Let’s be real: designing your home can feel a little overwhelming. Between Pinterest boards, endless product options, and trying to make everything “match,” it’s easy to make a few missteps along the way. The good news? Most interior design mistakes are totally fixable (and often, they’re the reason your space feels almost right, but not quite there yet).
After years of helping clients transform their homes, I’ve noticed the same few things tend to trip people up—no matter their style or budget. So today, I’m breaking down five of the most common interior design mistakes I see (plus how to fix them) so your home can finally look and feel just as good as you imagined.
Top 5 interior design mistakes (and how to fix them)
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1. Furniture that’s the wrong scale
Let’s start big - literally. One of the most common interior design mistakes I see is furniture that doesn’t fit the scale of the room. You know the one: a tiny rug floating in the middle of your living room, or a sofa so large it basically is the living room.
The fix:
Before you fall in love with that dreamy couch online, grab a tape measure. Your rug should anchor your main pieces (front legs of sofas and chairs on the rug), and your coffee table should be roughly two-thirds the length of your sofa. When in doubt, bigger is usually better - oversized rugs and artwork actually make spaces feel larger and more cohesive.
If you’re working in a small space, consider furniture with open bases or lighter materials (think linen, rattan, or glass) to give the illusion of airiness without losing comfort.
2. Relying on just one light source
Lighting can seriously make or break a room - and yet, it’s the thing most people overlook. You can have the most beautiful furniture, perfect wall color, and gorgeous decor, but if your lighting’s off, the whole space just falls flat. One lonely ceiling light might technically “do the job,” but it’s definitely not doing your home any favors. Harsh overhead lighting tends to make a room feel cold and one-dimensional (and let’s be honest, no one looks their best under it).
The fix:
- Ambient lighting (your main light source, like a pendant or ceiling fixture)
- Task lighting (focused light for reading, cooking, or working)
- Accent lighting (lamps, sconces, or candles to add warmth and mood)
Combining these layers gives your space depth, coziness, and that soft, lived-in glow you see in magazines. And pro tip: warm bulbs over cool bulbs, always.
3. Pushing all the furniture against the walls
This one’s a classic. I get it - you want your space to feel bigger, so you push all your furniture to the edges of the room. But what actually happens? The middle of the room feels awkward and empty, and the flow feels… off.
The fix:
4. Forgetting about texture
If your space looks fine but still feels a little flat or unfinished, chances are you’re missing one key thing: texture. It’s one of the most underrated (and most powerful) design elements there is.
You could have the perfect color palette, but without texture, a room feels one-dimensional — like everything’s too smooth or too “new.”
The fix:
Even if you’re working with a neutral palette, layering materials like cotton, jute, wool, and stone can make a room feel rich, tactile, and beautifully lived-in. That’s what gives it soul.
5. Trying to finish everything at once
This might be the most relatable one of all. You move in, you want everything done now, and before you know it, you’ve bought a dozen “just for now” pieces that don’t really work together. Sound familiar?
But rushing the process is one of the biggest interior design mistakes you can make. You end up buying pieces that don’t really work together (or don’t last), and your home loses the layered, collected feel that makes it special.
The fix:
Your space should evolve with you. The best homes tell a story - and those stories take some time to write.
Final thoughts about interior design mistakes
Here’s the thing: interior design mistakes aren’t bad. They’re just part of the process. Every misstep teaches you what you love (and what you don’t), and every small fix gets you closer to a space that feels like you.
Whether you’re starting fresh or simply reworking what you have, focus on balance, texture, and lighting. And remember: your home doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s — it just has to feel right.
Need help with your interior design?
If you’ve read through this list thinking, “Okay, guilty of at least three of these…” - don’t worry, you’re in good company. Designing a home that feels cohesive, comfortable, and uniquely you takes time, patience, and a good eye for detail (which just so happens to be my favorite part).
Whether you’re tackling a full renovation or just want to make your current space feel more pulled together, I’d love to help. From design concepts and material selections to furniture sourcing and styling, I work closely with my clients to create spaces that look beautiful and actually work for their lifestyle.
I take on projects across Cape Town and the Western Cape - and yes, virtual design options are available too. So if you’re ready to fall in love with your home again, let’s chat. Get in touch to book your free discovery call!
