5 Common Interior Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Whether you're designing your dream home from the ground up or breathing new life into your existing space, interior design is about more than just choosing the right furniture and paint colors. It’s about creating a cohesive, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space that aligns with your personal style. As experts in the luxury interior design world, we’ve seen it all—and we know the common design errors that can derail even the most carefully thought-out projects.
While DIY projects can be fun and Pinterest boards are full of inspiration, there’s a reason why having an experienced interior designer on your side is essential when designing a custom home or renovating an existing one. Trust us—whether you're remodeling a Scottsdale retreat or customizing your Paradise Valley estate, avoiding these common interior design mistakes can save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.
1. Overlooking the Importance of Scale and Proportion
One of the most common interior design mistakes we see is the mismatch of scale and proportion. Whether it's apartment-sized furniture in an expansive room or an oversized light fixture hanging from a low ceiling, the result can feel off-balance and uncomfortable. Scale and proportion are key when creating a harmonious interior, and an experienced interior designer knows exactly how to measure and select fixtures and furniture that fit perfectly within a room’s layout and size.
How to avoid it:
Measure your space before purchasing fixtures or furniture. It’s crucial to ensure that your pieces are the right size for the room. A well-proportioned space feels balanced, while oversized furniture in a small space can make a room feel cramped and crowded.
Pro Tip: When designing your custom home or renovating a room, take a tape measure wherever you go. If you are at a restaurant and love the chair you are seated in, jot down a few key measurements. If you bump your elbows on the side of a hotel shower, measure the distance between shower walls. An experienced designer can help create a layout that ensures everything fits comfortably without overwhelming the space.
2. Ignoring Lighting Layers
Lighting is often underestimated, yet it plays a major role in the overall feel and functionality of a room. Relying solely on one light fixture, like a single overhead light, often results in a room that feels dim, uninviting, or poorly lit. Not incorporating multiple layers of lighting—ambient, task, and accent—can leave your space lacking in warmth, depth, and functionality.
How to avoid it:
Ensure your design incorporates all three layers of lighting: ambient (overall lighting), task (focused lighting for specific activities), and accent (to highlight decor or architectural features). This adds warmth and drama to your space while making it more functional.
Pro Tip: In the Greater Phoenix area, where natural sunlight is abundant, it’s important to make the most of natural light during the day. During the evening, however, layered lighting (like floor and table lamps) can ensure your space is cozy and inviting. A professional interior designer will expertly balance natural and artificial lighting to enhance the beauty of your space.
3. Choosing Trendy Pieces Over Timeless Design
Trendy items can be tempting, but relying too heavily on current fads is a common design error. While you might fall in love with the latest color of the year or the hottest furniture trend, these items may not stand the test of time. When building a custom home or undergoing a major renovation, you want your space to feel timeless, not outdated in a few years.
How to avoid it:
Focus on timeless design principles and classic pieces that will stay relevant for years to come. For example, a well-chosen sofa in a neutral color, elegant lighting fixtures, and quality materials like marble or wood never go out of style. Use trendy pieces as accents rather than the foundation of your space.
Pro Tip: An experienced interior designer can blend timeless pieces with the latest trends, creating a look that feels fresh without risking your space feeling outdated. They’ll know how to integrate subtle trends into your overall design so that your home remains stylish for years to come.
4. Neglecting Functionality for Aesthetics
It’s easy to get carried away by beauty and overlook the practical needs of a space. We’ve all seen rooms that are stunning but impractical—beautiful furniture that’s uncomfortable, a kitchen that’s more form than function, or a bathroom that’s elegant but lacks storage. The best design is a balance between style and function. When designing a custom home or renovating an existing space, you need to consider how you’ll actually use the space.
How to avoid it:
Focus on how the space will be used on a daily basis. Incorporate smart storage solutions, prioritize comfort, and make sure your design choices support the way you live.
Pro Tip: For example, in a kitchen, choosing a beautiful but impractical countertop can be a costly mistake. When designing your space, an interior designer will consider both your aesthetic preferences and the practical aspects to ensure your home looks stunning and functions seamlessly.
5. Forgetting to Consider the Big Picture
It’s easy to get caught up in the details—picking out the perfect throw pillow, choosing the ideal lighting fixture, or finding the perfect rug. But focusing too much on the small elements without considering how everything works together can result in a disjointed and unfocused design. Creating a cohesive look that flows from room to room is essential when designing a custom home or renovating a large space.
How to avoid it:
Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, take a step back and look at the big picture. Consider how each room will flow into the next and how the overall design will come together. Will your color scheme work from room to room? Does the style of furniture in your living room match the vibe of your kitchen? A holistic approach to design ensures that everything complements each other.
Pro Tip: An experienced interior designer will develop a cohesive design plan that takes into account the entire space, from layout and flow to color palettes and furniture choices. This approach ensures your design is not only visually stunning but also unified.
The Importance of Working with an Experienced Interior Designer
When you’re embarking on a custom home build or major renovation in the Greater Phoenix area, it’s easy to make these common interior design mistakes. That’s where an expert interior designer comes in. An experienced designer brings knowledge, creativity, and a trained eye to your project, helping you avoid costly errors and ensuring your space is not only beautiful but functional as well.
An interior designer has the skills to balance aesthetics with functionality, manage the complexities of designing multiple spaces, and stay ahead of trends that will stand the test of time. Whether you’re renovating your Scottsdale home or designing a custom pad in Gilbert, working with an experienced designer is key to achieving the look and feel you want without the headaches.
At Powerhouse Interiors, we specialize in helping clients in the Greater Phoenix area create stunning, functional, and timeless interiors. Whether you’re building a custom home or renovating an existing space, we’ll guide you through every step of the design process, ensuring your vision is realized without the common mistakes that can derail a project.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can bring your dream home to life, seamlessly blending style, function, and elegance—without the stress.
