Avoid These Typical Mistakes in Apartment (2BHK/3BHK) Interior Designing!
Designing the interiors of a 2BHK or 3BHK apartment is an exciting experience, but it can also become overwhelming if not planned properly. Most homeowners get inspired by Instagram décor, Pinterest ideas, or showroom displays — but end up making design mistakes that don’t suit real apartment living. Your home is where you relax, think, work, host, eat, and grow. So, interiors must balance practicality, comfort, and beauty.
A perfectly designed apartment feels spacious, organized, and aesthetically pleasing, even if the carpet area is small. But ignoring key interior principles can make a beautiful apartment feel cramped, cluttered, and uncomfortable. Whether you’re renovating, moving into a new home, or planning a fresh layout, avoiding these typical mistakes is essential to achieving a modern, functional, and stylish apartment. Here are the most common interior designing mistakes made in 2BHK/3BHK apartments — and how you can avoid them.
1. Ignoring Proper Space Planning — The Most Common Mistake
Space is the biggest challenge in most apartments. Without proper planning, even a large 3BHK can look small and disorganized.
Common space planning mistakes include:
Oversized furniture blocking pathways
Not measuring the room size before purchasing items
Wasting corners and vertical spaces
Bad circulation flow between rooms
Poor partition placement
A well-planned apartment uses every inch effectively, creating a sense of openness and easy movement. Consider future needs, family members’ habits, and daily activities when planning layouts.
2. Poor Lighting Choices — Makes Homes Look Dull
Lighting can completely change the mood, openness, and style of your apartment. Many homeowners use the same lighting everywhere, making the space appear flat and lifeless.
Typical lighting mistakes:
Relying only on tube lights or ceiling lights
No task lights in the kitchen or study area
Dark corners due to poor placement
Ignoring natural daylight
Extra-bright white lights that cause eye strain
Combining ambient, task, and accent lighting creates warmth, enhances interior details, and gives the apartment a premium feel.
3. Choosing Style Over Function — A Trend Trap
Trendy décor looks good on social media, but may not work for daily living.
Common examples:
Velvet sofas that attract dust
Open shelves requiring frequent cleaning
Heavy décor pieces occupying essential space
Fragile furniture that doesn’t last
Fancy flooring that is slippery
Style matters, but not at the cost of comfort and practicality. Your apartment must match your lifestyle and usage, not just trends.
4. Underestimating Storage Needs — Leads to Long-Term Clutter
Storage is a major requirement in 2BHK and 3BHK homes. Families often underestimate how much storage they need.
Mistakes to avoid:
No lofts or overhead cabinets
Small wardrobes without compartments
No closed storage in living room
Minimal kitchen storage
Not utilizing vertical walls
Smart modular storage ensures your home stays neat, spacious, and easy to manage.
5. Wrong Furniture Selection — Size Matters
Furniture should complement your apartment, not overpower it.
Common furniture mistakes:
Huge sofa sets in compact living rooms
Dining tables too big for the area
Beds with no storage
Heavy wooden furniture
Buying everything from one store without measuring
Use multi-functional, space-saving furniture to make your home flexible and breathable.
6. Ignoring Colour Psychology — Impacts Mood & Space
Colours influence how large or small a room feels.
Common colour mistakes:
Using too many dark colours in compact spaces
Extremely bright colours that feel overwhelming
Mismatched colours across rooms
Overuse of patterned wallpapers
Neutral, earthy, and pastel tones are perfect for apartments as they make the space appear large, calm, and inviting.
7. Poor Kitchen Planning — Affects Everyday Convenience
Kitchens are high-utility spaces. Poor planning impacts daily life.
Kitchen design mistakes:
Wrong placement of the stove, sink, and fridge
Too many open shelves
No proper chimney or ventilation
Insufficient countertop space
Using materials that stain easily
A well-planned modular kitchen improves efficiency and saves money in the long run.
8. Neglecting Balcony and Utility Areas
Balconies add great value but are often underutilized.
Mistakes include:
Using the balcony only for drying clothes
No seating or greenery
Cluttered utility space
No weather-proofing
A balcony can become your coffee corner, mini garden, or reading space with minimal planning.
9. Ignoring Electrical & Plumbing Planning
These are the backbone of your home’s functionality.
Typical mistakes:
Limited plug points
Wrong switchboard placement
Exposed wiring
Installing fixtures without planning the layout
No waterproofing in wet areas
Revisiting electrical and plumbing later is costly — plan it right the first time.
10. Choosing the Wrong Materials — Beauty Without Durability
Interior materials must be durable and easy to maintain, especially in Indian households.
Mistakes to avoid:
Glossy flooring in the kitchen (slippery)
Porous materials in bathrooms
Weak laminates that peel
Delicate fabrics for the sofa or headboard
Good materials reduce long-term repair costs and enhance the life of your interiors.
11. Poor Ventilation & Natural Light Flow
Ventilation affects air quality, freshness, and hygiene.
Common mistakes:
Blocking windows with furniture
Keeping rooms too closed
Not planning cross-ventilation
Using heavy curtains everywhere
A well-ventilated apartment feels bright, fresh, and spacious.
12. Not Hiring a Professional Interior Designer
Many homeowners rely on carpenters or contractors alone. But designing a functional apartment requires expertise.
A professional designer helps with:
Layout optimization
Material selection
Budget planning
Space-saving ideas
Modern design concepts
Execution supervision
This ensures your home is durable, beautiful, and future-ready.
Conclusion
Apartment interior designing is more than selecting colours, furniture, or décor — it’s about creating a home that supports your lifestyle and reflects your personality. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you build a functional, beautiful, and long-lasting living environment.
If you’re looking for expert help, Bright Arena — the best luxury interior design studio in Hyderabad — specializes in crafting elegant, functional, and customized home interiors. With a focus on creativity, practicality, and premium quality, the team transforms every 2BHK and 3BHK into a stunning masterpiece.
Most Common queries
1. How do I maximize space in a small 2BHK apartment?
Use vertical storage, minimalistic furniture, wall-mounted units, and multi-purpose items like sofa beds or hydraulic beds.
2. Which colours make an apartment look more spacious?
Light shades like beige, ivory, pastel blue, soft grey, and cream make rooms look bigger and brighter.
3. What type of lighting is best for apartments?
A mix of ambient (ceiling), task (kitchen/study), and accent (decorative) lighting creates balance and improves ambience.
4. How can I avoid clutter in a 3BHK home?
Invest in smart storage, use closed cabinets, declutter regularly, and avoid unnecessary décor items.
5. What is the best flooring for apartments?
Vitrified tiles, wooden laminates, and stone-based tiles are durable, stylish, and easy to maintain.
6. Should I go for open shelving in the kitchen?
Open shelves look stylish but attract dust. Prefer closed cabinets for everyday use and open shelves only for décor.
7. How important is ventilation in apartment interiors?
Very important. Good airflow prevents moisture, odours and improves overall freshness.
8. Can a balcony be converted into a functional space?
Yes! You can turn it into a reading nook, mini-garden, coffee corner, or relaxation zone.
9. What furniture is best for compact apartments?
Foldable furniture, wall-mounted desks, hydraulic beds, sofa-cum-beds, and compact dining sets.
10. Should I hire a professional interior designer?
Yes. A designer ensures proper planning, saves cost in the long run, and gives your apartment a well-structured, modern finish.
