5 Interior Design Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Avoid These Common Interior Design Mistakes That Undermine Luxury, Expert Tips on Lighting, Layout, Proportion, and Emotional Impact

Imagine walking into a home where every piece of furniture, every material, every shadow, and every corner has been meticulously crafted to offer not just beauty, but purpose. As you step further into the space, you feel enveloped by an atmosphere that's both welcoming and inspiring. Yet, even in the most luxurious homes, a single misstep in design; a scale that’s too grand, a lighting choice that doesn’t fit, or an awkward layout, can disrupt that harmony, leaving the space feeling off, no matter how exquisite the pieces themselves are.

For those with refined taste, who demand nothing short of perfection, such mistakes can be frustrating. They disrupt the experience of the home, from how it flows to how it feels. When designing a home that’s meant to reflect not just who you are, but how you live, every decision matters. Whether it's the scale of an armchair or the way sunlight interacts with your curated art collection, the smallest missteps can tip the balance.

At 8687 Studios, we know how important it is to create spaces that don’t just look beautiful, but that feel beautifully right, where function and luxury intertwine effortlessly. In this article, we’ll explore five common interior design mistakes that can easily derail your vision, and we’ll show you how to avoid them. From perfecting scale to understanding lighting and layout, we’ll guide you in crafting a home that speaks to both your aesthetic sensibility and your daily needs.

Misjudging Scale & Proportion

Have you ever entered a room where the furniture feels either too large or too small, disrupting the harmony of the space? It’s a common mistake in interior design, and one that can be surprisingly difficult to correct. The key to achieving perfect scale and proportion lies in understanding the balance between the elements in the room. Just like in fashion, where a well-tailored suit complements the wearer’s form, each piece of furniture and décor should work together to create a cohesive whole. When the scale is right, everything feels effortlessly in place; when it’s wrong, no matter how luxurious the materials, the space will never feel quite right.

I recall a project we worked on in the Cape Winelands, where we were tasked with designing a modern, sophisticated home that blended seamlessly into the stunning landscape. During the early stages, the owners had chosen a set of oversized leather armchairs for the main living space. While the chairs were beautiful and high-quality, they completely overwhelmed the room, blocking the natural flow of the space and competing with the breathtaking vineyard views outside. After reassessing, we opted for sleeker, lower-profile pieces that fit more harmoniously with the architecture and allowed the room to breathe. The transformation was immediate. The chairs no longer competed with the landscape, but instead, they worked in concert with the other design elements, creating a sense of balance and tranquility.

The most important thing to remember when considering scale is to think about how each piece of furniture fits into the overall layout of the room. Large statement pieces; whether they’re sofas, dining tables, or art, should be carefully paired with subtler elements that allow the space to feel balanced. Just like composing a perfect meal, where rich dishes need lighter accompaniments to create a harmonious experience, the larger furniture pieces should be paired with smaller, more understated elements to allow the space to feel open, rather than crowded.

A great way to avoid scale mistakes is by visualizing the space from multiple perspectives. How does it feel when you stand in the doorway? Or when you’re seated on the sofa? A piece might look perfectly proportioned up close, but it’s the room as a whole that needs to feel cohesive. A living room with an oversized sectional might seem grand and comfortable from a distance, but without proper consideration of the surrounding space, it can easily overwhelm the room and make it feel cramped.

To put it simply, the secret to achieving a perfect scale is finding the right balance. Pieces should complement each other and the room, enhancing the space rather than competing for attention. By thoughtfully considering the scale of each element, you can create a home that feels just as much at ease as it does elegant.

Neglecting Layered, Purposeful Lighting

Imagine this: You walk into a room, and the light is perfectly soft, casting a glow that makes everything feel just right. The shadows are delicate, highlighting the architecture without overpowering the space. Your eye is drawn to the artwork, the textures, and even the greenery, without a single glare disrupting the scene. But when lighting is neglected, the opposite happens; the room feels flat, lifeless, and far less inviting. Lighting isn't just about visibility; it’s about atmosphere, mood, and functionality. And when it's done right, it’s a key element that elevates every aspect of the space.

I once worked on a private villa in the South of France, where the owners had an extensive art collection they were eager to showcase. The main challenge was ensuring that each piece was illuminated perfectly without harsh overhead lighting. Initially, they had installed a single pendant light over the dining area, which cast a stark, direct light that left the art pieces in the shadows, missing their moment in the spotlight. To fix this, we introduced a layered approach: ambient light to fill the room gently, task lighting focused on key areas like the reading nook and bar, and accent lighting to highlight specific pieces of art. The transformation was dramatic. The room became more than just a space to eat; it became a dynamic, multi-sensory experience where light and shadow worked together, enhancing both the art and the furniture.

The key to lighting a luxury home lies in the understanding that lighting should be as multi-faceted as the space itself. The best interior designers know that lighting can serve different purposes: to set the mood, to highlight key features, and to provide necessary illumination for practical use. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by using three tiers of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting fills the room with a soft, even glow; think recessed ceiling lights or chandeliers that provide general illumination. Task lighting is more focused, serving a practical purpose for areas like reading or working. Think elegant table lamps on side tables or adjustable sconces by the bed. Lastly, accent lighting is what truly elevates the design, highlighting sculptures, artwork, or even architectural details that deserve attention.

A common misstep, especially in luxury homes, is relying solely on one form of lighting, often overhead. While it might illuminate the room, it doesn't create the warmth or texture needed for a sophisticated atmosphere. Lighting, when layered thoughtfully, can completely transform how a room feels. It’s about creating visual interest and drama, while also ensuring that every area of the space functions as needed. And don’t forget the importance of natural light, proper window placement and the use of shading can optimize sunlight throughout the day, making the space feel light and airy.

Poor Layout and Flow

A well-designed space should feel like a perfectly composed piece of music, each element leading gracefully into the next, with no awkward pauses or jarring notes. But when the layout is off; when furniture interrupts movement, when rooms feel disconnected, or when key features are hidden behind poorly placed walls, luxury turns into frustration. For high-net-worth individuals who frequently entertain, often travel, and live dynamically, flow isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Early in my career, I was brought in to redesign the interior of a sprawling estate in Nairobi. The home was grand, opulent even, but walking through it felt disjointed. The formal living room was isolated from the main gathering areas, and the circulation path led guests awkwardly through a service corridor before arriving at the outdoor entertainment terrace. The house had every luxury on paper, but none of them connected in a way that made sense experientially. The result? Guests rarely used certain parts of the home, and the owners themselves felt detached from the spaces they had invested so much in.

We approached the redesign with one goal: restore connection and improve the rhythm of the home. We reimagined key walls as glass partitions, opened the entry sequence with axial views through to the garden, and reoriented the main entertaining areas around a central indoor-outdoor living zone. Once the layout respected the natural patterns of movement, the home came to life. It breathed. Spaces no longer just existed; they invited, guided, and responded.

When planning the layout of a home, especially one meant to be both a personal retreat and showpiece, it's critical to design around how people actually live. A well-planned layout considers not just where furniture goes, but how people move, pause, and gather. For example, a dining room shouldn’t just accommodate a table; it should offer enough clearance for servers during events or for family to circulate comfortably during a casual evening meal. Similarly, pathways between rooms should allow natural flow without guests needing to “navigate” around furniture or décor.

Choosing Style Over Substance

Luxury doesn’t mean compromise; but too often, homeowners fall into the trap of prioritizing aesthetics at the expense of comfort, function, and longevity. It’s easy to be seduced by a striking chair seen in a Milan showroom or a sculptural coffee table that turns heads on Instagram. But if that chair is impossible to sit in for more than five minutes, or the coffee table sacrifices practicality for drama, the initial excitement fades, and frustration sets in.

We once consulted on a penthouse in London where the client had previously worked with a designer who focused almost exclusively on visual impact. The result was stunning in photographs; polished marble, angular silhouettes, high-gloss finishes, but the home lacked soul. In the living room, the seating looked like art installations, but guests avoided sitting on them. In the bedroom, a minimalistic bed frame made for a beautiful silhouette, but offered no functional storage, and the lighting was too stark for relaxation. During our first walkthrough, the client leaned in and whispered, “It’s beautiful, but I don’t want to live in it.”

That moment stayed with me. At 8687 Studios, we believe that design should serve the people who live with it, not just the ones who admire it from a distance. Every space we create is both a sanctuary and a stage, a place where beauty meets purpose. The key is finding materials, furnishings, and layouts that elevate the lifestyle, not just the image.

Functionality, especially for our clientele who value both sophistication and efficiency, is a form of luxury in itself. A handcrafted dining table that can extend for family gatherings, a sumptuous sofa with elegant concealed storage, or a sustainably sourced floor that’s both visually rich and built to last, these are the quiet luxuries that make a house truly exceptional. Great design should feel effortless and intuitive, anticipating the homeowner’s needs without sacrificing visual poetry.

Ignoring the Emotional Impact of Design

Design isn’t just about what you see; it’s about how you feel. Yet, in many high-end interiors, this essential truth is often overlooked. Spaces may look immaculate on the surface but leave the occupants feeling disconnected, uninspired, or even unsettled. At 8687 Studios, we believe the true hallmark of luxury design lies in its ability to evoke emotion: to calm, to energize, to connect, and to reflect the unique identity of the person who lives there.

I once worked with a client in Zurich who had recently purchased a minimalist, ultra-modern home with floor-to-ceiling glass, polished concrete, and steel accents. While it was architecturally impressive, she confessed that it didn’t feel like home. “It’s beautiful,” she said, “but I don’t feel like I belong in it.” The issue wasn’t the design itself; it was the lack of emotional resonance. It lacked warmth. It lacked her.

To transform the space, we began layering elements that told her story: a vintage Persian rug that reminded her of her childhood home in Istanbul, a commissioned abstract painting by a local Swiss artist, rich textures in walnut and mohair that softened the glass-and-steel edges. The moment she stepped into the reimagined space, her shoulders relaxed. “Now I feel seen,” she told us. That’s the power of emotional design; when your home doesn’t just reflect your lifestyle, but your life.

This often-overlooked mistake, neglecting the emotional undercurrent of a space, is particularly critical for high-net-worth individuals, many of whom lead complex, high-pressure lives. Their homes should be more than beautiful; they should be restorative, expressive, and deeply personal. That might mean designing a quiet corner to decompress after international travel, a gallery wall that celebrates meaningful achievements, or a bespoke scent diffused subtly through key living areas to evoke memory and calm.

At its core, great interior design isn’t just about what you see; it’s about how a space supports the way you live, feel, and connect. The most memorable homes aren’t flawless because they follow every trend or showcase the rarest materials; they endure and enchant because they’re designed with deep understanding, intention, and emotional intelligence.

From proportion and lighting to flow, functionality, and emotional depth, each of the five mistakes we’ve explored has one thing in common: they emerge when design is reduced to surface-level choices. But when design is approached holistically; when beauty, practicality, and personal resonance are given equal weight, spaces begin to transcend the ordinary. They become a reflection of identity, aspiration, and legacy.

At 8687 Studios, we don’t just curate interiors; we create environments that quietly support the rhythm of your life. Our design philosophy is rooted in empathy, craftsmanship, and sustainability, ensuring that every decision enhances not just the look of your home, but the way you feel within it.

So, as you reimagine your next space, ask yourself: Does this design serve me, or do I serve it? If the answer doesn’t feel effortless, it’s time for a new approach, one where luxury is measured not only in materials but in meaning.