5 Interior Design Mistakes Homeowners Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Designing a beautiful, functional home shouldn’t feel overwhelming—but for many homeowners, it does. Between Pinterest inspiration, endless furniture options, and fast-changing trends, it’s easy to make choices that don’t quite work together. As an interior designer, I see the same mistakes over and over… and the good news? They’re all fixable.

Today I’m breaking down the top interior design mistakes and sharing expert tips to help you transform your home with confidence and clarity.

1. Choosing Paint Colors Before Anything Else

Paint feels like the natural starting point, but it should actually come last.

Why? Because wall colors need to support your furniture, finishes, flooring, and lighting—not compete with them.

Designer Tip:

Choose your main furnishings, textiles, and major finishes first. Start with an overall color palette, then select a paint color that pulls the whole room together.

2. Hanging Curtains Too Low

One of the fastest ways to elevate a room is raising your curtains. When curtains sit just above the window frame, they make the ceiling feel lower and the room smaller.

Designer Tip:

Hang curtains high and wide—ideally near the ceiling—to elongate the walls and let in more natural light.

3. Using Furniture That’s the Wrong Scale

Oversized sofas, tiny rugs, and undersized lighting are common issues that throw off the balance of a room.

Designer Tips:

• Your rug should be large enough that at least the front legs of your main furniture pieces sit on it.

• Use appropriately sized lighting—small lamps and tiny pendants disappear in a room.

• Always measure before buying.

4. Not Layering Textures

A room can have perfect colors and furniture, yet still feel flat. What it’s missing? Texture. Layering different materials adds depth, warmth, and interest.

Try mixing:

• Wood

• Linen

• Leather

• Woven materials

• Stone

• Metals

• Soft textiles

The more layers you add (within reason), the more luxurious and intentional your space feels.

5. Buying Décor Without a Plan

Impulse shopping is fun… until you get home and realize nothing works together. This leads to clutter, mismatched styles, and visual chaos.

Designer Tip:

• Start with a design plan, mood board, or inspiration palette. Know your colors, textures, and style direction before you hit “add to cart.”

The Designer Difference

Working with an interior designer eliminates guesswork and ensures every detail—big or small—supports your home’s overall vision. From color palettes to furniture layouts to custom styling, a designer curates your space with intention, expertise, and a trained eye.

If you’re feeling stuck or ready for a change, I offer:

✨ Full-service interior design

✨ Virtual design and mood boards

✨ Paint and color consultations

✨ Styling and room refresh packages

Ready to Transform Your Home?

Whether you’re furnishing a single room or refreshing your entire home, I’d love to help you create a space that feels beautiful, functional, and uniquely yours.

Contact me today to get started on your design vision.