Designs “Icks”
Designer Confessions: 5 Common Interior Design Mistakes That Quietly Sabotage Your Space
Disclaimer: What follows is based on my personal and professional experience as an interior architectural designer. It’s not directed at anyone specifically, but rather comes from years of working in real homes with real people. These are observations not judgments with the intention of helping you create spaces that support your well-being and truly feel good to live in.
Because here’s the thing: I genuinely believe we are products of our environments. The spaces we inhabit have a profound impact on our emotions, behaviors, and overall mental health. Sometimes it’s the smallest details seemingly minor decor decisions or layout missteps that end up making the biggest difference in how we feel in a space.
So let’s talk about them. These are the design details that often get overlooked, but once you notice them, you can’t unsee them.
1. Art Without Intention (a.k.a. The Horse Photo Problem)
Let’s start with a big one: artwork and wall decor.
One of my biggest design pet peeves is walking into a beautiful, open-concept room—a space with so much potential and purpose only to see a random, oversized horse photo on the wall. Not because it holds any meaning or connects to the space. It’s just... there. Floating. Isolated. Disconnected. Or worse, surrounded by off-center pieces or meaningless decals like “Live. Laugh. Love.”
Art should enhance the space, not compete with it or confuse it. Your walls are an opportunity to express personality, create harmony, or tell a story, not just fill space.
Quick Tip: When selecting artwork, think about scale, placement, and emotional relevance. Center pieces with intention. Align them with furniture, architecture, or sightlines. And please.
ditch the dollar-store decals.
2. Exposed Cords: The Silent Scene Stealers
You know that moment when you finally install a stunning wall sconce, and you step back... only to see a black cord dangling down the wall like it’s trying to escape the room?
Cords especially visible ones completely steal the show in a negative way. They distract from your beautiful design choices and can make an otherwise elevated room feel unfinished.
Solution: If you can, hardwire fixtures. If not, look into cord covers that match your wall paint. Even better, call an electrician and have it done right. Your eyes will thank you every time you walk into the room.
3. Rug Size: Bigger Matters (So Does Placement)
This one might sound simple, but it’s one of the most common mistakes I see: rugs that are way too small for the space they’re in. A 3x5 rug floating under a massive sectional does not anchor a living room, it isolates it.
Your rug should frame the area it lives in. It should define the zone, not disappear beneath the coffee table.
Quick Sizing Guidelines:
Living Room: Front legs of all seating should be on the rug (at minimum).
Bedroom: The rug should extend at least 18–24” beyond the sides and foot of the bed.
Hallways, pantries, and kitchens: Runners can elevate narrow areas just be sure to measure first.
This also ties into oversized furniture. That sectional you love? Make sure it doesn’t eat the room alive. Beds, dining tables, and sofas all need breathing room ideally 30–36 inches of clearance around them so people can move freely but be considerate of someone with a disability or is in a wheelchair :)
4. Inconsistent Lighting: The Temperature Trap
Nothing throws off the mood of a space faster than clashing light temperatures. One warm bulb over here. A cool, blue LED over there. It’s like the lighting can’t decide if it wants to be a cozy coffee shop or a dental office.
Lighting Tips:
Choose a consistent Kelvin temperature (ideally around 2700K–3000K for warm, inviting light).
Avoid mixing daylight white with soft white in the same space.
Dimmers are your best friend—they let you control ambiance based on mood and time of day.
And while we’re at it, can we talk about the overwhelming number of light switches in some homes? Let’s simplify. One panel. Clear labeling. Seamless control.
5. Flooring Faux Pas: The Grey Vinyl Epidemic (and Carpet Crimes)
Let’s talk about the floor. Specifically: grey vinyl plank flooring.
I know it’s been popular. I know it feels like a “safe” option. But grey floors tend to suck the life out of a space. They’re moody in all the wrong ways and often make rooms feel cold or lifeless, especially when paired with equally cool-toned paint and decor.
If you’re choosing vinyl or laminate, opt for warm, natural wood tones. They’re timeless, more forgiving, and they bring warmth and authenticity to a space.
And this one should go without saying, but: no carpet in bathrooms. Ever. It’s unsanitary, outdated, and never, ever a good idea.
Also—don’t let your door swing over a rug. Check your clearances. Small annoyances like this are the kinds of things you’ll notice every day once they’re pointed out.
In Closing: Small Details, Big Impact
Interior design isn’t just about the big-ticket items like cabinetry or architectural elements. Often, it’s the tiny, subtle decisions—art placement, cord concealment, rug size, lighting temperature, floor tones that determine whether a space feels just okay or absolutely right.
We don’t design for perfection. We design for people. For emotional response. For the feeling of "home."
So take your time. Measure twice. Rethink the decals. And if you’re unsure, please don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask a designer (we actually love this stuff).
Want help walking through your own space? I'd be happy to chat about how small adjustments could transform your home from mismatched to intentional.
