1. There's not a potted plant in sight.
Bright green leaves breathe life (literally) into your home—houseplants can purify the air indoors, which can be five times more polluted that outdoor air, reports the EPA. Plus, studies have shown that plopping one in a bare spot can help reduce stress.
2. Your only light source is in the ceiling.
If you rely on recessed pot lights (especially in your kitchen), you might not realize you're still living in the dark. Pot lights don't allow the full amount of brightness to shine from the bulb, so vertical surfaces don't get sufficiently lit. Task lights (like table lamps or under-the-counter lighting) help you actually see what you're doing, and create a truly bright, happy space.
3. The focal point of your bedroom is the TV.
Zoning out in front of the flourscent screen before bed might hamper your ability to drift off to sleep. Plus, one study found that couples who have a television in their room have sex half as often as couples who don't. Now, that doesn't sound very fun.
4. Your entryway is designed to be a "drop-everything-here" zone.
A makeshift mudroom set-up with hooks and bins might sound smart, but feng shui principles hold a clear entryway in high regard. You should be able to open the door all the way without hitting anything (and ideally, without cringing at piles of clutter as soon as you get home).
5. You painted your dining room a cool blue.
Certain blue hues can feel chilly instead of inviting. And some research has found that the color is actually an appetite surpressant. That might sound great if you're looking to drop a few pounds (some dieticians even suggest eating off a blue plate), but not so much at Thanksgiving dinner.
6. Your curtains are hung too low.
Hang drapes from the ceiling, not from the top of your window frame. This way, your room will feel lofty instead of squat, and the curtain rod won't block any smile-inducing nautural light.
7. Every accessory you own is a solid color.
When you choose pillows, throws and wallpaper, don't make the mistake of being matchy-matchy. Mix in different patterns and colors to give your room texture and personality. If you go with solids in the same tone, your design will appear flat and not very energizing.
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7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Decorating
9 Brilliant Ways to Decorate Your TV Wall
