Interior designers are pretty decisive professionals. After all, it’s one of the top reasons clients rely on their expertise, whether they find joy in crafting minimalist spaces or dreaming up rooms filled with pattern and color. They’re hired to make design choices with unwavering confidence — think picking stylish paint colors, shopping for the perfect sofa or choosing the right mix of decorative accessories to complete a room.
Given their clear point of view and ability to bring their creative vision to life in homes of all styles, I couldn’t help but ask a few interior designers what things they’d never do in their own homes. Their candid thoughts will make you look at decorating in a whole new way.
1. Buying the entire furniture set
According to designer Lindsie Davis, one of the biggest decorating blunders out there is outfitting your home like a furniture store. “Matching sets may be convenient, but they strip a room of individuality,” says Davis, founder of Blueberry Jones Design. “Instead, take your time and mix materials, shapes, finishes and styles to create a collected, layered feel that evolves over time, not something that looks pulled straight from a showroom.”
2. Not layering bedding
Your bedroom is meant to be an escape and bedding has a lot to do with creating a cozy, peaceful atmosphere. Designer Becky Shea of Becky Shea Design says a fitted sheet, top sheet, duvet and a coverlet, with a soft blanket folded at the foot of the bed are a non-negotiable for her. “Layering your bed is so important—not just for visual appeal, but for comfort and quality sleep,” Shea says. “We spend a significant portion of our lives in bed, and it’s the place where we recharge and restore. So for the minimalists out there who stick to just a fitted sheet and duvet, I’d encourage giving layers a try. You might be surprised by how much of a difference they make.”
3. Skipping pattern and color
If there’s one thing designer Autumn Pochiro does in her home, it’s not overlooking pattern and color. The perfect example? Her Ohio dining room that’s filled with daring florals and a teal paint shade. “Our dining room is my little jewel box of color and pattern,” says Pochiro of Autumn Dawn Design. “Painted in three coats of Benjamin Moore’s Venezuelan Sea in a high-gloss finish, this room greets our guests with an element of surprise. I enjoy the intoxicating power of pattern, texture and color layers. Color makes people happy. Bold pattern drapes floor to ceiling, giving an impact, as if the color weren’t enough.”
4. Hanging art just to fill a wall
There’s no point in displaying art that’s not meaningful to you. Buy art with intention and be thoughtful when decorating with it. “Blank walls aren’t a bad thing,” says Davis. “I prefer waiting for the right piece of artwork to be found rather than settling for something just to ‘complete’ a room. Art should have meaning and contribute to the story of the space, not just take up square footage.”
5. Settling on a specific time period or brand
When furnishing a room, designer Keita Turner of Keita Turner Design keeps diversity top of mind. “I avoid limiting myself to a single period or brand, instead choosing to mix complementary antique, vintage and modern pieces. This approach enhances a space’s character and creates an inviting atmosphere that reflects personal history.” Turner aims for a mix of materials and textures for depth as well as unique accessories, including vintage end tables or statement artwork, that serve as conversation-starters.
6. Relying on recessed lighting
“Not only is decorative lighting the jewelry of the home, helping to express a home’s style, but it also plays an essential role in setting a home’s ambiance,” says designer Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors. Macuga finds recessed lighting to be too bright and harsh. Instead, she suggests opting for an assortment of light fixtures. “A layered plan—including sconces, pendants, table lamps and under-cabinet lighting—brings light closer to eye level, and adds depth and warmth by lighting from different angles,” the designer says.
7. Using improperly scaled furnishings or lighting
Don’t underestimate the power of scale when it comes to furniture and lighting. “Scale is everything,” Davis says. “A beautiful sofa or chandelier loses all its impact if it doesn’t suit the room’s proportions. Always measure and plan first to ensure that each piece feels balanced and intentional within the space.”
8. Decorating with a rigid timeline
Decorating takes time, and designer Katie Cunningham of Light and Dwell never rushes the process. “In my home, I let things happen more organically rather than forcing everything to come together at once,” Cunningham says. “This patience usually results in more thoughtful, collected-over-time interiors that feel authentic to how I actually live.”
9. Not ordering samples
“Never trust a finish, fabric or paint color based solely on a screen,” says Davis. “Always order samples before making final selections.” It’s important to view materials in your home’s lighting conditions, which “ensures a cohesive palette and avoids costly mistakes.”
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
