Top Decor Myths You Don’t Need to Follow: Create a Home That’s Uniquely You

Creating a home that feels both welcoming and uniquely yours can be a fun, creative process. It’s an opportunity to experiment with colors, styles, and textures to craft a space that speaks to your personality. However, when you’re knee-deep in Pinterest boards, interior design magazines, and social media trends, it’s easy to get caught up in common decor myths. These myths can often limit your choices, stifle your creativity, and make you second-guess your instincts.

It’s time to set the record straight. Here are the top decor myths you don’t need to follow, plus helpful tips for how to create a space that truly reflects your personal style.

1. Avoid Dark Colors to Keep a Room from Feeling Small

One of the most common myths in interior design is that dark colors make a room feel cramped and closed off. Many people shy away from deep hues like navy, charcoal, or forest green because they believe these tones will make their space feel smaller. But the reality is, that dark colors can have the opposite effect when used thoughtfully.

• Create Depth, Not Clutter: Dark shades can add dimension and depth to a room. When done right, they can make a space feel more intimate, cozy, and even expansive. For example, a deep blue accent wall can visually recede, making the room feel larger, not smaller.

• Balance with Light Accents: The key is contrast. If you pair dark walls with lighter furniture, throw pillows, and decorative accessories, you’ll balance the space and keep it feeling airy. Mirrors are also a great tool for reflecting light and making the room feel more open.

• Lighting is Key: If you’re still worried about the darkness, you can incorporate ambient lighting through lamps or even LED strips. Accent lighting can highlight focal points like artwork, plants, or shelves, and help illuminate darker corners without feeling overwhelming.

So, don’t be afraid to embrace dark hues in your home. They’re not the enemy—they can elevate your space with elegance and a cozy vibe that light colors alone can’t always provide.

2. Always Follow the Latest Trends

The allure of trendy home decor is strong. Who doesn’t love browsing through the latest issue of Elle Decor or scrolling through Instagram and seeing the most current trends splashed across the screen? However, it’s important to remember that trends are fleeting. Just as quickly as they appear, they fade away.

• Choose Timeless Over Trendy: While it’s tempting to decorate your home with the latest color palettes or furniture styles, it’s better to invest in timeless pieces that you truly love. Opt for decor that suits your taste and lifestyle, rather than trying to create a space based purely on what’s popular right now.

• Make It Personal: Decorating your home with trendy items can sometimes leave you with a space that feels impersonal or forced. Instead of focusing solely on what’s trending, spend time curating a collection of decor that has meaning to you—whether that’s vintage pieces, hand-crafted items, or sentimental accessories.

• A Modern Yet Neutral Base: If you do want to incorporate trendy items into your home, do so sparingly. Keep the major elements like walls, flooring, and large furniture pieces neutral and timeless, and then accessorize with trendy accents. This way, you can update the look of your space without overcommitting to fleeting trends.

Your home should be a reflection of your personality, not just a temporary snapshot of the latest trend. So, while it’s fun to keep your space fresh with small trendy touches, don’t forget that lasting appeal often comes from what you love—not what’s currently in vogue.

3. Minimalism Means Empty Spaces

Minimalism has gained significant popularity over the years, and while many people associate it with stark, empty rooms, this interpretation is far from the true essence of the design philosophy. True minimalism isn’t about having nothing in a room; it’s about making intentional choices and eliminating excess.

• Intentional Design Over Empty Space: The idea behind minimalism is to keep only the items that serve a purpose or bring you joy. Instead of focusing on emptying your space, focus on curating pieces that are functional and meaningful. It’s not about empty shelves or barren walls; it’s about choosing what belongs in your home with intention.

• Create Warmth with Thoughtful Items: A minimalist space should feel warm and welcoming, not cold and empty. To achieve this, choose a few key pieces that not only look beautiful but also serve a practical purpose. This can include stylish storage pieces, a well-placed rug, or a carefully chosen accent chair.

• Embrace Simplicity, Not Sterility: Minimalism allows you to simplify your surroundings, but it doesn’t mean sacrificing personality or comfort. You can have a space that feels open and airy while still being functional, cozy, and full of character. The key is balance—don't strip your space of life, just edit it down to what’s essential and what makes you happy.

Minimalism is about thoughtful organization and eliminating clutter—not eliminating personality from your home. By curating your belongings carefully, you’ll create a space that feels spacious and serene without feeling empty or lifeless.

4. Matching Furniture is a Must for Cohesion

Another common misconception in home design is the need for everything to match perfectly. While matching sets of furniture may look uniform, they can often feel sterile or impersonal. A truly cohesive space doesn’t require every piece of furniture to be identical; in fact, mixing and matching styles can often create a more dynamic and visually interesting room.

• Mix Styles for a Unique Look: Don’t be afraid to combine vintage pieces with modern furnishings, or to pair soft, neutral tones with bold accents. Mixing textures, colors, and materials can add character to your space and make it feel more curated and eclectic.

• Find Harmony, Not Uniformity: Instead of aiming for everything to match exactly, focus on finding a common thread that ties your pieces together. This could be a color palette, a material (like wood or metal), or a design motif that repeats throughout the room. This approach will allow you to create harmony without relying on identical pieces.

• Experiment with Proportions: Playing with proportions can also add visual interest. If your couch is sleek and modern, try adding a traditional armchair or an oversized coffee table. The contrast in size and style can actually help the room feel more balanced and dynamic.

5. Small Spaces Need to Be Filled to Feel Comfortable

Many people believe that small rooms need to be packed with furniture and decor to feel “full” and comfortable. However, overcrowding a small space can make it feel even more cramped and cluttered. Instead, focus on maximizing the function and flow of your space.

• Embrace the Open Layout: In smaller rooms, less is often more. By keeping the layout open and selecting just a few key pieces, you’ll help the room feel more expansive and breathable. Opt for multi-functional furniture, like a sofa that doubles as a bed or a dining table that folds down when not in use.

• Play with Vertical Space: Don’t forget about your walls! Utilize vertical space with shelves or tall furniture to draw the eye upward, giving the illusion of height. This makes the room feel less cramped and more expansive without adding unnecessary bulk.

• Quality Over Quantity: Choose furniture that fits the scale of your room, opting for pieces that are proportional to the space. A large sectional might overwhelm a small living room, while a sleek loveseat or a couple of well-placed armchairs will keep the area feeling open and comfortable.

Final Thoughts: Decor Your Way

At the end of the day, your home should reflect your tastes and your lifestyle, not just the latest trends or myths you’ve heard. The key to a truly stylish space is creating a room that feels personal, balanced, and tailored to your needs.

So, next time you’re redecorating or designing a new room, don’t be afraid to break free from these common decor myths. Embrace dark colors, experiment with mixing styles, and build a space that speaks to you—not to what’s “supposed” to be trendy. Your home is your sanctuary—make it a place that’s as unique as you are.