- Divya Jain Interiors
- 27 November, 2025
Top 10 Interior Design Mistakes Pune Homeowners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
"We should have spent more on the
kitchen plywood. It's warping after just 18 months."
"The TV unit looked great in the 3D
design, but now our 65-inch TV doesn't fit."
"We changed our mind about the
kitchen layout after work started. It added ₹80,000 to the budget."
After completing 450+ projects at Divya
Jain Interiors, we've seen these mistakes—and fixed many of them.
Some cost money. Some cost time. Some cost both.
The good news? Every single one is
completely avoidable.
Let me share the 10 most common mistakes
we see, so you don't repeat them.
Mistake #1: Choosing Designer Based on Lowest Quote
What Happens:
You get three quotes:
●
Designer A: ₹18.5L
●
Designer B: ₹16.2L
●
Designer C: ₹14.8L
You choose Designer C to "save
money."
The Reality:
Why it was cheaper:
●
ISI 303 plywood (not BWR—will warp
in Pune's monsoon)
●
Basic hardware (starts failing
within 12 months)
●
Thinner laminates (scratches
easily)
●
Less experienced team (more
errors, delays)
●
Hidden costs emerge later
("oh, that's extra")
What actually happens:
●
Year 2: Kitchen drawer channels
need replacement (₹25,000)
●
Year 3: Wardrobe near window is
warping (₹80,000 to rebuild)
●
Year 4: You're doing the
renovation you tried to avoid
●
Real cost: ₹14.8L + ₹1.5-2L in
fixes = ₹16.3-16.8L
The Smart Approach:
Compare itemized quotes:
●
What grade plywood? (BWR minimum
for Pune)
●
Which hardware brand? (Ebco/Hafele
vs generic)
●
Warranty terms? (2 years
workmanship minimum)
●
What's included vs excluded?
The right quote might be ₹1-2L higher
but saves ₹3-5L long-term.
Understanding transparent pricing is core
to our
approach.
Mistake #2: Not Getting Design 100% Right Before Execution
What Happens:
You approve 3D designs quickly (excited
to start).
Week 3 of execution: "Actually,
can we move that wardrobe to the other wall?"
The Reality:
Changes after execution starts:
|
Change |
During
Design (Free) |
After
Work Starts |
|
Move wardrobe location |
₹0 |
₹15,000-25,000 |
|
Change kitchen layout |
₹0 |
₹30,000-60,000 |
|
Add electrical point |
₹0 |
₹2,500-4,000 |
|
Change laminate color |
₹0 |
₹8,000-20,000 |
|
Resize furniture |
₹0 |
₹12,000-25,000 |
Three "small" mid-execution
changes = ₹40,000-80,000 wasted
The Smart Approach:
●
Spend 4-6 weeks perfecting 3D
designs (not 2 weeks rushing)
●
Physically mark furniture
positions in apartment with tape
●
Sit in rooms visualizing daily
life
●
Ask "what if" questions
before approving
●
Get spouse/family 100% on board
before execution
Two extra weeks in design saves months
of regret.
This is why our
process emphasizes design finalization before execution.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Pune's Monsoon Reality
What Happens:
Designer says: "ISI 303 plywood is
fine, used it in 100 projects."
You think: "Okay, must be
good."
The Reality:
ISI 303 plywood in Pune:
●
Month 6 (first monsoon): Kitchen
cabinet near sink shows slight swelling
●
Month 18 (second monsoon):
Wardrobe touching external wall has musty smell
●
Month 30 (third monsoon): Base
cabinets visibly warped, shutters won't close
●
Month 42: Full kitchen base
cabinet replacement needed (₹1.2-1.8L)
Why it fails:
ISI 303 is "moderate" moisture resistant. Pune needs "high"
or "superior."
The Smart Approach:
Mandatory for Pune:
●
Kitchen: BWR 710 minimum,
BWP/Marine for under-sink
●
Bathrooms: Marine grade plywood
●
Bedrooms touching external walls:
BWR minimum
●
All furniture: Anti-fungal
treatment
Cost difference:
●
ISI 303: ₹2,000/sheet
●
BWR 710: ₹2,400/sheet (₹400 more)
●
For 3BHK (40 sheets): ₹16,000
total premium
That ₹16,000 prevents ₹1-2L
replacement in 3-4 years.
See comprehensive moisture protection in
our monsoon-proof
design guide.
Mistake #4: Over-Investing in Low-Impact Areas
What Happens:
You spend ₹1.2L on guest bedroom (used 20
days/year).
You skimp on master bedroom to stay in
budget.
The Reality:
Where you actually spend time:
●
Master bedroom: 8 hours daily
(3,000 hours/year)
●
Kitchen: 2-3 hours daily (900
hours/year)
●
Living room: 3-4 hours daily
(1,200 hours/year)
●
Guest bedroom: 2-3 hours daily...
for 20 days (50 hours/year)
ROI on investment:
●
₹1L on master bedroom: ₹33/hour of
enjoyment
●
₹1.2L on guest bedroom:
₹2,400/hour of use
The Smart Approach:
Invest heavily:
●
Master bedroom (where you sleep,
dress, relax)
●
Kitchen (daily meal prep, family time)
●
Living room (daily living,
entertaining)
Invest moderately:
●
Kids' bedrooms (will redecorate as
they grow)
●
Study/home office (functional over
fancy)
Invest minimally:
●
Guest bedroom (Murphy bed + dual
purpose)
●
Utility/storage areas
●
Spaces you rarely use
Result:
Better daily life for same budget.
Mistake #5: Not Planning for Future Needs
What Happens:
You design for today, not thinking ahead
5 years.
The Reality:
Common scenarios:
Newlyweds (no kids yet):
●
Design: Two equal bedrooms
●
Reality in 3 years: Need nursery,
no dedicated office space
●
Fix: ₹60,000-1L to reconfigure
Working couple:
●
Design: No home office provisions
●
Reality post-COVID: Both WFH 3
days/week
●
Fix: ₹40,000-80,000 to add proper
workspace
Growing family:
●
Design: Standard wardrobes
●
Reality in 5 years: Kids'
clothes/toys doubled
●
Fix: ₹80,000-1.2L for additional
storage
The Smart Approach:
Ask yourself:
●
Where will we be in 5 years?
●
Are we planning kids? (Need
nursery space)
●
Will we WFH? (Need dedicated
office)
●
Aging parents moving in? (Accessibility
considerations)
●
Hobbies requiring space? (Music
room, art studio)
Design flexibility:
●
Modular furniture (reconfigurable)
●
Neutral color schemes (easy to
update)
●
Extra electrical points (future
needs)
●
Flexible room definitions
(guest/office combo)
Mistake #6: Sacrificing Function for Aesthetics
What Happens:
Instagram-worthy design. Daily-life
nightmare.
The Reality:
Example 1: All-white kitchen
●
Looks: Stunning in photos
●
Reality: Shows every stain,
requires daily cleaning
●
Better: White uppers, grey lowers
(hides splashes)
Example 2: Open shelving everywhere
●
Looks: Curated, minimalist, chic
●
Reality: Dust magnet, constant
organizing needed
●
Better: Mix of open (decorative) +
closed (practical)
Example 3: Low-profile beds
●
Looks: Sleek, modern, hotel-like
●
Reality: Hard to clean under, no
storage
●
Better: Hydraulic storage bed
(function + form)
Example 4: Glass dining table
●
Looks: Elegant, spacious-feeling
●
Reality: Shows fingerprints, water
marks, scratches
●
Better: Glass top with matte
finish or wood
The Smart Approach:
For every design choice ask:
- How will this look after 6 months of daily use?
- How much
maintenance does this need?
- Does this
solve a problem or create one?
- Can I realistically keep this looking good?
Function first, then make it
beautiful. Not the other way around.
This practical thinking defines our residential interior design approach.
Mistake #7: Underestimating Electrical Requirements
What Happens:
Builder provided electrical layout. You
assume it's sufficient.
The Reality:
Builder-grade electrical (typical
3BHK):
●
Living room: 2-3 points
●
Bedrooms: 2 points each
●
Kitchen: 3-4 points
Your actual needs:
●
Living room: 6-8 points (TV setup,
lamps, laptop charging, air purifier, humidifier)
●
Master bedroom: 5-6 points (both
sides of bed, dresser, TV, air purifier)
●
Kitchen: 8-10 points (appliances,
charging station, mixer, grinder, etc.)
What happens:
●
Extension boards everywhere
(unsightly, unsafe)
●
Can't rearrange furniture (limited
by outlets)
●
Fire hazard from overloaded
circuits
Cost to fix later: ₹50,000-1L (breaking walls, rewiring, repainting)
The Smart Approach:
During interior design:
●
Add 50% more points than you think
you need
●
Place points at 4-foot intervals
●
Both sides of bed (phone charging,
lamps)
●
Consider future (EV charger, smart
home devices)
Cost during interiors: ₹8,000-15,000 extra Value: Proper, safe electrical for 20+
years
Mistake #8: Buying Furniture Before Finalizing Interior
Design
What Happens:
You see a great dining table on sale. Buy
it.
Then design your interior around it.
The Reality:
What goes wrong:
●
Table is 6-seater (your space fits
4-seater comfortably)
●
Style doesn't match final design
aesthetic
●
Color clashes with kitchen you
later chose
●
Size blocks planned circulation
path
●
Now stuck with ₹60,000 table that
doesn't fit design
The right sequence:
- Finalize complete interior design
- Understand
exact sizes, colors, styles needed
- Then shop for furniture (or let designer source)
The Smart Approach:
Wait until:
●
Design is 100% finalized
●
You know exact dimensions needed
●
Color palette is locked
●
Style direction is clear
Exception: If
you already own furniture you love, tell designer upfront. They'll design
around it.
Never: Buy furniture to "get
started" then hope design works around it.
Mistake #9: Not Considering Resale Value
What Happens:
You design for extremely
specific/personal taste.
The Reality:
Very specific choices that hurt
resale:
Permanent fixtures:
●
Wall-to-wall
custom-colored tiles (₹4L) → Next buyer hates color
●
Built-in
aquarium (₹2.5L) → Maintenance nightmare for buyer
●
Themed
bedrooms (cartoon characters) → Limits buyer pool
●
Fixed
furniture that can't be removed → Reduces appeal
What happens:
●
Reduces buyer pool by 40-60%
●
Property sits on market longer
●
Must discount ₹3-5L to compensate
●
Or spend ₹2-3L neutralizing before
sale
The Smart Approach:
Timeless choices for permanent
elements:
●
Neutral flooring (grey, beige,
light wood)
●
White/off-white walls
●
Standard layouts
●
Quality materials over quirky
styles
Express personality through:
●
Furniture (movable with you)
●
Decor and art (takes along)
●
Soft furnishings (curtains,
cushions)
●
Paint colors (easily changed)
Balance: 70%
timeless, 30% personal
Mistake #10: No Contingency Budget
What Happens:
Your budget is exactly ₹18L. Quote is
₹18L. You proceed.
The Reality:
Unexpected costs that ALWAYS come up:
●
Society required you to repaint
building exterior (₹15,000)
●
Discovered termite damage in one
wardrobe area (₹25,000)
●
Wanted to upgrade kitchen
countertop after seeing samples (₹40,000)
●
Electrical panel needed upgrading
(₹35,000)
●
Total unexpected: ₹1.15L
What happens without contingency:
●
Project pauses (waiting for funds)
●
Delays of 2-4 weeks
●
Stress and arguments
●
Compromises on quality to stay in
budget
●
Or debt to complete project
The Smart Approach:
Budget formula:
●
Interior design quote: ₹18L
●
Contingency (10-15%): ₹2-2.7L
●
Total budget: ₹20-20.7L
Use contingency for:
●
Genuine unexpected issues (structural,
termite, water damage)
●
Upgrades you genuinely want (not
impulse)
●
Change orders (if absolutely
necessary)
If you don't use it: Bonus—put toward furniture or savings!
Never start project with zero buffer.
Understanding realistic budgeting is covered
in our 3BHK cost
guide.
Bonus Mistake: Not Reading the Fine Print
What Happens:
You sign contract without reading
thoroughly.
The Reality:
What's often hidden in fine print:
Payment terms:
●
"Final payment due before
completion" (no leverage if issues)
●
Better: "Final 5-10% after
satisfactory handover"
Timeline:
●
"Approximate 90 days"
(no accountability)
●
Better: "90 days with ₹X
penalty per week delay"
Scope:
●
"Interior design for
3BHK" (vague)
●
Better: Itemized list of exactly
what's included/excluded
Warranty:
●
"1 year warranty" (on
what exactly?)
●
Better: "2 years workmanship,
material warranties as per manufacturer"
The Smart Approach:
Before signing, clarify:
- What exactly is included?
- What
happens if timeline exceeds?
- What's the
payment schedule tied to?
- What are
warranty terms (specific)?
- What
constitutes "completion"?
- How are disputes resolved?
Take 48 hours to review. ₹18L decision deserves careful reading.
How to Avoid ALL These Mistakes
1. Hire Experienced Local Designers
Why local matters:
●
Understand Pune's monsoon
challenges
●
Know society regulations and
permissions
●
Familiar with local material
availability
●
Relationships with reliable
contractors
Why experience matters:
●
Seen mistakes before, learned from
them
●
Know what works long-term (not
just initially)
●
Can foresee problems before they
happen
At Divya
Jain Interiors, 450+ Pune projects means we've seen (and solved)
virtually every challenge.
2. Invest Time in Planning Phase
4-6 weeks perfecting design saves:
●
₹50,000-1L in change orders
●
2-4 weeks in timeline delays
●
Years of living with regrets
Don't rush this phase. It's the most important.
3. Ask Questions (Even "Stupid" Ones)
No question is stupid when spending
₹15-25L:
●
"Why this plywood grade and
not another?"
●
"What happens if I change my
mind?"
●
"Can you show me a similar
completed project?"
●
"What typically goes
wrong?"
●
"What would you do
differently if this was your home?"
Good designers welcome questions. Red flag if they don't.
4. Get Everything in Writing
Verbal agreements mean nothing when
issues arise:
●
Material specifications (grade,
brand)
●
Timeline with milestones
●
Payment schedule
●
Warranty terms
●
What's included/excluded
●
Change order process and costs
If it's not written, it doesn't exist.
5. Visit Ongoing/Completed Projects
Photos lie. Actual projects don't.
●
Ask to visit 2-3 recently
completed projects
●
Talk to past clients (without
designer present)
●
Check quality of finishes,
shutters, hardware
●
See how it's held up over time
Designer hesitant to show projects?
Red flag.
The Cost of Mistakes
Average cost of fixing common
mistakes:
●
Replaced cheap plywood: ₹1.2-2L
●
Corrected poor layout: ₹80k-1.5L
●
Upgraded hardware that failed:
₹40k-80k
●
Fixed moisture damage: ₹60k-1.5L
●
Rewiring for more points: ₹50k-1L
●
Redoing poorly executed work:
₹1-3L
Total potential: ₹3.5-8L in avoidable
costs
Prevention costs: ₹0-50k (better
planning, slight material upgrade)
Smart approach saves: ₹3-7.5L
Ready to Do It Right the First Time?
Mistakes are expensive. Knowledge is
free.
Let's discuss your project and ensure you
avoid these costly errors.
Schedule Your Free Consultation:
📞 Call: +91-8959070757 /
+91-8390707573
💬 WhatsApp: Click to message
🌐 Visit: www.divyajaininteriors.com
During consultation:
●
We'll review your plans and flag
potential issues
●
Share specific examples of
mistakes we've seen (and prevented)
●
Provide honest recommendations
even if it means less business for us
●
Show you completed projects to
assess quality
●
Give transparent, itemized quote
so you know exactly what you're getting
Our job: Help you avoid expensive
regrets.
Related Reading
🔗 Our Complete Process - How we ensure
quality from start to finish
🔗 Complete3BHK Cost Breakdown - Understand realistic budgeting
Made any of these mistakes in past
projects? Share your experience in comments or WhatsApp us. We respond within 2
hours during business hours.
