Home renovation is an exciting journey that allows you to transform your living space into a beautiful, functional, and personalized home. However, without proper planning and consideration, it can also lead to costly mistakes that affect both aesthetics and functionality. Many homeowners focus solely on visual appeal, overlooking crucial factors like space planning, lighting, and material durability.

To help you achieve a flawless home makeover, we’ve compiled the Top 7 interior design mistakes to avoid during a home renovation—along with expert solutions to ensure you make the best decisions.

1. Ignoring a Well-Planned Layout

The Mistake:

Jumping into aesthetic choices—like paint colors, furniture, and decor—before finalizing the functional layout of your home.

Why It’s a Problem:

A poorly planned layout can lead to:

• Awkward furniture placement
• Inefficient use of space
• Disruptions in movement flow
• Unbalanced proportions between rooms

How to Avoid It:

• Start with a floor plan before making any purchases. Use tools like AutoCAD, SketchUp, or online room planners.
  
• Consider daily activities and traffic flow—ensure that high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens remain uncluttered.
  
• Plan room layouts based on function, not just aesthetics. For instance, in a living room, arrange seating to encourage conversation rather than just facing the TV.

2. Overlooking Lighting Design

The Mistake:

Many homeowners rely solely on overhead lighting, forgetting to layer their lighting for ambiance and practicality.

Why It’s a Problem:

• Creates flat, uninspiring spaces
• Can make rooms appear smaller or colder
• Affects mood and functionality, especially in workspaces

How to Avoid It:

Layer your lighting:

• Ambient lighting (general room lighting) – chandeliers, ceiling lights
• Task lighting (focused lighting) – reading lamps, under-cabinet kitchen lights
• Accent lighting (decorative lighting) – wall sconces, LED strips, pendant lights

1. Maximize natural light with large windows, mirrors, and sheer curtains.
2. Install dimmers to adjust lighting intensity for different moods and occasions.

3. Choosing the Wrong Color Palette

The Mistake:

Picking colors impulsively or following trends without considering how they will interact with lighting, furniture, and flooring.

Why It’s a Problem:

• Certain colors can make rooms feel smaller, colder, or overwhelming.
• Mismatched colors create a chaotic and unbalanced look.
• Some colors appear different under various lighting conditions.

How to Avoid It:

1. Always test paint samples on walls at different times of the day to see how they look under natural and artificial lighting.
2. Follow the 60-30-10 rule:

• 60% dominant color (walls)
• 30% secondary color (furniture, rugs)
• 10% accent color (decor items like cushions and artwork)

3. Stick to neutral or timeless shades for large surfaces and experiment with bold colors in accessories.

4. Skimping on Storage Solutions

The Mistake:

Not planning built-in storage or functional storage spaces, leading to cluttered and messy rooms.

Why It’s a Problem:

• Lack of storage results in disorganization.
• Excess furniture (wardrobes, cabinets) takes up unnecessary space.
• Small spaces feel even more cramped when storage isn’t optimized.

How to Avoid It:

• Integrate built-in storage: wall-mounted shelves, under-stair drawers, and modular kitchen cabinets.
  
• Use multi-functional furniture like beds with storage drawers, foldable desks, and storage ottomans.
  
• Maximize vertical storage with tall shelves, overhead cabinets, and pegboards for better organization.

5. Selecting the Wrong Furniture Size

The Mistake:

Buying furniture that is too big (makes the space look cramped) or too small (makes it look empty and uninviting).

Why It’s a Problem:

• Affects proportion and room balance.
• Can block movement flow and make spaces feel cluttered.
• Poorly sized furniture can look out of place and disrupt aesthetics.

How to Avoid It:

• Measure your room dimensions before purchasing furniture.
• Leave at least 36 inches of walking space between major furniture pieces.
• Choose scalable furniture, like extendable dining tables or modular sofas, that fit various layouts.

6. Ignoring Material Quality and Durability

The Mistake:

Prioritizing aesthetics over material durability and ease of maintenance.

Why It’s a Problem:

• Cheap materials wear out quickly, leading to frequent repairs or replacements.
• High-maintenance materials require constant upkeep, increasing costs over time.
• Poor choices can affect indoor air quality (e.g., toxic finishes, low-quality wood).

How to Avoid It:

• Choose durable flooring (hardwood, luxury vinyl, or porcelain tiles) based on foot traffic.
• Opt for stain-resistant and easy-to-clean fabrics for sofas, curtains, and upholstery.
• Use moisture-resistant materials in bathrooms and kitchens (ceramic tiles, quartz countertops).

7. Following Trends Blindly Without Personalization

The Mistake:

Designing a home based solely on trendy styles without considering long-term satisfaction and personal comfort.

Why It’s a Problem:

• Trends fade quickly, leading to a home that feels outdated in just a few years.
• A home should reflect your personality and lifestyle, not just Instagram trends.
• Some trendy materials/colors may not be practical for daily living.

How to Avoid It:

• Use trendy elements in small, replaceable decor (pillows, vases, wallpapers) instead of major design features (flooring, kitchen cabinetry).
• Stick to timeless design choices (neutral palettes, classic furniture styles).
• Ensure your home reflects your taste and comfort needs, not just what’s popular.

Conclusion

Renovating your home is an exciting opportunity to create a space that is both stylish and functional. However, avoiding these common interior design mistakes can save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

• Plan your layout carefully before making any aesthetic choices.
• Use a layered lighting approach for warmth and depth.
• Select colors, furniture, and materials that complement your lifestyle.
• Prioritize storage, durability, and long-term usability over fleeting trends.

At Faboolux Interiors, we understand that home renovation is more than just a project—it’s about creating a space that reflects your style, enhances functionality, and stands the test of time. Our expert designers help you avoid costly mistakes by offering personalized interior solutions, high-quality materials, and innovative space planning tailored to your needs. Whether you’re renovating a single room or transforming your entire home, we ensure a seamless and stress-free experience.