Red Flags in Room Decor: Are You Making These Common Design Mistakes? 🚩
- Aster Bottega
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Your home should be a reflection of your personality, style, and comfort. But sometimes, small decor mistakes can make a space feel off—too cluttered, unbalanced, or just not quite right. If your room isn’t giving the vibe you want, you might be guilty of these common decor red flags. Let’s dive into what not to do and how to fix it, with expert advice from renowned architects and interior designers. 🏡✨
1. Too Many Trends, Not Enough Timelessness
We get it—Pinterest and Instagram are full of trendy decor ideas, and it’s tempting to try them all. But constantly chasing trends can make your home look like a fast fashion store rather than a well-curated sanctuary.
Expert Tip: Kelly Wearstler, a leading interior designer, advises: “Invest in timeless pieces and mix in trends sparingly. Your home should evolve naturally over time.” Stick to classic, high-quality furniture and add trendy accents through pillows, rugs, or decor that can be easily swapped out.
2. Bad Lighting Choices
Lighting can make or break a space. Relying only on harsh overhead lights or cold white bulbs can make a room feel sterile and uninviting.
✅ Fix it: Interior architect Peter Marino suggests layering different light sources:
Ambient Lighting – Warm-toned ceiling lights or pendant lamps
Task Lighting – Desk lamps or reading lights for functionality
Accent Lighting – LED strips, wall sconces, or candles for a cozy vibe
Pro tip: Use warm, dimmable lights to create an inviting atmosphere.
3. Tiny Rugs in Large Rooms
One of the biggest interior design sins? Using a postage-stamp-sized rug in a spacious room. Rugs should ground a space, not float in the middle awkwardly.
✅ Fix it: According to Nate Berkus, “A rug should define the space it’s in. Ideally, furniture should sit on top of it, or at least have the front legs resting on the rug.” Opt for a larger area rug that connects your furniture and makes the space feel cohesive.
4. Ignoring Scale & Proportion
Oversized furniture in a small room? Tiny decor pieces scattered across a large space? Not knowing how to balance scale and proportion can make a space feel off.
✅ Fix it: Use the 60-30-10 Rule for balance:
60% Primary furniture (sofa, bed, dining table)
30% Secondary furniture (accent chairs, side tables)
10% Decor elements (plants, candles, vases)
5. Cluttered Surfaces & Over-Decorating
More isn’t always better. Overloading your shelves, coffee tables, and countertops with too many decor items can make a room feel cluttered instead of curated.
✅ Fix it: Marie Kondo, the queen of minimalism, recommends asking: “Does this spark joy?” If not, remove it! Stick to a few statement pieces rather than an overload of small trinkets.
6. Matching Everything Too Perfectly
A room that looks like a furniture showroom? 🚨 Boring! Matching every single piece of furniture creates a flat and uninspired look.
✅ Fix it: Design legend Axel Vervoordt advises: “Contrast and character create depth.” Mix textures, materials, and colors to make your space feel unique. Combine vintage finds with modern pieces, and add depth with layers and textiles.
7. Neglecting Personal Touches
A beautifully designed space without any personal elements feels cold and impersonal.
✅ Fix it: Add personal photographs, travel souvenirs, or artwork that reflects you. Your space should tell your story, not just follow an Instagram trend.
8. Not Considering Functionality
Aesthetic is important, but if your space isn’t functional, it’s not working for you.
✅ Fix it: Interior designer Joanna Gaines suggests designing with daily habits in mind: “Your home should make your life easier, not harder.” Ensure there’s enough storage, easy flow, and furniture that supports your lifestyle.
🚀 Final Thoughts: How to Fix Your Decor Mistakes
The best-designed spaces are a balance of style, functionality, and personality. If your room feels off, step back and analyze what might be causing it. Are you following too many trends? Is your lighting too harsh? Do you have cluttered surfaces? Start making small changes, and soon, your space will feel just right.
💬 Which red flag are you guilty of? Let’s chat in the comments! ⬇️
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