Unless you're a seasoned interior designer with decades of experience, chances are you've made a decorating faux pas or two. Maybe you purchased a sofa without measuring it first or hung a pendant light too high (hello, unflattering under-eye bags). Thankfully, it only takes a quick fix to make these nine common decorating mistakes just right.

1. Not making your bed

Decorating starts as soon as you place two feet on the floor every morning. Making your bed will make your entire home feel more pulled together and give you a sense of accomplishment — even if there are still dishes in the sink. On that note, pop those dishes in the dishwasher.

2. Not fluffing your pillows

Don't let your pillows become a sad, deflated mess. A well-fluffed pillow is a sight to behold. Are you from the "life is too short to fluff pillows" school of thought? Then opt for synthetic fillings instead of down. They keep their shape longer.

3. Leaving drapes too long

We all know curtains should touch the floor, but unless you're Marie Antoinette and your drapes are made of pure silk, there shouldn't be too much glamorous puddling of extra fabric. Aim to have your curtains hit half an inch from the floor. Have your drapes hemmed at the dry cleaners or do it yourself with your sewing machine or iron-on hem tape.

4. Having too many knickknacks

When our living spaces feel off, our first instinct is to inject it with more, better, newer stuff. What we should probably be doing instead is editing. There's no need to go minimalist, but curating your knickknacks will keep you from looking like a hoarder. If there isn't space for more than a few treasures on a table or shelf, it's time to purge.

5. Letting a rug float

Don't be ashamed if that kilim rug you scored at the flea market is too small for your room. If you're stuck with a small rug, ground it by placing it under furniture, whether under your coffee table or one foot of your sofa. Just don't let it fly solo in the middle of your room. If it still looks off, trick the eye by layering a larger inexpensive natural weave rug underneath. That's one of the many tricks interior stylists swear by.

6. Having too little light

As soon as the sun sets, lighting becomes the most important decorating element in a room, but having only a ceiling light tends to make people look tired and sad. Give every room in your house a quick makeover simply by adding various sources of light: indirect lamps and task lighting, as well as overhead lighting.

7. Hanging frames too high

Hanging art too high is a big no-no. Pictures, photos and should be hung 8 to 10 inches above furniture, and around 5 feet from the floor. This will keep it at the right eye line for an average-height viewer and will keep your guests from breaking their necks trying to admire your latest acquisition.

8. Copying someone else's style

We're all inspired by magazine layouts or our friends' color combinations or grouping of fabrics, but don't make your home a carbon copy. Instead, take that inspiration and make it your own. Borrow a few items from elsewhere, then inject the rest of the room with your own personality and style.

9. Pushing your furniture to the walls

Whether your space is cavernous or tiny, never push all of your furniture out to the walls. Any room will seem larger and more inviting if there are at least 2 to 3 inches of space between your walls and your furniture. Play around with your floor plan, and try floating a sofa or even a chair.

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