10 Design Lessons We Learned the Hard Way

What's the best way to learn something?? The HARD way of course! Designing spaces that feel both beautiful and functional isn’t as easy as it looks. Over the past five years, we’ve had our fair share of triumphs and missteps, each teaching us valuable lessons that we now carry into every project. In this post, we’re sharing the top 10 design lessons we learned the hard way so that you can skip the trial and error and head straight for success!

Lesson 1 - Measure Twice, Buy Once

Underestimating the importance of measurements can lead to costly mistakes. Whether it’s furniture that doesn’t fit through the door, a rug that’s too small for the room, or art and lamps that aren't the right scale, taking precise measurements upfront saves time, money, and frustration. Even as professionals, we don't get it right 100% of the time! 

Lesson Learned: Always double-check dimensions before making any purchase.

Lesson 2 - Sample Paint Colors in Real Light

Paint colors can shift dramatically depending on the lighting in your home. What looks perfect in your sister's home, might not look the same in yours. And what looks great on a tiny swatch in the store might look completely different on your walls. We've made the mistake of relying on someone's suggestion for the "PERFECT" paint color and then realizing it's not perfect in a home filled with windows and natural light. 

Lesson Learned: Test paint swatches on your walls and observe them throughout the day before committing.

Lesson 3 – Don’t Skimp on Lighting

Good lighting can make or break a space. Relying solely on overhead lights leaves rooms feeling flat and uninspired. Lighting is one of our passions - and we LOVE that great options are available at many price points!

Lesson Learned: Layer your lighting with a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to add depth and warmth to your space.

Lesson 4 – Invest in Quality Staples

It’s tempting to save money on larger furniture pieces (because sticker shock on good quality is real), but poor-quality items often end up costing more in the long run when they break or don't wear well.

Lesson Learned: Invest in high-quality foundational pieces like sofas, dining tables, and beds in durable materials and fabrics. They’ll stand the test of time and elevate your space.

Lesson 5 – Re-design a room from the ground up

If you're feeling tired of a space and want a refresh, it's tempting to pursue a band-aid fix with trip to the Target home goods aisle (ahem, not speaking from experience or anything). Adding new accessories on top of bad layout or poorly functioning space or bad paint color really doesn't help in the long run. Wait until budget permits you to fix the bigger issues before adding new, trending accessories.

Lesson Learned: Fix the fundamentals first, and then add the new, fun design accessories you love.

Lesson 6 – Pay Attention to Scale. 

One of our biggest challenges (STILL) is giving proper consideration to the scale of furniture and decor within a space. Have you ever ordered a lamp you love, only to receive it and realize it's tiny? Paying attention to measurements is key. Undersized rugs and artwork are probably the most common design mistakes we encounter. Oversized items can dwarf a room, while too-small pieces make it feel jumbled and empty. 

Lesson Learned: Balance proportions by considering the size of each element in relation to the room and other pieces. 

Lesson 7 – The Power of a Focal Point

Without a clear focal point, a room can feel chaotic and overwhelming. Whether it’s a statement piece of art, or a stunning piece of furniture, every space needs a center of attention.

Lesson Learned: Anchor your design around one standout element and build the rest of the space to complement it.

Lesson 8 – Mix, Don’t Match

Matching everything perfectly might seem safe, but it often leads to spaces that feel one-dimensional. It can be challenging to mix and match patterns and colors, but its worth the extra effort!

Lesson Learned: Mix textures, patterns, and materials to create a layered and dynamic look.

Lesson 9 – Declutter Before You Design

Sometimes you don't need new design, you just need to declutter. We've been known to take every last book, accessory and art piece away and start over by brining them back one at a time. Re-think what you already have in your home and move pieces around before buying more. We love it when clients ask us to incorporate existing pieces into our designs!

Lesson Learned: Start with a clean slate by decluttering and organizing before diving into the design process.

Lesson 10 – Trust the Process

Design isn’t always linear, and not every decision will feel perfect right away. We’ve learned to embrace the journey and allow the process to unfold naturally.

Lesson Learned: Be patient and trust that each step brings you closer to the space of your dreams.

Every mistake we’ve made has taught us something invaluable, and these lessons have shaped the way we approach design today. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or designing your dream home, we hope these insights help you create spaces you love—without the bumps along the way.