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Worst interior design mistakes


12 Common Interior Design Mistakes & How to Fix Them

For every great design, there are a few pretty terrible ones. They all succumb to one or more of the worst interior design mistakes – and it shows. Fortunately, you can avoid the same fate by knowing what not to do. Read on as we explore common design blunders and how to fix them if you become the unfortunate victim of an interior design fail. 

The 12 Worst Interior Design Mistakes

Some insight or help from top interior design apps or services will certainly help you conquer any interior faux pas. With these tips, you can dodge pitfalls and create a breathtaking space instead. 

Do you have an interior design mistake that could use the help of a pro? Then, schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation to get started with a top designer today!

1. Choosing the Wrong Color

Painting mistakes are among the most common interior design faux pas out there. And, it’s one of the worst ones too. The reason lies in its overwhelming influence on the rest of the space. It impacts the ambiance, mood, and look of the room. Consider color psychology and test swabs in your preferred room before committing paint to the wall.

The Fix: Test or Go Neutral

Painting mistakes fixed by Decorilla designer, Laura A.

First, choose a base color that’ll stand the test of time. This means large surfaces, like walls, ceilings, and floors, are best in a neutral or muted hue. You can then select supporting tones that work well with the main shade. Playing it safe is often an easy way to avoid interior design errors altogether. Also, if you have existing furniture you want to keep, use them as a guide for your wall colors. Experts in designing living spaces can also help you pick the right colors. 

2. Not Balancing the Layout  

A bad layout is one of the most common interior design mistakes that’s vital to avoid. Often, ill-planned interiors lack a positive visual and practical flow. They neglect the movement of foot traffic as well as aesthetic elements. 

The Fix: Plan & Measure

Living room layout mistakes fixed by Decorilla designer, Nikola P.

Consider your room size, furniture selection, and placement. Then measure and try different layouts. You can create a harmonious space by decorating around a center – like a coffee table – while ensuring all sides are equally weighted. You can also use 3D design apps online to test your layout or draw them on paper. 

3. Opting for Ill-Sized Furniture

Some interior design mistakes can feel counterintuitive. For example, decorating a small room with small furniture may feel right, but it can make the space look cluttered. On the other hand, too many chairs and sofas can take away the roominess of a large room. 

The Fix: Scale & Practice Restraint 

Interior design mistakes fixed by Decorilla designer, Theresa G.

Scale is vital in any given room. Balance small or low-profile pieces with larger or taller items and allow breathing space between objects. The last is especially true with sofas and tables. And finally, avoid clustering chairs around a coffee table.

4. Using Too Small Rugs

Plushness underfoot can make a room feel so cozy and complete. Yet, when a rug is the incorrect size, it’ll make the interior feel awkward. As one of the worst interior design mistakes to make, getting it right can be so beneficial. A rug is not only grounding, but it can also add depth and definition through zoning and texture. 

The Fix: Go Bigger

Common interior design mistake fixed by Decorilla designer, Theresa G.

Choosing the correct rug size is an instant fix. However, the right rug varies from one room to the next and depends on the room size, the layout, and furniture. A lounge, for instance, needs a rug big enough to fit at least all the front legs of the seating. A dining room rug must allow space for chairs to be pulled out from the table. And finally, a bedroom rug should extend at least two feet on the sides of the bed. 

5. Not Enough Lighting

Bad lighting is not only one of the most common bedroom interior design mistakes, but it extends to the whole house and even commercial spaces. Limited light sources result in a dimly or harshly lit room, with no in-between. It can make a room feel very unwelcoming. 

The Fix: Layer Light 

Interior decorating & lighting mistakes fixed by Decorilla designer, Rachel H.

If possible, avoid one of the worst interior design mistakes by integrating lighting design into your build plans. You need three layers of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient light ensures general illumination throughout a room, like downlights. Second, task lighting (like a desk lamp) makes working, reading, and cooking easier. And lastly, accents highlight special features and define an interior.  

6. Ignoring Vertical Space

A room can have beautiful furniture yet still feel off. Not utilizing a room effectively is often the culprit. This includes neglecting walls, ceilings, and vertical space. Unfortunately, the bedroom is where these interior design mistakes run wild.  

The Fix: Add Height

Typical bedroom interior design mistake fixed by Decorilla designer, Nikola P.

One way to avoid common interior design mistakes is by adding dimension. Use furniture with different heights, artwork, and (pendant or floor) lighting. Don’t be afraid to try something new, like a canopy bed or floor-to-ceiling curtains.  

7. Not Adding Variety

It’s easy to get stuck on a certain look and finish, especially if a trend has caught your eye. But fixating too heavily on one aspect can make the room seem flat and unimaginative. Single-color themes or all-similar finishes can be monotonous without variety. But they are simple interior design mistakes to avoid, especially as these spaces typically feel incomplete.

The Fix: Mix it Up

Interior decorating mistakes fixed by Decorilla designer, Courtney B.

You can create a cohesive whole without matching all your furniture. If you want a neutral or monochromatic scheme, pick a primary color and shades in the same color family. Grays, for instance, have warm and cool tones. A combination of both is sure to add more depth to your space. Additionally, add different textures and materials to avoid the worst design mistakes. These accents can feature as a rug, drapes, throw pillows, upholstery, and even cabinetry.

8. No Focal Point

One sure way to make a space feel bland is by forgetting to create a focal point. Without a central focus, there is no place for eyes to rest and a room can feel unorganized yet empty as a result. 

The Fix: Create Feature Zones

Interior design faux pas fixed by Decorilla designer, Selma A.

Planning makes interior design mistakes, like this one, easy to avoid. You can create one large focal point in a room or have smaller features per zone in a big space – like an open plan living-kitchen area. The fix above shows how striking contemporary lighting sets the new dining area apart from the rest of the interior. Yet, it is unobtrusive and gives a sly glimpse of the marble backsplash in the kitchen beyond. 

9. Forgetting About Traffic Flow

If you have to climb over or shimmy past furniture to enjoy the lounge, there are living room layout mistakes at work. Such a setup not only makes life difficult, but it also has a detrimental visual impact. As a result, a room will feel crowded when you can’t move about freely. 

The Fix: Free Flow Layout

Interior decorating mistakes fixed by Decorilla designer, Drew F.

Keep to a natural flow within your interior. Use a floorplan to pick the best layout per room and keep in mind that you should be able to enter and exit the space via the same door. Keep walkways clear and allow for enough space between furniture. Remember: moving around freely is vital to a happy interior.

10. Holding on to Outdated or Inappropriate Furniture & Décor

Outdated furniture and décor are typical in interiors rigidly decorated in a certain style or on the whim of trends. Some aged pieces can look stunning in a design, but they need to be incorporated into a cohesive and beautiful whole. In addition, be aware of the age appropriateness of decor pieces. Once the kids have grown up or moved out, store or donate those plush animal keepsakes. 

The Fix: Update & Opt for Timelessness 

Bedroom interior design mistakes fixed by Decorilla designer, Drew F.

Choosing timeless pieces and accessories is a sure way to make an interior look beautiful regardless of the era. Stick to simple lines and color palettes as your base. You can always spruce up the look with a trendy lampshade or scatter pillow to refresh things later on.  

11. Neglecting Texture

Even if an interior has great furniture, it won’t feel right when everything has the same finish and texture. We function on a multi-sensory level. With this in mind, visual and tactile elements should enhance our experience of a room. 

The Fix: Spice it Up

Interior design faux pas fixed by Decorilla designer, Courtney B.

Add depth through various textures, sizes, and heights. Wallpaper and paint effects can create a beautiful backdrop but don’t forget the ceiling. Paint, panels, and moldings can do wonders for the overall feel of a room. You can also bring in lovely tactile elements in the shape of rugs and organic décor or accent tables.

12. Incorrect Curtain Size & Height

And finally, the worst of all interior decorating mistakes: incorrect window dressing. This is because of how big an impact it has and how easily it can elevate an interior to a stunning level. Curtains hanging just above a window or too far from the ground are bound to cause eyesores.  

The Fix: Be Generous 

Tudor home design mistakes fixed by Decorilla designer, Theresa W.

Frame your interior with curtains bigger than you initially think you need. When hanging curtains correctly, you should install the rod higher (4-6 inches above) and wider than the window frame to make a room seem taller and more spacious. Also, consider layered window treatments when you want blinds. Soft, flowy drapes just have a way of bringing an elegant air into any room. 

Need help fixing interior design mistakes?

Our team of talented interior designers can help turn any space from “oh no!” to “OMG!”. Schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation to learn more about your design options today! 

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Bad Interior Design Trends - 35 Design Mistakes You Should Avoid

Getty Images

For as long as there’s been great design, there’s been really, really bad design. Popcorn ceilings, shag rugs, beveled glass—the list goes on. In honor of ELLE Decor's 30th anniversary, we're taking you back in time for a look at some of the industry's biggest design crimes. Here, some of our go-to interior decorators expose major design disasters you should avoid at all costs, from 1989 to today.

Can you guess what they are? Read on to see if you pass the test.

Construction Photography/AvalonGetty Images

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Vessel Sinks

“Vessel sinks are aesthetically offensive, functionally ridiculous, and a prejudice against your cute petite friends.” —David Kaihoi

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Leather Sofas in Family Rooms

“Some guy’s butt stuck to a leather cushion? No thanks.” —Estee Stanley

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Karate Chopped Pillows

“The karate-chop of a pillow is as dated as wearing Brut aftershave, just more offensive!”—Martyn Lawrence Bullard

John KeebleGetty Images

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Brass Kitchen Faucets

“Please stop. ” —Madeline Stuart

View PicturesGetty Images

5 of 35

Icon-itis

“Too many iconic pieces together in one room. A Mies van der Rohe with a Herman Miller with a Saarinen is too much information at once.” —Joe Nahem

WILLIAM EDWARDSGetty Images

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Fool’s Gold

“I love bling, shine, and sheen, but give me the real deal.”
—Jamie Drake

Aladdin Color IncGetty Images

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Fake Fancy

“Would you swing around a fake Fendi? If you can’t afford the name brand, don’t buy the knockoff.” —Young Huh

InsightsGetty Images

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Sentimental Decor

“I am not very sentimental, particularly if it’s ugly. Your grandmother’s Hummel figurine collection? Torch it.” —Miles Redd

The Washington PostGetty Images

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One Night Table

“Unless you have a twin bed, not having bedside tables on both sides of a bed is not friendly and not functional, especially for the person without a place to set down a book. ” —Ellie Cullman

DEA / G. CIGOLINIGetty Images

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Beveled Glass...

“...on anything.” —Celerie Kemble

Courtesy

11 of 35

Dried Flower Arrangements

“How, exactly, does one clean them?”
—Nate Berkus

Horst P. HorstGetty Images

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Poorly Done “More is More”

“When you declare more is more, it better be more quality pieces, more collectible than otherwise, and more taste than money can buy.” —Richard Mishaan

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Hotel-Inspired Rooms

“The idea that a hotel room has a 'look' you’d want at home is ridiculous.” —Brian McCarthy

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Dark Lampshades

“Lampshades in patterned fabrics or dark hues are just gloomy.”
—Ellie Cullman

Roberto Machado NoaGetty Images

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Tourist Art

“Please shop for anything at all while you’re traveling—the loudest Hawaiian shirt, snow globes, mugs. But please don’t make me hang your tourist art. If there are buses parked in front of the gallery, go elsewhere.” —Young Huh

View PicturesGetty Images

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Commitment-phobia

“If you use color, don't just put it on a throw pillow and call it a day. Own it.” —Glenn Pushelberg & George Yabu

View PicturesGetty Images

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Not Using Every Room of the House

“Spaces absorb energy when they’re lived in, adding a whole other dimension to design.” —Suzanne Kasler

Haanel CassidyGetty Images

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Matching Fabrics on the Drapes and the Furniture

“Too much of a good thing is a bad thing!” —Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Horst P. HorstGetty Images

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Dark walls...

“...with white trim everywhere.” —Miles Redd

DEA / A. VERGANIGetty Images

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Shabby Chic

“We’re tired of worn-out, cluttered rooms that that make you want to wipe your feet on the way out. ” —Jim Aman

View PicturesGetty Images

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Reclaimed Wood

“Best left unclaimed.” —Madeline Stuart

Horst P. HorstGetty Images

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Over-Protection

“Over-protection is just un-chic. I have never been a fan of a thin glass top on a skirted table—I’ll comprise with a 1/2-inch thick top. Surfaces matter!” —Miles Redd

Jumping RocksGetty Images

23 of 35

Curtains That Just Graze the Floor

“Perhaps we previously went too far with curtain breaks, but curtains that just graze the floor tend to curl up over time and look mingy.” —Ellie Cullman

H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStockGetty Images

24 of 35

Assuming All Mid-Century Modern is Great

“Just because it’s mid-century doesn’t mean it’s great. A lot of bad stuff came out of the ‘50s and ‘60s.” —Joe Nahem

View PicturesGetty Images

25 of 35

Rooms Without Dimmers

“Rooms without dimmers are social suicide. ” —Martyn Lawrence Bullard

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A different wallpaper...

“...in every room.” —Estee Stanley

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Mauve

“The friendship of Dusty Rose and Mauve, with their gummy undertones, hurts my feelings.” —Mary McDonald

RezaGetty Images

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Framed Photographs of Family...

“...on every possible surface.” —Brian McCarthy

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Pullout Sofa Beds

“Pullout beds have been breaking backs and severing fingers for over a century!” —David Kaihoi

View PicturesGetty Images

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Cherry

“Cherry anything.” —Nate Berkus

55 Interior Mistakes Everyone Makes — INMYROOM

Tips

Don't Step on Others' Mistakes

What should be taken into account and foreseen during repairs? How to fix what has already been done wrong? The answers are in our review.

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Many mistakes in the design of a combined bathroom are related to the fact that, in general, it was not worth combining it. We learned from the architect Nikita Morozov what happens if there is not enough space for all the necessary plumbing, the designer did not provide a storage system, and the finish was chosen too bright.

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6 most common mistakes when buying finishing materials

The choice of finishing materials is one of the most pleasant, but also difficult stages of repair. Our expert Andrey Lyamin-Borodin shared some tips for those who decide to make repairs on their own.

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3 mistakes, due to which there is nothing to breathe in the apartment

In each apartment, according to the plan of the designers, there should be regular ventilation, but during repairs this is often forgotten. And only after moving into a renovated apartment, they realize that there is nothing to breathe in the apartment. We understand what can cause poor ventilation.

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9 mistakes in kitchen design + tips on how to fix them

re-ditch the walls. We have collected the most common mistakes in one article and told you how to avoid them even at the interior design stage.

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8 designer and builder mistakes that cost customers dearly

Together with an expert in the field of renovation, we made a hotlist of popular designer and builder temptations that should not be allowed. Many of these mistakes are made for the love of beauty, but at the expense of convenience and common sense. Some - from inattention, ignorance or desire to please the customer.

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Design: Nikita Zub

9 common mistakes in the design of a small apartment

In an effort to gain some extra space and furnish our small home with taste, we sometimes make serious mistakes that complicate life and spoil the interior. We remind you that the owners of tiny apartments definitely do not need to do.

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Mistakes in apartment interior design: How to fix mistakes in the interior, photo

at home. Such examples led me to think about typical mistakes in interior design - I have, perhaps, a whole collection of those. Designers now talk a lot about design failures and with pleasure, contrasting the results of people's “independent work” with their professional vision, education and sense of style.

But, in fairness, it must be said that both designers and architects also make mistakes in their work. And frustrated customers ask me to correct the miscalculations of my colleagues. So the conversation in this article is not about the fact that the designer will make the project better and better. And about what mistakes we make in the interior design of an apartment or house, and how to avoid them.

Arent&Pyke

Martin Pierce Hardware

1. The project is done, but the design lacks zest
This is the most common mistake of many interior projects: the design is “from scratch”: beautiful, brand new, but something is clearly missing. Even with a variety of high-level professionals, there are a lot of such interiors now. Such a mistake in design arises because the customer wants to “hang new curtains or somehow enliven the interior.”

I understand well my fellow designers, the authors of unremarkable interiors. Most likely, the client moved the pencil in the project, and at some point the designers preferred to give up and not argue. And as a result, the interior design (for obvious reasons) did not suit the client.

Yes, customers often dictate their wishes, and it is impossible to ignore them. Someone does not accept contrasts, someone is not ready to take a step away from the classics, but I am convinced that a compromise can be found in everything. Any interior with a certain approach can become memorable and original, even if it is conservative inside and out.

In order not to make this mistake in interior design, I recommend filling the space with memorable details. Let his personality form some "chips". For example, in an extremely canonical interior, you can fit original door handles. That's really, really, a trifle, but nice.

Schmidt Kitchens Palmers Green

2. Beautiful, but not very functional
I have seen examples of stunningly beautiful interiors, where all the components are aesthetically perfect: correctly chosen textiles, harmonious wall and floor finishes, correct furniture. In other words, the design of the apartment is just a magazine picture. But, looking more closely, I noticed mistakes in interior design related to domestic and even philistine comfort.

Let's say there are not enough sockets (an example of such a mistake is a photo of this kitchen) or they are located in not the most convenient places. Or, at the request of the client, they laid a natural parquet board on the floor and did not take into account (or could not find the words to convince the owner) that it is much more practical to choose the latest generation laminate with a certain wear resistance class for a house with a dog. Indeed, after a year of use, it will look much more decent than a delicate board, on which sometimes even scratches from a vacuum cleaner remain. Now imagine the complex of emotions of a client who, due to such an interior design mistake, will have to make repairs and change the flooring in a year.

These are just examples of interior design mistakes, but the message is: you can't neglect convenience for beauty. This is especially important to remember for those who make repairs on their own, without the participation of a designer.

SEE ALSO…
More Than Just Curiosity: What Interior Designers Will Ask You About

Emma Blomfield

the interior with the most miniature and functional furniture, transforming, unfolding, folding. And once I myself made a mistake in the design of the apartment, ordering very comfortable window frames for the living room of clients with a practical opening and closing mechanism. However, later it turned out that the tone of the wood of the window frames in the catalog looked warmer and, as a result, did not harmonize with the architraves, skirting boards and doorways. As a result, maximum comfort was provided, but the picture did not work out.

Based on my experience, I have learned that it is always worth looking very carefully at the whole picture and keeping it in your head when designing an interior. Consider not only dimensions, but also proportions, create collages and mood boards for yourself (a list of inspiring photo interiors that you like), balancing between the color scheme and the objects used.

Z+ Interiors

Mazzie Design

4. Lack of storage space
This design mistake can also be classified as a beautiful picture and lack of convenience. But I want to highlight this aspect, because quite often this mistake is found in modern design projects, in particular, typical small apartments. The design error is explained by the fact that after all the essentials have already found their place in the interior, there is simply no space left for capacious storage systems for outerwear, bed linen and other household items.

I was once approached by clients to correct just such a design error. Everything suited the owners, except for an unpleasant nuance - the ordered bed model did not have drawers for linen, and the entire closet was occupied by clothes. I had to look on the Internet for a suitable drawer with drawers, which would fit under such a bed as a separate block.

David Heide Design Studio

To avoid such a mistake in an apartment, storage systems, in my opinion, need to be thought through almost more carefully than furniture design. If you plan to leave an impressive home library in your new apartment, look for shelves. There is no desire to buy an additional closet for seasonal clothes - you can allocate space on the loggia by making lockers with doors.

It is important that it is necessary to exclude such an interior error in advance: before the final design project of the interior is drawn up, and the builders start its implementation.

StudioMR

5. Wrong perception of style
Quite a lot of interior errors arise from the reading of classic styles by designers - there is a great risk of slipping into vulgarity. We all know that the classics require space and large footage, the correct proportions of the interior. But in addition, it requires a sense of proportion from the customer: so that there are no interior errors such as an abundance of red wood or “golden Versailles”, so that the elements add up to a delicate picture, and not evoke associations with an elderly couple’s apartment or a catalog of a furniture factory in the middle price segment .

There is probably no cure for this "ailment". Is it perhaps aesthetic taste, experience, self-study, learning from interior mistakes, a critical attitude towards oneself.

Red Princess Productions

6. Root of mistakes: a designer takes on any project
The task of many (and especially beginners) designers is to build a portfolio quickly. This desire leads to the fact that the client is offered a very tempting package of services at a super attractive price. It seems to the customer that in front of him is an experienced and versatile designer (but there are only a few such generalists), who does not make professional mistakes. But, taking on everything at once, the designer risks not only making mistakes in the interior, but also not developing specific skills in himself. And the client leaves disappointed and, generalizing his negative experience of communicating with a particular author, considers absolutely all interior designers to be incompetent.

Studio Munroe

Someone who works well with classics and mature clients, understands their psychology and can offer solutions.

Learn more