Between selecting furniture, experimenting with paint swatches, and positioning art, there are hundreds of small decisions that go into styling the perfect space.

Even the slightest misjudgment, like hanging artwork too high or choosing paint in a gloss rather than a matte finish, can have a surprising effect on a room.

Few know this better than interior designers, who have seen their fair share of fabulous (and, yes, mediocre) homes. Want to know the most common interiors faux pas and how to fix it?

Image via Frances Loom, francesloom.com

Buying Décor That’s the Same Height

One simple styling mistake can prevent a room from reaching its full potential. Scale and proportion are the holy grail of design. If everything is the same size or if everything is either too big or too small, your room will read like a mess. Read more, ‘Improve Your Mood With These 50 Top Decorating Tips.’

How To Fix It

The easiest trick is to think of your space as a city and fill it with a combination of heights and proportions. Look at any cityscape or town and you’ll find this intriguing mix of scale and a unique blend of fascinating shapes—that’s what you want to nail. Think of its mass of low buildings punctuated with spires. Give your furniture plenty of elbow room; every star needs its understudy. Read more, ‘The Most Common Decorating Questions Asked and Answered.’