17 Things That Are Making Your Home Look Poor And You Should Avoid At All Costs

Ever walked into someone’s home and instantly felt something was off? Small decor choices can make a big difference in how your living space is perceived.

Whether you’re trying to impress guests or simply create a more polished environment for yourself, avoiding certain decorating pitfalls can transform your home from shabby to chic without breaking the bank.

1. Outdated Light Fixtures

Nothing screams “time warp” like those brassy chandeliers from the 80s hanging in your dining room. Lighting sets the mood for your entire space and outdated fixtures can drag down even the most thoughtfully decorated rooms.

Consider replacing them with modern options that complement your style. Even budget-friendly pendant lights from discount stores can instantly elevate your home’s appearance.

2. Exposed Electrical Cords

Imagine walking into a living room where black cords snake across the floor like garden hoses! Tangled wires create visual chaos that screams amateur decorating.

Investing in simple cord concealers, cable clips, or rerouting furniture can eliminate this eyesore. For a polished look, consider cord covers that match your wall color or decorative boxes that hide power strips.

3. Mismatched Furniture Collections

Randomly thrown together furniture pieces without any cohesion create a jumbled, disorganized appearance. Your home shouldn’t look like a clearance section at a thrift store!

While perfect matching sets are outdated too, aim for complementary styles, colors, or materials. Even mixing periods can work when there’s an intentional thread connecting your pieces through color palette or design elements.

4. Cheap-Looking Window Treatments

Flimsy plastic blinds or those generic paper shades scream “temporary living situation.” Windows are like the eyes of your home – they deserve proper framing!

You don’t need custom drapery to look polished. Inexpensive curtains hung properly (close to the ceiling and wide enough) create a luxurious feel. Even basic roller shades look elevated when sized correctly for your windows.

5. Cluttered Countertops

Walking into a kitchen where every inch of counter space is covered with appliances, mail, and random items makes the whole room feel chaotic and cramped.

The secret to an upscale look? Breathing room. Store lesser-used appliances in cabinets. Create designated spots for mail and everyday items. Leaving negative space around the few items you do display makes everything look more intentional.

6. Overstuffed Bookshelves

Cramming every available inch of shelf space with books, trinkets, and photos creates visual noise that cheapens your space. Your shelves shouldn’t resemble a storage unit!

Try the designer’s trick: remove half your items, then arrange what remains with intention. Leave empty spaces between groupings. Stand books both vertically and horizontally, and limit decorative objects to those with personal meaning or visual impact.

7. Pushed-Back Furniture

Shoving all your furniture against the walls creates that dreaded “waiting room effect” – impersonal and awkward. This arrangement screams that you don’t know how to create conversation areas.

Pull seating away from walls to create intimate groupings. Even in small spaces, floating furniture can define areas and make rooms feel purposeful. A thoughtful layout signals that actual living happens in your living room.

8. Unframed Posters

Remember those college days when you tacked posters directly to the wall? That look doesn’t age well into adulthood. Unframed art immediately signals a temporary, unfinished space.

Even inexpensive frames transform poster art into legitimate decor. For a budget solution, try simple document frames from office supply stores or thrift store frames you can repaint. The polished edges make all the difference in perceived value.

9. Visible Carpet Stains

Those mysterious dark spots on your living room carpet tell visitors you’ve given up on maintenance. Nothing says “neglected home” faster than visible floor stains.

If professional cleaning isn’t in the budget, strategic furniture placement or area rugs can cover the worst offenders. For smaller spots, DIY carpet cleaners often work wonders. Remember, clean flooring is fundamental to a well-kept home.

10. Fake Plants Collecting Dust

While artificial greenery has come a long way, those dusty silk arrangements from decades past are dead giveaways of outdated decor. Faded, dusty fake plants scream “I don’t care enough to update.”

If real plants aren’t your thing, invest in high-quality modern faux options. Regular dusting is essential! Better yet, try low-maintenance live plants like pothos or snake plants that thrive with minimal attention.

11. Excessive Throw Pillows

Having to excavate your couch before sitting down is a telltale sign of decor gone wild. When pillows outnumber seating spaces by triple digits, functionality suffers.

Quality over quantity applies perfectly here. Choose fewer, better pillows with interesting textures or patterns that complement your color scheme. A thoughtful arrangement of 2-5 pillows per sofa creates a curated look without overwhelming your furniture.

12. Visible TV Cords

Your sleek flat-screen loses all its sophistication when surrounded by a tangle of exposed wires running down the wall. This technical eyesore instantly cheapens your living space.

Simple cord covers that paint to match your wall color offer an affordable solution. For a more permanent fix, consider in-wall cable management systems. Even bundling cords neatly with cable ties makes a significant visual improvement.

13. Worn-Out Bath Towels

Frayed edges, faded colors, and mysterious stains on bathroom linens instantly downgrade your bathroom from spa-like to gym locker room. Threadbare towels signal neglect, even in an otherwise clean space.

Fresh towels in coordinating colors create an instant bathroom upgrade. They don’t need to be expensive – even budget options look luxurious when they’re new, fluffy, and thoughtfully arranged. Consider this an essential refresh every few years.

14. Outdated Cabinet Hardware

Those shiny brass knobs from the 90s are whispering tales of outdated design choices to everyone who enters your kitchen. Hardware is like jewelry for your cabinets – when it’s dated, everything looks old.

Swapping out drawer pulls and knobs is one of the most affordable yet impactful upgrades you can make. Modern matte black, brushed nickel, or aged brass options can transform your kitchen or bathroom without major renovation costs.

15. Mismatched Dishware Collections

Opening your cabinets to reveal a hodgepodge of promotional mugs, plastic cups from amusement parks, and plates from three different sets creates an impression of disorganization. This kitchen chaos suggests temporary living.

You don’t need expensive china, but a cohesive set of everyday dishes elevates mealtime. Consider donating the mismatched pieces and investing in simple white plates that make food look better and match any decor.

16. Blank Walls

Completely bare walls give off an unloved, temporary vibe – as if you’re just passing through rather than truly living in your space. Empty walls speak volumes about incomplete decorating.

Art doesn’t have to be expensive to make an impact. Family photos in matching frames, vintage posters, or even framed fabric can warm up a room. The key is choosing pieces that reflect your personality and hanging them at appropriate heights.

17. Fluorescent Lighting

Harsh overhead fluorescents cast an unflattering blue-white glow that makes your home feel like an office or hospital. This institutional lighting instantly cheapens your space and makes everyone look sickly.

Layer lighting instead! Combine overhead fixtures, table lamps, and floor lamps with warm-toned bulbs. Even inexpensive paper lanterns or drum shades diffuse light more pleasingly than exposed fluorescent tubes. Your space will feel instantly more welcoming.