If you're ever left feeling like your decor isn't quite right, you may be making one of these common decorating mistakes. Learn simple tips to fix everything from the height of your curtains and the size of your rug creating a space that feels stylish, comfortable, and uniquely you.
DESIGN + STYLE | Published February 27, 2025
PHOTO CREDIT: Studio McGee
If you love decorating your home, but feel something is a little off, there could be a simple explanation.
From choosing the wrong size rug to over-accessorizing every surface, there are common decorating mistakes that make even the most stylish rooms fall flat and not function as they should. Whether you’re a seasoned decorator or just getting started, it’s important to know where things could go wrong.
The good news? These mistakes are easy to fix with just a few simple tweaks. In this post, I’m sharing seven of the most common decorating pitfalls and ways you can easily avoid them. These tips will help you create a space that feels polished, comfortable, and just like you.
Keep reading to discover how to fix these decorating missteps and transform your home into a place you’ll love.
No. 1: The Rug is Too Small
One mistake people make when decorating their home is buying a rug size that is too small.
Rugs are expensive and as the size grows, so does the cost. But you don’t want it to look like the rug is floating in the center of the room just to save some money. A properly sized rug anchors your room and provides color, texture, and warmth. It’s important and being the wrong size can throw your entire design off.
Generally, look for at least an 8’x10’ sized rug for the living room and under your bed (9’x12’ for larger rooms and king-size beds) and a minimum size of 6’x9’ for under your dining table.
To Find the Right Size Rug For Your House:
- In the living room, the front legs of your sofa and chairs should be able to rest comfortably on the rug. In large rooms, the rug should contain all the pieces of furniture, including their front and back legs, with space around.
- A dining room rug should be big enough that chairs are still completely on the rug when pulled out from the table to sit down. There should be about 24” of extra room on all sides of the rug.
- Your bedroom rug should start in front of the nightstands and extend about 3 feet from all edges of your bed. In large bedrooms, look for a rug large enough to be positioned under the nightstands as well.
Still want to use your rug? Layer a smaller rug on top of a larger neutral rug made of sisal or a natural fiber.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE: Rug Rules for Every Space
No. 2: Curtains are Hanging Too Low
When hanging window treatments, people tend to place the rod too low on the wall.
Since off-the-rack curtains come in just a few lengths, the standard 84” panels have to hang close to the window frame so the fabric reaches the floor.
Curtains are more than just functional as they help frame your space, add softness, and create the illusion of height. But positioned too low, the room feels shorter, windows look smaller, and less light travels into the house.
By moving the rod up and away from the windows edge, you effectively turn even a small window an impressive focal point and visually expand the size of the room.
Tips To Hang Curtains the Right Way:
- Curtains should hang as close to the ceiling as possible. Aim for 4 to 6 inches above window frame, 8 to 12 for high ceilings.
- Measure from the floor to the rod and subtract the distance you want the panels to be away from the floor. Choose the curtain length closet to the measurement erring on the side of a few inches longer, then hemming to the right length.
- Extend the curtain rod 4 to 10 inches outside window frame on both sides allowing the curtains to cover the walls and not the window when open.
- For most windows, choose one curtain panel for each side. Each panel should equal the width of the window.
No matter what height you hang your curtains, in most cases they should reach the floor, or even puddle slightly, for the most polished look.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE: Complete Guide to Hanging Curtains Like a Pro
No. 3: Buying Furniture Sets
While convenient, buying sets of furniture for the bedroom, dining room, and living room can leave your space lacking in character.
Furniture showrooms are set up to encourage the purchase of a matching sofa and loveseat or dresser and nightstands. It makes it easy for anyone to furnish a room that looks complete.
Thoughtful design doesn’t take the easy way out, though. Mixing furniture allows you to curate a selection unique to your own home and style, bringing in different colors, patterns, textures, and wood tones. It creates interest and the feeling you’ve gradually pulled together a room that tells your individual story.
How to Avoid the Matchy-Matchy Look
- Skip the matching love seat and opt for two identical accent chairs in a complementary fabric.
- Swap out even just one piece from a set for something that coordinates. Repurpose furniture from other rooms or shop for something vintage.
- Break up the uniformity in your dining room by adding upholstered chairs at the ends of the table.
This approach isn’t just about aesthetics, but is also budget friendly! Invest in key pieces, like a high-quality sofa, while shopping secondhand for the chairs. That way you don’t have to replace the entire furniture grouping when your preferences change.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Fremont Design
No. 4: Artwork is Hanging Too High
When hanging art and decor on the wall, home owners tend to pick a height that is too high.
Without measuring, it is hard to judge the right placement for frames when standing next to the wall. You don’t want to step back and realize you have to look up in order to view what you hung.
In order to enhance a room’s design, anything hanging on the wall should feel connected to the furnishings around it and be comfortable to look at whether sitting or standing.
A general rule of thumb is the middle of your framed piece should be at eye level, or even slightly lower, to create a cohesive, grounded look.
How to Hang Art at the Right Height:
- The center of your artwork should rest between 57 and 60 inches from the floor.
- Aim for 6 to 8 inches between the bottom of the picture frame and any furniture beneath it.
- In groupings of frames, keep 3 to 4 inches between each picture for a balanced look.
Remember that the amount of space over your art does not matter nearly as much as the space appearing underneath it.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE: Rules of Thumb to Hang Art Correctly Every Time
PHOTO CREDIT: Amber Interiors
No. 5: Over-Accessorizing
Too many accessories on every shelf, tabletop, or built in can make a space feel cluttered rather than curated.
Accessories like vases, candlesticks, and figurines are meant to add personality and unique character to your home. But when there is nowhere for your eyes to rest, decor can feel overwhelming and you lose the decorative value of each individual piece.
Be intentional about what you display and give your accessories space to breathe and be enjoyed.
How to Style Accessories Effectively:
- Create groupings that include both large and small objects. Use trays or bowls to gather smaller items together.
- Balance areas you’ve styled with spaces that are more sparse to create a sense of openness.
- Rotate your decor frequently. Not everything you own and love has to be displayed at one time.
Throw pillows can be one of the worst offenders for over-accessorizing. Have a few for decorative interest, but not so many that guests are unable to sit down.
PHOTO CREDIT: Tiffany Leigh Design
No. 6: Sticking to One Material
When everything is the same, nothing stands out.
As with matching furniture, if everything you purchase is all brass or all white oak, it becomes boring.
Having a variety of materials and colors in a space makes it more interesting and inviting. It is a key to successful home decorating. Without contrast, the room falls flat.
You need a mix of metal, wood, glass, woven, and stone; smooth and rough textures; and a primary color palette balanced out by variations in shades and tones.
How to Create a Layered Look:
- Use pops of color as an accent to inject life. Flowers, throw pillows, and rugs are a great way to bring in coordinating shades.
- Aim for colors and elements to appear at least three times throughout a room so that it feels intentional.
- Create contrast where you can. Layer a table runner between a wood bowl and a wood table. Pair a leather chair with a linen sofa.
Using a variety of textures, colors, and materials makes your space look effortlessly designed rather than one-note.
No. 7: Choosing the Wrong Scale
When a room is small, it is assumed you need small furniture and decor.
While the idea works in theory, what ends up happening is that the room actually becomes overwhelmed with a lot of individual pieces where a few larger-scale furniture pieces or single oversized piece of artwork will do.
Having fewer items in the room, even if the pieces are large, will generally make the room feel bigger and more balanced.
To Get the Scale Right:
- Maintain the same proportions throughout the room. A large sofa needs a large coffee table.
- In a small space, skip anything overstuffed or ornate and lean instead towards simple, clean lines.
- In large open concept room, opt for large scale furniture so individual pieces do not feel dwarfed.
- Remember that you still need empty space, both for a visually pleasing design and for comfort and traffic flow.
In design, bigger is most often better. A well-scaled piece can make a room feel more spacious and inviting regardless of the square-footage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Studio McGee
Now that you know the most common interior design mistakes and how to avoid them, it’s time to put these tips into action. Whether you’re making a few small adjustments or rethinking a whole room, these simple fixes will help elevate your space and bring your design vision to life.
If you’ve tried any of these fixes or have your own tips to share, let me know. And if you’re looking for more decorating inspiration, be sure to check out my other styling posts for helpful advice and ideas. Here’s to creating a home you love!
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