Many people create Pinterest-worthy homes, only to end up with a design disaster. Today, we’ll break down 12 major interior design mistakes based on my experience. So, you don’t ruin your dream home and make it into a design disaster. Whether you hire the nearest interior design company or do it yourself, avoid these mistakes at all costs. Without a doubt, I’ve learned the hard way, and it is my mission to be sure that you do not!
Big mistakes people make
- The Beige Overdose
Why are we so afraid of colour? Sure, neutrals are safe, but if your house is all beige then it becomes a sad, boring vision of a forgotten waiting room. Are we really surrounding ourselves with beige walls, sofas, and curtains?… Living inside a sad oatmeal bowl? Add some colour, I beg you. A pop of deep green, navy, or rich rust can make all the difference. Your home is not a rental to make “universally appealing.”
- The Pinterest Trap
I’ve been there. There is a slew of illustrations that appear in magazines, that you see in your feed filled with jaw dropping, magazine worthy living room, and you suddenly want to recreate them piece by piece. But guess what? The many small factors that made that aesthetic work may not be present in your home. There are variances in your space that have different lighting, layout, vibes. I’m not copying, instead I’m drawing inspiration to create something unique. Nothing is worse than a home that is a carbon copy of a showroom.
- Lights? What Lights?
Why is the one sad ceiling light the answer? It’s not. It’s NEVER enough. Lighting is everything! There are layers, overhead lighting, table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces. If you rely on a single central light, your home may feel like a dull study space or a gloomy institution. Warm bulbs, dimmers, and different lighting sources? Absolute game changers.
- Sofa First, Regrets Later
Have you ever bought furniture without measuring? Raises hand in shame. Once I bought this absolutely gorgeous, huge sectional and it fit, until I realized it did not fit through the door. The delivery guys laughed at me. I laughed at myself. Then I cried. Lesson learned: I always advised measuring before buying large furniture, yet I never followed my own advice until now. Doorways, hallways, staircases try check them all. Avoid heartbreak.
The furniture stores are literally happy to sell you those pieces which are “fully coordinated.” The ones where nothing matches except to the point that it feels like a bad hotel lobby. Yes, don’t do that. A home feels lived-in and authentic when it features a mix of textures, materials, and styles. I solemnly guarantee that your couch, coffee table, and side chairs do not have to come from the same collection. Break it up a little!
- Open Shelving Nightmares
Magazines and Instagram are STUNNING with open shelves. But in real life? They basically become a dust collecting nightmare unless you are the most scheduled human to live. In reality, your shelves won’t look Pinterest-perfect unless you constantly arrange them like a display. If you hate daily tidying, stick only to closed cabinets and let the whole process and the stress of it go.
- The Rug That’s Too Damn Small
Why do people do this oh my god?! There is a tiny little rug in the centre of your living room and you are so pleased with it that it hurts your eyes to gaze at it. They shouldn’t resemble tiny postage stamps; they should anchor the space. General rule: Your rug should be on the larger side so that the front legs of any of your furniture can touch onto it. I promise it matters so much in giving a room a sense of whether it is intentional or thrown together in an awkward manner.
- Too Trendy, Too Soon
Trends are swell, but the whole home is based on a trend? A recipe for regret. Today that neon couch might be cute, but in two years, you’re going to wonder why in the hell did you buy that. Let timelessly designed pieces like sofas, tables, cabinets be your foundation, while smaller, easily changeable items like pillows and decorations can follow trends. It will soon become apparent that they will thank your future self.
- Storage? What Storage?
A lack of storage will make even the most beautiful home feel cluttered. There is absolutely no planning in place to deal with this. Where is all your stuff going? Shoes, coats, mail, random cables, the life clutter. And without good storage solutions, even the most beautiful home will become a disaster zone very soon. Don’t just decorate, try PLAN.
- Rushing the Process
A classic mistake: trying to complete everything in one weekend. I get it as you’re already excited! However, forcing your entire home to come together in one go results in impulse buys, regrettable choices, a space that doesn’t feel you. Good interiors take TIME. Give your space life, select pieces that you can truly love, and don’t run out and fill up every corner just because it’s void. Trust the process.
- The Gallery Wall Mess – Hanging Art Wrong
And nothing drives me more insanity than when people hang their art incorrectly. The rule? Eye level. Not too high, not too low. Wrong is if you have to crank your head to see it. Even for a gallery wall, plan it out before hammering nails into the wall like a maniac. First, do all of that on the floor, test the positioning with painter’s tape, then commit. Your walls (therefore your sanity) will thank you for it.
- Forgetting About Comfort – The Pretty-But-Not-Liveable Home
The idea of having your house photographed rather than lived in is a farce. I’ve been in homes that are absolutely beautiful and seem perfect to just sit down somewhere without ruining something. A pristine white couch that stains at the slightest touch. A beautiful but not large enough dining table for which the meals can actually be had at? Overly fancy bar stools that are impractical for everyday use. No thanks. However, if a house has poor functionality and is uncomfortable, the style doesn’t matter. What a house should be is a home, not a showroom.
Final thoughts
Now, I’m not telling you that you need to hire a pro but browsing the best interior design companies in Dubai is not a bad thing. That said, a little planning goes a long way to making your house appear planned and stylish, and most importantly liveable. Take your time to ensure your space reflects your personality. There are no strict rules for good design. Just go and explore boldly but wisely! And if all else fails? Call in the experts.
