The 5 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Decorating Their Home

Decorating your home is an exciting process. You want your space to reflect your personality and provide comfort. However, it’s easy to fall into common decorating traps that can leave your space feeling disjointed or incomplete. Here are five mistakes nearly everyone makes when decorating their home—and more importantly, how you can fix them to create the cozy, stylish space you’ve always wanted.

1. Ignoring Scale and Proportion

The Mistake: Ever walked into a room where the furniture seems too big or too small for the space? One of the most common decorating mistakes is choosing pieces that don’t fit the proportions of the room. A giant sectional in a tiny living room or a tiny coffee table in a spacious den can throw off the balance of the space.

How to Fix It: Measure your room before you buy any furniture. Consider the height, width, and depth of the pieces and how they’ll fit into the space. Use painter’s tape to outline where large furniture items will go. If your room is small, opt for streamlined furniture to avoid overcrowding. In larger spaces, balance out big furniture with smaller accents like side tables or large artwork.

2. Choosing Style Over Comfort

The Mistake: We’ve all been tempted by that stunning, ultra-modern chair that looks perfect but feels like sitting on a rock. Prioritizing style over comfort is a mistake that can leave you with a home that looks amazing but isn’t functional.

How to Fix It: Balance style and comfort by testing furniture before purchasing it. If you’re shopping online, check reviews to see how comfortable pieces are in real life. Choose materials that feel good to the touch, and make sure key pieces like your sofa, chairs, and bed provide both comfort and style. A home is meant to be lived in, not just admired!

3. Forgetting About Lighting

The Mistake: Many people overlook lighting, relying solely on overhead fixtures or ignoring it altogether. Poor lighting can make even the most beautifully decorated room feel dull or cold.

How to Fix It: Layer your lighting! Use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create depth and warmth in your space. Incorporate floor lamps, table lamps, and even string lights to add ambiance. When selecting bulbs, consider their color temperature—warm light creates a cozy feel, while cooler light is great for task-oriented spaces like the kitchen or home office.

4. Not Defining a Color Palette

The Mistake: You might love bold colors, but too many clashing hues can make a room feel chaotic. On the other hand, sticking to all neutrals can leave your space feeling flat and uninspired.

How to Fix It: Choose a color palette that reflects your style and sets the tone for the room. Start with a neutral base, then add two or three accent colors to create cohesion. You can incorporate these colors in your decor, such as through throw pillows, rugs, or artwork. If you love bold colors, use them sparingly to create focal points without overwhelming the space.

5. Over-Accessorizing

The Mistake: It’s easy to go overboard with decorations, especially when you love knick-knacks and statement pieces. Too many accessories can clutter your space and detract from its overall design.

How to Fix It: Less is more! Curate your accessories carefully and only display items that add meaning or style to your space. Consider rotating accessories throughout the year to keep things fresh. For a more intentional look, group similar items together, like a collection of vases or candles, rather than spreading them out all over the room.