25 decorating mistakes and how to avoid them

9 Not making the front door the focus
When people drive by your house, the front door should be the first thing they see; the garage door should be the last, so paint it a similar colour to that of the house, and paint the front door a complementary colour, so it really stands out.

10 Highlighting wimpy trim and moulding
Everyone thinks they have to highlight their baseboards and trim by painting them white. But if your trim is 3-1/2 inches or smaller, paint it the same colour as the wall, so it blends in; otherwise you'll end up with a racing stripe effect around the room. Another great tip: Painting baseboards, walls and crown moulding the same colour also makes the walls feel higher.

11 Displaying collectibles all over the house
Create big impact by grouping a collection of figurines on a table, or samplers or family photos on one wall. Dotting them all around the house only lends a cluttered look to your decor.

12 Having more than one focal point in a room
Every space needs a focal point, but most people never figure out what that actually is. In the living room, the focal point is either the TV, fireplace or view -- whichever you enjoy most. In the bedroom, it's the headboard; in the bathroom, the vanity area.

13 Creating a lifeless interior
A room needs fresh plants or flowers, whether it's trees, tulips or cacti. Using silk or artificial greenery is fine, but only if you rotate it and make it seasonal. Dusty, outdated-looking floral arrangements make a room appear old and in need of change.

14 Doing it in a day
When you shop for an entire room's decor all at once, it looks like you did it in a day. Plus, everything is matchy, as if you purchased the display from a store front window. Take your time and let your vision, goals, budget and timeline provide you with a layered decorating process -- it's fun to build the look of a room!

15 Hanging cheap drapes
Quality draperies have been a low priority for homeowners in the past few years with the trend toward inexpensive tab-top drapes and drapery rods. While they may be perfect for college dorms and teenagers' rooms, these casual window fashions are rarely a suitable investment for an elegant living or dining room. Tailor-made, custom-fit draperies will never go out of style.

16 Mixing too many wood tones
This rule is a simple one: introduce no more than three different wood stains in a room; that goes for flooring, cabinetry, tables and furnishings. If you've blended furniture pieces, restain some of them in order to create a cohesive look.

Image courtesy of Crate and Barrel