You should feel empowered to have fun and play when it comes to interior design. However, sometimes, a beautifully decorated room can feel like something isn’t quite right. You might have spent hours picking out the perfect furniture pieces and artwork, but the room still doesn’t look or feel how you hoped. This is a common experience for many homeowners, and it often boils down to a few key mistakes.

To help us navigate the ins and outs of interior design, Daniel Ufland, co-founder of the online interior styling platform Flitch, shares three common mistakes and practical advice on how to avoid them.

Ignoring Scale and Proportion

One major mistake is overlooking the scale and proportion of furniture and decor. Placing oversized furniture in a small room can make it feel cramped, while small pieces in a large room can seem lost.

Ufland advises, “Before purchasing furniture, measure your space carefully and consider the scale of each piece in relation to the room’s dimensions.”

Shop for furniture that is proportionate to the height of ceilings and size of windows in your space for visual balance.

Neglecting Functionality

Another common error is focusing too much on aesthetics and not enough on functionality. A room might look beautiful, but it also needs to fit your daily lifestyle.

Daniel’s tip: “When designing a room, consider how it will be used on a daily basis. Take into account factors such as traffic flow, storage needs, and the activities that will take place in the space.”

Choose pieces that will look good and be used on a daily basis.

Overlooking the Importance of Lighting

Poor lighting can make a room feel dark and unwelcoming, while harsh lighting can be uncomfortable. Ufland recommends, “Consider the natural light levels in the room and supplement with artificial lighting as needed. Dimmer switches are also a great addition as they allow you to adjust the lighting levels to suit different activities and moods.”

Ufland sums it up by saying, “When designing a living space, it’s essential to consider factors such as scale, proportion, and functionality.”