Interior design can be a creative and inspiring process (think bringing your Pinterest dreams to life!), and it can also be filled with frustration and headaches. Before you start your next project, here’s how to avoid the most common design mistakes and create the home of your dreams.

Design mistake: Choosing the wrong color palette

One common mistake when refreshing your home is selecting your paint colors first. Once the walls are painted, it can be a challenge to find furniture and fabrics that are a perfect match.

Instead, select your furniture, fabrics, and surface materials first. Once you have made those decisions, select a few paint swatches that complement the look. Test your top color choices in each room and next to your furnishings, looking at the color palette throughout the day to see how the color shifts from day to night before deciding on your final colors.

Design mistake: All white

It can be tempting to paint everything white, but white walls can be a disaster to keep clean and come across looking sterile and stark. Instead, think through your family’s lifestyle. If you have kids and pets and are constantly on the go, select a neutral color that hides dust and can withstand fingerprints (and paw prints!).

Design mistake: Forgetting size and scale

Over or under-sized furniture is one of the most common design mistakes. Before you start shopping for new pieces, measure your space and bring the exact dimensions with you so that you’ll know if a sofa or table will work with the flow of the room. Don’t forget to measure the height and width of any doorways, hallways, and stairways in your home to ensure a seamless and easy furniture delivery!

Design mistake: Too much open shelving

Open storage looks gorgeous when your shelves are beautifully curated and organized. If you’re constantly on the go, undisguised storage can become very chaotic and messy. Before you decide on open shelving, consider your personality and whether you are willing to maintain the look in real life.

Design mistake: Harsh lighting

Harsh overhead lighting is a major design mistake. Instead, try layers of lighting with a beautiful overhead fixture, and add table or floor lamps as secondary lighting. Layered lights are both functional and visually interesting, and can either illuminate the entire room or highlight specific areas. Lighting also helps create an illusion of space while expressing your personal design style.

Design mistake: Cluttered walls

Too many family photos or floor-to-ceiling artwork can make your space feel cluttered and chaotic. Instead, select a signature piece of art or a few cherished family photos to mount and display on a single wall. If you’re an avid traveler or art collector, consider rotating out the photos and artwork throughout the year to give your space a quick refresh.