10 COMMON INTERIOR DESIGN MISTAKES + HOW TO FIX THEM

[@KristenMcGowan]

Happy Sunday!🏡☀Are you making any of these design mistakes in your home?? Making your home look it's best can be done with some small changes!! I hope this video gives you some ideas that you can use to improve your home!

[@mariamangion21]

Love you!!

[@KristenMcGowan]

@@mariamangion21❤️❤️❤️

[@jfalcon9519]

I’m in the process of buying a new house,I have to remodel the whole interior,after that I have to decide what color material and style of furniture I’m going to use,what do you recommend,leather sectional or fabric ,I have 2 kids under 6 years that’s something to consider when deciding material of sectional for sure,the frame molding in the walls are going to be installed,I was wondering what to do to the walls before I saw your video,now no doubt.

[@JudithRidley-Robert]

Kristen when will you put out a Christmas decor video

[@lindapurcell5005]

You may have saved me...I'm about to hang a large tv and i might've purchased a too-small console for underneath. I'll be looking for a longer piece now.

[@AliciaRuiz-ez1ii]

Watching this, was like a crash course in making my home look better. The mistakes they pointed out were so relatable and the solutions were practical and affordable. I've already implemented some of the tips and the difference is noticeable.

[@lexijones8019]

I love how you show examples of what doesn’t look as good. It’s a great teaching.

[@karafern.]

I love all of these, and a little addendum on open/closed storage in the front entry: people with ADHD, kids, and anyone else with executive functioning or sensory input issues have a really difficult time using closed storage. If you don’t have this issue, it might seem insane that opening a cabinet door or pulling out a drawer would be what stops you from using storage, but it’s the difference between shoes in the cabinet and shoes piled in front of the cabinet for a lot of us. So what’s the solution? For us, it’s a wall of open storage that can close once it’s time to button up the house, like before dinner or when guests come over. We have a shallow bench with a boot tray underneath it, so you can just kick your boots into the tray, no lifting or pulling or whatever. There are shelves on either side of it for bags, sunglasses, mail, whatever, and hooks on the wall behind the bench for coats. (The bench has waterproof upholstery fabric to withstand drips.) In a past house, I installed a curtain rod across the front of the shelves, and it effectively made the whole thing a big shallow closet. I made a ritual of pulling the curtain closed in between the after-school, coming home explosion and dinner. Putting the visual mess away and putting on music was a great transition into dinner time. In this house, we have a big folding, sliding door. It’s the same concept, but tidier than a curtain. Across from it is a nice entryway table with a mirror and a lamp. Good design is accessible design, and if you’re not going to open a cabinet, or if your family members are never going to open a cabinet, don’t try to force it. Put a basket with its lid under it on a shelf or table at elbow level for keys and wallets, and if you want to, make a ritual out of putting the lid on. Or only use the lid when you’re hosting guests. Closed storage is for neurotypical people, but the rest of us can draw a curtain and still have the best of both worlds

[@gingerlily4404]

💯 this. You have to design for the most chaotic in the family unit or the entire system will be unmanageable. All of my kids are extremely visual, and won’t even remember where snacks are if they aren’t in plain sight. So coats, shoes, etc must have an open-storage drop zone or they’ll be all over.

[@LisaRohlfs]

These are all big rooms. I have small rooms with many windows, openings or doors. I cannot figure out how to decorate anything. I need major help.

[@lyliavix4366]

Same have looked everywhere for ideas on how to restyle my living room but it has to doors into other areas and two large windows. Impossible to find any useful ideas online!😢

[@brendaday2033]

​My living room has a huge entryway and 2 of the other walls have large windows. Right now the TV is angled because I don't want my back to the large front window. I've also searched for solutions and have found nothing useful. 🥺

[@kimmy722]

They never show small rooms. Very annoying

[@BY-yw4ts]

Yeah I’ve learned that in smaller homes/rooms, it’s better to have apartments sized furniture. Also smaller rooms can be easier to design in a way because you don’t need as much furniture. Try to get a little creative and make it cozy - that’s my number one rule.

[@rahulrdhawan]

She is sharing these ideas from the perspective of an interior designer, thats the context of her channel and this video.

[@mi6135]

I was making the contrast design mistake mentioned. Adding a few dark wood pieces and black really made the space look much better!

[@supergran1702]

This video has more helpful info than anything else I've watched/read in the last two months. Thank you.

[@angelaberni8873]

She is absolutely correct in every single thing that she has said here. Hats off to you young lady. I TOTALLY agree with it all and although i have never heard of these things before, thank heavens that i havent done any of these awful mistakes. One other thing that i find TOTALLY DISCUSTING and yet many do .... is leaving the toilet seat open !!! OMG soooo stomach churning !!!

[@kateM52]

I find it stomach churning when people can't spell DISGUSTING. Petty I know, but really your comment is a bit extreme !

[@annwithoutane9432]

Great tips! Totally guilty of the tv console not being longer than the tv and it looks so much better with something longer underneath. Thanks for the tip on how far to hang the dining room light! Been shopping for a new one and that helps!

[@nutritionallydensefood2897]

Kristen, Fabulous post! Thank you for showing actual pictures of what mistakes I may be making and then pictures of what spaces look like when they “fit” your suggestions. It made it so helpful to be able to compare my decor to your suggestions and recognize why things work or don’t work! AND more importantly how to change things in certain areas to make everything more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing ❤

[@bernadettesage3917]

Great post! ❤

[@majbrittkjaer6134]

absolutely love angling furniture, gives more energy in the room, and breaks with traditional style.

[@Magarita810]

Did you mention painting a home in white, which make the home look like a white box. My Bathroom is Aqua, I fell so happy when I have a shower in the morning, my kitchen is olive it so rich and vibrant, bedroom a pale blush, cotter off white and sitting room a light sandy colour. People should not be afraid of using colour

[@unrulycurves]

Thank you. I am not sure why everyone seem to be against color. 😢

[@NdnUrbanCat]

I 👏 you!❤❤❤

[@CHS205]

Not too many colors. Elegant is uniformity, especially large open areas. Also, understand the LV of color and original of home. Have fun on special rooms.. powder room wow… bedroom tranquility, den or library warmth. White rooms DO need contrast in accessories, rugs, lamps, ART, some darker small accents like print pillows, Baskets etc

[@alleyallica]

Luuuv all white!

[@sharonavinger3266]

I love closed storage! Thanks for another great video of design tips. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing.

[@brendagorman6666]

Can you give more detail on how you made your living room storage unit?

[@jmitch8483]

You explain things really well and it's especially helpful when you show examples. The large vs small wall decor in a small space helped me see what i need to do.

[@NdnUrbanCat]

I love examples!❤❤❤

[@treesong100]

Thanks!

[@KristenMcGowan]

thank you!!❤️❤️

[@louvenianicholas9542]

Kristen, you sure know how to ROCK your designs making them all seem doable with just a little bit of know-how...Thank You!

[@ThomasCharles-vk6qe]

This video on interior design mistakes is a real eye-opener. I realized I'd been making a bunch of design faux pas, but the tips and fixes suggested are so doable. I've already rearranged furniture and added some new decor and my space looks way more polished now.

[@brendaramsbottom8693]

We used to have a 60 inch TV on a 65 inch cupboard then my husband bought an 80 inch TV and then I had to buy something bigger because it looked really stupid and I got one that is slightly larger than the TV but it’s a huge TV. It would take up an awful lot of room, so I put custom-made shelving units on the end of the cupboard the tv sits on… and they are the same height as the tv… and it looks nice 😊

[@leec5170]

I'm very impressed! I have never watched a video of yours before, and I saw how young you are. I thought I wouldn't love your content, but it's wonderful. You keep going, you're great!

[@berkaygenc5367]

1.5x speed is helping a lot, I saved so much time and learned a lot from her, thank you Kristen!!

[@gabriellad1725]

I really like your design ideas that are common sense and budget friendly!

[@RedHeadie_88]

I haven't owned a TV since 2005 and i dont miss it at all

[@salliehines8838]

In my DREAMS! This TV is an eye sore. :)

[@artstudiogirl784]

2004 for us. Agreed!!

[@equatorinteriors1424]

Why?

[@gingermonette7455]

Your tips are always genuinely 'good' tips!!

[@HayleyatHome_]

Kristen, your videos have helped me incorporate so many small but effective changes into my home and I’m loving it more and more so THANK YOU!

[@eazyinteriorX]

Agreed!

[@sandieneitzel254]

I agree with everything you said, especially the media cabinet size. I think people tend to make their tv the focal point of the room, so finding the right media cabinet is crucial to designing your room. I found a beautiful vintage buffet on Facebook that works perfectly in my space as a tv cabinet. I barely notice the tv unless it’s turned on.

[@audrey3503]

Your helpful design hints are gold. Thank you. I've reorganized and decluttered, and checked my colors and layouts. Your videos have been incredibly useful and so well done.

[@s.p.3738]

Same 🎉

[@storefrontlivingatvinewood1941]

Where did you get the three pieces with the rattan front in the beginning of the video. And I am glad you talked about angled furniture. So many of the people that want my opinion always want to angle furniture. It very rarely works as you have described.

[@sugantianand2005]

I actually started looking for other storage options from watching your channel. I’m no designer nor have much idea about it. But seeing the pictures of what works and not has given me some ideas to try. I have other priorities with two growing boys and I don’t spend time on my own to arrange/ decorate house. But small changes here and there is what I’m looking for and I like that about your channel.

[@debbee5418]

Thank you for your many great suggestions, Kristen! I have enjoyed this video very much. Your points about having clutter hidden at entrances is a great one! Very practical tips as well to go along with that. Thank you. ✨🌷 I do love my mouldings and baseboards shining brightly at me, and I have grown to love this look over the years. For me, having all the walls and mouldings and baseboards, etc., be all one color has a vibe of “builders’ saving money on paint…!” To me, having moulding be a contrasting or highlighting color is elegance and beauty, and I can see this trend of having everything being one color to be changeable again in the future….

[@kenbrown2808]

I totally agree on the monochrome wall palette. to me, that just looks lazy.

[@suzettewright2062]

Absolutely agree with you. This video is so helpful. Each suggestion is easy to remember and incorporate into one’s home. Thank you

[@christinahawley5559]

Excellent advice especially with the unit that goes underneath the television! Thank you for pointing that out! So true!

[@shellywhite1929]

First time to watch. I got several great tips from you, but what doesn't work for me is "the way it should be." People should decorate with their personalities and themselves and not what other people like. Asymetrical might be different, but what is most pleasing to them. (Angling furniture)

[@jandl9417]

I like her, she makes so much sense! Thanks for sharing those tips!

[@cfdavis2036]

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for this! I have an open concept home and your expertise just helped me from making a bunch of mistakes. 😅 Saving this video for sure.

[@Mimibees]

You explained everything so well and I couldn’t agree with you more about everything you brought up. I love the tips you gave which are so helpful. Thanks so much!

[@Wb-is8wi]

Thanks Kirsten, your videos are packed with knowledge and easy to copy without having a massive budget! Sending love from Germany x

[@tracyintexas4743]

I have one short wall that's dedicated for the TV and I can't have a console that's larger than the TV. I'm not going with a small TV just to balance out my console. Also, my daughter has wainscoting painted white with SW Repose Gray up top, and I like it 🤷‍♀️

[@marinarehren7076]

I've never thought about my TV console. Thank you for pointing this out!

[@jennylevine13]

LOVE your videos and tips!

[@karenhirsch5398]

Closed storage for the entryway! Brilliant!

[@chloehuelsnitz8270]

I love your recommendation to use sideboards and credenzas instead of console tables. Are there any height guidelines as far as those options go? Put another way - should there be a certain distance between the bottom of a mounted TV and the height of the sideboard/console table? Hopefully my question makes sense lol

[@KristenMcGowan]

It depends on the height of the cabinet underneath! I wouldn’t have a gap over 12” if possible from the top of your unit to the bottom of your tv !

[@martaescobar7625]

I finally figured out how to place my furniture in my open concept house.........and then the color. It was white ceiling, walls, cream tile floor. I added "Evergreen Fog" to an accent wall and boom! I brought the green accent over to the other side of the space with green plants & cushions, anything that was competing color wise I eliminated.Recovered a striped bench, painted the ring around a burgundy clock, black......the devil truly is in the details:)

[@laisny65]

Loved the examples of homes with/without contrast, super helpful!

[@lynnelowe8461]

Fantastic tips. I wondered why my downstairs Livingroom didn't look right. My TV is too big for the Unit. It totally makes sense. Thank you ❤

[@elizabethflagler-ec9fo]

Wow, what a big help this was. I have a hallway that I simply do not like and wondered how to make it more welcoming. And an open concept floor plan.

[@lindab8397]

Loved this video, and she is so right , balance is everything. .

[@lindaleight5291]

Always love your videos. Thank you! Any chance you could talk about ceiling fans and especially lighted ceiling fans? Unfortunately, ceiling fans are a must in our home.

[@joatkins6741]

It hurts my eyes when I walk into a room where mirrors, artwork & framed pictures are above eye level… I learned waaaay back in the 70’s how to hang wall furnishings on open walls!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@salliehines8838]

EXCEPT... Im 5 foot nothin.. And when I hang things. Especially Mirrors. My husband can't see him self. And when he hangs them I can see from my nose up lol

[@linamartinez2552]

Really great ideas and especially your lake room, your office and the Portugal apartment. It makes since that you actually spent time outline/ rendering before decorating at the sight. Thank you.

[@lynn4834]

I love how you decorate everything 😌. You have always given great advice. Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@ginaconrad9765]

As always, great points to think about when building your look!

[@eazyinteriorX]

These tips came in a perfect moment, thanks for sharing.

[@LauraG-q8n]

I was looking for this explanation! Thank you so much!

[@annamariaferranti29]

These tips are amazing and so well presented. Going to save this for sure. Thank you

[@Dianelavarl1976Moses]

First time watching…I must say very good tips..thank you and I will save this video!!!

[@Charlene.888]

Love the idea of runners and accent colors. Thank you, Kristen.

[@adasmith7141]

Wow this is an amazing video 😊I learned so many great ideas to make my home so nice. Thank you !

[@taylorwilder2234]

I absolutely love these videos. Thank you for the constant inspiration!

[@Infinite2023]

Kristen thanks, thanks, thanks Excellent video 🙌🏻🙏🏻👍🏻😀

[@MF-sk8ww]

I am glad I found your YT channel. I like your suggestions and will keep them in mind when I need to make a change.

[@kellypruitt2362]

Another great video with great ideas. Thanks Kristen❤❤

[@juliagardiner2890]

Some good tips, easily implemented for immediate results. Thanks Kristen

[@kimberlyberlin4999]

You are so smart! I'll make sure I do all of these in my new home. I'm binge watching so many of your videos and they're all so good.

[@bobman1983]

I just removed the TV from the living room. Looks so much better without a big black rectangle

[@cm-nj]

Thoughts on a very high...semi flush mount light fixture in the dining space? Our dining space is a heavily trafficked area people need to walk through to get to other spaces in the home so we need to offset our dining table. We also wanted the flexibility of being able to shift the dining table when we put the leaf in for company.

[@luv2garden132]

You need to do what's best for your family. If a designer said you needed to buy a new, bigger chandelier for your dining room and drop it down, would you? Then have family members do what? Duck their heads to get by? Find another way to get through? Sometimes, you need to do what's best for your family.

[@rgill2910]

Thanks for these tips! I’m making at least 3 mistakes that I need to rectify asap!!

[@neem33]

Great tips! I never knew about the triangle and it it makes so much sense now. Also, never realized that the runner should be as long as the length of the area ( I was guilty of that) and fixed that ! Now I know :) brilliant tips! Thanks so much!

[@CharleneSomers]

So helpful, easy to understand. I will start off by painting my molding the same color as my wall. Thank you for your help and advice.

[@pollykent2100]

Definitely guilty of several of these. Thanks for the tips!

[@jeanettefujikawa]

Loved the tip about lighting distance from dining table 😊

[@annhogan2274]

Thank you so much! I’m starting from scratch and I learned so much. Have you done a video of how you transformed your Kallax cubby? Where did you get the doors and legs? Absolutely love this!

[@shirleysammyperez9126]

Excellent tips! Thank you so much!!! You’re the best! 😃👍🏼

[@tarski7420]

Thank you! I didn’t realize it until I saw an older picture of our living room / dining room recently,.. but I’ve made the mistake of slowly adding more and more small decor on all of the surfaces. Funny how we can become clutter blind. But seeing the old photo with cleared surfaces except for a couple key pieces makes me want to go back to that. Thanks for the reminder!

[@joannedavis5692]

Great information. Keep bringing more information

[@lisaleone2296]

One of the reasons I don't like open concept houses is that I don't like a large expanse of the same color palette. I like being able to have different palettes in different rooms. And I can actually remember the day I realized I hated open storage and began adding doors to all of my storage pieces.

[@lu.czuczi]

Very good video! Short, concrete and 100% right 👍👏👏👏

[@AdelineDurie]

Fantastic video!! Thanks so much :)

[@georgegarza9938]

How do you feel about painting the ceiling the same color as the walls? I don't see very many examples of this, but I'm tired of seeing white ceilings.

[@aleks5115]

i agree that open storage in the entry way looks best, however i have found that kids tend to prefer open storage and since i've installed open storage for them the coats and shoes end up were they're supposed to go and not on the floor. Greetings from germany

[@sassysandie2865]

She said that open storage isn’t the best look.

[@MarLindaPerez-s1i]

Interesting....I'm turning 60, love "simple elegance" and I totally agree with everything you said, and love your ideas. I'm going to be moving soon, and will be on a super tiny budget, but you have given me great ways to accomplish the look I'd like to create. Thank you! How'd you get so smart? 🥰😘

[@fieryeurochick3194]

I agree about the large decor for smaller rooms. Our bedroom isn’t big and it’s a dark grey but I keep the furniture minimal and have a large furniture piece and some large artwork.

[@GeeEee75]

What she actually said is right-sized furniture, large decor. I have a small bedroom. I could fit a queen bed, but a double makes much better sense.

[@melissaalp5972]

Great ideas! We have an A-Frame home, its very tricky to arrange the furniture because of the slanted walls, any suggestions ?

[@sitcomchristian6886]

I know you like closed storage, but it messes me up! I need to see things. It's my organizational style. If I don't see it, it doesn't exist, I won't use it. I've been trying to make hidden storage solutions work for me for years, because that's my mom's organizational style. Clutterbug was a huge help with this. Now I'm much more organized, and functionally so.

[@5578pedro]

Thank you that was very interesting. I’m now going to look closely at my own design mistakes.

[@Rosie-me3fh]

But what if you have a regular small house

[@GygaxGirl]

I disagree about molding and wainscoting. The classic, European look is to have it in a lighter paint. However, if you have a small room with lower ceilings but still want the classic look of molding, then I agree. Painting molding in a different sheen looks really nice. Thanks for the advice on contrasting colors in mostly tonal rooms. The photos you showed as examples of the contrast looked so good!

[@debbee5418]

Thank you for mentioning that, as I am also loving so many of these ideas, but the moulding one and baseboards, etc., to be of all of one color also jarred with me. Perhaps because it seems to be a “builder’s saving money on paint” vibe to me, and I have grown to love seeing my baseboards and mouldings shine beautifully and brightly at me over the years. 😄✨

[@MBerry-zz7sd]

Learns lots already! You explain everything very nicely. Thanks!

[@Ultramiles206]

Not sure how I stumbled on this, but as a no decorating skilled man I found this somewhat helpful as I am guilty of many of these.

[@janelleetsitty36]

These are tips and suggestions texas Take it or leave it. Kristen, you are doing a great job. Shout out from the bay area of California ❤

[@miriamabdelaziz4126]

Hey Kristen, love love love your videos!! They give me inspirational ideas for decorating my next apartment since im moving 🥰, but can you please talk about those living rooms with fireplace but the fire place is not the focal point? Bc ive seen a lot of new homes and apartments have that, so I’m trying to think how can u use this side fireplace as a decorative element without being it the focal point of the livingroom

[@karajlee]

I have that. I decided to put my accent color around the fire place instead of having an accent wall, it worked out well.

[@caudillcottage]

Love all these tips! I agree with the furniture angling and not following the rooms structure!

[@nataliajessen776]

Great lesson for us, the "home made" designers !

[@saritaghuge5112]

Om Shanti 🙏your information is very important and useful for everyone. Your minute observation specially for decorating small items is awesome.😊thank you so much Gods Blessings are always upon you and your family and friends 🙏

[@MikailaRenee]

I could just binge watch your videos all day!😍

[@RameyRocks]

Thank you for this video It was very informative. I have no decorative talent whatsoever. I'm only able to create decor I just don't know how to place them. We recently put down floating floors in the living room and kitchen which is open. We really need to paint the walls and I've been struggling to figure out what color.

[@susiejones4610]

Thank you for the wonderful design tips. Out of curiosity I went and measured my light fixture over my table and I had to giggle when I realized it was 37 inches. I know you recommended 30 to 36 inches, but I don’t think I’ll be fixing that mistake.

[@สมปองบุญเถิง]

This is giving me major inspiration for my own home.

[@jonispruit8877]

Thank you. ❤ open concepts need to flow. ❤ I would like to see a video on collage artwork on a large wall. Do’s and don’ts. Sconces, candle holders. Brass or not to brass. Lol. Calming no clutter bathrooms. Tips and tricks. Oh and the last one. Pillows, to chop or not to chop that is the question. 😂 ❤

[@BY-yw4ts]

Great video. Definitely guilty of a few of these- I’ve got an open shoe rack at the front door that I need to do something about. My entryway is a terribly tight awkward space.