Avoid too much intense color. Make sure you mix colors and try them out. It's always good to do a swatch.

People get trapped in the way things should feel and less focused on the way things should function.

Be judicious with your budget and buy things that are going to last.

To be influenced by a magazine and, say, a Swedish theme, unless it resonates with you, it seems kind of odd and influenced.

People buy things in isolation and don't think of how they work together.

Think of how much furniture you need. What's the best way to have it be functional in a great way? If it's in groups, define it.

Make sure furniture decor has similar scale. It's all about scale, proportion, measuring, being conscious of the overall plan.