I asked the lead interior designer at my interior design firm to provide me a list of the most glaring mistakes she sees homeowners make with open concept design. Turns out her list was longer than I expected… fifteen to be precise. I’m sure she could add more but she told me if people avoid these 15, their open concept design will improve dramatically. So many people have open concept homes I thought this was an important list to pass on to readers. It’s in the first person because I’m setting out as if reported by my interior designer.
1. Ignoring Zoning

One big mistake Iโve seen in open concept spaces is not creating distinct zones for different activities. Without defining areas for living, dining, or working, the space can feel chaotic and lack purpose. Instead, I use furniture placement, rugs, or lighting to visually break up the space, giving each zone its own identity while still maintaining the open flow. Creating 2D drawings of your open concept space, even putting pen to paper is a great way to avoid “zoning” issues.
2. Sticking to One Light Source

This open concept space is nice but other than a couple pendant lights over the island and some undershelf lighting, it’s all pot lights. Table and floor lamps are needed. Relying on a single overhead light is a common mistake. In an open concept layout, lighting needs to be layered to define different areas and set the mood. I make sure to add floor lamps, pendant lights, and task lighting to create ambiance and make each area feel distinct and purposeful.
3. Skipping Color Continuity

Too many bold, unrelated colors can make an open concept space feel chaotic. While I love a pop of color, I ensure thereโs a cohesive color palette that flows from one area to the next. This helps create visual harmony and makes the open space feel connected and inviting. This particular exampnle is good because it’s not hideous but it’s not working as well as it could. There’s plenty of natural wood so I believe white or off white furniture would be much better.
4. Not Considering Acoustics

Open spaces can get noisy fast. Iโve seen people overlook this and wonder why their home sounds like an echo chamber. To fix this, I add rugs, curtains, and soft furnishings to absorb sound. It makes the space not only quieter but also more comfortable and intimate. The open concept example above is beautiful but it is definitely a loud space. The rug isn’t particularly good for noise absorption. There are no window treatments. It’s hard surface everywhere.
5. Overcrowding the Space

Itโs easy to over-decorate or fill an open space with too much furniture, which leads to a cluttered, overwhelming feeling. Iโve learned to be intentional about choosing fewer, high-quality pieces that serve multiple functions. This keeps the space feeling open and airy without sacrificing style.ย For the example photo, the space is totally overcrowded with furniture that’s too big. While not an open concept space, it illustrates how bad overcrowding can be.
6. Mismatching Furniture Styles

An open concept space needs a cohesive look, but I often see mismatched furniture styles that create visual confusion. I like to stick to a complementary style across all zones, maybe mixing in a few different textures or materials for interest while maintaining a unified aesthetic. For the example provided, that brown sofa sticks out badly. I’m all for accent pieces but that’s not working as an accent piece. It’s just obnoxious.
7. Neglecting Storage Solutions

In an open concept home, storage is often forgotten, leaving the space looking cluttered. I always incorporate smart storage options, like built-ins or multipurpose furniture, to keep things organized and out of sight, while maintaining the clean, open feel of the room. Notice in the example photo how the built in shelving flanking the fireplace offer some additional storage space, which is huge. it also provides some much-needed texture.
8. Overlooking Traffic Flow

Iโve noticed many people forget to think about how people will move through the space. Poor traffic flow can make an open concept area feel cramped and awkward. I make sure thereโs enough room to easily walk between zones by spacing out furniture and leaving clear pathways. Again, sketching out 2D diagrams when planning your layout can help avoid flow issues.
9. Forgetting the Ceiling

The ceiling is often ignored, but in an open concept space, it can be a powerful design element. I love adding visual interest with beams, lighting fixtures, or even paint. It helps draw the eye upward, making the space feel larger and more cohesive. Check out those beams… they really elevate the open concept space.
10. Failing to Create Focal Points

Iโve seen open spaces that feel scattered because thereโs no clear focal point. Without something to anchor the roomโwhether itโs a fireplace, a statement piece of art, or a large windowโthe space can feel directionless. I always choose a focal point for each zone to give the eyes a place to land, helping the room feel grounded and purposeful. Check out the example living room design – that fireplace is an absolute beauty and anchors the entire open concept space.
11. Not Enough Texture

In an open concept space, flat or uniform textures can make the room feel dull and uninspired. I like to mix in different texturesโlike wood, stone, fabrics, and metalโto add depth and warmth. This layering of textures creates visual interest and makes the space feel more dynamic and inviting. The example for this mistake is an open concept space with the mistake instead of solving it. This open concept space has the bones to be amazing with vaulted ceiling and huge windows and yet it’s so blah because it lacks texture and a variety of materials and furnishings to make it pop.
12. Misplacing Area Rugs

This example space does a great job with rugs and creating designated spaces within the open concept space. The living room is well framed as is the dining area. It’s not overly cluttered. Good flow. It’s done up as an open concept design should be. The fact is, placing rugs that are too small or donโt align with furniture can disrupt the flow of an open concept space. I always ensure that rugs are large enough to anchor furniture groupings, making the areas feel cohesive and defined without chopping up the room into awkward sections.
13. Ignoring Vertical Space

This example is really good because overall it’s a nice space but look at all those large, bare white walls. talk about perfect for some art or tapestry type items to really liven up the decor. The fact is, in large, open rooms, itโs easy to forget about the walls and vertical space. Iโve learned to take advantage of this by adding tall shelves, statement artwork, or floor-to-ceiling curtains. This draws the eye upwards and helps balance the height of the room, making the whole space feel more complete and layered.
15. Placing Large Furniture Pieces Against the Wall

This really only applies to larger spaces. In smaller spaces, the only location for a sofa may be against the wall. Take a look at this example design – there is no reason the sofa should be against the wall. It would look so much better away from the wall. While placing furniture against the wall might seem like this would make the space feel larger, it can actually have the opposite effectโmaking the room feel empty and disconnected. It also leaves the center of the space too open, which can disrupt the flow and functionality of the room. Instead, I like to “float” furniture away from the walls to create more intimate and functional seating areas. By placing sofas or chairs in the middle of the room and using area rugs to anchor them, I can define specific zones for living or dining. This arrangement encourages better conversation flow and makes the space feel more cohesive and cozy without losing the openness of the layout.