I’m an interiors stylist and these are the 11 decorating mistakes I’ll never make again, including the sofa colour I wish I’d never chosen

Like most of us, I want my home to look good.

But sometimes, in the pursuit of a perfectly styled interior, practicality gets pushed down my priority list.

That pristine cream sofa might look wonderful in photographs – but what happens when someone (me) spills coffee on it? And that gorgeous freestanding bath? Less glamorous when you realise there is nowhere to put your shampoo and that water escapes easily over the lip. Hello flooded floor.

Here are 11 of the most common impractical choices I have made through the years –  and the clever alternatives that can give you the same look without the headache or faff of changing everything.

Choosing a white sofa for a busy household

A white or pale sofa can instantly make a room feel bigger, brighter and more luxurious. And it feeds perfectly into my dream of having an expensive-looking living room to make the neighbours envious.

But if you have children, pets or simply enjoy eating dinner in front of the television, keeping it pristine can become a full-time job.

Instead: Choose a washable, removable cover or a hard-wearing performance fabric in a mid-tone neutral. You can still achieve that light, sophisticated look without panicking every time someone approaches it with a glass of red wine or bar of chocolate. You don’t even need to buy a new sofa, just new covers.

Installing open shelving everywhere

As a stylist I love open shelving because it creates an airy, uncluttered appearance and allows me to display my collection of vases and objects I have collected over the years.

But it also creates a perfect display area for dust, grease and the collection of mismatched mugs you never quite got around to throwing away.

Instead: Keep open shelving for a small section of the kitchen or living room and use cupboards for the rest. Display only the things you genuinely want people to see.

Putting a rug that is too small in the living room

This is a classic design mistake and one that I have made one too many times. A rug that is too small –  even by a few centimetres- will make an otherwise beautiful room look unfinished.

It can also be a nuisance when furniture legs constantly catch on its edges.

Instead: Go for the biggest rug you can afford. Ideally, the rug should anchor the main seating area, with at least the front legs of sofas and chairs sitting on it.

Installing a huge kitchen island

The kitchen island has become something of a status symbol over the past few years – Meghan and Harry have two!

But bigger isn’t always better.

If you have to squeeze sideways to walk around it, or repeatedly bang your hip against the corner, it isn’t helping the room and will only make a compact room feel even smaller.

Instead: Measure the circulation space before ordering anything. A smaller island –  or even a peninsula –  can provide valuable workspace and storage without turning your kitchen into an obstacle course. Islands on wheels are also good options.

Forgetting where the plug sockets are

This one may sound ridiculous, but electrical sockets are often an afterthought during decorating.

Then the messy looking extension leads appear. No thanks.

Instead: Think about how you actually use each room before finalising furniture positions. Consider lamps, televisions, charging points, desks and kitchen appliances – and make sure sockets are accessible rather than hidden behind enormous pieces of furniture. If it helps, opt for sockets in brass or the same colour as the walls for something that becomes part of the decor. 

Choosing curtains that stop too short

Curtains that barely reach the floor will make windows and the entire room look smaller and less polished.

Instead: Where appropriate, take curtains from close to ceiling height down towards the floor. It can make windows appear taller and create a more finished appearance. If going bespoke, always add a few extra centimetres to be on the safe side. A chic puddling of fabric on the floor will always look luxurious.

Buying furniture before measuring the room  

I have had to turn away several dining tables and beds at the door as I failed to measure the door frame and/or room before ordering them.

Instead: Measure the room, the doorways, staircases and access routes before buying anything. Mark furniture dimensions on the floor with masking tape to get a surprisingly accurate idea of how much space it will occupy. Trust me. 

Having beautiful but impossible-to-clean flooring

Highly-textured materials, deep grout lines and delicate natural materials are stunning, but they also turn cleaning into a punishment. I’m looking at you wooden floors that have yet to be varnished or sealed.

Do this instead: Think about where the flooring is going before choosing it. In hallways and kitchens, prioritise durable, easy-clean surfaces. Save more delicate finishes for rooms where they will be subjected to less wear such as bedrooms. 

Do this instead: Think about where the flooring is going before choosing it. In hallways and kitchens, prioritise durable, easy-clean surfaces. Save more delicate finishes for rooms where they will be subjected to less wear such as bedrooms. 

Creating a bathroom with nowhere to put anything 

Bathrooms may look fantastic when there are no bottles, towels or kids bath toys in sight, but, as I keep reminding myself, we all own things that we need to use on a daily basis. Preferably within arms’ reach

Instead: Build storage into the design. Vanity units, recessed shelving and tall cupboards can hide the everyday clutter while preserving the streamlined appearance. Or opt for a vanity unit in a statement colour to make it stand-out. 

Choosing the wrong material for the wrong area

Just because a material is beautiful and you love it, it doesn’t mean it is the perfect fit for every room.

One common mistake is using luxurious but delicate materials in areas that see heavy daily traffic. Pure silk rugs, for example, can look spectacular in an entranceway or on a staircase – but they are quickly exposed to dirt, marks and constant footfall.

The result is a costly piece that will look worn far sooner than expected.

Instead: Choose materials according to how much use the space gets. A wool and silk blend or high-quality wool rug can provide the same elegant, luxurious feel while offering considerably more durability.

Choosing a freestanding bath without considering the space

Freestanding baths look like the ultimate luxury bathroom feature – but they can quickly become impractical if the room isn’t large enough to accommodate one properly.

A bath that is squeezed too close to a wall, toilet or basin can make the entire bathroom feel cramped, while the awkward gaps around and underneath it can be surprisingly difficult to clean. And if you don’t leave enough space around the bath, you lose the sense of calm, spaciousness that makes the look so appealing in the first place.

Instead: Think about the room as a whole before choosing the bath. Make sure there is comfortable clearance around it and consider how you will actually clean behind and underneath it.

If space is limited, a built-in bath can give you the same luxurious feel while making much better use of the available floor area. You can still create a statement with beautiful brassware, wall panelling or glossy tiles.