15 Decorating Mistakes That Make Your Home Look Like a Cluttered Mess

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Decorating your home can be an exciting adventure, but it can quickly become a chaotic battlefield if you’re not careful. In the attempt to create a stylish and welcoming space, we often fall into some decorating traps that can leave our homes looking like a jumble.

While we all struggle through the ups and downs of home decoration, it’s important to understand the simple mistakes that most people make along the way. Here are fifteen decorating blunders that can transform your pretty abode into a mess that will embarrass any reality show with its chaos.

Lack of Decluttering

Clutter Culprits Hiding in Your Living Room — Image Credit: Pixabay

This is one of the biggest culprits towards creating a cluttered look … Having simply too much stuff lying around. Over time, you can easily accumulate items, whether they’re gifts, souvenirs, or just something you bought because you thought it was a good idea. If you don’t have a regular decluttering routine, your home can fill up with things you don’t need in no time. It can make all the difference to take some time to think about what you actually need and love. I promise your space will take a deep breath of relief!

Oversized Furniture

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Nothing is as cluttered as a room with oversized furniture so nobody can move. You may adore that giant sectional but it can easily take over a space and make it feel closed in. Rather than overwhelming your space, choosing pieces that fit your space will create a more balanced, open space. Think of it this way: people should come in, not be pushed out the door by furniture!

Ignoring Scale and Proportion

Scale and proportion are your best friends when it comes to decorating. Massive furniture or tiny accents can throw everything out of whack in a small room. Pieces should be selected that fit your space. A little trial and error will go a long way if you’re not sure. You want your room to not feel like a game of Tetris where nothing quite fits.

Clashing Colors

Too many competing hues can make your home decor feel chaotic, and color is a powerful tool in home decor. Don’t randomly mix colors; instead, find a color palette that will give your space a sense of unity. That doesn’t mean that everything has to be perfectly coordinated; a little bit of complementary shades can bring interest while keeping things from turning into a visual mess.

Neglecting Focal Points

Empty Living Room — Photo Credit: Pexels

Every room deserves a star! Whether it’s a stunning piece of artwork, a fireplace or a one off piece of furniture, focal points draw the eye and anchor a space. If you don’t have a focal point, your room will feel aimless and cluttered. It should create a visual anchor and capture attention while giving the rest of the space the feeling of being intentional.

Overdecorating Surfaces

A few well placed decorations can bring a stylish surface to life, but too many items can ruin the style and turn a stylish surface into a catch all. Keep surfaces mostly clear so your decor pieces can stand out instead of fighting for attention.

Ignoring Lighting

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Lighting can make or break a space. Overhead lights alone can create harsh shadows and make your room feel small. Layering multiple light sources, say scones and lamps, can enhance and bring different little amounts of warmth and mannerism into your home. Lighting is the icing on the cake, it makes the whole thing better and it sets the mood.

Choosing Trendy Over Timeless

The latest design trends are easy to jump onto, but they’re easily become outdated. Trending items may make you feel fresh, but are short lived, and you may get bored as they shift. Investing in pieces that will never go out of style can give you a foundation to build on, and you can change up your space with accents that won’t clash with your core design.

Forgetting Functionality

Functionality is always king, even if style is great. If you don’t think about how you use your space when decorating, you will get frustrated. If your beautiful coffee table is too high to be functional, or your dining chairs are stylish but uncomfortable, what’s the point? Comfort and practicality are your priorities, so you’ll end up with a space that looks as good as it feels.

Overloading on Accessories

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While accessories can definitely make a room personality, too many can overwhelm the space and cause you to go cross eyed with visual clutter. Fill a curated list of your favorite decorative items instead of cramming every shelf and surface with these items, eliminate the clutter and empty it. Especially if it’s a small space; choose a few standout pieces that reflect your style and let them breathe. Less is sometimes truly more.

Mismatched Styles

While eclectic decor can be beautiful, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing and mismatched styles can be confusing. Visitors to a home that feels like a hodgepodge of different aesthetics may wonder what your style actually is. You need to find a balance amongst your favorite styles. A little cohesion in your space makes it feel intentional and curated.

Ignoring Wall Space

When wall spaces are neglected, a room can feel flat and uninspiring. Think creatively about how you can use your walls to better decorate instead of leaving them bare. After all, who doesn’t like a little eye candy on the walls?

Not Considering Traffic Flow

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If furniture is being arranged, it’s important to think about how people will move around the space. Having your home pathways blocked or cramming furniture too close together will make your home feel cramped and awkward. Give people enough room to be able to walk around. Picture your layout as a dance floor — everyone should have room to swing their hips without stepping on someone’s toes.

Being Afraid of Empty Space

Excessive Furniture and Decorations — Photo Credit: Pexels

Empty space is intimidating, but it’s necessary to balance out your home. However, overcrowding every inch can give a feeling of chaos. Learn to see negative space as a part of design that allows your decor to breathe and sing. It’s okay to keep some areas open; that can be calming in the midst of all the visual excitement.

Not Personalizing Your Space

Couple Arranging Picture Frames — Photo Credit: Blue Bird/Pexels

A home should finally represent you as a person. If your space is full of neutral decor that doesn’t do anything for you, it can feel dead. Either the scents or the family photos, or maybe travel souvenirs, or even some beautiful DIY projects — personal touches can make a space vibrant and tell your story.

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