Interior design is a powerful tool that can help you with many things – from elevating the aesthetic appeal of your living space to increasing the value of your home when the time comes to sell. And because this hobby often comes with a hefty price tag, it’s easy to understand why many people are afraid to utilize it. After all, a mistake could end up being pretty costly. If you recognize this as one of your fears – you are in luck! This article will tell you all about the biggest interior design mistakes to avoid so that you can finally turn your home into more than just a humble abode.
Not Paying Enough Attention to Lighting
Without suitable lighting, home decor is just a bland attempt at filling a space with stuff. Still, even though illumination, be it natural or artificial, plays such an essential role in interior design, too many people make the mistake of neglecting it. Now, this doesn’t mean that everyone guilty of this error is squinting while reading a book in their living room. Design and decor mistakes are often much more subtle than that.
So, what constitutes a lighting mistake in interior design? Well, for starters, having only one overhead light in a room. This is both impractical and pretty sabotaging when you want to create a softer atmosphere in the evenings, for example. To fix things, focus on including several sources of light in your space. From pendant lights to floor and table lamps of all shapes and sizes, finding something that fits your home shouldn’t be an issue.
Gluing Your Furniture to the Walls
Although no one does this literally, it’s still one of the biggest interior design mistakes to avoid. Yes, the reasoning behind it is logical – you are creating more space. But are you really?
Contrary to popular belief, by pushing your couch against a wall, you’re only creating a slightly awkward space. Instead, try to group your pieces. The coffee table, ottoman, chair, and sofa will look much more useful and cohesive if there is some room between them and the walls. The same goes for your office or any other room where things tend to get pushed aside – this time quite literally! And don’t worry, you won’t be cutting down on valuable square footage by applying this trick.
Matching Everything
Would you wear denim on denim? If the answer to this question is no, then you might want to give up the idea of matching furniture sets. This primarily refers to dining and living room sets.
Feel free to mix things up but remember – your armchair and sofa don’t need to be twins, but they should at least be cousins. This means that variations in color, print, and texture are desirable as long as it all looks cohesive as a whole.
Randomly Displaying Artwork
In interior design, art is like jewelry. However, for it to shine as bright as it can, a few rules must be applied when displaying art in your home.
Firstly, try to find pieces that aren’t too big or too small for the room you are putting them into. A tiny painting on a huge empty wall simply won’t look good. Secondly, think about the level at which you are hanging your artwork. If you have tall ceilings, don’t make the mistake of hanging pictures too high up. Eyelevel is always a safe option. Of course, these rules can be broken but only if you know what you are doing!
Designing with Current Trends in Mind
Much like in fashion, trends in interior design come and go pretty quickly. Unless you want to be redoing your entire home every few months, make sure not to become a victim of current fads while shopping. If you do, your house will start to look very outdated very soon.
Instead, focus on more timeless pieces and, if a particular trend really appeals to you, include it through the more affordable decor you won’t regret buying a couple of months from now.
Not Using Your Tape Measure
If you are furnishing and decorating a new home, not only do you have to find the right people to help you with your relocation, but you also have to think about measurements. People often get carried away in the excitement of shopping that they forget that lavish, cozy sofa likely won’t fit in their average-sized living room.
Luckily, this mistake is very easy to avoid – all you need is a tape measure! Before you even think about swiping your credit card, make sure to measure everything – twice! This way, cringing at the sight of furniture that so obviously doesn’t fit in with its surroundings will become a thing of the past.
Over-Accessorizing Your Space
If you wouldn’t call an outfit complete with a few good accessories, you shouldn’t make the same mistake when dressing up your interior. After all, details give a space that je ne sais quoi that makes all the difference between drab and fab.
However, remember that there is such a thing as too many accessories. Interior design is all about balance, so finding that sweet spot between too little and too much is essential. Try not to overcrowd your home with small decorative pieces. Instead, opt for fewer larger ones that will make a statement and ensure headache-free dusting sessions.
Omitting Greenery in Your Interior
And while we’re still on the topic of accessories, don’t make one of the biggest interior design mistakes by omitting plants from your interior. Greenery is an invaluable piece of decor as nothing can quite mimic its effects. Plants can liven up even the dullest of spaces, and they prove to be pretty valuable when it comes to improving air quality. If you are scared that you might not be able to provide enough love to your green friends, know that there are plants that won’t die of anger simply because you forgot to water them once (or five times).