Even the most beautifully furnished rooms can feel “off” if a few key details are overlooked. The good news? Most design mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for. At Shelby Jo Interiors in Kirkland, Washington, I help clients transform their spaces every day, and I see the same design pitfalls come up again and again. Here are five of the most common—and how you can avoid them in your own home.
1. Choosing the Wrong Rug Size
The mistake: Rugs that are too small make a room feel disconnected and awkward.
The fix: Choose a rug that anchors the entire space. In living rooms, all front legs of your furniture should sit on the rug. In dining rooms, make sure chairs can slide back without going off the edge.
2. Hanging Artwork Too High
The mistake: Art hung too high makes walls feel bare and out of proportion.
The fix: The center of your artwork should be at eye level—around 57–60 inches from the floor. If hanging above furniture, keep the bottom edge about 6–8 inches above the piece for balance.
3. Relying on Overhead Lighting Only
The mistake: A single ceiling light can make a room feel harsh and flat.
The fix: Layer your lighting. Mix overhead lights with table lamps, sconces, and floor lamps to create depth and ambiance. (This is especially important here in the Pacific Northwest, where we need cozy, layered lighting through those darker months!)
4. Pushing All Furniture Against the Walls
The mistake: Spacing furniture only around the edges can make a room feel cold and empty.
The fix: Float pieces away from the walls when possible. Even pulling a sofa out by just a few inches, or creating a conversation area with chairs, can make your space feel warmer and more inviting.
5. Ignoring Scale and Proportion
The mistake: Oversized furniture in a small room (or tiny furniture in a large room) throws off balance.
The fix: Take measurements before you buy. In a smaller space, choose sleek pieces with exposed legs to create airiness. In a larger space, go bold with bigger furniture and lighting so the room feels proportionate and grounded.