Did you just move into your very first apartment or are you looking to redecorate your current home, we have decorating mistakes that might help make your decorating process much easier. From decorating mistakes in living room to the most common decorating mistakes, we will show you the decor you should avoid to give your home an updated and elevated touch.
As someone who moved out of their parents home six years ago, I have made all of the decorating mistakes you could think of. With little home decorating experience, I just bought items to fill empty spaces and walls without a plan in mind. I ended up having a house full of things that I didn’t really love and started the process of slowly keeping what works and what doesn’t work for my home. I am here to share with you my mistakes and other mistakes I would avoid if I was to do the home decorating process all over again.
In this blog post, we will show you all about decorating mistakes in the home. Whether you are looking to give your home a fresh look or just want to learn some ways to correct you your mistakes, we have got ideas that will help you out. So get ready to transform your home and make it a fresh and cozy space with our advice!
This blog post is all about decorating mistakes.
*Please note this post contains affiliate links and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
Shop our favorite home scent:
Common Decorating Mistakes
Here are some of the worst decorating mistakes you could potentially be making in your home.
1. Hanging Your Curtains Incorrectly
One of the most common decorating mistakes in the home that you may be making is hanging your curtains incorrectly. If your curtains are too short, close together, or touching your frame, chances are that you aren’t doing your room justice. You can fix this decorating mistake by positioning your rod inches above your frame and wider than your frame.
Where should you be hang your curtains?
According to the Family Handyman, the curtains should be hung between 4-6 inches above the window frame. When you hang the curtain rod higher like this, it will make the window appear taller.
TIP: For small homes or bedrooms, try sheer curtains to allow as much natural light in as possible.
2. Bad Lighting
Bad lighting is a decorating mistake that you can correct to transform your space without having to spend too much money. Replace your dated light fixtures like the “boob lights” with something more modern and bright.
TIP: Be sure to have the same colored bulbs throughout your home for a cohesive look.
3. Furniture Close To Walls
In a small home, it may feel natural to just place your couch or table right up against the wall to maximize your space. However, this is a home decor mistake that can actually make your room look smaller than it really is. If you are limited in space, just pull your furniture forward a few inches from the wall and it will make your home feel more open and airy.
4. Furniture With The Wrong Scale
Buying furniture that isn’t appropriate for the size of your room is a very common decorating mistake that you may be guilty of doing in your living room. If your furniture is too big, it may cause your space to feel too crowded and if your furniture is too small, you may be left with an awkward amount of empty space. This is why it is important to buy pieces that make sense in proportion to the size of your home.
TIP: Measure your furniture before you buy and have a plan in mind. Use tape on your floors to visualize the scale of your decor and furniture pieces before you bring them into your space.
5. Too Much Decor
Too much decor is a common home decor mistake that can happen quickly without you even realizing that you are doing it. If it’s your first place and you get some secondhand decor from friends and family, you may start to build a collection of decor that is just taking up space without serving a purpose.
A great way to take inventory of what you have is to periodically take all of your decor down and wipe it and consider if it still brings you joy in the space.
TIP: Sell your unwanted decor on Marketplace or host a garage sale to make some extra cash!
6. Overly Matching
Matching furniture sets are super tempting because your room can be complete in one stop shop. However, matching furniture sets (particularly in the bedroom), have become a dated decor look of the past.
Do this instead:
Find one furniture piece that you really love and then pair it will similar furniture that compliments your favorite decor.
7. Decorating Too Fast
Getting your first place can be super exciting and very tempting to just fill the room with items to be done with the decorating process, however this is a decorating mistake that can be avoided if you take your time with the decorating process. Start by thinking of a plan of how you want your home to look. You can make a Pinterest board and slowly purchase pieces to make sure that you are happy with the finished look.
8. Incorrect Rug Size
One of the top decorating mistakes in the home that can easily be avoided to using a rug that is too small for your room. The key in picking the correct rug size is making sure that the rug is large enough for all of the furniture to fit on it (with extra space). This means to make sure the couch and coffee table fit entirely on it to ensure the room looks and feels airy.
9. Hanging Artwork Incorrectly
Hanging artwork can be annoying to do because not only do you have to make sure the height is correct but you have to make sure that your artwork is level. A common mistake that people make when hanging art is hanging it too low. A good rule of thumb is that the art should be at eye level, about 57–60 inches from the floor.
10. Not Incorporating Enough Texture
A decorating mistake that might slip your mind is not having enough textures in your space. Different textures gives your room visual interest and a cozy touch that will make your home aesthetically pleasing. You can easily add texture in your space with blankets, rugs, throw pillows, or even furniture pieces.
11. Painting Everything The Same Color
Painting can be one of the most daunting parts of moving into your home. It may be tempting to just paint your entire home a popular shade of white and calling it a day, however that is a decorating mistake. Correct this mistake by painting each bedroom a unique color. Even if you love the neutral aesthetic, there are different shades of white and grey that can create variety in your home.
12. Not Measuring Before Buying
Similar to making sure your furniture is the correct scale for you room, you need to make sure that you measure your decor and furniture before purchasing. There is nothing more annoying to return than a couch that doesn’t fit or a piece of furniture that won’t fit through your front door.
13. Buying Cheap Decor
If you are on a budget while shopping for decor for your home, you may be tempted to go the cheap route to just get the job done. This decorating mistake may actually cause you more money in the long run because you may have to replace items that get damaged over time.
Think of high quality decor as an investment in your home and if you shop correctly you won’t have to repurchase for a while. If you must shop for more affordable pieces, items like frames, baskets, and coffee table books are usually more forgiving in quality.
14. Too Much Symmetry
Having too much symmetry in a room is a decorating mistake that can easily happen without intentionally knowing you are doing it. Having balance in a room can feel good, but having some imperfections in the room can actually make your room more homey and lived in.
15. Avoiding Color
Neutral homes have been trending the past few years but having a home with little to no color in it can be a decorating mistake you can to avoid. If you love that neutral or all white aesthetic in your home, break it up with different finishes, greenery, or incorporating subtle hints of color in smaller decor items.
This blog post was all about decorating mistakes.
CHECK OUT OUR SIMILAR BLOG POSTS:
- 15 Home Renovation Mistakes To Avoid A Major Headache
- 17 Outdated Home Decor Trends To Avoid This Year
- How to Make a House Look Expensive

Leave a Comment