TikTok interior designer Caroline shared her top tips for avoiding common cheap home decor mistakes that can make a home look “cheap” and “sad” – and how to fix them
Interior design is fundamentally a question of individual preference, and every homeowner ought to craft a space that expresses their unique style and character. Nevertheless, if you’re considering selling your home down the line or wish to enhance its market value, it’s sensible to consider how specific design decisions might resonate with prospective buyers.
This becomes particularly relevant for furniture within the property, as buyers typically wish to envisage themselves residing there as it is presented.
Caroline, an interior designer who posts her guidance and recommendations on TikTok, has recently shared a video highlighting three decorating errors she encounters repeatedly. The specialist noted that these straightforward mistakes are “easy” to rectify but can cause your entire property to “look cheap”.
She said: “If your home feels a little flat, a little cheap, like it’s missing that layered, collected feel, this might be why. Here are three decor mistakes that I see all the time and how to fix them.”
Lighting
Caroline explained: “First, lighting that’s all on one level. When everything comes down from the ceiling, the room starts to feel flat and even nice, and expensive furniture can start to look sad.
“So instead, layer your lighting at different levels, like a floor lamp, a table lamp, maybe a smaller accent lamp or a wall sconce. Basically, lamps everywhere and lamp shares really help to diffuse the light into these little pools of light around the room instead of bright, fluorescent, terrible lighting flooding everything.”
Matching furniture sets
The interior designer explained that having every item of furniture match perfectly is one of the most common decorating errors you can make.
Rooms and homes tend to exude a sense of luxury and sophistication when pieces are thoughtfully acquired over time.
She added: “A good rule of thumb is to mix your wood tones.
“Choose one deeper and one lighter for contrast. For example, maybe a darker walnut coffee table with a lighter oak console.”
Undersized furniture
Caroline advised steering clear of furniture that is too small for the space. This includes overly small rugs, lamps and coffee tables.
She continued: “A simple fix is choosing one or two anchor pieces that are slightly larger, like a bigger rug or a more substantial coffee table.
“I promise you that one strong piece instantly makes the room feel intentional.
“Most homes that feel expensive aren’t perfect. They just get a few things right.”
