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Regret #1: The Wrong Kind of Rug (Spoiler: I’ve Messed This Up Multiple Times)

Rugs are the worst. Full stop. They’re huge, they’re expensive, and they have to play nice with every couch, pillow, and plant in the room. Oh, and buying them online? It’s like gambling—you think you’re getting a soft beige, but it shows up looking like neon sand. For me, rugs are where I’ve made the most “oops” moments. Let’s break ’em down.

The Jute Rug Trap

I saw a jute rug on Instagram once and thought, “That’s it. Boho, natural, cheap—this is my vibe.” I ordered it, dragged it up three flights of stairs (my arms were sore for days), and laid it in our living room. First thing the next morning, I walked to the fridge barefoot… and yelped. That rug was scratchy. Like, “walking on a bunch of dried grass” scratchy.

Don’t get me wrong—jute is tough. It’d be perfect by a front door, where you’re wiping mud off your shoes and never going barefoot. But in a living room? Where I like to curl up on the floor with a book? Nope. We ended up buying a smaller wool rug (a splurge, but worth it) and laying it on top. Suddenly, the space felt cozy again—like I fixed my mistake without having to return a giant rug. Win-win, even if it was a little extra work.

The Slippery Flatweave

Then there was the flatweave phase. I saw one at a home goods store for $50 and thought, “Budget-friendly! Easy to clean! This is genius.” Spoiler: It was not genius. That rug moved everywhere. My cat would run across it, and it’d bunch up like a accordion. I’d trip over it while carrying coffee (thankfully, I didn’t spill—small miracles). I felt like I was rearranging it 10 times a day, which is the opposite of the “low-maintenance home” I keep promising myself.

Pro-Tip: If you love the look of a flatweave (I get it—they’re pretty!), do yourself a favor and buy a good rug pad. Not the cheap rubber ones from the dollar store—those slide even more. Invest in a thick felt pad. Ours was $30, and it changed everything. The rug stays put, it’s softer underfoot, and I don’t have to play “rug Tetris” every time I walk into the room.

The High-Maintenance Tassel

Okay, let’s talk tassels. I bought a rug with long, flowy tassels because it looked so fancy in the store. I thought, “This will make my living room look like a Pinterest post!” And it did—for about a day. Then the tassels got messy. They’d get kicked around, flipped over, and stuck to my dog’s fur. I’d find myself “finger-combing” them before guests came, like I was styling a tiny rug haircut. Once, my partner walked in while I was doing this and said, “Are you… grooming the rug?” I had no answer.

Here’s the thing: A little tassel is fine. But if they’re longer than two inches? Run. My current rug has short, stubby tassels, and I forget they’re even there. No more styling, no more dog fur tangles—just a rug that does its job.

Regret #2: Falling for Uncomfortable “Accent” Seating (Looks Aren’t Everything!)

I’m guilty of this—big time. I’ve bought accent chairs just because they were pretty. Like, “this chair matches my curtains and looks so chic” pretty. But then I’d sit in it, and after 5 minutes, I’d be shifting around like I had a rock in my pocket.

My current couch is a perfect example. It’s a beautiful olive green, and it looks amazing in our living room. But after two hours? My lower back starts yelling at me. We watched Oppenheimer a few weeks ago (that movie is long!), and by the end, I was sitting on a pile of throw pillows, trying not to complain. It’s a small regret, but it taught me a big lesson: Your main furniture needs to be comfortable. You’re not just decorating a museum—you’re decorating a place to live.

And let’s talk about low-back couches. Oh, I wanted one so bad. They look so minimalist and cool on Instagram—everyone’s posting photos of them with a tiny plant and a sleek lamp. But I sat in one once (a fancy Mario Bellini-style one, no less) and it was like sitting on a brick. No head support, no back support—just a pretty box. I’ve seen videos where people “fall back” onto them, and they bounce right off. It’s funny to watch… until you realize you’d have to live with that every day.

What to look for instead? My dream couch is from a Japanese brand called Truck Furniture. I found it while scrolling YouTube at 11 PM (again with the late-night home decor rabbit holes). It’s simple, corduroy, and looks like you could sink into it and never leave. I even watched Japanese reviews—yes, I turned on subtitles—to see how people sat in it. Spoiler: They looked happy. It’s way out of my budget right now, but it’s my goal. A couch that’s both pretty and comfortable? That’s the sweet spot.

Regret #3: The Glass Coffee Table (Looks Clean, Is Actually a Nightmare)

Let’s set the scene: I wanted my living room to feel light and airy. We had a wooden couch, a bunch of plants, and earthy rugs—so I thought a glass coffee table would “balance” it all. It looked great… for the first 24 hours. Then the chaos started.

First, dust. That glass showed every single speck. I’d wipe it down in the morning, and by noon, it looked like a dust bunny convention. Then fingerprints—every time someone set down a glass or touched it, there was a smudge. I felt like I was wiping that table 50 times a day.

And scratches? Oh, don’t get me started. My niece came over, set down a toy car, and dragged it across the glass. Now there’s a tiny scratch that catches the light, and I see it every time I sit on the couch. I became that person who yells, “Use a coaster!” and “Don’t touch the table!” It was stressful—like having a fancy item that I was too scared to use.

Then we switched to a solid wood coffee table. Game. Changer. It’s sturdy, it doesn’t show dust, and if it gets a scratch? I just rub a little wood polish on it, and it fades. Last week, I set a mug down without a coaster (gasp!) and didn’t panic. That’s the freedom of furniture that’s meant to be lived on—not just looked at.

Regret #4: Underestimating the Power of Pleated Curtains (I Was So Wrong)

For years, I avoided pleated curtains. Why? Because I thought they were “fancy.” Like, “only people with custom draperies and a design budget” fancy. I stuck to basic rod-pocket curtains—you know, the ones that slide on the rod and look a little messy no matter how hard you try. They got the job done, but my windows always felt… flat.

Then I saw a friend’s apartment. She had pleated curtains, and her living room looked like it was out of a magazine. The pleats were neat, they hung straight, and the room felt taller—like she’d added a secret upgrade. I asked her how much she spent, and she laughed. “I made them with IKEA curtains and pleating pins!”

Wait, what? I went home, ordered IKEA’s RITVA curtains (they’re $20 a panel—insane) and a ceiling-mounted track. I struggled a little with the drill (pro tip: ask a friend to help if you’re bad at DIY), but when I stepped back? Wow. The curtains looked high-end. The pleats added texture, the room felt bigger, and I kept staring at them like, “Did I really do that?”

You don’t need a ton of money to make your space feel polished. Sometimes it’s just a $5 pack of pleating pins and a little patience. Who knew?

Regret #5: A Haphazard Collection of Plant Pots (My “Indoor Jungle” Looked Like a Garage Sale)

I love plants. Like, “I have 15 of them and keep buying more” love. But for the longest time, my plant collection looked like a mess. I had a terracotta pot here, a bright blue one there, a plastic one that was peeling—all mixed together. I’d scroll Pinterest and see these beautiful plant corners, all matching pots, and think, “How do they do that? My plants look like they’re having a yard sale.”

Turns out, the secret is cohesive pottery. It doesn’t mean every pot has to be identical—just that they “talk” to each other. Let me break it down:

Similar Material: I tried grouping my plants in all terracotta pots once. Suddenly, my windowsill looked intentional, not chaotic. No more clashing colors—just warm, earthy pots that let the plants shine.

Consistent Color: If you’re not into terracotta, stick to neutrals. White, black, beige—they go with everything. My friend uses all black pots, and her plants look like they’re in a modern art exhibit.

Shared Style: Maybe all your pots are round, or all have a matte finish. Small similarities make a big difference.

I learned this the hard way when I had a photo shoot for my blog. I wanted my plants to look nice, so I ran to the store and bought a bunch of Hasami porcelain pots—simple, white, and all the same shape. I repotted my succulents the night before (I may have stayed up until midnight, covered in dirt), and the next morning? They looked amazing. Organized, intentional, and like I’d actually planned it. Now, I think of my pots as a collection—not just random containers. My indoor jungle finally feels like part of the decor, not a afterthought.

Regret #6: Not Choosing the Right Bedding Material (Sleeping Hot vs. Sleeping Cool—A Relationship Saver)

This one’s personal. My partner, Chris, sleeps hot. Like, “he kicks off the covers at 2 AM and complains it’s too warm” hot. I sleep cool—“I need two blankets even in summer” cool. For years, we fought over the sheets. I’d be bundled up, he’d be sweating, and we’d both wake up grumpy. We blamed the comforter, we blamed the thermostat… turns out, it was the sheets.

We finally tried 100% linen bedding. I was skeptical—linen wrinkles, right? But oh my gosh. It changed everything. Linen is like a magic fabric: it’s breathable, so Chris doesn’t sweat through the night, but it’s still warm enough that I don’t need 10 blankets. We both wake up feeling rested now—no more middle-of-the-night blanket wars.

Here’s the thing: Bedding is not the place to skimp. Whether you’re a hot sleeper (try percale cotton!) or a cold one (brushed flannel is your friend), the right fabric makes a huge difference. It’s a small detail, but it affects every single night of your life. Trust me—your back (and your relationship) will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I get asked these all the time—so let’s break ’em down like we’re chatting over coffee.

Q: Are jute rugs a bad idea for every room?

A: Oh, totally not! Jute is tough as nails—great for entryways, mudrooms, or even under a dining table (where you’re not walking barefoot). My regret was putting it in the living room, where comfort matters most. If you need something durable for a high-traffic spot? Jute is perfect. Just skip it where you’re barefoot.

Q: How can I make my curtains look more high-end on a budget?

A: My go-to hack? IKEA curtains + pleating pins + a ceiling track. Grab IKEA’s RITVA curtains (they’re cheap and come in neutral colors) and their VIDGA track. Hang the track from the ceiling (not the top of the window!) and use pleating pins to create those fancy folds. It takes 30 minutes, and suddenly your curtains look like they cost hundreds. Oh, and hang them wide—wider than the window frame. It makes the window look bigger, and lets in more light. Win-win.

Q: What’s a good alternative to a glass coffee table?

A: Wood is my favorite—warm, durable, and it hides dust. I have a oak one now, and I love it. If you want something different, stone or marble works (just be careful—they’re porous, so use coasters!). Or try an upholstered ottoman! Put a tray on top for drinks, and you’ve got extra seating and a coffee table. My sister has one, and it’s perfect for her kids—no more worrying about scratches.

Q: Is a sectional couch a decorating mistake?

A: Are you kidding? Sectionals are the best for families or anyone who likes to lounge. My cousin has one, and we all pile on it for movie nights—popcorn, blankets, the whole deal. Some designers hate them, but who cares? It’s your space. If you want flexibility, get a sectional with a movable ottoman—you can rearrange it if you have guests. The key is to buy what works for your lifestyle, not what looks good on Instagram. Trust me—comfort beats “chic” every time.

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