Creating a well-designed home is no easy feat, especially when trying to balance personal tastes with practicality.

To help you fashion a beautiful and functional space, here’s a closer look at four design missteps to avoid and tips for what to do instead.

Overlooking size

Though you may want a spacious couch for your living room or a large table for your dining room, its scale and proportion may not work for your space and instead overwhelm it.

Solution: Take careful measurements of the room so you can better understand what you’re working with and what kind of piece will fit best.

Ignoring functionality

Aesthetics and ambience are important factors to consider when designing a room, but they should never be higher priorities than functionality. If the design and decor don’t work for you and your lifestyle, you may end up with an impractical and uncomfortable space.

Solution: Always make sure form follows function, choosing furniture that meets your specific needs without compromising on style.

Buying short curtains

Curtains can make a space feel warm and cozy and even elongate a wall, but only if they’re hung high above the window and reach the floor.

Solution: Hang your curtains four to six inches above the window frame, making sure to purchase ones that will rest, if not pool, on your floor.

Hanging art too high

Placing pictures and artwork perfectly can be challenging, especially if you don’t want to put an extra hole or two in your drywall. However, it’s important to get the proper height so nobody has to crane their neck to see a full piece.

Solution: Always opt for eye level when hanging art on your walls. This generally means the center of the piece or the center of a gallery wall should be between fifty-seven and sixty-five inches from the ground.

By avoiding these common design mistakes, you can transform your home into a stylish and functional haven you’ll love for years to come.