Decorating Mistakes Even Design Lovers Make

You've found the perfect picture, paired it with the perfect frame, and now it's time to hang it at the perfect height. The center of the image should be at eye height, around 57 or 58 inches — lower than most people expect. If you're putting up a gallery wall, you not only need to be thoughtful with the height of the image but also the layout. Take care to mock up where each picture will go before you start putting nails in the wall.

With a bucket of paint, you can do many a wonderful thing to a wall. You can also do many a horrible thing. Stencils, brushes, and the like have their place, but be careful not to gild the lily. In other words, keep decorative paint elements simple. That mural or stenciled design should enhance the room, not dominate it. And leave the sponge painting in the '80s. Period.