Arlyn Molina · Inspired by Experts ·Apr 15, 2025

The 5 Biggest Mistakes I’ve Seen in Design

By Arlyn Molina

We all love a beautifully curated space with perfectly balanced vignettes and seamless combinations of textures and metals. The thought of it makes my heart so happy! However, our homes do not always begin this way and there is a definite learning curve to achieving the look you have in mind. Today, I will be sharing the five biggest mistakes I see in my clients’ homes BEFORE we transform them. Ready to see if you are committing any of these design crimes? Then read along, my dear friend. I double-dog dare you.

From:@maros_designs

#1 Sky-High Frames

One of the biggest mistakes I see in about 95% of my client homes are frames that are hung too high. Many times the reasoning is that kids will reach them, the walls are tall so the frames go up higher, or that it just looked “right” there. While I understand this, the rule of thumb in design is to hang frames with the center at about 60 inches from the floor. This can vary depending on whether you’re hanging something over a console, couch, or any other piece of furniture, but not by much. This can also vary depending on whether people within a family are tall or if you’re using oversized artwork on an oversized wall. You want your home to feel collected and like it is YOURS, right? Let’s begin by lowering your frames so YOU can enjoy them at eye level.

From: @homestylebypaula

#2 Oversized Furniture

I get it. I was guilty of this. I was about to move into our new building and decided we needed new furniture. I rushed to find something comfortable only to realize AFTER that I had not measured the couches within my space. Now, please do not come after me! This was before I became a Certified Interior Designer. Thankfully, they did work in the space. Imagine if they had not, though? Don’t get me wrong: bully furniture can work in LARGE spaces. However, many times this is not the case. I often see furniture too big or bulky in comparison to the room it sits in. It engulfs an entire space and barely allows for any clearances when you walk. You want to make sure you can add a coffee table (which is a staple in my designs), a console table, and create traffic flow throughout the space with a minimum clearance of two feet between furniture pieces. I aim for three feet, but with limited space, two will suffice. When in doubt, reach out to a designer. We’ve got you!

From:@jessicaterminellainteriors

#3 A Teeny Tiny Console/Dresser

We all love a beautiful, giant television screen to enjoy Netflix binges or movie nights with families. Am I right? This is okay! What I recommend in these cases is a console beneath it for living room spaces or a dresser if this is for a bedroom. Regrettably what I often see is a console that is too small for the television above it. The console or dresser underneath that large, black, magical box needs to be at a minimum the same width as your television. If at all possible, aim for a wider piece under your television to balance the area out. This is one of the biggest eye sores for me when I come across it on social media or anywhere else.

From:@maros_designs

#4 Playing It Safe

I understand safety in certain situations, but when it comes to your home, think outside the box. Many times when working with clients, they are afraid of certain colors or decorative pieces because of their smaller children or pets. I don’t want to give you a lesson on raising your kids, but all I can say is IT IS POSSIBLE to have a beautiful home with little ones in tow. Encourage them to help you keep your home tidy and establish boundaries at a young age. I believe in you!

#5 Clutter

If you’ve been following my articles, you know this was going to make the list. Anything you have not touched in the past three months, any colors outside of your color scheme, and things that do not belong have got to go. Donate these items or arrange for a garage sale so you can make some profit to reinvest I your space. Opt for baskets or bins for toys and remote controls and keep all wires at bay using an organizer. A clean home is a happy home.

Now take some time to reflect. What design crimes from my list have you been committing without knowing? One? Three? Perhaps all of them? I’m here to tell you it is okay! Rectify these issues and work on your space. The results will leave you so proud and ready to receive your guests.

From: @homestylebypaula

ABOUT WRITER

Perfect ambience

Just the right curtains I was looking for, blocked all the light but lets the sun shine on the wall and ceiling a bit. The other curtains I had blocked only 75% of the light.

The material feels high quality and durable.

The only thing I need to do now is get them steamed so they look uniform.

Very fast shipping, came 2 days early. The turn around time from manufacturing to shipping wasn’t long either.

Love them but not true blackout

I was very excited to get these and love how they look with my kids rooms. Unfortunately, the way they are sewn together allows for a lot of light to get through. I ordered the blackout lining hoping I wouldn’t need to close the curtains but as you can see, the seams are super bright.

Sag at the end

They look nice but when they get to the edge of the recommended length they clearly sag at the ends, even without curtains. Not worth $75

Hello! Regarding the drooping issue you mentioned, it may be related to the installation method or the characteristics of the track itself. If you need any assistance or advice, feel free to contact support@twopagescurtains.com, and our customer service team will do their best to resolve the issue for you.

Great shades!

We love our Twopages Cinnamon Natural Jute Bamboo Woven Shade. The true color is a bit darker than photos depicted online but I got the sample booklet and anticipated that. I do really like it.

Amazing Workmanship and Embroidered Trim!

Two Pages has upped their game. My drapes came in a lovely branded zipper bags with a lovely message inside. Delivery was so quick! I have over a dozen curtains in my home from Two Pages. I recently upgraded my Isabella Paper White curtains in my living room to Isabella Paper White with R31 Trim. Oh my goodness- GORGEOUS!!! Firstly, my original Paper White drapes had a blue tinge to them, a very stark white. Which was fine, but I don’t know if they changed the sourcing, but the Paper White colour is now a lovely True clean white that is more soft, I LOVE the white. The R31 trim sample that I ordered in advance, also matched the trim tape on the curtains. Customer service was good to confirm with my enquiry that the sample did indeed match, as the website colour depicted was a bit different. It is a stunning sky blue (not aqua like the website picture). Moreover the workmanship and specifically how the tape was sewn onto the drape, was straight and aligned nicely with the thread. I was nervous when I ordered, because I saw a review where you could see that the sewing had gone outside of the lines and looked sub par; but I can assure you, the trim tape is sewn on beautifully. I plan to order Jawara Pink with Q21 or K61 next; which will make it 20 pairs of drapes from Two Pages that I own, LOL. The trim tape itself is such good quality, wide and stunningly embroidered. They rival designer named ones. I WISH I could order the trim tape itself so that I can add it to a throw pillow and at the bottom of my slip covered dining chairs, to coordinate the rooms. My style is Modern French Country I would say. Thank you Two Pages for my exquisite drapes

Hello! Thank you for your support! Open this link and you can order the trim border samples: https://twopagescurtains.com/products/choose-any-5-trim-border-samples-for-8 . If you would like a custom length of the trim border, you can contact support@twopagescurtains.com, our customer service team will assist you.

Obsessed with this texture!

Love how our shade turned out in both texture and color! It compliments our creamy white trim and oak floors perfectly!

Excellent curtains

I ordered the custom Liz linen curtains for my living room and dining room. Got the lightest liner as recommended by customer service because I was worried about fading of the curtain. Color is burlywood birch. They are beautiful curtains. The hook thats included makes them adjustable in height so you can make them longer or shorter as needed. Will definitely order again.

Good rod

Simple and elegant. Husband said it was sturdy and the screws were good quality. The reason why I gave it fours stars is because the color was off between different pieces.

So elegant

I just love how these curtains look in our dining room. They go perfectly with the wool rug under the table. I got the pinch pleated drapes from the Liz Collection in color Pale Aqua Blue with memory training and no lining. One thing I do think is important is to order the swatch first in order to have an idea what an actual color would look like. The curtain color looks exactly like the swatch but is different from the color online. The one online looks more green. So, do spend the $5 on the swatch and you will not be disappointed.