6 Common Décor Mistakes That Will Instantly Make Your Home Feel Cluttered

After a long day of hard work scrubbing the floors and wiping down the counters, there's nothing more discouraging than looking around and noticing that your home still looks messy. Often, this is quite literally by design, as certain décor choices can make a space feel more cluttered.

Not sure what's throwing things off? We've got you covered—here, we spoke with designers about the problematic décor mistakes that can make your home feel disorganized (plus, some easy ways to fix them).

Hanging Heavy Drapes

Marcia Bryan, founder of Bryan Design Group, suggests ditching the heavy drapes—particularly in the living room. 

“Thick swags and valances smother light and make a space feel crowded the second you walk in,” she says. Instead, use light-filtering curtains (sheer or semi-sheer), which allow sunlight to come in through the window. This will help the space look brighter and more airy.

Heavier curtains can also feel dated and weigh down the room, especially if they’re a darker color or are made out of velvet.

Adding Too Many Plants

Green thumbs, listen up: more indoor plants aren’t always better. Interior designer Terri Brien says to be thoughtful regarding the amount you have in a space and to consider the style of each. 

“[They] add life, and a lush, layered look is beautiful—but when every plant is in a different style or pot color and scattered without intention, it creates visual noise,” she says. 

Instead, Brien recommends choosing vessels that complement each other. To do this, marry different plants with one cohesive theme, like glazed ceramic pots of varying sizes or the same saucer underneath each pot. This will help keep things from looking too chaotic.

Don't Miss

7 Home Décor Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making—and How to Fix Them

Avoid These 5 Entryway Décor Mistakes for a More Welcoming Home

Ignoring Scale and Proportion

The key is for your furniture and décor to complement the scale of the room.

“An oversized sectional in a small den, for example, can halt a room's natural flow and make it feel cramped,” Bryan says. “Conversely, a large, open space filled with too many tiny furnishings can appear chaotic and disorganized.”

If you have a smaller space, go for narrow tables, small wall-mounted shelves, or more petite light fixtures. For larger rooms, gravitate toward bigger pieces, like wide wall art.

Leaving Organizational Bins Out

It’s natural to want to store things in bins and baskets, but Brien warns against having them “visible on every other surface, or stacked up in corners.”

Instead, she recommends putting storage bins in a closet or cabinet to hide them from view. If you don’t have any available, then choose bins that are cohesive and limit them to just one space, rather than interspersing them throughout a room.

Incorporating Too Many Patterns

Mixing and matching patterns can add charm to a space, but too many can appear haphazard. Instead, you’ll want to choose one or two main patterns to feature, and let the rest of the room feel more subtle. 

If you really want to combine patterns, make sure the second print is smaller, so it feels less overwhelming. This tactic will keep your space feeling balanced.

Using Overly Themed Décor

It can be tempting to go over the top with Christmas or fall decorations, but Brien says themed seasonal décor—like faux pumpkins or large signs—can just make your space seem busy. 

“Instead, opt for subtle nods: a cozy throw, pillows in seasonal tones, or a few natural elements that complement your existing palette,” she says.