There’s something genuinely exciting about designing a room — but that excitement can quickly turn into regret if you buy something that doesn’t actually work in your space. As ecommerce has ballooned to account for more than half of all furniture purchases, one of the biggest fears in interior design is spending money on furniture, lighting, or finishes that ultimately don’t fit, feel awkward, or simply look “off” once everything arrives.
Many of these issues come from the same few missteps. Here are some of the most common decorating mistakes people make — and how to avoid them.
When furniture is purchased without a clear plan, individual pieces may feel fine on their own but fail to work together functionally or stylistically once the room comes together. Scale, proportion, and layout are often overlooked until it’s too late, and single oversized or undersized item can throw an entire room off.
Color influences everything in a room. If you're a visual person, AI tools like Madespace can help you quickly test a range of colors instantly. Once you've landed on a few you like, you're going to want to test them out on the wall. Paint swatches can look dramatically different in morning light versus evening light, and wall color affects how furniture, textiles, and finishes read in the space. Considering wall color together with furniture selections helps guide better decisions throughout the process.
Just because something is popular on social media doesn’t mean it will work in your home. Trends can be helpful inspiration, but when followed without context, they often lead to spaces that feel disconnected from how you actually want your room to feel.
Focus on intentional sequencing. Start by 1) planning your layout first — understanding how the room functions and how you move through it. Next, 2) identify your larger anchor pieces, including any furniture you plan to keep. And, from there, 3) determine secondary elements like lighting and paint. Once those foundations are set, you can introduce textiles and decor with far more confidence — and far fewer returns.
Visualizing your room before buying anything can make a meaningful difference. Rather than trying to hold everything in your head or rely on inspiration boards alone, test ideas in place. See how scale, color, and placement work together visually. Notice how pieces layer — a sofa and coffee table over a rug, or a dining table and chairs against a tile floor. That perspective can save time, reduce costly mistakes, and eliminate the frustration of re-ordering.
If you’re not a 3D artist or designer, Madespace can help bridge that gap. By describing the changes you want — much like you would in a conversation with a designer — you can see those ideas reflected in your actual space almost instantly. That clarity makes it easier to move forward with confidence, knowing the pieces you choose truly belong in your home.
