Decorating your home is an exciting endeavor. You can play the expert and choose any style, furniture, lighting, or arrangement. Most homeowners decorate their space according to their preferences and lifestyle. However, they sometimes fail to take note of the most apparent decor mistakes contributing to a ho-hum room. Here are 10 interior design mistakes you must avoid at all costs.
1. Clutter
The first obvious decor mistake that most homeowners neglect is clutter. Not organizing your stuff or furniture will make a room feel cramped. For instance, having too many furniture pieces than necessary may make a room feel busy—in the wrong way. Additionally, not storing some of your or your children’s stuff, such as toys, will contribute to clutter.
2. Lacking greenery
Greenery is essential in every home. Not only do plants contribute to better air quality, but they also relax the eyes. Having a few plants in your living space impacts your mood. Plants make you feel at peace and give you a sense of relaxation. Grab a few potted plants and display them in some corners of the room or hanging plants you can feature around your shelves.
3. Choosing style over comfort
Most homeowners think about style when decorating their homes. But when they don’t consider comfort first, the space becomes a beautiful room that isn’t enjoyable. If it’s not functional, the room won’t serve its purpose. Always prioritize style over comfort. If you’ve been eyeing that chair for your home office because it matches your table, see if it’s comfortable to sit on. Choosing an ergonomic chair will make work more fun.
4. Relying on overhead lighting
Lighting can transform your living space instantly. Overhead or ambient lighting is the room’s primary light source. However, relying on overhead lighting alone doesn’t make the space warm and welcoming. Combine different lighting fixtures, such as ambient, accent, or task lighting. Moreover, experts recommend inviting natural lighting as much as possible by opening windows and adding mirrors to reflect sunlight.
5. Not testing paint colors
One of the most common decor mistakes is not testing paint colors. Color swatches are excellent tools for decorating your home, but they’re not enough. It’s best to see the paint color on the walls instead of relying on color swatches. Buy small containers of your chosen paint colors and try some along one stretch of wall. See how they look during the day and night and decide.
6. Lacking height variation
Height, like texture, is vital in interior design. Adding height variations will add to better proportion in your space. If furniture pieces have the same size and height, the room will look like a beautiful mess. Regardless of how stunning your furniture is, height is necessary to give the space excellent proportion. Height doesn’t only apply to furniture. It also applies to accessories like plants, lamps, or decor on your shelves.
7. Dark paint in small spaces
One of the best decor tips for small spaces is to use light-colored paint or furniture. Using dark wall paint or furniture in a small area makes the room feel cramped and dry. Paint your wall white and use lighter furniture with darker colors as accents.
8. Wrong rug size
Rugs can transform your space into a beautifully arranged haven. And using the wrong rug size is another common decorating mistake. Remember, all furniture pieces must sit on the rug or carpet. Or you can place the furniture’s two front legs on the rug, with the two hind legs off it.
9. Hanging art at the wrong level
If you have exquisite artwork, display it at the right level. Hanging art too low or too high makes it out of place. The best position is to hang it at eye level.
10. Arranging furniture against a wall
Most homeowners think arranging furniture against a wall is mandatory in interior design. However, this doesn’t contribute to a functional space. Experts recommend grouping the furniture pieces and creating a more thoughtful conversational space in the middle of the room. Allowing foot traffic around your sofa or chairs gives the impression that you have a more spacious room.
Conclusion
These decor mistakes will help guide you in creating a functional and stylish space. Remember not to rely on too many trends. Being mindful of how you design your area and curating the pieces you need are steps in transforming an empty room into a comfortable haven.
About the author
Karen Faith
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