Try swapping or repositioning items to find a better fit.
Can I mix design styles in one room?
Absolutely. In fact, mixing styles can make a space more interesting and personal. The key is to keep a consistent color palette or texture that ties everything together.
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