Interior design is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and every homeowner should establish a space that reflects their individual style and character. However, if you are considering selling your property in the future or wish to maximise its value, it is sensible to consider how specific design decisions might appeal to prospective purchasers. This becomes particularly relevant for home furniture, as buyers frequently want to envisage themselves living there as it is presented.
Caroline, an interior designer who posts her advice and insights on TikTok, recently shared a video highlighting three decor errors she encounters repeatedly. The expert noted that these straightforward mistakes are easy to remedy but can cause your entire home to look cheap. She said: "If your home feels a little flat, a little cheap, like it is missing that layered, collected feel, this might be why. Here are three decor mistakes that I see all the time and how to fix them."
Lighting
Caroline noted: "First, lighting that is all on one level. When everything comes down from the ceiling, the room starts to feel flat and even nice, and expensive furniture can start to look sad." So instead, layer your lighting at different levels, like a floor lamp, a table lamp, maybe a smaller accent lamp or a wall sconce. "Basically, lamps everywhere and lamp shades really help to diffuse the light into these little pools of light around the room instead of bright, fluorescent, terrible lighting flooding everything."
Matching furniture sets
The interior designer explained that having every piece of furniture match perfectly is one of the most common decor errors you can make. Rooms and homes tend to feel costly and lavish when items have been thoughtfully acquired over time. She added: "A good rule of thumb is to mix your wood tones. Choose one deeper and one lighter for contrast. For example, maybe a darker walnut coffee table with a lighter oak console."
Undersized furniture
Caroline advised steering clear of furniture that is too small for the space. This includes overly small rugs, lamps and coffee tables. She continued: "A simple fix is choosing one or two anchor pieces that are slightly larger, like a bigger rug or a more substantial coffee table. I promise you that one strong piece instantly makes the room feel intentional." Most homes that feel expensive are not perfect. They just get a few things right.
