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STUDIO 790 BLOG POST

5 Interior Design Mistakes That Make Your Home Feel Unfinished (and How to Fix Them)

  • Writer: Ann Lopez
    Ann Lopez
  • Oct 6
  • 2 min read

At Studio 790, we believe every home has the potential to feel complete, polished, and deeply personal. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, small design missteps can leave a space feeling “almost there” instead of finished.


The good news? With a few thoughtful tweaks, you can take your home from incomplete to intentional, without starting over. Here are five of the most common interior design mistakes we see (and how to fix them).


1. Ignoring Scale and Proportion


The mistake: Furniture that’s too small or too large for the space throws off the entire balance of a room.

The fix: Choose pieces that complement the size of the room. A large sectional may overwhelm a small living room, while a tiny rug under a big sofa looks lost. When in doubt, opt for fewer, well-scaled pieces that allow the room to breathe.


Bright living room with white sofas, green cushions, a wooden coffee table, and abstract wall art. Large windows show greenery outside by Studio 790 Interior Design.


2. Forgetting About Lighting


The mistake: Relying on a single overhead light can make your home feel flat and uninviting.

The fix: Layer your lighting. Use a mix of overhead fixtures, table lamps, sconces, and floor lamps to create warmth and dimension. Bonus: lighting doubles as décor, so it’s both functional and beautiful.


Cream sofa with green pillows in a serene, bright living room. Wooden accent wall with decor, plants, and light curtains. Peaceful ambiance by Studio 790

3. Bare Walls and Empty Corners


The mistake: Blank walls and untouched corners can make even a beautifully furnished room feel incomplete.

The fix: Think of vertical space as an opportunity. Hang art or mirrors, create a gallery wall, or add shelving for books and accessories. Corners can be softened with a plant, a chair, or a statement floor lamp.


A black cabinet with framed art, round gold mirror, and a potted snake plant. Gold sconce on white wall. Bright, neutral decor by Studio 790 Interior Design.



4. Skipping the Layering

The mistake: A sofa with just two pillows, a bed without layered bedding, or a table with nothing on it can feel sparse and uninspired.

The fix: Add depth with layers, throws, textured pillows, styled trays, books, and candles. These finishing touches are what make a room feel lived-in, curated, and complete.


White L-shaped sofa with patterned pillows, cozy blanket, and framed coastal photos on the wall, creating a serene, inviting ambiance by Studio 790 Interior Design.


5. No Cohesive Color Story


The mistake: Mixing too many unrelated colors can make a home feel chaotic rather than cohesive. The fix: Build your palette around a few intentional shades. Start with neutrals as your base, then layer in accent colors through accessories, art, or upholstery. This creates flow from room to room while still leaving space for personality.


Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, white round table, yellow chairs, and orange bowls. Patterned backsplash. Cityscape view from windows by Studio 790 Interior design


Final Thoughts


Design mistakes happen, but the beauty of approachable luxury is that they’re all fixable. With the right adjustments, your home can feel finished, cohesive, and uniquely yours.


Ready to take your space from “almost there” to polished and purposeful? Work with our team to design a home you’ll love in every detail.

 
 
 
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