I've been designing spaces for a while now, and I see the same mistakes over and over. Here's how to avoid them:

1. Buying furniture before having a plan

You fall in love with a couch at the store, bring it home, and it doesn't fit the room. Measure first. Plan the layout. Then shop.

2. Ignoring lighting

Lighting is 50% of the vibe. A room with great furniture but bad lighting will always feel off. Layer your lighting — ambient, task, and accent.

3. Playing it too safe with color

Beige everything is not "timeless," it's boring. You don't need to go crazy, but one bold wall, a colorful rug, or statement art pieces can completely change a space.

If you're stuck on any of these, I do personalized design consultations where I give you a full plan — layout, colors, furniture picks, the works. Check it out on my page.