Mistake #1: Your lighting and fixtures are outdated.

Look for lighting and modern fixtures that suit a space in size, function, and style. “We wanted the design to reflect a timeless and classic look," says Arterberry of this Austin remodel, "that would stand the test of time and wouldn't feel outdated quickly, while still feeling modern and fresh." This kitchen features neutral tones and refined fixtures that can act as a perfect canvas for more color and accessories as trends take shape.

Mistake #2: Your rugs are too small.

"The home is quintessential Austin with its classic yet contemporary feel," says Arterberry. Her design team decided to use a neutral palette throughout the main level, and the graphic rug enhances the overall aesthetic. Splurge on a generously sized rug for larger areas to tie the room together and create a seamless look. Even the most beautiful rug can look out of place if it doesn't fit properly, giving the impression that you're trying to cut costs. Choose a rug that is large enough to anchor the furniture, ideally allowing the front legs of major pieces to rest on it.

Mistake #3: Your window treatments look cheap.

Thin, plastic blinds or low-quality curtains can detract from the overall look of a room. Invest in quality curtains, blinds, or shades that complement your decor and dress the windows completely.

Mistake #4: Walls are painted in outdated colors.

Millennial pink, tangerine, light yellow, violet, and bright red are out, while more earthy tones are in, like this beautiful statement wall Franklin and team had painted in Shade Grown by Sherwin Williams. It adds a moody vibe that feels rich and modern, albeit farmhouse-inspired.

Mistake #5: Using typographic signs in lieu of artwork.

Rustic typographic signs hint of a farmhouse decor past. "Although once a staple of farmhouse decor, replace typography signs with beautiful artwork that depicts a rural, landscape scene. In addition to being much more chic, these pieces will add a touch of color to an otherwise neutral aesthetic," says Franklin.

Mistake #6: Decor lacks authenticity.

DIY farmhouse decor like the faux-antique window pane with chicken wire or mason jars glued to faux-distressed barn board can scream a little too country. "Instead opt for vintage, antique finds with a rustic flair," says Franklin. Look for a high-quality cream vintage rug; handmade, weathered pottery; and solid wood furniture. "Make a statement and incorporate an authentic, solid wood farmhouse dining table made of exposed wood. These dining tables are typically the star of the space, and will age beautifully over time," adds Franklin.

Mistake #7: Clutter is everywhere.

A well-designed home, no matter what style, feels as good as it looks when the room is clean, comfortable, and clutter-free. Pare down to the basics and then add in warm features, like a rustic console and earthy lamps. For toys and things that always end up where they don't belong, invest in natural baskets and containers that suit your style.

Mistake #8: Your entry gets no love.

First impressions matter. Give your entryway a little love with a wood console table, a modern mirror at eye level, a durable rug, and simple accessories, like a vase with branches, small containers for keys and things, and coffee table books.

Mistake #9: Plants look a little sad or overgrown.

Plants, large and small, can help clean air and bring the outdoors in, ultimately making a room feel alive. Be selective and think about scale. These plants play a subtle yet decorative role in a spare office -- the perfect spot for clear thinking and productivity. Plants to look out for include olive trees, ficus elastica, pilea, snake plants and calathea.

Mistake #10: There is no symmetry and balance.

Multiples like these twin accent chairs add symmetry to a design, making a room feel more balanced. A rug large enough to reach all of the furniture makes a great impact too while adding to the balanced, cozy vibe.

Finally, add personal touches that make your home feel like you (vs. following the latest IG decor playbook). Bring in books you love, art that gives you all the feels, and personal mementos (travel souvenirs, family photos, etc.) to make a house, farmhouse or otherwise, a home.

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Anthropologie Targua Inlay Coffee Table ($1,248)

Inlaid bone has been used to decorate furniture surfaces for centuries and we see why: it adds instant luxury to your space atop a cylindrical brass base.

Pottery Barn Folsom Rectangular Coffee Table ($799)

There's something to be said about the beauty of simplicity. This solid pine wood coffee table is elegant, casual, and practical all at the same time. Try it in your coastal decor.

Anthropologie Brass Starburst Round Coffee Table ($998)

Beaming rays of antique brass on a rosewood base turns this coffee table into a conversation piece.

UO Aria Coffee Table (was $599, on sale $419)

A wavy wood base with a tempered glass adds a creative flair to your living room.

WE Monti Lava Stone Coffee Table ($599)

We love that this organic coffee table, made of lava stone, can be used indoors or out.

CB2 Santoro White Quartz Coffee Table ($1,099)

This statement coffee table has a polished round of solid white quartz over three acacia wood legs. Its timeless look feels super high-end without a crazy price tag.

Rove Concepts Sienna Coffee Table ($1,200 member price, $1,713 retail)

Here's another example of basic but not boring. This pedestal coffee table's soft curves made from concrete anchor your room in refined minimalism.

Etsy Turqueta Coffee Table ($315)

The shipping on this beautiful handmade coffee table will run you about $200 (it's made in Spain) but it will be worth it. This versatile piece will go anywhere in your space, even as you grow out of it.

CB2 Bovisio Square Smoked Glass Coffee Table ($1,500)

This 70s-era coffee table designed by Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini features a grey smoked glass top over tubular legs. CB2 reintroduced the classic design, made in Italy — just like the original.

Anthropologie Swirled Drum Reclaimed Coffee Table ($1,398)

Crafted from naturally fallen trees, the blond wood veneer of this drum coffee table is stunning and adds an organic vibe to your space.

Perigold Magari Kompei Coffee Table ($570)

Who says you need to go round or rectangle? This geometric coffee table shows off the natural warmth of the wood-grain base, topped with a dramatic midnight gray color.

Homary Lift-Top Coffee Table Set with Storage + Ottomans ($760)

This affordable modern coffee table comes with its own ottomans (that stow away underneath) and storage unit, perfect for your small-space needs!

Article Skane Coffee Table ($449)

This indoor-outdoor coffee table may look minimal and light but it's actually made of powder-coated metal. We love the idea of a colorful coffee table too.

Pottery Barn Terry Round Coffee Table ($759)

The cuffed neck and conical base of this solid, kiln-dried wood coffee table stands out as one of a kind.

Article Kera Coffee Table ($699)

Covered in ceramic tiles, this blocky piece is durable, splash-resistant (so you can use outdoors), and quietly demands attention.

Modern Drum Coffee Table In Sintered Stone ($499)

A stone tabletop with a beaded edge adds interesting details that keep this gorgeous coffee table from getting overlooked.

The Novogratz Voler Coffee Table ($106)

We love that you can score a Scandi-style piece like this (made from engineered wood in light oak finish) at an amazing price.

Modern Clear Acrylic Coffee Table ($225)

This transparent acrylic coffee table opens up your space while looking classic and modern. It's perfect for small spaces and works outdoors too.

Triangle Coffee Table, Walnut ($472)

This Noguchi-style coffee table is a design classic, available in walnut and natural finish.

WE Sintra Coffee Table ($349-$748)

Add an edge to your cozy living room with a metal frame in a bronze finish. This set of coffee tables is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory too.

WE Graphic Stripes Coffee Table ($1,449)

We never met a stripe we didn't like, paired with antique brass legs and we're in love.

Etsy Colorful Unlimited Design Coffee Table ($226)

These multi-functional tables come in a bunch of fun colors and can be a round coffee table, a long coffee table, or shelving in one. Take your pick!

Zeke Round Brushed Oatmeal Coffee Table ($400)

Seek a sleek coffee table for your modern decor? These legs posts curve around the table for a clean, minimal but cool design effect. We also like these rounded edge for family-friendly decor. Also available in oval.

Schoolhouse Andy Coffee Table ($849)

This round Saarinen-inspired table has an earthy, satin finish in two woody options on a cast aluminum base.

WE Solstice Coffee Table ($599-$799)

This bestseller is made with raffia over engineered FSC-certified wood (so it has a unique texture) in a water-based whitewash finish. We envision little dinner parties around it.

Blu Dot Circula Small Coffee Table ($895)

For when you want a pop of color in your living room, this sophisticatedly simply table does the trick and comes in a slew of stunning colors.

Hay Tray Coffee Table ($295)

Perfect for hosting, this bestselling coffee table has a removable tray top.

UO Inet Coffee Table ($499)

Looks like a contemporary art piece to us, you? This glass top is easy to clean and perfect for small spaces too.

Grovehill Round Coffee Table by Everly Quinn ($1,050)

This coffee table echoes an era gone by but feels totally modern too. Love the blue hue.

Japandi Round Wood Coffee Table with Rattan Base ($440)

Score an extra shelf for all your coffee table books.

Wendall Coffee Table (was $499, on sale $299)

This eclectic-modern piece features a circular glass top with colorful curved legs.

Juliette Coffee Table ($599)

This circular coffee table has a lift-up top where you can store blankets, books, remotes and more.

Sonali Oval Coffee Table ($1,498)

This sculptural design is functional art and will make a room standout.

Crispin Coffee Table ($499)

A little bit rustic with a whole lot of chic, this tripod table gives your decor a woodsy yet contemporary edge.

Carlo Coffee Table ($800)

This coffee table is a modern take on the farmhouse-inspired style with a leaf-like inlaid chevron pattern.

All Modern Xavier Coffee Table ($610)

This industrial-inspired coffee table has a wooden top on a steel asymmetrical base. So cool.

Derel Coffee Table ($640)

This slate coffee table is super durable with a feminine vibe.

Mid-Century Modern Mini Swing Coffee Table ($112)

Magazine lovers will enjoy the handy storage pocket on this sleek swing coffee table, which is made of environmentally friendly rubber wood. The price is pretty lovable too.

Heavan Coffee Table ($112)

Add just a touch of gold to your small space with this sweet piece.

LAZZO Rattan Coffee Table ($88)

Coffee tables with storage are perfect for clearing clutter instantly. This one has great style and an amazing price!

Check us out on Pinterest for more home favorites, plus decor hacks to upgrade your home!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Christmas Appetizer Ideas

Bacon Pastry Twists with Beer Cheese

While cradling a cocktail in one hand, an easy-to-grab appetizer is essential. These flaky, cheesy bacon twists are both easy and delicious to dunk in a three-cheese beer dip. (via Brit + Co)

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Bites

A red and green holiday treat without sugary sprinkles? Count us in. These phyllo shells are filled with whipped pesto cream cheese and topped with basil and sun-dried tomatoes for some yummy Christmas food. (via Well Plated by Erin)

Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls

These cranberry goat cheese balls are the perfect balance of salty and sweet — a definite crowd-pleaser for any Christmas dinner! (via Chef Genevieve)

Holiday Crostini Trio

Spread avocado, mascarpone, and provolone onto toasted baguette slices for a tasty appetizer, and top away for three versatile holiday food ideas that will please any palate at your holiday party. (via The Baking Fairy)

Honey Almond Baked Brie

Add this this gooey, sweet, and salty baked brie to your Christmas dinner menu and guests will gather around it like it's a fireplace on a cold day. (via The Seasoned Mom)

Christmas Food Ideas For Side Dishes

Sesame Shrimp Pastry Puffs

The seafood lover in your home will be elated to munch on these sweet and umami-rich (thanks to the oyster sauce) sesame shrimps blanketed in buttery puff pastry. You'll definitely want to add this dish to your best Christmas recipes list! (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Sweet Potato Gratin

This savory combination of sage, gruyère cheese, and heavy cream is here to make sweet potato casserole even more indulgent. This is definitely one of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas. (via Brit + Co)

Healthy Butternut Squash Salad

Fill your guests' bellies with the seasonal flavors of butternut squash, apple cider, and pecans. The bacon is just the icing on the cake, so to speak. (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)

Romanesco Christmas Trees with Parmesan "Snow"

Turn Romanesco broccolis into snow-capped trees with just six ingredients in this healthy yet cheesy dish for your next party. (via Brit + Co)

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

Nothing will warm you to your toes quite like a good soup, and whipping one up in the slow cooker can save you time, mess, and energy. This French onion creation is a perennial favorite. (via Brit + Co)

Waffle Iron Latkes

These latkes make the perfect addition to any celebration, and the best part is how easy they are! From an apple butter topping to pomegranate and Greek yogurt, there's something for everyone. (via Brit + Co)

Cornmeal Biscuits with Cheddar, Chives, and Jalapeños

These slightly spicy biscuits are ideal for soaking up all that gravy goodness. (via Brit + Co)

Taco Salad

Okay, you might be thinking, "why in the world would someone serve taco salad at Christmas?" But hear us out – this recipe is full of delicious veggies, and it's just brimming with color. Keep things red and green to stay festive, or go all-out with every color of the rainbow. (via The Girl on Bloor for Brit + Co)

Crispy Leaf Potatoes with Rosemary Butter

If ever there were a bulletproof case for buying a mandoline, it's these potatoes, which are sliced chip-thin, layered upright in a baking dish, and gloriously bathed in salty rosemary butter. (via Rasa Malaysia)

Cozy Pumpkin Curry

If you're looking for vegan Christmas recipes, look no further than this warming, insanely delicious, and seasonal pumpkin curry. Just leave out the fish sauce to make it fully plant-based! (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)

5-Ingredient Christmas Salad

A complicated salad is the last thing you need to worry about when picking out Christmas dinner recipes. This palate-cleansing dish is simply butter lettuce, pomegranate seeds, and a white wine vinaigrette. (via My Kitchen Love)

Main Dish Ideas For A Christmas Feast

If you're tasked with cooking the bird this holiday season, look no further than this foolproof roast turkey recipe. (via Brit + Co)

Beef Short Ribs with Vegetables

Make a statement with a delicious short rib recipe that's cozy, filling, and features an unbelievable wine sauce. Everyone will be talking about it until next Christmas. (via Baldacci Family Vineyards for Brit + Co)

Cranberry Glazed Turkey

Make your turkey extra-special with a delicious cranberry-pomegranate glaze everyone is sure to adore. (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)

Roasted Chicken with Carrots

For a Christmas dinner or otherwise, every home cook needs a roast chicken recipe in their back pocket. Start with this step-by-step recipe, which shows you how to stuff, truss, roast, and baste the bird until juicy and golden brown. (via Simply Recipes)

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Loin with Apple and Rice Stuffing

This dish combines a classic holiday side with a crowd-pleasing main, and it's wrapped in prosciutto for a show-stopping finish. (via Host The Toast)

Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup

Pasta doesn't get enough credit when it comes to holiday recipes, but nothing's cozier than a delicious bowl of warm tortellini. Except tortellini soup, that is! (via Half Baked Harvest for Brit + Co)

Roast Beef Tenderloin with Mushrooms and White Wine Cream Sauce

This melt-in-your-mouth holiday meal is cooked in one pan in under an hour. Sauté mushrooms in an oven-safe skillet, put the beef on top, roast, rest, and make a cheesy, herby cream sauce with the pan drippings. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Turkey Roulade with Apple Cranberry Stuffing

This dish is all about texture, from the crispy bacon coat to the tender turkey in the middle and soft stuffing interior. This is one Christmas dinner recipe you won't want to miss out on. (via Boulder Locavore)

Delicious Christmas Dessert Ideas

Keto Eggnog

Got guests who are committed to the low-carb lifestyle? This keto eggnog is the perfect dessert to serve the carb-conscious. (via Annelies Zijderveld for Brit + Co)

Peppermint Bark

This easy peppermint bark recipe is so simple to make, you'll have plenty of time on your hands for more ambitious endeavors — like cooking the turkey. (via Jessica Smith Wall for Brit + Co)

Holiday Puppy Chow

Your go-to sweet treat gets a festive upgrade when you add in red and green candy! Bonus points if you have a red or green bowl to put it in. (via Brit + Co)

Jacques Torres' Chocolate Chip Cookies

No surprise here: the secret to Torres' high-quality chocolate chip cookies is high quality ingredients, like butter, flour, and chocolate. Letting the dough age for 24 hours and sprinkling it with sea salt at the end doesn't hurt, either. (via Jacques Torres for Brit + Co)

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

When it's your first year hostessing, the simpler you can keep your Christmas dinner recipes, the better. That's why we're huge fans of these 3-ingredient vegan Christmas cookies. (via From Eat Your Feelings by Lindsey Smith for Brit + Co)

Baked Hot Chocolate Donuts

Donuts are an all-purpose treat that can serve as Christmas breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This baked hot chocolate-inspired version doesn't require any special tools to make and is uber delicious. (via Half Baked Harvest for Brit + Co)

Dulce de Leche Cream-Filled Churro Donuts

These six-ingredient donuts, made with biscuit dough, have a cinnamon-y exterior and a rich dulce de leche filling that pairs wonderfully with Mexican hot chocolate. (via Brit + Co)

Eggnog French Toast

Another recipe you can serve as a Christmas dinner or brunch is this sweet French toast. The secret to nailing that 'nog flavor is the nutmeg and vanilla combo. Yum. (via St Pierre Bakery for Brit + Co)

Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa

Give your oven and your plates a break and add this dairy-free hot chocolate to your easy Christmas dinner menu, or enjoy with Christmas waffles! Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, and let the gadget do the rest for you. (via Justina Huddleston for Brit + Co)

Champagne Ice Cream

This egg-free, celebration-worthy holiday dinner idea gets its creaminess from cream cheese and, better yet, its booziness from sparkling wine. (via Brit + Co)

Cinnamon Roll Pecan Pie

We call this pie holiday crack for a reason (or two): the pie crust is made of mini cinnamon rolls and the pecan filling is buttery on the verge of illegal, which definitely makes it one of our favorite holiday dishes. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Spiced Hot Fruit Bake

Hear that? That's a scoop of ice cream begging to top this sweet tray of apple, pear, cranberry, pineapple, and gluten-free dessert. (via Cotter Crunch)