3 Common Interior Design Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands (And How to Avoid Them)

Renovating your home should be an exciting journey, but too often, homeowners end up feeling overwhelmed, overspent, or disappointed with the final result. At Lumino Interiors, we’ve seen firsthand how the right design decisions can transform a space—and how avoidable mistakes can lead to wasted money and stress.

Here are three of the most common interior design mistakes we see, along with how to avoid them with confidence.

1. Choosing Trends Over Functionality

Trendy designs, such as terrazzo walls, open shelving, or ultra-minimalist kitchens, may look stunning on Pinterest, but they don’t always fit into real life. We’ve had clients come to us after realizing that their beautiful open-shelf kitchens collected dust, or their designer tile was too slippery for kids.

Our Advice: Prioritize how you live before how a design looks. If you cook often, need storage, or have children or pets, your materials, layout, and finishes must support your lifestyle.

Design should never just be aesthetic, it must be liveable.

2. Poor Lighting Planning

Lighting is one of the most overlooked (yet most important) aspects of interior design. Many homes rely solely on ceiling lights, which creates flat, uninspiring spaces.

What You Should Do Instead: Use layered lighting:

• Ambient: General room lighting (downlights, pendants)

• Task: Focused light for working or cooking (under-cabinet, desk lamps)

• Accent: To highlight features or add warmth (wall sconces, LED strips)

  
  

Good lighting enhances your space and even makes it feel bigger.

3. Not Involving a Designer Early Enough

Many homeowners hire contractors or start renovations before talking to a designer. This often leads to mismatched finishes, awkward layouts, or extra rework that could have been avoided.

The Solution:

Bring in a professional interior designer from the start. At Lumino Interiors, we help you visualize the result, plan your space effectively, and avoid costly backtracking. Think of it as insurance for your investment.

Interior design isn’t just about beauty—it’s about creating a space that works for you. Whether you’re planning a major renovation or just refreshing a room, avoiding these common mistakes can save you thousands—and a lot of headaches.

Need Expert Guidance?

Let us help you design a home that’s functional, timeless, and uniquely yours.

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