When it comes to having a stylish, cohesive-looking home, splurging on pricey furniture and housewares is not the most important factor. Even the most expensively decorated abodes run the risk of looking — dare I say — cheap(!) if they’re missing one crucial element.
“A space often looks inexpensive not because the individual pieces are inexpensive, but because the room lacks intention,” explains Tina Delia, director of interior design for Delia Designs based in Washington, DC. “The most common mistake is buying everything separately without considering proportion, scale, materiality and how the pieces relate to one another.”
Even a modest budget can look elevated when the room feels edited, balanced and deliberate.
Tina Delia, Delia Designs
Before you panic about whether or not your dwelling exhibits any of these qualities, fear not! The most common culprits are quite easy to avoid — once you know what they are. Here are the top three mistakes home design experts recommend steering clear of:
Don’t: Settle for small rugs
“Rugs that are too small for the room can cheapen the space,” says Michelle Gage, founder and creative director of Michelle Gage Interiors in Philadelphia. “It looks like you didn’t want to spend the money on the right size, and that right size really cinches up the room.”
A rug that’s too small can definitely make a room look cheap.
Senior Home Editor Jessica Dodell-FederInstead:
Make sure your rugs extend well beyond the furniture they’re placed under. Larger rugs can really make a room look more luxe, whether you opt for an eye-catching print or a neutral that complements a space without drawing focus.
Britt Ross/Yahoo
That would be my (very bright) living room, and the shag area rug on the floor? It’s what always garners the most compliments from guests when we have company over. I’m a fan of its modern-leaning design, along with the fact that its thicker pile feels incredible on my feet; I love the look of my hardwood floors, but they are not the most foot-friendly. Clearly, I’m not afraid of color, so I opted for the rust-hued rug (it also goes with my burgundy window frames), but the top-seller also comes in more neutral creams, beiges and whites. I think it really helps create a sense of cohesion in a room, and the fact that it’s cozy is a solid bonus.
Jessica Dodell-Feder/Yahoo
Prefer a low-maintenance floor covering? “For a washable rug that doesn’t look like a washable rug, let me point you in the direction of Revival,” says Senior Home Editor Jessica Dodell-Feder, who went in search of the best easy-to-care-for carpets. “Revival calls its washable rugs ‘lifeproof,’ and they can truly withstand anything in my experience. I rubbed potting soil all over this rug, spilled iced coffee on it, and let my dog make it her second home. It vacuumed and machine-washed beautifully — I couldn’t see a single trace of the mess I made! Unlike some of the other rugs I tested, this one can also be dried in a machine, and considering its pile, it did so quickly.”
“But what really impressed me? How soft and plush this rug is. It has a woolly look and feel that’s wildly different from other washable rugs, which are often flat and mat-like. Just keep in mind you’ll need a rug pad for it; otherwise, you risk it sliding all over your floor.”
Don’t: Deprioritize practical elements
According to Delia, “Another giveaway is neglecting the details people physically interact with.” These can include things like “flimsy hardware,” “visible cords” and “lighting that is either too bright or too cool.” She adds, “These elements may seem minor, but collectively they shape how polished a room feels.”
Undersized furniture, matching sets, harsh lighting and too many competing finishes can feel flat.
Tina DeliaInstead:
“I recommend spending less time trying to fill every corner and more time creating a clear point of view,” she shares. “Use fewer, better-scaled pieces, repeat finishes thoughtfully, layer lighting at different heights and allow some negative space.”
Amazon
I’m not a fan of abrasive overhead lights, so I rely on table lamps to give the rooms in my home a cozy glow. That said, it’s also nice to be able to control the type of light they give off. “Really harsh, cool bulbs can make an otherwise lovely space look like a warehouse store or interrogation room,” notes Dodell-Feder. “Dimmers are always a good idea, and look for slightly warm bulbs.”
No built-in dimmer? No problem: This smart switch can be paired with nearly any lamp, as long as it uses dimmable bulbs. All you do is plug it into an outlet, and plug your lamp’s cord into its socket. Ta-da! Thanks to its five-foot-long cord, you’ll be able to adjust brightness levels even if you’re not sitting right next to the lamp.
Amazon
Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder, but we can probably all agree that dangling cords are objectively eyesores. With this top-seller, you’ll only be seeing one slim cord per outlet, even if multiple items are plugged into it. How so? It’s got a small power strip attached, so you can plug things into that and spare your walls from snaking cables. Just plug the cover into your outlet — it couldn’t be easier to use.
Amazon
“Want to make your kitchen look rich? Cup pulls (aka bin pulls or half-moon pulls) are the answer,” says Dodell-Feder. “These unique pulls were popularized in the Victorian era and have serious historic charm. They work well in traditional and farmhouse kitchens, but you can also find simpler, narrower styles that feel modern if you love the look but have a more contemporary space.”
Don’t: Go for grommets
This might sound super-niche, but it really does make a large impact: “Window treatments are one of the easiest places to unintentionally cheapen a room,” says Delia. “I generally avoid grommet-top drapes because the exposed metal rings and rigid folds tend to read more mass-market.”
Exposed metal rings and rigid folds tend to read mass-market.
Tina DeliaInstead:
“Even an off-the-rack pinch-pleat drape or back-loop drape can look significantly more elevated because the tailored heading creates cleaner, more intentional lines,” she explains.
Quince
Made of European flax linen, these breezy curtains will give your home an effortlessly elegant look, and you can opt for light-filtering, room-darkening or true-blackout styles. Whether you’re going for a cozy retreat or a light-filled living room, these window dressings will allow you to achieve your desired result in style.
Amazon
Prefer a pleated pair? This affordable cotton-linen-poly-blend pair comes highly rated and is available in dozens of colors and sizes. “They look and feel like something you’d get at Crate & Barrel,” lauded a fan. “Offers privacy but still lets light in. So happy with these!”
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.