Decorating your home should feel exciting—a creative process where you turn your space into something that reflects you. But somewhere between mood boards, shopping carts, and “inspo” overload, it’s easy to fall into some pretty common traps. Trust me, I’ve made them all.

If your home doesn’t quite feel right but you can’t pinpoint why, this post has your back. We’re diving into 8 of the most frequent decorating mistakes and, more importantly, how to fix them without starting from scratch.

1. Buying Everything at Once

It’s tempting to fill your cart and decorate in a weekend, but slow down, decor warrior. Great spaces take time.

Why it’s a mistake:

• You risk ending up with a space that lacks personality

• You might regret impulse purchases

What to do instead:
Start with big pieces (sofa, bed, dining table), then layer in decor over time. Let your style evolve. It’s okay to live with a few empty corners!

2. Ignoring Lighting

Lighting is EVERYTHING. If your room feels off, it might not be the decor—it might be the vibe (aka the lighting).

Common mistakes:

• Relying on one overhead light

• Using harsh white bulbs

Fix it:
Layer lighting with floor lamps, table lamps, and soft bulbs. Aim for warm, ambient lighting that makes you feel like you’re in a cozy boutique hotel.

3. Choosing Paint Color First

I get it—painting feels like the fun part. But don’t pick your color before you know what’s going in the room.

Why it’s risky:

• It’s easier to match paint to furniture, not the other way around

What to do instead:
Choose your furnishings and textiles first (like rugs and curtains), then pick a wall color that complements them. Trust me on this.

4. Pushing All the Furniture Against the Walls

Ah yes, the “furniture perimeter” move. Sounds spacious in theory, feels weird in reality.

The problem:

• It can make a room feel cold and disconnected

Try this:
Float your sofa, create a seating zone with a rug, or add a reading nook. Bringing furniture inward makes a space feel more inviting.

5. Too Many Tiny Decor Pieces

It’s easy to collect cute little trinkets, but they can quickly clutter a space and feel… meh.

Why it doesn’t work:

• Small items can look like clutter instead of intentional design

Fix it:
Go for a mix of sizes. Use a few larger statement pieces to ground your decor, then sprinkle in smaller items. Group things in odd numbers (3 is your friend).

6. Neglecting Scale and Proportion

Tiny rug under a giant sectional? Massive art over a narrow console? Yikes.

Why it matters:

• Scale creates balance and harmony in a space

Pro tips:

• Use rugs that anchor the furniture

• Hang art about ⅔ the width of the furniture below it

• Measure before you buy (always!)

7. Skipping Window Treatments

Naked windows are rarely cute unless you live in a Pinterest-perfect loft (and even then…)

What you miss out on:

• Texture, softness, privacy, and a finished look

What to do:
Add curtains or shades—even inexpensive ones make a big difference. Hang them high and wide to make the room feel taller and more luxurious.

8. Following Trends Blindly

Trends are fun, but if your whole space screams “2023 TikTok aesthetic,” you might regret it next year.

The risk:

• You’ll feel like you’re living in someone else’s style

Do this instead:
Pick a few trend-forward pieces you really love, then mix them with timeless elements. Your space should reflect YOU—not the algorithm.

Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Pinterest Perfection

Look, no one gets it perfect the first time (or even the fifth time). Decorating your space is a process. Mistakes are part of the fun. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating a space that feels good to live in.

So go ahead, move that chair, swap that lamp, experiment until it feels right. And when it does? That’s when you know you nailed it. 🙂