Trust your instincts; remain true to yourself, and let your uniqueness shine: This advice has likely echoed through your ears consistently ever since, well, kindergarten. Indeed, following your intuition regarding your living space is important, but remember, your emotions can sometimes lead you astray. Hence, professionals' guidance becomes invaluable.
And believe us when we inform you that interior designers have plenty to share, particularly regarding the frequent errors they observe from clients during home decoration projects. Although you certainly have the right to form your own views on today’s array of design fads, there are specific aspects that experts consider objectively problematic according to their professional perspectives. incorrect . Scroll down to discover what these significant mistakes are, as identified by designers—and keep in mind you're just hearing the message.
Area Rugs That Are Too Small for the Room
If you’ve ever owned a rug that felt too tiny for the area it was meant to cover, and you noticed this as soon as you unrolled it yet decided to keep it nonetheless—then this statement is directed at you. "A common error I often observe is when rugs do not fit adequately within a room’s dimensions," she elucidates. Gideon Mendelson .
He wasn't the only designer who agreed with this point. “Rugs should be grounded under a grouping of furniture, not floating in the middle of a room or solely placed under a coffee table,” Meghan Jay Adds, "This might seem paradoxical, but using a bigger rug actually gives a room an enhanced sense of space and warmth!" Gillian Segal repeats this sentiment, advising to assess proportions when uncertain as it will create a more harmonious ambiance.
Lightbulbs in a Variety of Temperatures
The discussion surrounding room illumination remains highly relevant, particularly considering recent conversations among Generation Z regarding the "Big Light." Yet, the concern isn’t merely about the source of light; it also pertains to the temperature of those lights. As Jay points out, "Even though this seems like a minor detail, many clients use light bulbs with different color temperatures. This inconsistency can make a space feel disjointed as you enter—a single fixture emitting cool tones against warmer ones nearby."
To address these inconsistencies, the Chicago-based designer recommends using bulbs with uniform Kelvin ratings—Kelvin being the unit for measuring color temperature found on bulb packages—and experimenting with brightness levels. Additionally, installing dimmer switches could be an effective solution to achieving balanced lighting throughout your rooms.
A Room Without Accessories
Absolutely, significant items such as couches and bed frames are essential, yet this does not diminish the importance of minor details in creating an attractive environment. According to Jay, numerous clients frequently overlook adding that last touch with decorative accents, which can leave their homes seeming incomplete—accessories and art are what imbue a space with individuality, personality, and coherence.
I understand that buying accessories, especially art, may seem daunting or superfluous to many people," she explains. "However, these items genuinely add depth and personality to a space." She goes on to say, "I advise my clients to invest in things they adore and to display cherished family treasures that have remained hidden away.
Poor Sense of Scale
Nearly everyone I spoke with noted that individuals frequently struggle to accurately gauge the size of a space. Consequently, they end up selecting furnishings that are overly big or unnecessarily small. "Size proportions can be challenging," according to Jay.
John Stivale of Stivale Graffam Home Gideon Mendelson and Stivale emphasize concentrating on bigger furniture pieces. According to Mendelson, individuals often overload their rooms with excessive furniture. Consequently, this makes areas appear crowded and unbalanced, notes Stivale, and small rugs do not improve the situation either. "Opt for several large, substantial items alongside a few delicate, refined accents to create equilibrium," advises Mendelson. Additionally, Stivale recommends precisely gauging the room dimensions and planning an ideal arrangement prior to buying any new furnishings.
Jerel Lake —part of House Beautiful 's 2024 Next Wave The class emphasizes that size is also significant when dealing with minor elements like cabinet fixtures. "Rather than choosing identical hardware for each drawer and cupboard door, experiment with varied setups between high and low storage areas," advises Lake. A solitary tiny handle might appear insignificant against a bigger cupboard door, and using the exact form and dimension of fittings throughout your kitchen can make the area seem monotonous.
Sloppy Painting Skills
One common task that many homeowners believe they can tackle alone is painting the walls. However, should they really take this on? According to Dan Mazzarini, BHDM Design He doesn’t believe otherwise. "In the realm of painting, both technique and purpose hold equal weight," he declares. He emphasizes, "If you aren't skilled at painting, consider hiring an expert!" According to him, attempting tasks without sufficient capability could lead to unnecessary costs down the line since mistakes often require professional corrections later. As he puts it, "Regardless of how imaginative or aesthetically pleasing your feature wall may seem, poor workmanship around edges stands out negatively."
Rushing into Purchase Decisions
If you required an incentive to welcome the change, slow decorating Let this serve as your style guide. Given how platforms such as Amazon and Wayfair offer rapid shipping, it's incredibly easy to fill your cart with items. Although these conveniences are part of what makes them appealing, they often result in houses lacking warmth and individuality. "A frequent error people make is believing they must purchase all-new things," notes Segal. Incorporating vintage finds and discovered artifacts can bring charm and uniqueness into your environment.
In keeping with the nostalgic theme, Dan Mazzarini points out that "individuals frequently fail to invest sufficient effort into researching and grasping the genuine worth of an item prior to purchasing." He emphasizes that haggling and submitting bids is integral to the decoration journey—securing a dining table after intense negotiation will bring about a heightened sense of achievement.
Choosing Matching Furniture Sets
People continue to enjoy purchasing coordinated furniture collections because these eliminate much of the effort involved in designing an interior space. By selecting items known to complement each other, individuals avoid exerting too much creative energy. Nevertheless, according to Segal, this approach represents one of the most significant blunders someone could commit in terms of decor. She emphasizes, "Diversity adds zest to living spaces; having everything come from just one series often makes areas feel impersonal." Instead, curating separate elements that harmonize well but do not strictly correspond with one another imparts distinctiveness to a dwelling.
Improperly Placed Curtains
When you relocate, chances are high that you'll need to purchase fresh curtains or shades for your new home. This necessity arises due to differences in window dimensions such as size and shape at your new location, which prevent you from using your previous curtains again. Even though changing your good-condition draperies might seem frustrating because the measurements won’t fit right in your current space, interior designer Samantha Struck stresses the significance of correctly fitted window treatments. She mentions, "It’s surprising how often we observe improper installations leading to an unpolished appearance; however, when done well, these elements truly enhance the overall ambiance." Avoid falling into this typical trap—simply acquire new curtain panels instead.
Mounting Art and Televisions Too High
Many individuals prefer placing both artwork and TVs on the wall significantly higher than their typical viewing height. As Steven Graffam states, "Artwork should ideally be positioned around eye level—approximately 57 to 60 inches measured from the floor to the middle of the art." Stivale Graffam Home Similarly, positioning the television too high up, such as above a fireplace, can lead to neck discomfort," he notes. For optimal comfort, televisions should be mounted at eye level when you're sitting down.
Too Many Electronics
Anyone who loves design or watches HGTV regularly knows that designers often weigh in on TV placement. However, Chrissy Jones focuses more on the broader issue of electronic devices. She believes that an abundance of electronics and displayed objects can lead to a crowded and disorganized-looking room. “Humans tend to gather possessions, yet leaving everything exposed can result in visual chaos that interferes with tranquility,” explains Jones.
To address this issue, opt for decisions that emphasize practicality and tranquility. Additionally, consider hiring experts. You might not desire a complete redesign of your living space, but bringing in a decorator can assist you in envisioning potential layouts, providing at least a broad idea. As Jones points out, “In essence, it’s all about attaining sophisticated simplicity through designs that are stylish, useful, and contribute to harmony in everyday activities.”
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