15 Common Decorating Mistakes That Can Make Your Home Look Cluttered

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Home decorating is really all about your own personal style and getting your space to be cozy and welcoming. And yet, even the best of intentions can sometimes result in a cluttered, chaotic feel without a little forethought.

Here are some of the most common decorating mistakes that can make your home feel too cramped for comfort — and a few easy fixes to get things back in order.

Choosing Oversized Furniture

Grand dining tables and big, comfy couches might be a luxury, but too much of them can make a room seem smaller. If you have oversized furniture, there isn’t much space to walk around and it kind of disrupts the flow of the room. If you have a small living room, having a sleek sofa and smaller accent chairs can actually open the area up to create more breathing room.

All the Furniture Pushed Against the Wall

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You might think that pushing your furniture up against the walls to open up the room makes sense, but it can actually end up disconnecting the space. The layout is more intimate and functional when furniture is pulled toward the center of the room. By leaving a little breathing room between furniture and walls you can create cozy seating arrangements and conversation areas.

Overloading on Patterns

Too many competing patterns can be overwhelming, even though patterns can really make a room feel alive. Balance is key whether it’s patterned pillows, rugs, or wallpaper. A bold, patterned rug will look great if the rest of the room is kept more neutral. If you love the look of a patterned couch, tone down the other accents so you don’t create visual chaos.

Not Enough Storage

Lack of proper storage is one of the biggest culprits to a cluttered home. Clutter is inevitable when your space is filled with items that have no place to go. Multifunctional furniture, such as ottomans with storage or elegant baskets that will keep things neat and out of sight, is an investment worth making.

Blocking Windows

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Natural light is a big asset to your room, and windows are a major source of that, so when you block them with heavy furniture or curtains, you lose that. Make sure your windows are unblocked to allow natural light to pour in and make the space look larger and cosier. For privacy, go for sheer curtains or blinds that stand for light and protection.

Overstuffed Shelves

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While it’s tempting to stock your shelves with books, trinkets and other collectibles, crammed shelves can get messy quickly. Don’t just jam everything on one shelf, curate your collection. Don’t turn your shelves into storage dumps for things you don’t even care about; leave some open space to let the items you love stand out.

Forgetting to Edit

Just because you love all of your decor pieces, doesn’t mean they should all be out at one time. Editing your space regularly—getting rid of things that don’t fit, or are just taking up space—can go a long way to keeping everything feeling fresh and uncluttered. Less is more, sometimes, when it comes to decoration.

Mismatched Furniture Styles

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If you aren’t careful, mixing styles can feel disjointed, even though it should be fun and eclectic. It’s great to mix different eras or designs but try to find a link in all the pieces, like common color palette or material. That way it isn’t just a mishmash of random finds, it feels intentional.

Too Many Personal Photos

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Family photos are great to display to add warmth and personality to a home, but too many can leave your space cluttered and busy. Rather than putting picture frames on every surface, build a gallery wall or dedicate an entire photo display area. It helps keep your memories in focus without drowning the room.

Not Enough Contrast

It’s fine to keep to a cohesive color palette, but too much of the same thing can make a space feel bland and flat — there needs to be contrast. And don’t be afraid to mix light and dark tones for interesting and depth. For instance, if most of your furniture is neutral in your room, you can add a bold accent color with throw pillows, a rug or artwork to give it a little visual pop.

Overlooking the Entryway

Your entryway is the first thing your guests see and also sets the tone for the rest of your home; so if your entryway is cluttered and disorganized, it’s not going to make a great first impression, as this True Homes article attests. Add a console table for some tidiness (put what you want to keep it functional but tidy), some hooks for keys and bags, and even a decorative tray to sort out the loose items.

Uncoordinated Colors

Clashing colors in a room can be chaotic. Mixing patterns and shades is great for personality, but a cohesive color scheme is king. Keep your color palette to a few complementary colors and don’t be afraid to use neutral tones as a means to balance out some more plentifully used colors. It keeps things feeling less like visual overload, and more like a sense of harmony.

Neglecting Lighting

One of the most overlooked things when creating a brighter, more open space is good lighting. Overhead lighting can make a room feel flat if you rely on that alone. Lighting your room with multiple light sources is what makes the difference and layers of lighting with table lamps, floor lamps, and even candles can create warmth and dimension.

Too Many Decorations

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Decorative items are easy to go crazy with, especially when you are trying to make your space feel homey. While it’s nice to have too many vases, picture frames, and knick knacks, they can also make a room look cluttered very quickly, as this Homes & Gardens article attests. Instead of having them stuffed anywhere, try rotating your decorations seasonally, or grouping similar style items together for a focal point. Less really can be more.

Ignoring Vertical Space

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Vertical space is something we hardly focus on. If you are not using your walls for shelving, artwork or storage, you are missing out on prime real estate. Hanging plants or simply mounted lighting can bring the gaze upwards expanding the room and creating order. Don’t waste your walls!

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.