7 Home Décor Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making—and How to Fix Them

Decorating your home is a journey, and it’s easy to make choices that leave a space feeling chaotic or incomplete. From mismatched furniture to amateur lighting, small missteps can significantly impact how a room looks and feels. It's not all doom and gloom, though—a few quick adjustments can transform your home into one that's stylish, functional, and unique. Here, we spoke to top interior designers, who identified the most common décor mistakes—and how to fix them.

Mixing Too Many Styles

“We’ve all been there—you're trying to create a cozy, stylish home, but you end up with mismatched pieces that don’t go well together," says interior designer and content creator Brianna McDonald. “Mixing various styles can be simply magical; however, most of the time, it leads to a chaotic look."

The fix? "I'd suggest finding one to two complementary themes to make it feel a little more cohesive," she says. "My current favorite is combining old with new—and really letting vintage pieces shine.”

 Neglecting Layered Lighting

“Overhead lighting should not be your only source of lighting," says McDonald. "It can be harsh and uninviting." Instead, the interior designer recommends taking a more layered approach to illumination: “A combination of table lamps, ground lighting, floor lamps, accent lights, and candles creates a warm and inviting feeling.” Matching lightbulbs will ensure everything gives off the same warm, beautiful glow.

"Ideally, you should incorporate three different lighting types in each space: ambient, task, and accent," says interior designer Isfira Jensen. "Have every ambient light fixture on a dimmer—it helps enhance the mood at any point.”

The Wrong Furniture and Rug

Another common mistake is using furniture that's too big or too small for a space. "The most important thing to get right would be a rug—since it’s the main anchor for a room—as well as any larger pieces, like a dining table or a couch," says McDonald.

Thankfully, there's a quick tip you can use to ensure interior harmony: "Ideally, a rug should be large enough for all of the furniture's front legs to rest on it." As ever, make sure to measure your space—and double and triple check—before bringing in any larger pieces.

Overdecorating

“I know we all get excited about our collections and pretty décor—but less is often more,” says interior designer Brianna Untener. Plus, paring it back lets you better appreciate your collection of vases or candles—without any one element getting overwhelmed. Untener recommends grouping items with similar meanings or themes together: "This will help your space feel curated and thoughtfully put together."

Hanging Curtains Incorrectly

“Hanging curtains directly above or close to the window frame visually cuts the walls and makes the room appear shorter than it is,” says Jensen. Instead, she recommends hanging the drapery rod 2 to 3 inches below the ceiling or crown moldings. It's a small adjustment, but it draws the eye upward, making the room feel taller and more expansive.

Overlooking Texture

A lack of texture can make a room feel flat and uninspired, no matter how well-furnished it is. "Texture is the key to depth and character," says Lana Wear, founder and CEO of HomeWear Designs. "Instead, mix materials like wood, metal, stone, and soft textiles. Even something as simple as a woven basket or velvet pillow can add a rich layer and elevate the design."

Skipping Paint Testing

“It’s always obvious when people haven’t tested paint colors,” says Jensen. “They’ve selected a color they loved at the store, but they’re shocked that it looks completely different on their walls.”

The solution? Always try colors before committing. “It’s best to do a large test patch on the wall and observe it throughout the day, as lighting changes how it looks,” she says. Incorporating the hue in other areas of the room, like furniture and décor, will make it look even more intentional.