If you’re thinking about upgrading a kitchen, bedroom, home office, or any fitted space, a little planning goes a long way. The truth is, most of the problems people have with their homes don’t come from the size of the room, they come from decisions made before understanding how the space is actually used.
Here are five of the most common design mistakes we see, and how to avoid them.
1. Buying furniture before measuring how you actually use the room
It’s easy to fall in love with a piece of furniture online, but if it doesn’t match how you move, cook, work, get ready, or relax, it will quickly become something you work around rather than something that works for you.
The right layout starts with habits:
– Where do you prep food?
– Where do you naturally drop bags and keys?
– Where do papers and chargers land?
– Which areas feel cramped or unused?
Understanding those patterns first ensures the furniture supports your routine rather than intruding on it. It’s the difference between a space that looks good and one that genuinely makes life easier.
2. Ignoring corner solutions (dead space = daily frustration)
Corners are one of the biggest sources of wasted space. When corners are left unused, or fitted with awkward cupboards you can barely reach, they become daily irritations.
Smart corner solutions (such as pull-outs, rotating systems, or bespoke angled cabinetry) can transform these dead zones into some of the most functional parts of a room. Good design makes the entire room work, not just the obvious areas.
3. Too little lighting, especially under cabinets or around desk areas
Lighting is often an afterthought, but it can change the way a room feels and functions more than almost anything else.
Under-cabinet lighting stops shadows falling across worktops.
Task lighting in a home office reduces eye strain and makes long days feel lighter.
Soft ambient lighting gives bedrooms a calm, finished feel.
When lighting is planned properly, the room becomes brighter, more practical, and more comfortable to be in.
4. Storage without categories (looks nice, becomes chaos)
A cupboard that looks spacious on day one can become chaotic in a matter of weeks if it doesn’t reflect what you actually store.
Categorised storage, drawers for small items, pull-out trays for appliances, tall areas for cleaning products, shallow spaces for stationery or paperwork, makes tidying up effortless. Without categories, everything competes for the same space, and clutter always wins.
The best interiors stay organised because they were designed that way.
5. Getting desk thickness or height wrong (comfort + wellbeing)
A home office is only as good as how it feels to work in. If the desk height or depth is wrong, you’ll notice it quickly, in your posture, your shoulders, or simply in how uncomfortable you feel after a long day.
Proper desk dimensions should suit both the person and the tasks they do. When the ergonomics are right, the whole workspace becomes calmer, more productive, and far better for your wellbeing.
Final Thought
Small choices add up.
Each of these mistakes is easy to avoid with the right planning, and when you get them right, the difference in day-to-day living is huge.
At Dragonville Interiors, we design, build, and fit interiors that are made to measure for your home and the way you live in it. If you’d like to chat through an idea or explore what’s possible in your space, we’re always happy to help.
0191 384 0411
Unit 6, Dragonville Industrial Park, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2XJ
