In this post, we’ll explore the most common home styling missteps that many people make—often unknowingly—and offer simple, practical tips to fix them. Whether you're decorating a new home or refreshing a tired room, these tips will help you achieve a more cohesive, polished look.
1. Using Rugs That Are Too Small
The Mistake: A common misstep is using rugs that are too small for the room, especially under furniture.
The Fix: Your rug should anchor the furniture. In living rooms, aim for a rug that all front legs of the furniture sit on. For dining areas, the rug should extend at least 24 inches beyond the table on all sides.
2. Hanging Curtains Too Low or Too Narrow
The Mistake: Hanging curtain rods just above the window frame or using curtains that barely cover the window can make the room feel smaller and ceilings lower.
The Fix: Mount curtain rods 6–12 inches above the window frame and extend the rod 8–12 inches beyond each side. It gives the illusion of height and lets in more light.
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3. Pushing All Furniture Against the Walls
The Mistake: While this may seem like a way to create more space, it actually leaves the room feeling disconnected and cold.
The Fix: Float furniture in conversational groupings, especially in large rooms. Use a rug to define the area and bring pieces inward for a cozier feel.
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4. Ignoring Lighting Layers
The Mistake: Relying only on overhead lighting makes a space feel harsh and flat.
One overhead light = flat and lifeless. Good lighting makes or breaks a room.The Fix: Layer lighting: combine ambient (overhead), task (table/floor lamps), and accent (wall sconces, candles) lighting to create a well-lit and inviting space.
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5. Hanging Art Too High
The Mistake: Art that’s too high draws the eye upward and out of balance with the rest of the room. Art that floats near the ceiling throws everything off. It should feel connected to your furniture and eye level.
The Fix: Hang artwork so the center is at eye level—roughly 57–60 inches from the floor. When hanging above furniture, keep it within 6–8 inches of the top. For gallery walls, treat them as one composition and aim for balance.
6. Cluttered Surfaces
The Mistake: Filling every shelf, table, or counter with items creates visual noise and feels chaotic. Covering every coffee table, shelf, and dresser with decor can make the space feel chaotic rather than curated.
The Fix: Practice restraint. Use the "rule of three": group objects in odd numbers and vary their heights and textures. Leave breathing room between vignettes.
7. Skipping Scale and Proportion
The Mistake: Using furniture that’s either too bulky or too small for the room can throw off balance.
Ever seen a tiny rug floating under a giant sectional sofa? Or a tiny picture frame on a big blank wall? That’s a scale and proportion issue.
The Fix: Mix pieces of varying heights and widths, but ensure they “speak” to one another. In small spaces, choose furniture that fits the scale without overwhelming.
8. Matching Everything
The Mistake: Buying a full matching set of furniture may seem like a safe bet, but it can make the space feel flat and uninspired. Matching furniture sets can make your room look more like a catalog than a lived-in space. Too much coordination = no personality.
The Fix: Mix styles, colors, and textures. Blend vintage with modern, metal with wood, and pattern with solids for a curated look that evolves over time. Combine a velvet sofa with a rattan side table or a modern chair with a rustic coffee table.
9. Forgetting to Style Vertical Space
The Mistake: Leaving walls, corners, or vertical areas empty misses opportunities for depth and interest.
The Fix: Add tall plants, artwork, wall sconces, shelves, or floor lamps to draw the eye upward and balance the room’s height.
Tall Indoor Plants for Styling Corners
10. Not Personalizing the Space
The Mistake: Spaces can end up looking like a showroom without personal touches, which makes them feel less like home. Designing based only on Pinterest trends may look great — but it might not feel like you.
The Fix: Add meaningful decor—family photos, your favorite color, travel souvenirs, heirlooms, or artwork. These pieces tell your story and bring soul to the design. A home should tell your story.
11. Too Many Tiny Decor Pieces
Lots of small objects scattered everywhere look like clutter, not design.
Fix it: Choose fewer, larger-scale pieces that make a statement and avoid visual noise.
12. Neglecting Window Treatments
Bare windows or basic blinds can make a room feel unfinished.
Fix it: Add full-length curtains to add warmth, softness, and vertical height. Mount them high and wide for a luxe feel.
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13. No Clear Focal Point
If your eye doesn’t know where to go when you walk into a room, you’re missing a focal point.
Fix it: Use a large artwork, fireplace, feature wall, or dramatic light fixture as the star of the room.
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14. Skipping Greenery
Plants breathe life into a space (literally and aesthetically), but many people skip them.
Fix it: Add real or faux greenery to shelves, corners, and even bathrooms. It softens hard lines and adds freshness instantly. If you can skip faux greenery and use the real ones, great!
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15. Forgetting Flow and Function
The Mistake: Ignoring how people move through the space can make even a beautiful room feel awkward.
The Fix: Consider traffic patterns and leave at least 30–36 inches of space for walkways. Arrange furniture to support the room’s purpose—conversation, relaxation, work, etc.
Final Thoughts
No matter your style or budget, avoiding these styling mistakes can dramatically improve the look and feel of your home. Great design isn’t about perfection—it’s about balance, intention, and layering. Start small, tweak as you go, and let your space reflect who you are.
Ready to restyle your space? Save this post for reference and follow our Pinterest board for more home tips and before-and-after transformations.
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