5 Common Interior Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Maché Interiors gives our top tips on how to create a space you'll love

At Maché Interiors, we believe that creating the perfect space is about more than just following trends—it’s about making choices that are both stylish and practical. However, even the most well-intentioned design projects can go awry.

Here are five common interior design mistakes we see and simple ways to avoid them in your own home.

1. Forgetting About Personal Style

While following trends can be exciting and the thrill of a small change can be great, it’s easy to become caught up in what’s currently “in” rather than staying true to your own personal style. It’s important to remember that trends are fleeting, and what’s popular today might not suit your tastes or feel timeless in the long run. A space that doesn’t feel like you will never truly feel like home.

Maché Interiors Tip: Create your visual story -Think of your home as a canvas where you can express your interests and passions. Add personal touches like framed family photos, travel souvenirs, or a collection of books that you love. Displaying things that mean something to you will make the space feel more personal and will gradually bring it to life.

Bonus tip - Getting your kid's artwork properly framed alongside abstract art can make for a great feature and talking point, whilst celebrating your little one's creativity.

2. Overcrowding Your Space with Furniture

It’s easy to get carried away with the desire to fill every corner of a room, but cramming too much furniture into a space can make it feel cramped and uncomfortable. Instead, aim for balance—allow for flow and space around each piece. Creating a floorplan that is to scale, will allow you to put items in your plan that you know will fit perfectly.

For example, placing large furniture pieces that block natural pathways can make the room feel cramped and awkward. Ensuring a logical, comfortable flow in each room is key for both functionality and comfort.

Maché Interiors tip: Choose key pieces that suit the scale of your room and leave plenty of space between furniture to allow the room to breathe. Embrace multi-functional furniture for smaller spaces to maximise both comfort and functionality.

For more tips on how to work with space check out our blog on the psychology of space.

3. Choosing the Wrong Colours

Selecting the wrong colour scheme can completely transform a room, but not always in a good way. Overusing bold or dark colours can make a room feel smaller and less inviting, while too many contrasting tones can make the space feel chaotic. It's essential to understand the psychology of colours and how they affect the atmosphere, ensuring they complement each other and the function of the space.

Maché tip: When choosing colours, think about the mood you want to create. Always test your colours in the actual room to see how they look in different lighting throughout the day! If you want more guidance, check out our blog on working with colour or designing with neutrals.

For more tips on working with colour, check out our creating depth with neutrals blog

and using Colour in Interior Design blog post.

4. Ignoring the Power of Textural Contrast

By thoughtfully incorporating a variety of textures, you can transform a room into a space that feels full of character, comfort, and warmth. While sticking to a single texture in a room may seem like a cohesive approach, it can often result in a space that feels flat and monotonous. By combining different materials and finishes, you can create a more visually stimulating environment that evokes depth and interest.

Maché Interiors Tip: When mixing textures, think beyond just the visual appeal. Play with tactile contrasts to create an inviting, multi-sensory space. For example, a linen sofa offers a light, breathable feel, while plush velvet cushions bring in a rich, soft touch. A jute rug layered over sleek hardwood floors introduces an organic, earthy element against the smooth, polished surface of the wood. These combinations not only make the room feel more dynamic and layered but also engage the senses and make it feel both cosy and sophisticated.

5. Neglecting Lighting Layers

Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements in interior design. A single overhead light or table lamp won’t provide the depth and warmth needed to bring a room to life. Layering lighting—ambient, task, and accent—creates a more inviting and dynamic atmosphere.

Maché Interiors tip: Use a combination of floor lamps, table lamps, pendant lights, and wall sconces to create variety. Don’t forget to add a dimmer switch to adjust the mood of the room depending on the time of day or activity.

If you want more detail, check out our blog post on lighting design.

For more tips check out our blog post on lighting design.

Avoiding these common mistakes will set you on the path to a more harmonious and inviting home, but don’t forget to have fun. Homes should spark joy, so if that is a bright pink coffee table book, that will bring back memories of an amazing holiday and make you smile, buy the book!