Sticking to Just One Design Era or Style
Boho, shabby-chic, or mid-century pieces aren't entirely out, per se—but your home shouldn't feel one-note. Rigidly sticking to a singular design era, movement, or style can ultimately make your home feel too thematic, says Julie Brayton the principal designer at Brayton Interiors.
Pushing Furniture Up Against Walls
Placing furniture along walls is a default move for many—and it has been for years—especially since it might feel like it makes the space appear larger. However, using your walls as the anchor point for furniture ends up looking unplanned and too spread out.
Using White-Washed Wood
Making everything light, bright, and white—including your home's wood—was a trend that lasted many years, but it's officially time to mix things up. "We love seeing depth coming back to wood stains and wood tones in all things interiors, from furniture legs to wood flooring," says Heather Fujikawa
Misunderstanding Maximalism
Maximalist design is trending, but today's iteration takes a more thoughtful, personalized approach. Having too many little objects on tables or shelves can look busy, distracting, and disorganized, says Brayton. Instead, curate your tchotchkes, keeping the new clustercore trend in mind.
Filling Up Your Home With Fast Finds
Fast finds are officially an interior designer faux pas. "We all want to feel good about our homes, and sometimes we buy furniture and accessories spontaneously or quickly," says Ami McKay, president and principal designer of PURE Design. "Hasty decisions often end up not working in your space or withstanding the test of time."
Taking Minimalism Too Far
Maximalism might not be for you, but make sure you're not swinging too far in the other direction—an all-white, overly minimalist space is often a cold one. Leaning into warmth, depth, layers, and visual interest is a better way to go, even when you're working with neutrals, says McKay.
Buying Matching Furniture Sets
Many of us have walked into a big-box furniture store and walked out with a brand new matching set. This might work sometimes, but in most scenarios, the result is too uniform and expected, says Fujikawa.