5 Design Mistakes That Make It Harder to Relax at Home

Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary—a place to kick back, relax, and enjoy life. But what if your home is heightening your stress levels? While certain problems, like construction outside your door or noisy neighbors, are out of your hands, the wrong design choices could be inadvertently setting you up for stress. Whether you’re currently renovating your home, giving it a quick refresh, or trying to establish a more calming environment for yourself and your family, try to avoid these five design mistakes that can make it harder to relax at home.

The Wrong Lightbulbs

One of the biggest culprits for making a home feel less relaxing and more stressful is something that has a cheap and easy fix. “I have very strong feelings about lightbulbs,” says interior designer Grey Joyner. “They should be 2700K and no other. If it’s over that, the light turns blue and cool in color, which makes the space seem cold and sterile. Everyone wants that warm glow, as that is what helps you relax and pull your shoulders out of your ears.”

Joyner also advises using the same brand of lightbulbs throughout your home. “I find that when you use different brands throughout the house, they are often inconsistent and uneven in the color they give off—and there is nothing relaxing about that.”

Delicate Design

Another factor that can make your home feel less relaxing is choosing what Joyner calls “high worry level” finishes and materials. If your heart skips a beat every time someone walks across your silk carpet or sits down on the sofa with a glass of cabernet, your worry level is way too high. “If you are someone who likes to entertain and welcome friends and family into your home, embrace the use of performance fabrics,” Joyner says. “There are so many high-quality performance fabric options these days that allow you to create a beautiful look without the stress of worrying about stains.”

Imperfect Installations

According to interior designer Taylor Farrell, hanging anything crooked or not level, like curtain rods, can make it more difficult to relax at home. “If you’re not confident in your hanging abilities, phone a friend or hire someone to help you get these pieces hung correctly,” she says.

On the same note, it’s important to make sure when you’re paying your hard-earned money for a pro installation, that the project is completed to your standards. If something isn’t done correctly or instructions weren’t followed—communicate the error kindly. If not, you’ll always notice that splotch of paint or slightly overlapping wallpaper line with some frustration and regret.

Bad Paint Choices

Paint is a big commitment. The wrong color can make you feel a pang of regret every time you enter a room. “Not testing out your paint colors before painting a whole room is a huge mistake,” Farrell says. “Even though it looked great on someone else’s Instagram post, you might not like the color in your own home. Test multiple colors in the room you intend to paint and sit with them for a few days before selecting the color you want.”

The designer also notes that colors look different at various times of the day, so it’s important to take a look at the paint swatches in the morning, around noon, and at night before committing.  

Uncomfortable Furniture

While that curved, modern sofa could be an ideal choice from an aesthetic standpoint, it might be not be the most practical decision. “If you have pieces that don’t allow you to truly lounge, you will never be able to truly relax and kick back,” interior designer Nicole Hirsch says. “If the space allows, we always like to source plush, deep sofas and sectionals that you just want to melt into. Also, having a coffee table that allows you to kick your feet up on is wonderful to have.”

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you need to forgo that cool and trendy look entirely, but you may want to opt for an accent chair over a sofa. You’ll be happier and far less stressed in the long run if you choose the comfier option for your primary seating source.