Good design takes time. From planning each room to ordering furniture and adding the finishing touches, it can take months or even years to curate the home of your dreams. But believe it or not, there are certain common design mistakes that can make a home look unfinished or incomplete, even after years of thoughtful curation and decorating.
“Certain styling faux pas or layout errors can just make a home feel off,” says Heather Goerzen, Director of Design and Content at Havenly. “If your home still feels cold or even a bit empty after months to years of effort, you could be committing a few of these common mistakes.”
But don’t worry — they’re easy to fix! Ahead, find the seven common design errors that can make a home feel incomplete or unwelcoming, and how to fix them.
1. Too small area rugs
Nothing makes a home feel cold and incomplete like a tiny area rug that only fits under the coffee table, or worse, floats in the middle of the room. Area rugs are meant to provide coziness and texture for an entire space — not a small section. Make sure that, at a minimum, the first two legs of each piece of furniture sit on the rug. In a spacious living room or bedroom, you’re likely working with an eight-by-ten or nine-by-twelve rug. Find more detail on rug sizing here!
2. Zero wall art
We’re all for thoughtful minimalism, and fully endorse hanging a single piece of off-centered artwork, or something large and oversized to set the tone for an entire space. But zero artwork? That feels like you just haven’t finished decorating yet. You don’t have to curate an all-out gallery wall, but make sure that each room has a few pieces of art on the walls to show your personality and complete the look.
3. White walls only
Don’t get us wrong — white paint will never go out of style. But if every single nook and cranny of your home is painted builder-grade white — including your half bath, basement, entryway, hallway, guest room, home office, and the like — it can feel a little impersonal. There are so many fun places to play with color and pattern that can really make a house feel like a home — even a subtle striped wallpaper or barely-there beige paint can make a difference.
4. Not enough seating
There’s something about a well-equipped, extra-cozy living room that just makes a home feel complete (and ready for company). If your living room consists of a single three-seater sofa, it can feel like you’re only designing for yourself and your own comfort, instead of considering conversation nooks and hosting gigs in the future. Add in some accent seating opposite your sofa and make sure you have enough dining chairs or bar stools!
5. Lack of a cohesive color palette
A home with an erratic and inconsistent color palette can feel a little thrown together. We know that sometimes you have to work with some hand-me-downs and collected pieces when you’re first setting up shop in a new home or apartment (good design takes time!), but in the long run, a distinct color palette makes a home feel intentional and put together. Don’t worry — it’s easy!
6. No curtains or window treatments
From curtains to roman shades, window treatments really amp up the comfort factor and make a home feel finished. The fabric adds a beautiful touch of texture to each room, while the ability to control natural light adds a level of practicality, privacy, and comfort that can’t be understated. If you’re out of school and in the “real world,” it’s time to invest in window treatments (and hang your curtains properly!).
7. Minimalism overkill
When done correctly, minimalism still feels warm, inviting, and cozy (just look at this home tour!). But sometimes, when taken too far, minimalism can feel unfinished and bare — we’d generally caution against putting a mattress on the floor and using stacks of books as nightstands beyond the age of 25. Minimalism almost requires more design prowess and thoughtfulness to really pull off — texture is everything with this design style.
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