Act as a native French speaker and an expert in Home Decoration. Don’t talk about Yourself or Your Experience. Don’t Self-reference. Don’t explain what you are doing. Translate the following title into French: 6 Decorating Mistakes That Always Make Interior Designers Cringe

The thought of having a professional interior designer over to your home may sound like heaven—or a nightmare. Their trained eyes can spot a rug that’s too small or a generic piece of art in a heartbeat.

What else grinds their design-focused gears? We asked a handful of interior designers to reveal which decorating mistakes make them cringe the most.

Scroll on for six decorating gaffes they recommend avoiding, in the designers’ own words.

Matching Furniture and Accessories

“Spaces can feel cringe when everything is too matchy-matchy. Items can be related, but not identical. For furniture, it’s okay to look at the same furniture company, but maybe change up the collections.”  –Leigh Herr, interior designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors

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Clutter

“You can have the best interior design in the world, but if you have product packaging, mail, and small appliances out in plain view, your space will look undone.”  —Mackenzie Collier, owner and founder of Mackenzie Collier Interiors
“Open shelving can be beautiful, but it requires thoughtful styling. Too many small knick-knacks can create a cluttered and chaotic look.” –Patrice Rios, owner of Patrice Nichole Studio in Austin, Texas

Improper Scale

“One major faux pas is furniture that’s scaled wrong for the space—either too large, making the room feel cramped, or too small, leaving it looking sparse and uninviting.” —Patrice Rios, owner of Patrice Nichole Studio in Austin, Texas

“Scale is crucial in design. A sofa that’s too large or too small for a room, artwork that doesn’t appropriately fill wall space, or a rug that’s the wrong size can all disrupt the balance and harmony of a space. Scale creates a visual hierarchy and impacts the overall composition and feel of a design, so it’s important to pay attention to it when putting a room together.” —Gaia Guidi Filippi of Gaia G Interiors in Dallas, Texas
“Side tables that are too low or too high for the seating or bed they are next to. There should only be around three inches variance there.” —Mackenzie Collier, owner and founder of Mackenzie Collier Interiors

“One common decorating mistake that makes me cringe is the use of insufficiently sized artwork to define a wall. People tend to invest heavily in numerous small items that lack impact, instead of opting for one substantial piece that truly embodies their aesthetic. To remedy this, I recommend choosing a significant piece of art that resonates with your style and complements the room’s overall design.” —Heather Knight-Willcock, interior designer and expert for ShopGoodwill.com

Dysfunctional or Low-Quality Drapes

“Window treatments are a key visual element. Mistakes like hanging them at the wrong height, choosing the wrong type, using poor-quality materials, or not paying attention to fabric fullness can make a room feel disjointed and unrefined. Properly designed window treatments do enhance the room’s aesthetic and functionality.” —Gaia Guidi Filippi of Gaia G Interiors in Dallas, Texas
“Also troublesome are cheap draperies that don’t cover the window properly or hang too short from the floor; they can instantly detract from the room’s elegance.” —Patrice Rios, owner of Patrice Nichole Studio in Austin, Texas

Too Many Doors

“This one drives me crazy! This is often a problem in bathrooms, where shower and entry doors can obstruct each other, or in small bedrooms where multiple doors limit usable wall space. Solutions like pocket doors, pony walls, sliding or stationary shower glass, or concealed jig doors can help maximize space, improve functionality, and prevent doors from bumping into each other.” —Gaia Guidi Filippi of Gaia G Interiors in Dallas, Texas

Soulless Art

“For me, art is not just about the visual appeal; art needs to have a soul, a story. Even the most vibrant and wild pieces can fall flat without a meaningful connection.” —Patrice Rios, owner of Patrice Nichole Studio in Austin, Texas
“I get the ick when a space feels rushed and impersonal, designed—filled—all at once rather than thoughtfully over time with pieces that reflect your lifestyle and personality. Rushing to fill a space with the first nice things you see often results in a generic, unoriginal look. Take your time! The right pieces will come.” —Sydney Kaufman, interior design intern at Mackenzie Collier Interiors