Top 5 Design Mistakes That Reduce the Value of Your Home

Mondal Lima
Jul 4
3 min read

Updated: Jul 11

Building your dream home or giving a new touch to an old one can be an exciting journey. But sometimes, some common design mistakes can not only reduce the beauty of the house, but also its market value.

At Chanova Design, we believe that these mistakes can be avoided with proper planning and expert advice.

Today, we will discuss 5 common design mistakes that can reduce the value of your home and how to avoid them.

Split image: Left shows a dimly lit, cluttered living room with dark furniture; right shows a bright, minimalist makeover with white decor.

1. Bad Lighting

If you've met with us in person, you're familiar with a phrase our Principal Designer, Zilia Zhou, often says:

"Lighting is the cheapest luxury you can buy".

Lighting plays a powerful role in shaping the mood and function of a space. Poor lighting—or using just one harsh ceiling fixture—can make a home feel dark, cramped, and uninviting. That’s why we always design with three layers of lighting:

Layer 1: Ambient Lighting

This is your primary light source—usually overhead lighting that provides general illumination. Think ceiling-mounted fixtures, recessed lights, or large pendants. Ambient light sets the overall brightness of the room.

Layer 2: Task Lighting

Task lighting is focused and functional. It’s used where you need extra light for specific activities, like reading lamps, under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, or vanity lights in the bathroom.

Layer 3: Accent Lighting

Accent lighting adds depth and mood. It highlights art, architecture, or focal points in a room. Think wall sconces, picture lights, or LED strips tucked behind furniture.

And of course—Natural Light

Daylight is the best source of lighting. It creates warmth, clarity, and spaciousness like nothing else can. But in Feng Shui, balance matters. Too many windows or overly large openings can lead to an excessive outflow of qi, the vital energy that flows through your home.

Our goal is always to bring in just enough natural light to support your well-being, without letting energy escape.

Room with a table, two chairs, and five labeled lights: "story," "feeling," "knowing," "doing," "changing." A painting hangs on the wall. — Image credit: David Warfel on Houzz

2. Poor Furniture Scale

It is crucial to select furniture that complements the room's size.

Placing oversized furniture in a small room can make the space look cluttered and messy, while putting small furniture in a large room can make it feel empty and incomplete. The wrong size of furniture can disrupt the overall balance of the room and reduce its practicality, potentially contributing to a decrease in your home's value. Customized solutions will help make your room as functional and aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Beige patterned rug labeled "too small" in a room with dark wood floors, a fireplace, and a light-colored wall. — Image credit: Kelly Elko on Sisal Rugs

3. Too many different Finishes and Materials

Consistency is very important in design.

If your wall color, flooring, furniture, and other decorative elements do not match each other, it can look disjointed. The use of excessive patterns, colors, or textures can make the room look chaotic.

This disrupts the room's aesthetics and creates a lack of cohesive design. Chanova Design’s holistic design team can provide you with a cohesive and elegant finish that is both long-lasting and visually appealing.

Bright living room with floral sofas, purple chairs, and a wicker table. Art above a blue-tiled fireplace. Glass doors and plants outside. — Image credit: Hallie Milstein on Sisal Rugs

4. Over-Customization

While it’s good to design according to personal taste, over-customization can reduce the market value of your home. For example, walls that are too bright or unusual in color, a design with a very specific theme, or a structure that only meets your personal needs may not be attractive to the average buyer. If your goal is to sell the home in the future, choose a design that is acceptable to most people.

Collage of vintage interiors featuring plants, furniture, fireplaces, and art. Text highlights key references: "Main Ref.," "General References." — Image credit: Karissa Dwarika on Art Station

5. Ignoring Flow and Functionality

A home design is not only about looking good, it’s also about practicality. If there’s difficulty navigating the house, furniture is obstructed, or the purpose of a room is not clear, the design is flawed.

This will make your daily life difficult and reduce the value of the home. For example, if there isn’t enough seating in the living room or the kitchen layout isn’t practical, it can reduce buyer interest.

Protect your investment with Chanova Design

It is possible to enhance both the beauty and value of your home by avoiding these common mistakes. At Chanova Design, we are committed to making your dreams a reality through quality workmanship, innovative designs, and excellent customer service. Our experienced team provides customized solutions using eco-friendly materials, ensuring fast delivery.

To protect your valuable investment and avoid costly mistakes, we invite you for a consultation. Before you begin your renovation, book today to get advice from our experts! This consultation will guide you in the right direction and ensure that your home design exceeds your expectations and increases its value.

Book your Design Consultation