7 decor mistakes that spoil a room (and how to fix them)

Sometimes a room feels off and you can't say why. Often it's not a lack of taste, but one or two classic mistakes that are easy to fix. Here are the most common ones.

The too-small rug

This is mistake number one. A postage-stamp rug in the middle of the living room shrinks everything. Go big enough that the front legs of the seating rest on it: the room unifies at once.

Hanging everything too high

Frames and mirrors are often too high. Aim for the centre at eye level (~150 cm), and above furniture leave only 20-25 cm. A frame 'floating' far above the sofa breaks the composition.

The ceiling-light-only room

One light on the ceiling flattens the room. Multiply low, warm sources (lamps, reading lights, sconces): it's the most dramatic change to make a home cosy.

Pushing all furniture against the walls

A common reflex, especially in small spaces: flatten the sofa against the wall. Pull it out a few centimetres and set it (partly) on a rug to create a real seating corner, warmer and better defined.

Bare walls (or overloaded ones)

Two extremes to avoid: the empty wall that rings hollow, and the overloaded one. Aim for the middle: a few well-placed art pieces, a mirror, even spacing.

Too many small things, not enough material

A pile of trinkets reads 'cheap'; what makes it upscale is material (wood, linen, stone, brass) and a few nice pieces that breathe. Remove 20%, add a texture.

Neglecting the curtains

Too-short or missing curtains break everything. Hang the rod high and wide and pick curtains that graze the floor: the room looks taller and finished.

Good news: these mistakes are fixable in a weekend, often with nothing to buy. Start by sizing up your rug and lowering your frames.