According to the specialists at the National Home Show held earlier this year, homeowners innocently commit these mistakes when decorating their home. Here are the top design disasters, as they see them - and how to fix them:

- Purchase first - measure last. Do not order furniture based on a floor plan; exist in the space first.
- Is that a throw rug? Area rugs must have 12-16 inches of flooring around them. The furniture must sit on the rug. The carpet must not appear to float in the room.
- Pale wall colors. A big room needs depth, chiefly if you’re deciding a color to flow throughout the house. Pick a shade somewhat darker than you will normally choose for a small room.
- No headboard. The bed is the focal point; if you do not have a headboard to anchor it, hang artwork or paint the wall after the bed in a dramatic color to add interest.
- Don’t love it? Then leave it. Get rid of or refinish something you do not love. Don’t think you’ll grow to like it.