Interior decorating has the power to completely transform how a home feels, functions and flows. Done well, it elevates everyday living and creates spaces that feel cohesive, welcoming and unmistakably personal. Done poorly, however, it can leave a home feeling disjointed, impractical or simply “not quite right”. 

Over the years, professional stylists and decorators like the team at FURNISHD. have seen the same decorating missteps appear time and time again. The good news? Most interior decorating mistakes are entirely avoidable with a little planning, foresight and a strong understanding of how a space is meant to function. 

Here are the most common interior decorating mistakes to avoid — and what to do instead. 

Choosing Paint Colours First 

It’s one of the most common mistakes: selecting a paint colour before anything else in the room is finalised. While paint may seem like the foundation of a space, it is actually one of the easiest elements to change. Furnishings, flooring, rugs and large furniture pieces are far more difficult and costly to replace. Choosing wall colours first can limit your options later and result in a room that feels forced rather than cohesive. 

What to do instead: Select your key furniture pieces and finishes first — such as sofas, dining tables, rugs and cabinetry — and then choose a paint colour that complements those elements. 

Buying Everything at Once 

Many homeowners attempt to furnish and style an entire room in one weekend. The result is often a space that feels generic, rushed or overly “matchy”. Great interiors evolve over time. Layering textures, materials and décor gradually creates depth and authenticity. 

What to do instead: Allow your space to develop organically. Invest in foundational pieces first, then introduce artwork, cushions, lighting and accessories thoughtfully over time. 

Ignoring Scale and Proportion

A beautiful piece of furniture can look completely wrong if it is not suited to the size of the room. Oversized sofas in compact living areas, tiny rugs floating under large furniture groupings, or artwork that is far too small for a wall are all common proportion mistakes. Scale is critical to achieving balance. 

What to do instead: Measure everything. Map out furniture placement before purchasing. As a general rule:

• Rugs should sit under at least the front legs of sofas and chairs.
• Artwork should span roughly two-thirds the width of the furniture beneath it.
• Lighting should be proportionate to ceiling height and room size. 

Poor Lighting Planning 

Lighting is often an afterthought — and it shows. Relying solely on overhead lighting can create harsh shadows and an uninviting atmosphere. On the other hand, insufficient lighting can make a room feel dull and impractical. 

What to do instead: Layer your lighting using three key types:

• Ambient lighting (general illumination)
• Task lighting (reading lamps, kitchen bench lights)
• Accent lighting (wall sconces, feature pendants, decorative lamps) 

The combination creates warmth, depth and flexibility throughout the day. 

Pushing Furniture Against the Walls 

Many people assume that placing all furniture against the perimeter will make a room feel larger. In reality, this can create an awkward “empty middle” and disrupt natural conversation zones. 

What to do instead: Float key furniture pieces where possible. Pull sofas slightly away from walls and create defined zones, particularly in open-plan layouts. This makes a space feel intentional and well-considered. 

Overcrowding the Room 

More décor does not equal better décor. Too many accessories, competing patterns or excessive furniture can overwhelm a space and reduce its functionality. Clutter distracts from the overall aesthetic and can make even a large room feel cramped. 

What to do instead: Adopt a considered approach. Edit regularly. Choose fewer, higher-impact pieces rather than filling every surface. 

Forgetting About Function 

A beautifully styled room that doesn’t function for everyday life quickly becomes frustrating. Homes need to support the routines of the people living in them. For example:

• Is there enough storage?
• Is traffic flow unobstructed?
• Are surfaces practical for children or pets? 

What to do instead: Start with how the room will be used. Design should always serve function first, then aesthetic. 

Following Trends Blindly 

Trends can be inspiring, but designing an entire home around what is currently popular can date a space quickly. That ultra-bold colour or highly specific feature may feel exciting now, but will it still resonate in five years? 

What to do instead: Incorporate trends through smaller, easily changeable items — cushions, artwork, throws or décor pieces — while keeping foundational elements timeless. 

Neglecting Texture and Layering 

A room filled with flat surfaces and similar materials can feel lifeless, even if the colour palette is appealing. Texture adds warmth, softness and dimension. 

What to do instead: Layer materials intentionally:

• Linen with leather
• Timber with metal
• Wool with glass
• Matte finishes with subtle sheen 

These contrasts create visual interest without overwhelming the space. 

Hanging Artwork Incorrectly

 Artwork hung too high is one of the most noticeable decorating mistakes. When pieces sit well above eye level, they disconnect from the rest of the room. 

What to do instead: Hang artwork so the centre sits approximately at eye level (around 145-150cm from the floor). In living rooms, art should visually anchor to furniture beneath it. 

Not Creating a Cohesive Flow 

Each room does not need to look identical — but there should be a sense of continuity throughout the home. A completely different style, colour palette or mood from one space to the next can feel jarring. 

What to do instead: Repeat subtle elements across rooms — similar tones, finishes, materials or shapes — to create a harmonious flow. 

Underestimating the Value of Professional Guidance 

Interior decorating involves far more than selecting attractive pieces. It requires spatial awareness, proportion, colour theory, material knowledge and practical foresight. Attempting to manage everything alone can lead to costly mistakes — purchasing incorrect sizes, mismatched finishes or impractical layouts. 

Working with experienced decorators can streamline the process, prevent expensive missteps and elevate the final result beyond what most homeowners can achieve independently. 

Interior decorating should feel exciting — not overwhelming 

By avoiding these common interior decorating mistakes, you can create a home that feels cohesive, functional and distinctly yours. The key lies in thoughtful planning, understanding proportion, layering with intention and designing with both beauty and practicality in mind. When these fundamentals are respected, even simple spaces can feel refined and elevated. Great interiors are rarely accidental. They are the result of careful decisions, patience and an understanding of how all the elements work together.