Many people make the mistake of going overboard with matchy-matchy furniture which results in a home without character. Instead, slowly adding unique pieces over time allows your house to develop a personality.

Mistakes can be costly in interior design, but they’re easy to avoid with a little knowledge. Here are some of the most common mistakes homeowners make and how to correct them.

1. Not Having a Plan

When designing an interior, a plan is crucial to ensure that the end results are cohesive and functional. Without proper planning, projects can fail to meet their intended purposes or may not have an aesthetic that appeals to clients.

One of the most common mistakes when it comes to interior design is not having a plan. Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve will help you avoid costly errors and save time. It will also make it easier to execute your ideas.

2. Not Having a Budget

As interior designers pore over fabric swatches, wallpaper repeats and furniture options, it can be hard to determine where to splurge and where to save. Taking your budget into account is one of the most important aspects of any design project.

It can be tempting to grab everything you see at a discounted price, but this is often not the best approach when it comes to interior design. Instead, try to prioritize design elements based on what will have the most impact in the space. For instance, placing furniture right against the wall can look cluttered and take away from roominess. It’s also important to balance small or low-profile pieces with larger or taller items.

3. Not Having a Vision

Whether you’re an interior designer or not, having a clear vision will help you design an interior that looks gorgeous. Color, light, furniture size and arrangement, layout, and more are all vital elements to consider when designing a room.

Mistakes like using the wrong color or painting a wall the wrong shade can dramatically affect a space’s ambiance and look. To avoid this mistake, test swatches on the walls before committing to paint.

Another common interior design mistake is decorating with too much furniture or arranging it the wrong way. Too many pieces can make a room feel crowded and unorganized, while too few pieces may look sparse.

4. Not Having a Style

Designing an interior takes a lot of time, effort, and creativity. A common mistake that many interior designers make is not having a clear style. This often leads to mismatched furniture and decor.

Too much use of one particular style or source can make a room feel sterile and lackluster. For example, using too many pieces from a Pottery Barn catalog can give your home a flat and dated look.

It’s also important to remember that lighting is a crucial element of any space. Hanging curtains too high above window frames can actually make rooms feel smaller and block natural light. Always make sure that the light you install has the right balance of ambient, task, and accent lighting.

5. Not Having a Style Guide

Interior design is an essential process that affects a space’s ambiance, functionality, and overall look. Unfortunately, many interior designers make mistakes that could be easily avoided with a little insight and help from a professional.

One common mistake is choosing the wrong color for walls, floors, or ceilings. This can alter the ambiance of a room and also cause it to feel unbalanced.

Other common mistakes include placing furniture too close together or not allowing enough breathing space in a room. Additionally, not utilizing proper lighting can create dark and harsh rooms. Aim for lighting that combines ambient, task, and accent features.

6. Not Having a Style Plan

Interior design is an art that requires attention to detail. Colors, light, furniture size and arrangement are some of the key elements to consider when crafting a beautiful home.

However, it’s also important to not fall victim to design fads. Choosing a style that will be out of fashion in a few years can make your interior look outdated and dated.

Another common mistake is not having a plan for lighting. A room without proper lighting will look flat and unimaginative. This can be avoided by planning the use of ambient, task and accent lighting. Decorilla designer Nikola P. shows how this can be done by designing a living room layout with 3D design apps.