There’s no wrong way to decorate your home if you truly love it. But professional designers have some basic principles that can make your surroundings even better. Look around for any of these interior design mistakes that are easy to fix. A few tweaks and updates can be surprisingly effective.
Cluttered Rooms
If a room makes you feel claustrophobic, it may not just be the junk strewn around—though it doesn’t help. Even the intentionally arranged knickknacks can complicate design by distracting the eye and overwhelming the décor. Try a more minimalist approach by adding more storage to move those items out of sight until they’re needed. It can be as elaborate as built-in shelves or as simple as a hollow ottoman.
Heavy Window Treatments
If you’re still clinging to elaborate valances and heavy drapes, you might enjoy the freshness of recent trends. Natural light is at a premium, so capitalize on yours by uncovering more of your windows. Start by elongating them with rods anchored a few inches above the window and hanging sheer panels that pool a bit at the bottom. You can have your privacy and let in the light, too.
Too Much Matching
It’s easier to buy furniture in sets, but the matchy-matchy look can have a prefabricated vibe. Make your interiors your own by mixing in different pieces from other sources. They don’t have to have identical styling to be complementary. If you don’t want to invest in larger pieces, break up the monotony with throw pillows in various textures and patterns. You can also try reupholstering the seating or switching furniture with another room.
Art Hung Wrong
Unless your room has high ceilings, your pictures may be way too high. It doesn’t have to be a masterwork to deserve museum-style viewing at eye level. If you’re not sure, measure to make sure that the midpoint of your art is between 57 and 60 inches from the floor. One larger picture is more impactful than multiple small ones if you want to try something new. And maybe the easiest interior design mistake to fix is a crooked frame. If you’ve noticed it’s a bit askew from dusting, adjust it.