Q: I have an idea for a blog post: “Design mistakes we won’t make again.” As I look through pictures of all the beautiful work you’ve done, I’m thinking of choosing many similar styles and purchases. But then I wonder, over time — did you ever regret a design choice? — Shannon
A: Great question. Here’s our take, distilled from years of trial and error. We’re certainly not experts; we learn as we go, make plenty of mistakes, and course-correct along the way. Trying something — even if it turns out to be wrong — teaches far more than staying frozen in indecision. Below are a dozen design lessons we learned the hard way.
1. Buying an expensive sofa without testing it first. We once bought a Pottery Barn sofa after deciding the cheap online option we ordered was unusable. Because we’d sat on the PB couch in-store, we thought it would be perfect — but after years with it we never really loved the shape or feel. The lesson: price doesn’t guarantee personal preference. Sit on sofas in person whenever you can.
That first pricey sofa felt baggy and frumpy to us, and we later found a less expensive option that suited us better. Just because something costs more doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your home.
2. Painting trim black in a small bathroom. We loved the graphic idea, but it didn’t translate as we’d imagined. The black trim was easy to paint on and paint off, and removing it helped us move toward a cleaner white-on-white look that felt more spa-like. Trying it was worth it — we learned quickly and moved on.
3. Not furnishing a room enough. An underfurnished room can feel stark and impractical. We gradually added furniture and repurposed areas (like creating a dining nook) to make the space functional and welcoming. Take your time to fill a room thoughtfully rather than leaving it unfinished.
4. Going overboard with different color choices. Early on we painted almost every room a different color. Over time we narrowed down the hues we loved most and settled on a cohesive sea-glass inspired palette for our first house. For the next house we’re exploring moodier, more sophisticated colors — but the wider lesson stands: try things, but be prepared to edit toward a cohesive scheme.
5. Choosing too-small furnishings and decor. Small pieces can make a space feel cluttered or insignificant. We favor larger-scale items — a substantial sofa, big artwork, or an oversized light fixture — to add drama and presence. Scale matters; bold, well-sized pieces often elevate a room.
6. Planting grass everywhere. Lawns are cheaper up front than planting beds, but they require time to mow and maintain. We now aim for a more naturalized landscape with limited lawn areas for play, combined with low-maintenance plantings like native grasses, wildflowers, and groundcovers to save time and create habitat.
A smaller lawn for kids and pets, plus naturalized zones, is a better long-term solution for busy households.
7. Overlooking secondhand and thrifted finds. Some of our favorite pieces were thrifted or bought on Craigslist for very little. We’ve scored chairs, tables, and dressers at a fraction of retail cost. Secondhand shopping often yields unique, high-quality items and keeps money in your pocket.
8. Not trying DIY builds. Building things isn’t as scary as it sounds. Simple projects like desks, shelves, and book ledges have been affordable and rewarding for us. DIY furniture can be meaningful to make together and adds personality and cost savings to your home.
9. Being too matchy-matchy. Having everything in the same wood tone or fabric can feel flat. We prefer mixing wood tones, upholstery, and finishes to create visual interest. A mismatched or two-tone piece can become a standout and keep the room feeling curated rather than showroom-staged.
10. Buying items that don’t integrate with what you already own. Accessories or textiles that clash with the rest of your home often end up donated or sold. Before buying, consider how a piece will work with the existing palette and furniture. If it doesn’t fit, skip it.
11. Using traditional oil-based finishes for floors. Refinishing our floors with oil-based stain and polyurethane left the house smelling awful for months and gave us headaches. From now on we prefer water-based stains and low-VOC sealants that are healthier and perform just as well.
12. Buying temporary, low-quality fixtures just to fill the gap. We once bought a cheap ceiling light — a “boob light” — to replace an ugly fan while we saved for a better fixture. It worked in the short term but was eventually replaced. When possible, waiting and investing in a piece you truly love saves time and money in the long run.
None of these “mistakes” are universally wrong — they’re simply what didn’t work for us. Design is subjective, and experimentation is how you discover your preferences. We’ll probably make more mistakes in future projects, and that’s fine — each one helps clarify what we love. Happy experimenting!
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