The interior can make the house a home, but a well-conceptualized design may go completely wrong with minor mistakes. Here's a guide to some of the most common interior design mistakes and some practical tips on how to avoid them:

1. Ignoring the Scale and Proportion of Furniture

Mistake: Oversized furniture in a small room or undersized pieces in a large space can make a room feel cramped or incomplete.

Solution:

• - Measure your room before buying furniture.
• - Use tools or apps to visualize the furniture in your space.
• - Incorporate a mix of furniture sizes for balance.

2. Poor Lighting Choices

Mistake: Over-reliance on a single overhead light or neglecting natural light creates an uninviting atmosphere.

Solution:

• - Layer your lighting with ambient, task, and accent lighting.
• - Use dimmers for adjusting brightness according to one's mood.
• - Showcase the natural light by using sheer curtains or well-placed mirrors.

3. Over-Cluttering the Space

Mistake: Filling every surface or corner with decor makes the room feel chaotic and unorganized.

Solution:

• - Follow the “less is more” principle.
• - Choose a few statement pieces rather than many small ones.
• - Adding in functional storage to hide clutter.

4. Choosing Style Over Comfort

Mistake: A lot of times, aesthetically-oriented design can turn out not very practical or comfortable.

Solution:

• - Test furniture for comfort before buying.
• - Think about how you’ll use the space daily and plan accordingly.
• - Select materials and finishes according to your lifestyle-for example, stain-resistant fabrics for families with children.

5. Neglecting Wall Art Placement

Mistake: Hanging pieces that are too high or too small for the wall makes a space feel awkward.

Solution:

• - Hang art at eye level, about 57–60 inches from the floor to the center of the piece.
• - Use larger or grouped pieces for big walls to create impact.

6. Neglecting the Power of Rugs

Mistake: Too small rugs in a space, or not at all, can leave a room disjointed.

Solution:

• - Choose a rug that anchors the furniture-all major furniture pieces should rest partially on the rug.
• - Area rugs can take up most of the floor in smaller spaces for a united appearance.

7. Ignoring Color Harmony

Mistake: Using too many bold colors without a cohesive scheme can overwhelm the senses.

Solution:

• - Stick to a 60-30-10 color rule of thumb: 60% dominant, 30% secondary, and 10% accent.
• - Use color swatches; test samples on walls before committing.

8. Neglecting personalization

Mistake: Following trends too closely will inevitably make your home feel impersonal.

Solution:

• - Incorporate personal touches like family photos, heirlooms, or travel souvenirs.
• - Balance trendy pieces with timeless ones that speak to your personality.

9. Pushing All Furniture Against Walls

Mistake: Leaving the room's center open can make the space feel less inviting and smaller.

Solution:

• - Float the furniture away from walls to create a cozy, intimate layout.
• - Use area rugs or coffee tables to delineate conversational areas.

10. Forgetting About Functionality

Mistake: Designing a space that looks great but doesn’t accommodate practical needs.

Solution:

• - Plan your layout according to daily activities and flow of traffic.
• - Invest in multifunctional furniture pieces for smaller rooms.
• - Always prioritize utility over purely decorative elements.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a space that is both functional and visually stunning. Remember, good design is about balance and finding what works best for you and your lifestyle.