Creating a comfortable and inviting space is something you probably care about, but clutter can easily get in the way. When your home feels crowded or chaotic, it can affect how relaxed and organized you feel.
Understanding the common decorating mistakes that lead to a cluttered look can help you make smarter choices for your space. This guide will help you spot those pitfalls so you can enjoy a tidier, more balanced home.
Using too many accent pillows
You might think more pillows add comfort, but too many can make your space feel crowded. When pillows have clashing patterns or colors, they create visual chaos instead of harmony.
Try choosing a few pillows that coordinate well with your room’s color scheme. This keeps your seating area inviting and tidy without overwhelming the space.
Leaving wires and cords on display
When wires and cords are visible, they can make your space feel messy and unorganized. Take a moment to hide or organize them to improve the overall look of your room.
Using cable management boxes or clips can help keep cords neat and out of sight. This small change makes your space look cleaner and more inviting.
Try to position your electronics near outlets or use furniture to hide cables. Keeping cords tucked away reduces visual clutter without much effort.
Hanging artwork too low or too high
If you hang your artwork too high or too low, it can throw off the balance of your room. Art positioned far above furniture like sofas feels disconnected and disrupts the flow.
Try to hang pieces at eye level, roughly 57 to 60 inches from the floor. This makes your space feel more put-together and less cluttered. Small adjustments can make a big difference in how your walls and room feel.
Overcrowding furniture in small spaces
When you cram too much furniture into a small area, it quickly feels cluttered and hard to move around. Your space needs some breathing room to feel open and inviting.
Try to choose only the essentials and leave gaps between pieces. This makes your room easier to navigate and visually calmer.
Remember, less can be more. Thoughtful furniture placement helps keep your home feeling organized without sacrificing comfort.
Mixing too many prints and patterns
When you use too many prints and patterns, your space can feel busy and overwhelming. It’s easy to go overboard when trying to add personality, but too many clashing designs create visual clutter.
Try to stick to one or two complementary patterns. This helps keep your room balanced and more relaxing.
If you love variety, use patterns of different scales. Large patterns paired with smaller ones can look coordinated without crowding the space.
Scattered small trinkets around the room
Having lots of small items spread out can make your space feel busy and disconnected. When trinkets are everywhere, your eye doesn’t know where to rest.
Try grouping your favorite pieces together on a shelf or tray. This helps create a cleaner, more intentional look. You’ll enjoy your decorations more when they’re thoughtfully arranged.
Using overly bright wall colors
Using very bright or fluorescent colors on your walls can make a room feel overwhelming and visually cluttered. It draws too much attention and can compete with your furniture and decor.
If you want color, try softer shades or use bold colors in smaller accents like pillows or artwork. This keeps your space lively without feeling chaotic.
Pushing all furniture against the walls
When you push all your furniture against the walls, your space can feel empty yet cluttered at the same time. It often breaks the natural flow and leaves the room feeling disconnected.
Try arranging furniture to create small, inviting zones instead. This encourages conversation and makes your room feel more balanced and cozy.
Not maximizing natural light
When you don’t let enough natural light into your space, it can feel smaller and more cluttered. Heavy drapes or poorly placed furniture can block sunlight, making rooms look darker and cramped.
Try to keep windows clear and use light, airy curtains. Position your furniture to allow light to flow freely. This simple change can make your home feel more open and organized.
Over-styling shelves and surfaces
You might think filling every inch of your shelves makes your space feel cozy, but too many items can actually create visual clutter. When you crowd surfaces with a mix of trinkets, books, and decor, it becomes harder to appreciate each piece.
Try to group smaller items together rather than scattering them all around. Leaving some empty space helps your shelves feel balanced and intentional, not overwhelming.
Ignoring paint touch-ups on walls
When you skip touching up chipped or scuffed paint, your walls can start to look neglected and messy. Even small marks can catch the eye and make a room feel less tidy.
Regularly checking your walls for spots that need fixing helps keep your space looking fresh. Simple touch-ups are quick to do and can make a big difference in maintaining a clean appearance.
Not having a designated home for belongings
When your items don’t have a specific place, clutter quickly builds up. You might find yourself leaving things on counters or furniture, which creates visual chaos.
Giving everything a spot helps you maintain order. It also makes cleaning easier and saves time when you need to find something.
Try using storage bins, baskets, or shelves to group similar items together. This keeps your space tidy and your belongings organized.
Using rugs that are too small for the space
Using a rug that is too small can make your room feel disconnected and cluttered. When the rug doesn’t extend under your furniture, the space feels segmented and less cohesive.
Choose a rug that fits most of the seating area, leaving a small border around the edges. This helps create a more polished, open, and inviting look in your home.
Too many pillows on couches or beds
You might think piling on pillows adds comfort, but too many can make your space look cluttered. When pillows clash in colors or patterns, they create visual chaos that distracts from your room’s style.
Stick to a few well-chosen pillows that complement each other. This keeps your couch or bed inviting without feeling overcrowded. Less is often more when it comes to pillows.
Cluttering tables with unnecessary items
You might not realize how quickly tables fill up with items you don’t really need. Leaving out random objects like extra candles, magazines, or small decor can make the space look crowded.
Try keeping your tables clear except for a few essentials or a single decorative piece. This makes your room feel more open and organized, giving your eyes a place to rest.
Like what you read? Here’s more by us: