6 interior design mistakes to avoid and what to do instead

Designing txhe interior of your home is an exciting adventure – you get to create a space that represents your unique style and personality. However, even with the best intentions, it's easy to make common mistakes that can hinder the overall look and functionality of a room. To help you avoid these mistakes and create a beautiful and inviting space, we've compiled a list of interior design blunders to steer clear of. Keep reading to learn more!

Mistake nr. 1 – Designing without a plan

Planning is an essential part of any project including decorating a home. Before you take any serious decisions be sure to make a plan. A lot of times people dive into decorating without an idea of what they want the end result to look like. That leads to purchasing beautiful pieces that don’t really go well together.

Another option is that you have made a plan in your head, for example, you want your home to be in midcentury modern style. It is a start, but if you don’t have a vision board, a color palette, and a budget, you can still end up with lots of pieces that go with the design style but somehow don’t work together.

Action plan nr. 1 – Create a vision board and know your color scheme

To avoid creating an incoherent design start with putting together an inspirational vision board. You can create it on Pinterest or put together pictures in Canva. You can also flip through design magazines and mark the items and interiors you enjoy.

After a while, you will start to get the feel of what you want the room to look like. Pay attention to details – what are the elements you choose most commonly, what are the design choices you like, and what do you find are not your style, what are the colors you gravitate towards.

Decide on a color scheme – choose three main colors that you will use as a base. You can play around with different tones of those colors to create a more dimensional design.

Once you have an idea, start pulling items that would look good in your interior. Go through design shops and vintage stores online, get pictures, and start adding them to your final design sketch.

It is also worth mentioning that you can always hire a designer to help you with some of the steps. You will need to have an idea of what you want the room to look like, but a designer can help you create a coherent look that you will enjoy.

Mistake nr. 2 – Forgetting about budget

Not setting a budget is a mistake that can truly cost you. If you are not aware of your financial abilities, you won’t be able to furnish a house properly. And it doesn’t matter how big or small your budget is going to be. It will help to set priorities and choose the best options available to you. 

Solutions nr. 2 – Set a budget

The only case when you can forget about a budget is if you have the whole money in the World and it is dedicated to furnishing a house. If that is not the case, make a budget. Once you make a budget you can choose how to spend it. Usually, you want to invest in long-term items like a couch or shelving unit. And then you can decorate over time with smaller things like vases, plants, and design items.

Mistake nr. 3 – Thinking everything needs to match

A mistake people often make is assuming that all items need to match to get a coherent look. They end up buying all items in one color, for example, white. They buy a white dresser, white closet, white bed, white desk, and even paint the walls white. It does create an interesting monochrome room look, but it usually looks plain and boring.

Another example would be to fixate on a theme, for example, butterflies. You choose a beautiful wallpaper with butterflies. Then you go choosing curtains and you stubble upon ones with butterflies. You think: “That’s nice! They will match the walls!” and buy them. You keep on adding things with a butterfly theme. The idea is great, but in the end, the room looks like a museum of butterfly items, not a homey space to live in.

Solution nr. 3 – Mismatching items in a coherent way

When thinking about color, don’t fixate on one tone, use your color palette and work with at least three colors. Also don’t forget to experiment with different tones of those colors! Just keep in mind to not go overboard. You want the colors to be different but still coherent. Work with the color wheel for maximum efficiency.

If you want to have a theme for your room, display it in just a few items and make the rest of the items subtle nudges on what the theme is. For example, if you have beautiful butterfly wallpaper, match the items with the tones of the wallpaper. They don’t have to be butterfly related.

Study what colors and materials go together. For example, straw baskets will look amazing with creme white. Light wood would also match nicely in that room.

Mistake nr. 4 – Not matching anything

Contrary to the previous mistake, not matching any items in your room also is not a good look. It creates chaos and disorganization. The room doesn’t look purposely decorated; it rather leaves a negligent aftertaste. You want your room to have a purposeful design. The items don’t need to be of the same kind but they need to work well together.

Solution nr. 4 – learn how to match items in a beautiful way

Start with creating a color scheme for your room. Once you have that, try to purchase items that fit that color scheme. If you are confused, it is best to have one or two base colors and then add a splash of color with another one. Don’t be afraid to explore different tones of those colors.

Another good option is to look for sets, for example, a shelving unit that has a matched coffee table. A couch that has matched armchairs. Don’t go overboard with the matching but it is a good place where to start.

Mistake nr. 5 – Holding on to pieces

Family heirlooms are fantastic. They have a character, and they hold stories and memories. But there comes a time when a heirloom can become troublesome. Sometimes it’s a piece that has served its time and needs to go. Other times, you just don’t like the piece but hold on to it because it has sentimental value. These items clutter not only the room but also the mental space.

Solution nr. 5 – Keep only what you truly enjoy

It might take some willpower to get rid of items with sentimental value. If you cannot let go of the item, think about storing it in a different place. You can also try to restore it or make something new out of it. But the truth is, you will feel much happier in a place that represents you and your personality, rather than holding on to past items.

Mistake nr. 6 – Ignoring traffic flow

Even though you want your room decor to look nice, first you need to think about the functionality. Sometimes people forget about how they will use the room and arrange the furniture in a way that looks beautiful but is not practical for the specific room. Another common mistake is choosing decor pieces that stand in the way or that are not suitable for the residents of the home, for example, children and pets.

Solution nr. 6 – Firstly think about functionality, then about the looks

When starting to decorate a room, look around and notice how it is most commonly used. How do people get around it? Where is the entrance, and where do they move from there? Keep that in mind when choosing the arrangement of furniture.

It is also a good idea to test out different layouts. Try the couch pushed against the wall, try moving it more into the center of the room. See how it changes the flow of the room and find a solution that works best for the space.

When purchasing any decor pieces, keep in mind not only how it will look, but who will interact with it. Do you have children or pets? Consider whether the decor piece will interfere with the daily lives of the residents of the home or it will supplement it. Choose things that make sense in your house, and avoid items that will just stand in the way.

In conclusion

Designing a room can be a daunting task but it can be made easier if you try to avoid the common mistakes. Start with making a plan and setting a budget. Then choose a color scheme and create a vision board. Look for items that fit your chosen style. Don’t match everything and don’t choose every item to be different. Let go of family heirlooms that don’t spark you joy and think about the traffic in the room when creating a design for it.