5 Common Interior Design Mistakes DIYers Make (And How to Fix Them)

When it comes to designing your home, there’s something incredibly satisfying about doing it yourself. From painting walls to hanging shelves to picking out the perfect throw pillows—DIY design gives you creative control and often saves you a ton of money. But if you’ve ever stood back after a weekend project and thought, “Why doesn’t this look like the Pinterest picture?”—you’re not alone.

Even the most seasoned DIYers can fall into common design traps. The good news? These mistakes are totally fixable—and often with just a few tweaks. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or slowly redesigning your entire home, here are five common interior design mistakes DIYers make and, most importantly, how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Hanging Art Too High (Or Too Randomly)

The Problem:
You finally find a piece of art or a framed photo you love. Excitedly, you hammer in a nail, hang it up, and… something feels off. It might be too high, too small for the wall, or just floating awkwardly in the middle of nowhere. You’re not alone—improper art placement is one of the most common design mistakes out there.

Why It Matters:
Art is meant to anchor a space, not confuse it. When hung too high or too small, it can throw off the balance of an entire room, making things feel disconnected or visually chaotic.

The Fix:

• Hang art at eye level—generally, the center of the piece should be about 57–60 inches from the floor.

• When hanging art above furniture, like a sofa or console, it should be roughly 2/3 the width of the furniture below it and hang 6–8 inches above the top.

• Gallery walls? Plan them out on the floor first or use painter’s tape to mock them up on the wall. Maintain even spacing (2–3 inches between pieces) for cohesion.

• Use command strips or removable hooks while experimenting, especially in rentals.

Pro Tip: Bigger is usually better. A large piece will make a room feel more polished than several tiny ones spread out randomly.

Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Rug Size

The Problem:
You picked the perfect pattern, maybe even scored a great deal online—but once your rug is unrolled, it looks like a postage stamp in the middle of the room. It floats under the coffee table with no connection to the rest of the furniture.

Why It Matters:
A rug is more than just something soft underfoot—it’s a foundation that defines the zone. The wrong size can make your space look smaller and feel ungrounded.

The Fix:

• Living Room: At minimum, the front legs of all your seating should be on the rug. Ideally, all four legs should fit, especially in larger rooms.

• Dining Room: The rug should extend at least 24 inches beyond the table on all sides so chairs remain on the rug when pulled out.

• Bedroom: The rug should extend at least 18–24 inches on either side of the bed. In small rooms, opt for runners on either side of the bed if a full-size rug won’t fit.

Common Rug Sizes That Work:

• 8×10 or 9×12 for living rooms

• 6×9 under queen beds

• 5×7 or 6×9 for smaller dining areas

Pro Tip: If you love a smaller rug, layer it over a larger neutral jute or sisal rug to give it more presence.

Mistake #3: Poor Lighting (Or Only Using Overhead Lights)

The Problem:
You’ve painted the walls, picked out furniture, and maybe even added a few decorative touches—but the space still feels flat or sterile. Chances are, your lighting needs work.

Why It Matters:
Lighting is the most underestimated tool in interior design. One overhead bulb just doesn’t cut it—it creates harsh shadows and robs the room of warmth and depth. Good lighting changes everything.

The Fix:
Think in layers—every room needs more than one light source:

• Ambient lighting: Overhead lights or chandeliers for general illumination.

• Task lighting: Desk lamps, reading lights, or under-cabinet kitchen lights for focused work.

• Accent lighting: Table lamps, wall sconces, or floor lamps that create mood and dimension.

Tips to Fix Your Lighting Fast:

• Add dimmer switches to control brightness based on the time of day.

• Use smart bulbs to adjust warmth and brightness via an app.

• Mix warm and neutral bulbs but avoid harsh “daylight” bulbs unless you’re using them in workspaces.

• Try uplighting plants or artwork for a subtle but sophisticated effect.

Pro Tip: Aim for 3–5 light sources per room, especially in living areas and bedrooms.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Scale and Proportion

The Problem:
You find the perfect accent chair—but once it’s in your living room, it looks like a dollhouse prop next to your oversized sofa. Or maybe you chose a small coffee table that makes your space feel disjointed. This is a scale and proportion problem, and it’s more common than you think.

Why It Matters:
Design harmony is all about balance. Oversized furniture in a small room will make it feel cramped, while tiny furniture in a large space will feel awkward and disconnected.

The Fix:

• Choose furniture that matches the scale of your room. If your ceilings are high, go for taller bookshelves, bigger art, and pieces with vertical lines.

• Group furniture pieces by visual weight. Pair a bulky sofa with a more substantial coffee table instead of a dainty one.

• Leave room to breathe—avoid crowding pieces together. Allow for 18 inches between the sofa and coffee table and at least 3 feet of clearance in walkways.

Visual Tricks That Help:

• Use mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of more space.

• Paint walls and trim the same color in smaller rooms to blur lines and make things feel bigger.

• Use vertical storage and tall curtains hung high to draw the eye upward.

Pro Tip: When shopping, measure everything—including doorways! Use painter’s tape on the floor to mock up furniture size before buying.

Mistake #5: Buying Everything New (Or Matching Everything)

The Problem:
You walk into a furniture store, fall in love with a styled showroom, and decide to buy the whole set. While convenient, you end up with a space that feels more like a catalog page than a personal home. Everything matches… but nothing has character.

Why It Matters:
Personality is what turns a house into a home. A space that looks too perfect or too “matchy” can feel flat, impersonal, and even outdated.

The Fix:

• Mix old and new. Try incorporating vintage or thrifted pieces that bring soul and warmth into the room. A modern sofa looks amazing next to a distressed wood coffee table or antique chest.

• Vary textures and materials. If your furniture is all one wood tone, add contrast with metal, stone, rattan, or leather.

• Don’t buy entire matching sets—opt for pieces that complement each other instead.

• Add personal touches: art, books, travel souvenirs, handmade items, or DIY projects.

Pro Tip: Start with one or two anchor pieces (like a sofa or dining table), then slowly layer in complementary items. Give your space time to evolve instead of rushing to “complete” it.

Bonus Fix: Not Defining a Color Palette

While we’re here—let’s talk about color. Another common misstep is not having a cohesive palette, which can result in a room that feels jumbled or overwhelming.

The Fix:

• Choose a core palette of 2–3 main colors and 1–2 accent shades.

• Use the 60/30/10 rule: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary color, 10% pop or accent color.

• Don’t forget about undertones. That gray rug might have a blue tint that clashes with your warm beige walls.

• Sample paint colors on walls before committing—colors shift dramatically with lighting.

Pro Tip: Pull your palette from something you love—a piece of art, a pillow, a rug—and build the room around it.

 Give Yourself Grace

If you’ve made any of these mistakes, you’re in good company. Every great DIYer has learned through doing—and redoing. Interior design isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a space that reflects you, supports your lifestyle, and brings you joy.

The beauty of design is that nothing is permanent. Art can be rehung. Rugs can be swapped. Lamps can be added. The goal isn’t a showroom—it’s a home that feels right.

So if your space isn’t quite there yet, that’s okay. Keep learning, adjusting, and experimenting. With each little fix, your home becomes more “you.”