Design Blunders

We're not talking grave lapses in taste, like plastic-covered sofas, avocado-colored fridges or anything resembling a doily. We just mean the little blunders. Think: harsh overhead lighting, behemoth TVs masquerading as "art," or oversized sectionals crowding tiny rooms.
Awkward? Yep. Fixable? You bet. Read on to find out how.
Mistake #1: Unlivable Space
The Problem: If you can't enjoy your room then no one else can.
The Solution: Ease up about using that white linen chair because your afraid to get it dirty.  If it can't be used then why own it.  It's not a museum is it?
Mistake #2: Furniture that Needs a Crash Diet
The Problem: Whether it's the dining room table crammed into the breakfast nook or the jumbo sectional shoehorned into the too-small den, disproportionately scaled furniture can wreck a room.
The Solution: If it feels awkward, it is. As soon as possible, replace the offending item with a smaller-scale piece. In the meantime, keep the rest of the room as stripped-down as possible to avoid claustrophobia. Measure the room, and carry the dimensions with you. That way, the next piece you buy will be perfectly sized.
Mistake #3: Regrettable Paint Choices
The Problem: That awesome mint green paint chip turned pea soup once it hit the wall, but you've been reluctant to repaint. Maybe you consider painting to be the lowest depth of human misery, or maybe you were just hoping it'd grow on you.
The Solution: Trust us -- it's not growing on anyone. And life is too short to live with a room you don't like. Repainting is the only way out. But relax -- this is a single-day project. Once the hideous color is gone, the healing can begin.
Mistake# 4: Not Knowing When to Say "When"
The Problem: Coco Chanel once famously said that before a woman leaves the house, she should take off one thing. The same principle applies to your home, where editing is key. Unless you're a hardcore minimalist, you've probably got too much stuff.
The Solution: Removing just one object -- a vase, a picture frame -- will make the remaining items stand out. And cycling items in and out of decor rotation will ensure that all of your best-loved pieces get a chance to show off.
Mistake #5: Sticking to a Single Design Era
The Problem: Unless you live in a mid-century Swedish design museum or on the set of "Mad Men," variety is the spice of life.
The Solution: It's always a good idea to mix and match pieces from different eras. Think: an industrial-modern lamp next to an overstuffed couch. Otherwise, a space can look stage-y and unnatural.
Mistake #6: The Super-Sized TV
The Problem: As TVs grow increasingly ginormous, they can dwarf your space, making it look like a cramped bachelor pad.
The Solution: There's nothing you can do once a too-big TV is already crammed into a regular-sized room, but there are ways to minimize the awkwardness. First, make sure your TV has company and isn't starkly placed against the wall. Put it in the recessed area of a fireplace or built-in shelving space, on top of a console table, or even surround it with like-colored picture frames.
Mistake # 7: Bad Lighting
The Problem: The worst offenders include glaring overhead lighting and the unflattering old-school fluorescent bulbs that make your bathroom look like something from an '80s horror flick.
The Solution: Use soft white bulbs and dimmer switches for your overhead lights. And make sure your CFL bulbs are marked "warm white."

Article from the Nest.