20 Decorating Mistakes That Make Interior Designers Cringe

Does your home feature any of these design mistakes? Find out how to avoid these familiar faux pas with a few simple solutions from design experts.

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By: Lori Johnston and Lauren Fansler

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Decorating Mistakes Designers Hate

Interior designers have seen it all. Check out some of their biggest pet peeves and see how to avoid them in your own home's design.

See More Photos: 35 Biggest Decorating Mistakes and Solutions

From: Lindley Arthur Interiors

Mistake: Mismatched Appliances

Appliances in a mishmash of finishes and time periods, like this kitchen on HGTV's Run My Makeover, irk designers.

Solution: Make Appliances Cohesive in Finish

Kitchens are about togetherness, and design choices should reflect that. Stainless steel appliances and chairs give a modern touch to this bright, contemporary kitchen. "Regarding the appliance finishes, I'd say the most important aspect is cohesion in finish," says architect and designer Jeff Troyer. "I don't necessarily need to use the same brand of appliance, but a matching finish is important." He offers one more tip: Make sure that when using different brands of appliances that the handles match.

See More Photos: 20 Kitchens With Hidden Appliances

From: Jeff Troyer Associates

Mistake: Ignoring Lighting

Kitchens are lively spaces, so a designer pet peeve is when lighting is an afterthought. This before kitchen is seen on HGTV's Home Town.

Solution: Use Different Types of Lighting

Use both overall light and task lighting in a kitchen. "I ask my clients, when helping with lighting, what they plan to do in each area of the kitchen and we talk about what type of light would be needed," says Heather N. Guss with E.W. Kitchens. "We try to make sure that function matches form, and create beautiful spaces. Also, under-cabinet lighting is a must!"

See More Photos: 50 Stylish Light Fixtures for Your Kitchen

From: Heather Guss

Mistake: Stencil on Walls

Much of the kitchen design is focused on the cabinets and functionality, but when homeowners rely on stencils, designers would love to show them how they can do so much more with that space.

Solution: Curate a Collection

Incorporating something unique in the open areas above kitchen cabinetry is much more of a statement than a trendy wall decal or "cutesy" words, say the designers with Duet Design Group. Whether it be a few pieces of art that bring the rest of the kitchen together or a gathering of several vases or ceramic pieces, the options are endless.

From: Duet Design Group

Mistake: Short Canopy

Canopy beds are versatile, adding romance to a master bedroom or acting as the perfect hideaway spot for a child, said designer Marie Flanigan. But short canopies hinder the impact they can have on a room.

Solution: Complete the Look With Curtains

Originally designed centuries ago to create privacy for the aristocracy, draping a canopy bed in curtains is a longstanding tradition that continues to generate texture and visual interest in bedrooms, says designer Marie Flanigan. "Just like drapes surrounding windows, canopy curtains should kiss the floor or have a slight break," she said. "Whether the intention is to draw the canopy curtains or not, it’s imperative to have the option, ensuring there is enough fabric to completely enclose the bed." Ethereal, gauzy fabrics have less visual weight.

See More Photos: 24 Dreamy Canopy Beds

From: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Mistake: Clashing Zebra Rug With Patterned Furniture

Mixing patterns can easily go wrong. Before its makeover, this sitting room featured outdated furniture and a dizzying amount of clashing patterns. The space lacked fluidity and style.

Solution: Pair Zebra With Solids

Zebra rugs are great for grounding a space and instantly make a sitting area feel complete. Being bold with a zebra rug doesn't mean you have to go over-the-top with prints and color in the room, says designer Abbe Fenimore with Studio Ten 25. "I love to start with great basics and ground the room with a sofa, accent chairs and accent pieces that are classic and usually upholstered in a solid fabric," she says. "Animal prints can easily overwhelm a space visually, but mixing them with organic florals and plenty of texture will allow them to become part of the overall design without taking over."

See More Photos: Is Zebra Having a Moment?

From: Abbe Fenimore

Mistake: TV Plays a Solo Act

A common challenge for modern homeowners is integrating televisions into their home’s decor without creating an eyesore. This pre-renovation space makes the television the star of the design of this living room.

From: Debbie Perez

Solution: Create a Mixed-Media Gallery Wall

The TV doesn’t have to stand alone, says designer Marie Flanigan. The TV can also be the focal point of a gallery wall. Surround it with family photos and pieces of art, drawing the eye away from the TV when it’s not in use. "Create balance by flanking the TV with floating shelves, decked with personal treasures," she said.

From: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Mistake: Random Coastal Decor

In this living room before a renovation, bright blue walls and sea life art fail to create a cohesive space.

Solution: Contemporary Coastal Art

When trying to create coastal-themed design, use colors and texture rather than having everything layered in seashells, says designer Jennifer Mehditash with Mehditash Design. Select a more contemporary piece of art, such as the photograph of a floating jellyfish, along with basketweave fabrics, like on this sofa bed, to hint at nautical-inspired materials. "The beautiful tones allow you to create your very own personalized look and keep it sophisticated and modern," she says. Another tip: Don’t forget to look up and add something special to your ceilings. She added grasscloth to almost every ceiling in this Maui beach house.

See More Photos: 30 Cool, Coastal-Inspired Living Rooms

From: Jennifer Mehditash

Before: Bland Dining Room

A small, plain space with poor lighting, as seen on HGTV's Brother Vs. Brother, is in need of a redesign because it presents a missed opportunity. Dining room and kitchen spaces can be challenging when it comes to adding color and pattern, because they rely on durability and function first, designer Abbe Fenimore says.

Solution: Bold Art and Furniture

Paint the room — and even the ceiling— a subtle color and allow that to be the jumping- off point for your color palette, designer Abbe Fenimore says. "Art is a great way to bring in texture and pattern, and large scale pieces look fabulous in small rooms and will make them feel larger," she says. "Think outside of the box when selecting your tables and chairs. Dining sets don't have to match, and once you find pieces you love, complement them with something in a similar style or upholster your chairs with a bold indoor/outdoor fabric for a pop of pattern and color."

From: Abbe Fenimore

Mistake: Unorganized Open Shelving

Open shelving is an up-and-coming trend, but in this pre-makeover kitchen, the effect is just messy.

Solution: Gather Items to Show Off

Consider how to display a collection, such as exclusive and upscale liquors on this asymmetrical shelving. Designers consider the style and arrangement of the shelving along with what will be spotlighted to create just the right look.

See More Photos: Decorating Tips for Shelves and Bookcases

From: 27 Diamonds Interior Design

Mistake: Overshadowing Windows

Windows are a beloved feature in a kitchen, but some homeowners tend to overlook them, like in this kitchen before a renovation seen on HGTV's Home Town.

Solution: Employ Roman Shades

Mount Roman shades above windows to give the illusion that the windows are taller and more expansive, says designer Brooke Wagner of Brooke Wagner Design.

From: Brooke Wagner

Mistake: Tile Countertops

Tile countertops were common in the '80s, but with a wealth of materials available now, there are better options. Not only are they not the most stylish choice, the grout can also hold years' worth of grime.

From: Amy Carman Design

Solution: Easy-to-Clean Stone Countertops

These sleek and clean marble countertops are a much better solution to tile countertops. Trust us, they're worth the splurge.

From: Amy Carman Design

Mistake: Cluttered Storage

Clutter can make even a well-designed space look like a total mess.

From: Kimberlee Gorsline

Solution: Stylish Storage

The home features built-in storage where the once-cluttered cabinet stood before. Creating a place to hide your personal possessions — which are less than attractive — will make your space feel more orderly.

See More Photos: 20 Storage Solutions for Cluttered Cabinets

From: Kimberlee Gorsline

Mistake: Angled Furniture

This dining room table is positioned diagonally, cutting the room in all the wrong places.

From: The TomKat Studio

Solution: Making the Most of Every Inch

This dining area has been transformed, and now the table is positioned in a place that makes more sense in the space. Not only does this solution visually enhance the look of the room, it also adds more square footage.

From: The TomKat Studio

Mistake: Bland Design

This kitchen lacks any color or personality, making it bland and forgettable.

From: Laura U Design Collective

Solution: Personality-Filled Spaces

The newly designed kitchen features Shaker style cabinetry, with light wood lower cabinets paired with white uppers. The gray and white buffalo check tile flooring adds a unique design flair that gives the space character.

See More Photos: 19 Ways to Add Character to Your House

From: Laura U Design Collective

Mistake: Oversized Furnishings

This living room is out of balance and overpowered by the dark wood fireplace surround that is too large for the space.

From: Duet Design Group

Solution: Employ Furnishings That Fit Your Square Footage

Simplifying the fireplace creates a more appropriate scale for this living room and opens up the space.

From: Duet Design Group

Mistake: Beige + Brown

The beige wall and ceiling combined with the dark brown woodwork makes this large living room feel dark, dated and cramped.

From: Bailey Austin Design

Solution: Cohesive Color Palette

Removing the heavy bookcases on either side of the fireplace made an immediate difference in the transformation of this living room by Designer Bailey Austin Bird. The fresh white paint on the walls and ceiling also opens up the space and gives the room a more refreshing look.

See More Photos: Top Living Room Color Palettes We're Loving Right Now

From: Bailey Austin Design

Mistake: Dark Painted Ceiling

With dark wood cabinets and beige walls in combination with a dark painted ceiling, this space feels cramped and gloomy.

From: Bailey Austin Design

Solution: Ceiling Accents

Ceiling Beams add architectural interest and coordinate with the darkly stained lower cabinets. This makes for a better solution than the prior dark painted ceiling.

From: Bailey Austin Design

Mistake: Forgetting a Focal Point

This bedroom lacks any focal point and is just a bland, forgettable space.

From: Bailey Austin Design

Solution: Create a Wow Factor

The bed in this renovated bedroom features a large, tufted headboard, creating a focal point for the space. The blue armchairs in front of the bay windows provide a welcome splash of color.

From: Bailey Austin Design

Mistake: Uninteresting Lighting

This living room is a large space that features a bland light fixture that looks more like a sprinkler system.

From: The Ranch Mine

Solution: Go Bold With Your Light Fixtures

If you have the room, incorporate a bold, sculptural light fixture. This living room now has a dramatic chandelier that emphasizes the height of the two-story living room.

See More Photos: 20 Living Room Chandeliers You’ll Love

From: The Ranch Mine

Mistake: Blocking Natural Light

The piano in this living room is blocking the natural light streaming in through the gorgeous arched windows. All the space needs is a fresh coat of paint and rearranged furniture.

From: Terracotta Design Build

Solution: Embrace Natural Light

Because this room had such great bones, the designers only needed to paint the walls white and rearrange the furniture to make the space feel fresh and bright. Moving the piano to the other side of the space allows the gorgeous natural light to stream in through the windows.

From: Terracotta Design Build

20 Decorating Mistakes That Make Interior Designers Cringe

Related To:

Shop This Look

Decorating Mistakes Designers Hate

Mistake: Mismatched Appliances

Solution: Make Appliances Cohesive in Finish

Mistake: Ignoring Lighting

Solution: Use Different Types of Lighting

Mistake: Stencil on Walls

Solution: Curate a Collection

Mistake: Short Canopy

Solution: Complete the Look With Curtains

Mistake: Clashing Zebra Rug With Patterned Furniture

Solution: Pair Zebra With Solids

Mistake: TV Plays a Solo Act

Solution: Create a Mixed-Media Gallery Wall

Mistake: Random Coastal Decor

Solution: Contemporary Coastal Art

Before: Bland Dining Room

Solution: Bold Art and Furniture

Mistake: Unorganized Open Shelving

Solution: Gather Items to Show Off

Mistake: Overshadowing Windows

Solution: Employ Roman Shades

Mistake: Tile Countertops

Solution: Easy-to-Clean Stone Countertops

Mistake: Cluttered Storage

Solution: Stylish Storage

Mistake: Angled Furniture

Solution: Making the Most of Every Inch

Mistake: Bland Design

Solution: Personality-Filled Spaces

Mistake: Oversized Furnishings

Solution: Employ Furnishings That Fit Your Square Footage

Mistake: Beige + Brown

Solution: Cohesive Color Palette

Mistake: Dark Painted Ceiling

Solution: Ceiling Accents

Mistake: Forgetting a Focal Point

Solution: Create a Wow Factor

Mistake: Uninteresting Lighting

Solution: Go Bold With Your Light Fixtures

Mistake: Blocking Natural Light

Solution: Embrace Natural Light

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