Listen up, if your place is probably looking like a mess right now, the blog is just for you. Perhaps you’ve been too comfortable sticking to what’s safe or following trends like a robot. We’re going to change all that very soon. I’m going to share the ten interior design mistakes I have made in my life that I regret a lot. Let’s be honest, as these are the mistakes you want to avoid.
So, here’s the thing: if you’re ready for a simple glow up, keep reading because this is going to get real. And if you need help, just call the local interior designers as they will arrange everything for you.
Top 10 Interior Design Mistakes
Interior Design Mistake #1: Playing It Too Safe
Moving on to the neutral tones. The beige, off white, light grey. Yeah, I’ve been there. I used to be scared of color. As it would make my place “sophisticated” and “elegant” if I played it safe. But honestly? I was just bored with all of that. It is like living life on a blank canvas that is never filled. What are you doing if you are not offering any color, texture or life?
It can be intimidating to make a change out of your comfort zone, but little color can go a long way. Let’s describe that with a bold rug or perhaps a piece of art that steals the show. A deep emerald green pillow even makes a difference. You don’t have to paint your walls in neon yellow, but it must not look like you’re in a hospital waiting room. Adding a touch of personality will make your place worth that spark it deserves.
Interior Design Mistake #2: Forgetting Function Over Aesthetics
If we are being honest, there is that piece of furniture we have all fallen in love with in pictures, but which we refuse to sit. I know I have. I bought myself this sleek glass coffee table once and was like ‘this makes me look classy or something’ but surprise, it was a vibe killer. I spilled wine on it like five minutes in, then flung a remote across the room during some ridiculous TV drama and cracked it like a sad little tragedy. But then I realised, what’s the point if it isn’t functioning?
Especially when we talk about furniture for small spaces, everything has to do its job rather than just sit there looking cute. I require furniture to earn rent. For example, if I can’t spend three hours sleeping and crashing on my sofa, I don’t want it. And tables?
Yeah, I’ve stopped setting up snack havoc across them, for vibes and maybe a candle, not a snack graveyard. I’m done, now I only go for pieces that are beautiful and also actually function in some other way, because frankly, I’m tired of living in a Pinterest board that despises me.
Interior Design Mistake #3: The Too-Matchy Matchy Look
I know that feeling of everything has to match. This perfect coupled colour palette with the couch, the curtains and the throw pillows. However, I eventually noticed it was so soulless. And I was living like a catalogue. It was boring. When people come into your place, it is not going to look just good; it must show some of your character.
To add some character, mix up textures and get creative with it. It was my cue that I needed to add some things that didn’t ‘match’, like a contemporary lamp that kind of wasn’t contemporary, alongside an old school armchair or funky rug on my otherwise minimalist space. And stop trying to be so perfect. Mix it up, have fun with it. Give your space its way of being yours. Otherwise, it’s just a showroom. Frankly, you are too cool anyway.
Interior Design Mistake #4: Underestimating Lighting
Lighting can be a whole topic for the day? The lighting in your space will suck if the lighting itself is bad. One overhead light always seemed to be enough, and I can’t say that was true, as it wasn’t. For me, I felt as if I were deployed in an office and not a home. If you want to feel like you’re living in a warm, open space, lighting is essential.
Now that I have a mix with all the basics, mood with lamps and (just) enough accent to make things pop. You don’t have to spend money; what you do need to do is get your lighting game with. Yes, comforting, soft, comfy lights that have brought you to feel like you’ve stepped into a perfect Instagram moment.
Try using dimmers and warm-toned bulbs, and avoid those eye-killing fluorescent white ceiling lights. And if you need layers, darling. It will easily transform the energy of your whole space. Go ahead, and I promise you will think you have never entered a room.
Interior Design Mistake #5: Ignoring Scale and Proportions
Listen, scale is everything. Here, I learned the hard way, I learned the hard way more than once. For instance, I bought this couch that was the size of a small house, sleek, stunning, the whole fantasy, but I got it home. And my entire small living room just vanished. Gone.
I did not know what I expected, but it seemed like a damn giant had moved in and refused to leave. Where did my floor go? I swear that I was sitting there thinking that I lost my floor. Now I’m focused on scale because while filling a small space with a large, avant-garde piece can seem stylish, opting for a smaller version of it avoids creating a claustrophobically chic environment.To help visualize how pieces fit before you buy, you can check out 3D virtual home staging ideas in Dubai.
A fab couch is great, but when it swallows the room whole, it’s not. And if you do live in a big space, then yes, all you can bring to you is the giant sectional of your dreams. Do not confuse having room with a storage unit stuffing room.
I have become this whole ‘measure everything’ type of person, and now my place belongs to me rather than me dodging furniture just to walk around. Big pieces are not a problem, babe, but if it does not fit your life or vibe, it is a trainwreck waiting for you.
Interior Design Mistake #6: Going Overboard with Trends
Now I know, we’ve all been there before. If not Instagram, it would be Pinterest, if your idea of the latest decor trend is somehow replicating famous influencers’ Instagram boho chic living room. Then it is going to be a problem, as the issue is you are not trying to live in a Pinterest mood board. When you are filling your place with whatever trendy piece you see, it will be a damn copy of a copy, so.
No one wants their space to become the revolving door of the latest “turtle” fashion trend, since trends come and go faster than your latest work outfit. In the past, I used to take new trends very hard, like Macramé wall hangings, neon signs, and Swedish minimalism. And, I swear, my place used to look like a showroom for a magazine I could never afford. However, I came to realise that trends do not make your home for you.You can find more unique inspiration by looking into a blend of old Ayutthaya style interior design.
You are required to add your flair, the things that go in your belly, the things that make you happy, not necessarily what is hot for a week. But also, as sure: don’t let your space be dictated by trendy stuff if it’s trending. It will put you in the position of being the person six months later, looking back on your house and wondering why it feels like a cheap magazine shoot. Follow your instincts, not just what everyone else says is cool.
Interior Design Mistake #7: Lack of Focal Point
Okay, this one? This one is a significant change. If your room resembles a random pile of furniture and junk, it’s time to find a focal point. Most of the space is simply a mess without a focal point. It lacks any flow, whether or not the magic happens ‘here’ feels like it’s placed artificially, and it feels baffling.
I was that person, too. I packed a room with several random pieces of furniture, art and junk, to make it ‘work’, but it just made a huge mess. Then I took a step back, and I thought, “What do I want people to notice first?” and everything started to find a big, beautiful painting on sale (score!). As soon as I had my focal point, everything else in the room had a purpose.
My advice? Discover what that one single thing is that makes your room, and allow everything else to organize itself around that. Whatever it is, make it the main element. This will also give the room some structure and direction, and you won’t have the haphazard collection of ‘stuff’ that so many people seem to accumulate.
Interior Design Mistake #8: Skipping the Textures
If your place is looking flat as hell, YOU are hereby admitting defeat. Not your furniture being the size of a pancake (I mean, even that is a problem), as I’m talking about the textures, people. So, yes,(minimalist vibe, I know, I know, you’re obsessed with that minimalist vibe), but trust me, you need to add more than clean lines and neutral colours.
By layering up the boundaries between fabrics, materials and finishes, I’m talking about the depth. In the past, I always went for sleek, smooth surfaces; hard and sharp. But guess what? My space felt sterile. Living inside a glass box was in some ways like that. I didn’t realise it at that point as textures were everything. If you want to see how to use textures beautifully, look at Mingei interior design decor ideas.
Add it with some cosy wool throw blanket, add some velvet with some linen, and a smattering of leather accents here and there. And suddenly, my place felt more alive. No one ever truly realises what a powerful statement of power and authority textures can give.
It adds up to letting them transform a space, and add warmth, invite-ness, and it’s going to be all about you. Stop, use what’s around you, literally put some dimension, depth and, most importantly, life into your damn place.
Interior Design Mistake #9: Clutter Everywhere
I get life is a damn mess sometimes. Let us stop pretending, though, that the trashy rags over the coffee table or the stack of random-ass magazines on the chair in the corner is not giving ‘lived in charm.’ It is not. It is clutter, babe, I understand. Truth being told, I used to have it all over the place, and I used to tell myself I was too busy to care, but it was not cute, it was chaos.
Honestly, this gave me anxiety, my space felt cramped, and overwhelming at times. Now? I am into that clean, strategic life. I am not saying I started full up neat freak, but instead it was just clear the junk and cleaning off surfaces. I store storage bins of crap I do not want to look at and then finally I have some peace.
I am not trying to be dirty with a hoarder fantasy, I am trying to open, clean, breezy. If it is too much clutter, deal with it or hire interior designers to help you reorganize your space to be the queen of being ‘organized.
Interior Design Mistake #10: Neglecting the Details
Now, this one’s huge. The little things can make or break interior design, and you will only know if you continue paying attention to the little things. I’m referring to the little details that will make your space feel truly lived in. It’s your throw pillows, the cool plant in the corner, the quirky little knick-knacks you’ve collected over the years.
I used to think that only big, bold pieces mattered, like an excellent sofa, a sleek coffee table, maybe some art on the wall. So, I put off those small things that make everything fall into place. A cool candle on the coffee table, an unexpected little sculpture, or even incorporating the Mashrabiya interior design style for a unique touch. They give a place that feeling of being home, and that’s why.
That is why, the next time you look at your space, analyse what tiny changes you can make that will entirely elevate the whole vibe. It’s all about the details. And trust me, no one is going to take notice of the big things if the little things are pulling people’s attention. Those are the things that will truly make your space shine.
Here are some common interior design mistakes
Final thoughts
With all that said, there is no reason you can’t avoid these interior design disasters if you aren’t a pro. Listen to your space, just keep it real and trust your instincts. If you ever need help visualising your idea, then here comes the nearby interior designing company. Trust me, top interior design company in Dubai are pros in what they are doing, and they certainly will give your place the balance of style and function that it deserves. So just go and change your mistakes in your dream home and be proud of yourself.
