"As an editor who covers decorating and design, judging other people’s homes is kind of my job. It’s a part of my work that I truly relish because, after seven years in this field, I have a lot of opinions. I’ve seen so many beautifully designed homes over the years, so when I see something that looks off, it sticks out immediately, and I can’t unsee it. Anyone with an untrained eye might not even notice, but to me, things like undersized area rugs, too-short curtains, and poorly made faux materials are glaringly obvious and make me cringe inwardly whenever I see them in homes online or IRL. While not all of these things are design mistakes per se, they’re what some may call interior design icks. If you have any of these things in your home, be prepared to feel called out—and then learn how to fix them.
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1. Curtains That Don’t Touch the Floor
Unless we’re talking about café curtains hung across a kitchen window, curtains should always extend all the way down to the floor. Those that stop just below the window frame or—worse yet—hover several inches off the floor make a room feel cheap and awkward. Too-short curtains also create a visual break in the wall, causing your ceiling to appear lower and your room to feel smaller.
How to Fix It:
Before purchasing curtains, always measure carefully, and be sure to account for the curtain rod when determining the length you need. Ideally, your curtains should just barely brush the floor. If the length you need is between standard sizes, go with the longer length and simply mount your curtain rod a bit higher.
2. Art That’s Hung Too High or Low
Improperly hung artwork is one of my all-time biggest interior design icks. When artwork is hung too high or too low, it immediately makes the room feel off and distracts from the art itself. Like in an art gallery or museum, the art in your home should be hung at eye level so you can best admire it. You shouldn’t feel like you have to crane your neck or crouch down to see it.
How to Fix It:
Luckily, there’s an easy trick to hanging any piece of art—no matter the size or orientation—at the correct height. Simply ensure the center of the piece is about 60 inches off the floor. When hanging a gallery wall, think of the arrangement as one large piece of art and center the whole thing around the 60-inch mark. The only possible exception is when you’re hanging art above a piece of furniture like a sofa or bed. Generally, art should hang about 6-10 inches above the furniture piece, so you may need to cheat the 60-inch rule a bit. Adjust it slightly higher or lower so it’s not floating too far above or crowding the furniture.
3. Relying on Overhead Lighting
The internet has been collectively crusading against “the big light” for some time now. There are just so many alternatives that are much easier on the eyes than the basic boob light your home or apartment came with. Overhead lighting is often too harsh and casts wonky shadows that are not flattering for you or your home.
How to Fix It:
Ambient light—from lamps, wall sconces, or even candles—will always feel much cozier than a bright downward-facing light. Think about how you can bring lighting closer to eye level, whether by mounting a sconce next to your sofa, placing a lamp on an end table, or lighting some tapers on your mantle. Space out those light sources throughout the room for a balanced look that is still plenty bright.
4. Too-Small Area Rugs
Area rugs can be an investment, so I understand why some people err on the smaller side to save some money. However, a rug that’s too small for the space can be worse than no rug at all. It can make your room look awkward, disjointed, and much smaller than it really is.
How to Fix It:
Unless your room is really tiny (I’m talking shoebox size), a 5×7 rug will be way too small. You should almost always go with at least an 8×10 or larger if your space allows it. That’s because you generally want at least the front two legs of your furniture to sit on the rug. So if your living room layout includes two chairs facing a sofa, the front legs of both the chairs and the sofa should rest on the rug. This helps anchor the furniture arrangement and prevents the rug from looking like it’s floating in the middle. You’ll also want the rug to extend several inches past the ends of your furniture on each side. If, however, you have a small but beautiful rug you can’t bear to part with, you can layer a large sisal rug underneath to make it look more proportional to the room.
5. Decor with Words on It
This one is the mother of all interior design icks. If I walk into a home that has vinyl lettering adhered to the wall, I immediately want to turn around and walk back out. There is no world in which having the words “Always kiss me goodnight” scrawled above your bed is chic. The same goes for wall art and decor that has words on it. You simply do not need a sign in your kitchen that says “kitchen” or a piece of art that encourages you to “live, laugh, love.”
How to Fix It:
Be very selective with decor that has words on it. It can work in certain cases—such as a cheeky needlepoint pillow or framed artwork that features some typography—and when used in moderation, but it’s very easy to overdo it. When in doubt, opt for a nice landscape or an abstract design over art that’s just words. And if you have vinyl lettering on any wall in your home, I’m begging you to please peel it off.
6. Matching Furniture Sets
Matching furniture sets may be convenient (you can furnish a whole room with one easy purchase), but they give off major furniture showroom vibes. When your bed, dresser, and nightstands all match perfectly, it just lacks personality and feels very cookie-cutter.
How to Fix It:
Take your time finding furniture you love, and don’t feel like everything has to match exactly. Incorporating different styles and finishes gives a room character and makes it feel personal to you. Shopping secondhand is a fantastic way to find unique pieces, but you can also create a dynamic look with furniture you purchased new. Look for pieces that complement each other and share similar features to create a cohesive look that isn’t too matchy-matchy.
7. Too-Bright Paint Colors in Every Room
I’ll use my own home as a reference here. Before I moved in, the paint colors throughout the home included lemon yellow, periwinkle, aqua, burgundy, and dark brown. I’m in no way suggesting that you should paint every room a sad gray, but when your home features as many paint colors as there are spokes in the color wheel, it gets to be a bit much. Especially if you use bright, saturated colors in every room, your home can start to feel more like a fun house than the relaxing retreat it should be.
How to Fix It:
Instead of using vastly different colors in each room, think about your home’s color palette as a whole. Consider weaving in similar colors in different proportions throughout each space to create a cohesive look. And remember that paint isn’t the only way to incorporate color. You can’t go wrong with a soft, warm white on the walls to create a blank canvas. This gives you the freedom to bring in any color you choose through furniture and accessories—and more easily change your mind on the palette.
8. Faux Materials
Anything made of cheap, mass-produced plastic that is masquerading as something else is a huge interior design ick for me. That includes faux marble, brick, tile, wood, and sometimes even plants. Trust me, we can all tell that’s not real.
How to Fix It:
Before you reach for faux options as an easy, inexpensive solution, consider whether the extra investment in effort or funds would be worth it for the real thing. For example, peel-and-stick vinyl might be a quick fix for ugly floors, but saving up to have them retiled is a more permanent solution that will look far more polished (and hold up better over time). When it comes to furniture and decor, if you’re not ready to invest in a genuine marble-topped coffee table or one made of solid travertine, look for opportunities to incorporate those materials you love in smaller, more affordable ways. A tray, vase, or decorative bowl made of a luxe material can go a long way in making your home feel high-end on a budget.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She has over seven years of experience reviewing products, covering trends, and creating inspiring content around all things home. She also holds a certificate in interior design from the New York Institute of Art + Design.