Key Takeaways
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Think your space feels off? The fix usually isn’t more stuff—it’s a smarter approach to styling.
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Too much coordination can make your space feel flat—layer textures, tones and styles for a more collected and personalized look.
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Rugs, furniture, and artwork that are too big or too small can throw off a room’s balance, so remember to measure before you style.
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Combining tactile elements like wood, linen, ceramic and metal brings depth and visual interest to any space.
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Your home should feel like you—curate meaningful pieces, embrace seasonal swaps and let your space evolve over time with help from the pros here at Third & Main.
We’ve all been there: staring at a room that just doesn’t feel right, no matter how many cute pieces you’ve brought home or how many Pinterest boards you’ve studied. The truth is, decorating a space you love isn’t just about picking beautiful things—it’s about knowing how to bring them together in a way that feels intentional, balanced and personal. At Third & Main, we believe great design doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Our curated home decor boxes and shop collections take the guesswork out of seasonal styling, helping you build a home that evolves beautifully over time. But even the most stylish pieces can fall flat if they’re not working with your space. Here are some of the most common decor mistakes we see, along with easy ways to fix them.
Everything Matches Too Perfectly
It’s tempting to play it safe with matching furniture sets, one-color palettes or uniform finishes (and it’s so easy!). Here are some of the most common decor mistakes we see, along with easy ways to fix them.
The fix: Aim for a more layered, collected look. Mix different wood tones, throw in a variety of textures and combine new finds with vintage or handmade pieces. Not only does this add depth, it also makes your space feel more personal and lived-in. Third & Main’s seasonal boxes are a great way to introduce fresh elements that still play well with your existing decor. Our boxes are curated to build on one another, growing your look naturally over time.
Ignoring Scale and Proportion
When something feels off in a space, this is usually the reason why. A tiny rug in a large living room. A massive sofa in a small space. Artwork that’s hung too high or too low. These proportion missteps throw off the entire visual harmony of a room—and it’s more common than you might think.
The fix: Before you buy, measure! A good rule of thumb: Living room rugs should be large enough for at least the front legs of your furniture to sit on. Artwork should typically be hung at eye level, and furniture should feel balanced within the space—not dwarfed or overpowering. If something feels off, try adjusting height, spacing or groupings before replacing pieces entirely.
Poor Lighting
Nothing makes a space feel cold or unfinished like harsh overhead lighting—or worse, just one lonely ceiling fixture trying to do it all.
The fix: Layer your lighting. You want a mix of ambient (overhead), task (think reading lamps or kitchen under-lighting), and accent lighting (candles, sconces or decorative lamps). Warm-toned bulbs can also help create a more inviting mood. Bonus: Many Third & Main boxes include beautiful accent pieces like lanterns or candle holders to help you nail this layered effect effortlessly.
Forgetting About Texture
Color gets a lot of attention, but it’s actually texture that makes a space feel dynamic and inviting. A room filled with smooth, shiny surfaces can feel sterile—even if the pieces are lovely on their own.
The fix: Add contrast through tactile elements. Mix linen with velvet, ceramic with wood, matte finishes with a little bit of shine. Use throws, pillows, woven baskets or sculptural pieces to introduce softness and visual interest. These are exactly the kinds of textural gems that show up in our seasonal boxes—think handwoven bowls, raw wood trays or cozy textiles that bring warmth in an instant.
Pushing All the Furniture Against the Walls
It’s a common assumption that spacing furniture out along the walls makes the room feel bigger. But often, it just makes the space feel empty or disconnected.
The fix: Bring your furniture inward to create cozy, functional zones. Float a sofa or add a couple of chairs around a coffee table to encourage conversation. Even in small spaces, this trick adds purpose and comfort. Rugs can help anchor these zones and define the space in a way that feels intentional, not accidental.
Cluttered or Sparse Styling
Decorating can go wrong in two directions: too much stuff or not enough personality. Overdecorating every surface tends to feel chaotic and cramped, while sparse styling can leave your space feeling unfinished or impersonal.
The fix: Less is more—but it should still feel like you. Focus on creating visual breathing room by curating small groupings of meaningful decor. Try styling surfaces in odd numbers (three to five objects per cluster is a good rule), and mix heights and textures. The best part about the items you get from Third & Main? They’re meant to work together, so styling a shelf or coffee table doesn’t feel like a guessing game.
No Personal Touches
Even a well-decorated room can feel a little cold if it’s missing your personal fingerprint.
The fix: Incorporate items that reflect who you are—family photos in modern frames, travel keepsakes, your favorite books or a meaningful piece of art. These pieces tell your story. And when you pair them with curated decor from Third & Main, your home starts to feel like your version of a magazine-worthy space.
The Bottom Line: It’s About Style with Intention—Not Perfection
Decorating your home doesn’t mean following every trend or filling every corner. It’s about creating a space that feels like you, evolves with the seasons and brings joy to your everyday life. With Third & Main, you don’t have to guess what works together—we’ve done the curating for you! Whether you’re refreshing a room or fine-tuning your finishing touches, our seasonal boxes and shop selections help you avoid common decor pitfalls and build a beautiful, balanced home one small swap at a time. Ready to style smarter? Check out our latest home decor boxes and let the transformation begin—minus the stress.