We all love to personalize our living spaces, but sometimes, our enthusiasm for decor can get out of hand. Over-decorating not only clutters your home but can also make it feel chaotic and unwelcoming. If you’re wondering whether you’ve gone overboard with your decorating, here are seven telltale signs that it’s time to simplify your space.

1. Mismatched Styles Everywhere

One of the clearest indicators of over-decorating is a lack of cohesion in your decor. When you walk into a room, does it feel like a hodgepodge of different styles? While eclectic design can be charming, too many conflicting elements can create visual chaos.

If your rustic farmhouse coffee table is competing with your ultra-modern lamp and your bohemian throw pillows, it might be time to reassess. Try to establish a more cohesive theme or color palette for each room. This doesn’t mean everything has to match perfectly, but there should be a sense of harmony among your decor pieces.

2. No Empty Surfaces

Take a look around your home. Are all your surfaces – tables, shelves, countertops – completely covered with decorative items? While it’s natural to want to display your favorite things, having no empty space can make a room feel cluttered and overwhelming.

Remember, negative space is an important design element. It gives the eye a place to rest and can make your decor pieces stand out more. Try removing a few items from each surface and see how it changes the feel of the room. You might be surprised at how much more spacious and serene it feels.

3. Difficulty Moving Around

If you find yourself constantly bumping into furniture or having to navigate around decorative items, it’s a clear sign you’ve over-decorated. Your home should be functional as well as beautiful.

Ensure there are clear pathways through each room and that furniture is arranged in a way that facilitates movement. Consider removing some larger pieces if the room feels cramped. Remember, less is often more when it comes to furniture and decor.

4. Seasonal Decor Overstay

Do you still have Christmas lights up in July? Or are Halloween decorations lingering well into the new year? While seasonal decorating can be fun, leaving these items up long past their relevant season is a common over-decorating mistake.

Not only does this make your home feel cluttered, but it can also make it seem like you’re not paying attention to your space. Try to be diligent about putting away seasonal decor once the holiday or season has passed. This will make bringing them out next year feel special again.

5. Constant Decor Shopping

If you find yourself buying new decorative items every time you go shopping, it might be a sign that you’re over-decorating. While it’s fun to refresh your decor occasionally, constantly adding new items without removing others can lead to clutter.

Before buying something new, ask yourself if you really need it and where it will go in your home. Consider implementing a “one in, one out” rule – for every new item you bring in, remove an old one.

6. Visual Overwhelm

When you enter a room in your home, do your eyes know where to focus? Or do they dart around, unsure where to land? If it’s the latter, you might be dealing with visual overwhelm – a common result of over-decorating.

A well-designed room should have a clear focal point, whether it’s a piece of artwork, a fireplace, or a beautiful view. If everything is competing for attention, try simplifying. Remove some items and arrange what’s left to create a clear visual hierarchy in the room.

7. Feedback from Others

Sometimes, we become so accustomed to our own spaces that we don’t notice when they’ve become overly cluttered or busy. If guests or family members have commented on the amount of “stuff” in your home, it might be time to take a step back and reassess.

While your home should ultimately reflect your personal style, it’s worth considering outside perspectives. They might notice things you’ve become blind to in your day-to-day life.