5 Interior Design Mistakes That Make Your Home Feel More Stressful (And How to Fix Them)

Our homes should be places of rest, comfort, and restoration. Yet for many people, home feels more chaotic than calming — even after decorating.

The reason is rarely a lack of effort or taste. More often, it’s a few common design mistakes that quietly create tension in a space.

Here are five interior design mistakes I see regularly, and how to fix them in a way that feels manageable and intentional.

1. Too Much Furniture for the Space

It’s easy to assume that filling a room will make it feel cosy, but overcrowding does the opposite. Too much furniture disrupts flow, restricts movement, and creates visual noise.

How to fix it: Start by removing just one piece. A spare chair, an unused side table, or an oversized unit. Notice how the room immediately feels lighter and easier to move through. Space itself is a design element — and often the most overlooked one.

2. Poor or Flat Lighting

Relying solely on a ceiling light flattens a room and can make even beautiful spaces feel harsh or uninviting.

How to fix it: Layer your lighting. Combine:

• Overhead lighting

• Table or floor lamps

• Accent lighting (wall lights, picture lights)

Warm bulbs make an enormous difference to mood, particularly in living rooms and bedrooms.

3. Furniture That’s the Wrong Scale

Scale issues are subtle but powerful. A sofa that’s too large overwhelms a room, while furniture that’s too small can make a space feel unfinished or temporary.

How to fix it: Measure before buying — and think in proportion, not trends. Choose pieces that relate to each other in size and weight, rather than focusing on individual items.

4. A Lack of Colour Direction

Random colours, even if individually nice, create visual tension when they don’t relate to one another.

How to fix it: Choose one dominant neutral and build your palette intentionally. Limit your main colours to two or three tones, then layer in texture for interest rather than more colour.

5. Decorating Without a Clear Plan

Impulse buys often lead to mismatched rooms and wasted money.

How to fix it: Start with a concept or mood board before purchasing anything. A clear plan saves time, money, and frustration.

Interior design should support your wellbeing — not add to your stress.

If you’d like help creating a calm, cohesive space without the overwhelm, explore the Room Refresh Package or book a free discovery call with 23rd Room.