Design Unscripted

The 5 Biggest Interior Design Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

• Season 1 • Episode 2

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Ever enter a room that looks beautiful but just feels off? You’re not alone—and chances are, one of the most common interior design mistakes is to blame.

In this episode of Design Unscripted, I’m walking you through the five biggest design mistakes I see all the time—and how to fix them with simple, expert-backed strategies.

From oversized furniture to harsh lighting, showroom-style shopping to flat-feeling layouts, we’ll talk about the subtle shifts that can instantly elevate your space and make it feel more intentional, more personal, and more you.

Spoiler: Beautiful design isn’t about perfection—it’s about proportion, flow, layers, and confidence in the details.

Inside this episode, I’ll walk you through:

• Why scale and proportion matter more than the pieces themselves
• The biggest lighting mistake that’s making your space feel cold
• How pulling furniture off the walls actually opens up a room
• Why buying everything from one brand works in theory—but not in real life
• How art, accessories, and texture tell your story and bring the space to life

If you’re designing, redecorating, or refining your space, this episode is packed with ideas to help you create a home that’s cohesive, elevated, and uniquely yours.

✨ In this episode:

  • [00:33] The #1 mistake that instantly throws off a room
  • [02:25] How to fix lighting that feels flat or harsh
  • [03:43] Why pushing furniture to the walls isn’t helping your layout
  • [04:55] The problem with buying everything from one store
  • [06:13] How art and accessories can bring your space to life

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Welcome to Design Unscripted, where thoughtful design meets effortless living. I'm Manuella Moreira, here to inspire you to create a home that's both beautiful and uniquely yours.

In this week's episode, we're discussing the biggest mistakes people make in their home—and most importantly, how to fix them. There's a lot that goes into designing a space, and I know it can get very complex, but I notice a lot of the same patterns and mistakes people make.

The good news is: they're easy to avoid when you know what to look out for.

Let's start with the most common—and the most noticeable—which is when people ignore scale and proportion. It can completely throw off a room, even when everything is beautiful.

Now I get it—it’s so easy to fall in love with a beautiful piece of furniture in the showroom or online. But just because it looks beautiful there doesn’t mean that it’s the right piece for your space. When a piece is too large, it can feel cramped and heavy. On the other hand, if it’s too small, it can feel awkward and disconnected—almost like it doesn’t belong there. Neither option creates the balanced and cohesive look that you're going for.

The best way to avoid this? Always measure the space first. And that’s not just the walls—it’s also window placements, doors, ceiling height. Also think about how you're going to get the piece into the space. Measure the doorways going into the room, and measure hallways if you have a tight hallway or a really tight turn.

And if you're thinking of bringing that big piece of furniture into the room—even if it actually works in the space—make sure you can actually get it into the space first.

Here’s a pro tip: if you live in a high-rise, measure the elevator. It’s so important. I've seen so many cases where people can't fit what they bought inside the elevator, even though it might work in the space.

Remember—bringing it into the space is just as important as how it works within the space.

When you have all the measurements, map it out—even if it’s on a rough piece of paper. Just think about how you're going to move and flow through the space in between the pieces. Taking the time to understand the right proportions of the space will make a huge difference in how comfortable and intentional your home feels.

Good design isn't just about beautiful pieces—it's about how those pieces work together to create a balanced and inviting feel.

Once you've figured out scale and proportion, the next big mistake to watch out for is poor lighting. And honestly, this one can completely change how a space feels.

A lot of people rely on just one overhead light source to illuminate the entire space. And while it might technically light up the room, it almost always ends up feeling flat, cold, and harsh.

Lighting isn't just functional—it's one of the most important tools to have to create the proper mood, warmth, and dimension in a space.

The key to great lighting is layering. Think of it in three parts:

First is ambient lighting. Ambient lighting is your main lighting source—think a ceiling fixture or recessed lights.

Second is task lighting, which is more focused light—think desk lamps, reading lights, or under-cabinet lights so you can see what’s on the counter.

And the third is accent lighting—this is that third layer that creates the mood. Think sconces, picture lights, or even candles.

Each type of lighting plays a different role, and when you layer them together, it brings the whole room to life. The space feels softer, more inviting, and more dynamic.

So don’t be afraid to bring in some new light sources—it’s one of the easiest ways to instantly elevate a room.

Once you’ve nailed lighting, let’s move on to something else I see all the time—and that’s how you arrange your furniture. And trust me, this can completely change how a room feels.

One of the most common mistakes is pushing all of the furniture up against the walls, thinking that it will make the space look bigger.

I get it—it seems logical. You want as much open space as possible, right? But what actually happens is the room can feel empty, disconnected, and even a little awkward.

Instead, try floating your furniture in the space when you can. Pull your sofa, chairs, and even smaller pieces like ottomans toward the center of the room.

This creates more intimate and cozy conversation areas. It encourages people to gather and interact—and it actually makes the space feel larger because it’s more defined and more functional.

You can anchor the furniture with a large area rug, a coffee table, accent lighting, and accessories thoughtfully placed around the setup. It makes the room feel purposeful—like every piece was meant to be there, not pushed out of the way.

So next time you’re arranging a space, don’t be afraid to pull things in. It’ll make a huge difference.

Now that we've talked about how to arrange furniture, let's talk about the next big mistake—which is buying all of your furniture from one place.

Now I get it—it’s so tempting, especially when you love that one brand and just want to get everything done all at once. The sofa, the chairs, the coffee table—everything done in one shopping trip.

And while it’s easy and convenient, what often ends up happening is your home ends up feeling like a showroom instead of a personal, lived-in space.

The best spaces feel like they've been collected over time. Your pieces should speak to one another—but not match perfectly. That’s what gives a room character, personality, and that layered look that you love.

Think about mixing different styles, finishes, and textures. You can pair a vintage coffee table with a modern sofa. Or add a few pieces you picked up during your travels or from local shops.

This creates a more natural and curated feel—like the space evolved with you, not like it was thrown together over one weekend.

At the end of the day, your home should tell your story—not that store’s spring collection or fall collection.

Take your time to collect the right pieces that you absolutely love. You'll end up with a space that feels much more authentic and unique.

Speaking of creating a space that feels collected and personal, let’s talk about something a lot of people overlook—and that’s the power of art and accessories.

Sadly, art and accessories are often treated as an afterthought—like the things you add in after the big pieces are in. But honestly, they’re what truly bring a space to life.

Think about it: furniture brings the room structure, but the accessories—pillows, throws—they’re what give the space soul. These are the pieces that add texture, color, layers, and most importantly—personality.

They tell your story. Where you’ve been, what you love, and what inspires you.

When you leave accessories for last—or worse, don’t plan for them at all—the space often feels unfinished and flat.

Instead, start thinking about these elements right at the beginning of the project. Choose art that makes you feel something. Select rugs that anchor your furniture and bring warmth. Add pillows, throws, or accents that introduce new textures, colors, or interesting shapes that strike up a conversation.

Even small touches—like a beautiful vase, a stack of books, or a unique sculpture—can make a space feel intentionally designed rather than just thrown together.

Bottom line: don’t underestimate the details. They’re what tie everything together—and what makes a house feel like a home.

And there you have it—some of the biggest mistakes I see people making in their home, but more importantly, how to avoid them or fix them.

At the end of the day, creating a beautiful space isn’t about following strict rules. It’s about being intentional. It’s about understanding scale, layering lighting, creating cozy layouts, curating your furniture over time, and making sure every detail tells your story.

Thank you so much for joining me today on Design Unscripted. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. It would mean the world to me.

And whether you’re listening or watching—thank you so much for being here.
 See you next time.