1. Using Furniture and Decor Simply to Fill a Room

One of the most common design icks that Blinn sees is people buying furniture and decor simply to fill a room. “Those temporary pieces almost always read as visual clutter and prevent a space from feeling cohesive,” the designer explains.

Instead of purchasing items that don’t fit your style or support how you live in the space, Blinn suggests taking a slower, more intentional approach. “Start with one element you truly love—a sofa, rug, paint color, or window treatment—and let the rest of the room build around it,” she says.

2. Pushing All the Furniture Against the Walls

“Another frequent issue is pushing all the furniture against the walls in an attempt to make a room feel larger, which usually has the opposite effect and leaves the space feeling flat and disconnected,” Blinn says. Doing so creates an awkward layout, both visually and practically speaking. If you push all the living room furniture against the walls, you will end up with too much negative space in the middle of the room. Plus, it makes it harder to have a conversation, and the coffee table will be so far from the sofa that you won’t be able to put down a drink.

To avoid this design ick, Blinn suggests a different approach. “Pull furniture slightly off the walls or float pieces to create defined seating areas that feel welcoming,” she says.

3. Poor Lighting Choices

Poor lighting choices are a major design ick for Blinn. “Relying on a single overhead fixture can make a room feel harsh or unfinished,” the designer explains. Lighting plays a major role in a room’s overall appearance and atmosphere.

Instead of defaulting to a single ceiling fixture that results in a serious design ick, Blinn offers a simple solution: a layered lighting plan. “Layer lighting with a mix of floor lamps, table lamps, and dimmers to add warmth and depth,” the designer advises. Not only does a mix of different light fixtures add visual interest, such as a charming patterned lampshade or a cool modern floor lamp shape, but it also allows you to control the room’s ambience and support a variety of tasks.

4. Getting the Scale Wrong

“Proportion mistakes like rugs that are too small or undersized side tables can throw off the entire balance of a room, even if everything else is beautiful,” Blinn says. Not only is it distracting when furniture is too big for a room or framed art is way too small for the wall it’s hanging on, but it can also make the space look either cluttered or empty. It throws off the room’s harmony and breaks visual continuity. Practically speaking, oversized furniture can block pathways or limit the amount of natural light entering a room.

“Pay close attention to scale. Rugs should anchor furniture, tables should feel proportional, and seating should feel cohesive,” Blinn says. When selecting pieces for a room, check their measurements against both the room’s size and the size of other items in the room. “These small, thoughtful adjustments instantly make a space feel polished, comfortable, and designed with purpose,” she says.