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6 Common interior design blunders everyone commits, say experts

Unknown common mistakes, home decor, home decoration ideas, home design, interior design

Avoid these decorating don'ts.
 
 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1ylT7N" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1ylT7N.jpg"/>
 
 No matter if you employ an interior designer for a full house renovation or simply take inspiration from their posts on Instagram, they typically guide you on how to transform your environment into a welcoming personal sanctuary.
 painting bedrooms blue
 When it comes to installing marble countertops in your kitchen, interior design often feels like an endless series of "yes." However, what about the blunders you should steer clear of? Worried that your current project might turn into a design catastrophe? Relax; we've got you sorted. Below are some things that professional interior designers advise against doing.
 


 <ul>
 <li>
 
 Kathy Kuo
 
 is an interior designer and the creator of Kathy Kuo Home
 </li>
 <li>
 
 Regan Billingsley
 
 is an interior designer and the creator of Regan Billingsley Interiors
 </li>
 <li>
 
 Jessika Gatewood
 
 is an interior designer and the creator of Gatewood Designs
 </li>
 </ul>


 <h2>
 Not Giving Priority to Quality for Key Items
 </h2>
 
 The most common error she encounters in residential decorating is skimping on quality.
 quality for anchor furniture
 Items such as couches, armchairs, beds, and dining tables, notes interior designer Kathy Kuo. She expresses understanding about this situation: "These items tend to be costly, and we reside in an economically volatile period—but overall, it makes sense from both environmental and financial perspectives to invest initially in top-notch staple furnishings that will endure over many years, instead of opting for cheaper, low-quality ‘fast furniture’ which will likely require replacement within just a few brief years."
 
 
 Kuo frequently encounters this issue particularly with couches. "Believe me; you won’t lament investing wisely in an exceptionally designed and professionally made couch that promises both comfort and longevity for many years." Think about purchasing display models, slightly used items, or opting for discounts rather than cutting corners on craftsmanship.
 
 <h2>
 Undervaluing the Significance of Window Coverings
 </h2>
 
 A significant error that many individuals commit is undervaluing the impact of
 window treatments
 According to interior designer Regan Billingsley, "The length of draperies plays a crucial role. Drapes that are excessively long, too short, lack fullness, or are installed at an incorrect height can leave a room feeling incomplete and disturb the overall visual harmony of the space."
 
 
 The designer suggests that curtains should lightly "brush" against the floor, merely touching the ground to create an elegant and refined look. She advises not to lower the curtain rod placement to attain this effect since doing so might make the space appear more cramped. Instead, opt for hanging the rod at a level that keeps the area feeling spacious and have a seamstress adjust extra-long drapes to guarantee they hang correctly.
 
 
 Remember, achieving a custom appearance for your window treatments doesn’t require bespoke work, even when dealing with non-standard window heights. Simply purchase curtains slightly longer than needed and ask your neighborhood seamstress to alter their length at a fraction of the cost.
 
 <h2>
 Using Too-Small Rugs
 </h2>
 
 When it comes to rugs, opting for something smaller often fails to add the desired impact, and an improperly sized rug can really throw off the aesthetics of your room. As Billingsley points out, "Rugs that are too small can make a space appear unevenly balanced, almost as though items are adrift within the area." For a well-integrated appearance, rugs ought to stabilize the arrangement of furniture, ensuring that every leg of each item sits atop the carpeting. When dealing with
 cherished rug
 That's too petite for the space; think about placing it atop a bigger, neutral-colored rug. This way, you can keep an airy feel while still highlighting the item you adore.
 
 <h2>
 Placing Your Bed in the Corner
 </h2>
 
 Placing a bed in the corner of a room is one of the most significant
 design faux pas
 According to interior designer Jessika Gatewood, this common mistake made by many individuals can negatively impact the aesthetics of a space. She notes, "If the bedroom isn’t small, positioning the bed against a corner tends to create an unbalanced look, making the area seem confined." Fortunately, correcting this issue doesn’t cost anything; simply relocate your bed away from the corner. Ideally, place it centrally aligned with one of the walls for better balance. This adjustment will help make the entire room appear larger and more harmonious.
 spacious and relaxing
 .
 
 <h2>
 Purchasing All Items From A Single Shop
 </h2>
 
 Purchasing all your furnishings and decorations solely from a single retailer might be convenient, but it’s not the ideal approach for crafting a distinctive space. As Gatewood mentions, "Your home ought to have a personalized touch rather than looking like it came directly from a display room." Therefore, incorporate some antique, family heirloom, or handcrafted items into your collection. Thus, make sure you invest sufficient effort into the decoration process.
 renovating
 . Examine every possibility to design an appealing area where you wish to reside for many years.
 
 <h2>
 Using Furniture to Fill Up All the Empty Wall Space
 </h2>
 
 The typical habit of positioning furniture along all accessible walls may result in a room feeling stiff and unwelcoming," explains Billingsley. "For promoting dialogue and establishing a cozier ambiance, consider arranging the furniture away from the walls, allowing for some breathing room. This method fosters a more personal and welcoming environment.
 comfortable seating arrangement
 Enhancing fluidity and engagement inside the space.
 
 
 If you feel unsure, spend some time planning the placement of each furniture item by outlining their positions with blue painter's tape on the floor. This easy move allows you to see how everything fits together, making sure your space looks great and remains functional.
 
 
 Read the initial article on
 Real Simple

6 Common interior design blunders everyone commits, say experts

Unknown common mistakes, home decor, home decoration ideas, home design, interior design

Avoid these decorating don'ts. No matter if you employ an interior designer for a full house renovation or simply take inspiration from their posts on Instagram, they typically guide you …

This Interview Blunder Is a Huge Red Flag, Says Tech Exec—Here’s How to Sidestep It

Unknown business, career advice, common mistakes, job interviews, journalism

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 According to Gillian Munson, excelling in a job interview involves providing robust responses; however, this cannot be achieved without also paying close attention to what is being said during the conversation.


 According to Munson, the head of finance at Vimeo, the biggest "definite" warning sign she notices in interviewees is when they ignore the question posed and provide an unrelated answer instead.


 "She explains that sometimes people rush through conversations so much that they fail to attentively hear the query and appropriately respond to it," she says to Make It.


 Despite attempts by candidates to evade questions they prefer not to address directly, it’s crucial to recognize their presence and align your response accordingly, says Munson, aged 54, with over three decades of expertise in the financial sector.

<h4>
 Ways to Improve Your Listening Skills
</h4>

 Top performers set themselves apart from their colleagues at work through their
 strong active listening skills
 According to Sarah Sarkis, who serves as the senior director of performance psychology at Exos and is also a psychologist.


 She mentioned to Make It earlier this year that only a few individuals have mastered the art of being completely engaged during a discussion and responding with careful consideration to what others express." According to Sarkis, people frequently "come into the talk ready to conclude it as they see fit or are preoccupied elsewhere.


 Sarkis suggested seeking input from your friends about how you come across during discussions to improve your listening skills. Additionally, she advised engaging in reflective listening—wherein you recap what has been shared with you—and using open-ended queries when talking to others.


 Active listening is akin to possessing a superhero ability, according to Sarkis. "When the individuals you collaborate with sense they are noticed, understood, and backed up, your effectiveness in achieving goals significantly increases," she added.

<h4>
 Illuminating interview questions
</h4>

 In addition to ensuring that a candidate is actively engaged during an interview, Munson has a standard question she uses which she believes uncovers valuable insights: "If we were to hypothetically talk with your former supervisor and inquire about their opinion of you, how do you suppose they would respond?"


 This query encourages individuals to reflect on both their capabilities and shortcomings, offering a chance for them to showcase their genuineness, Munson points out.


 For an effective reply, Munson seeks out a candidate who appears "quite open" regarding areas where they believe they could grow. This self-awareness enables you to "forge a connection with the interviewer in a manner that assists them in genuinely assessing your compatibility," according to her.


 Munson often poses a query during interviews about why an individual selected their alma mater or prior employment. According to her, responses to this inquiry offer insight into "how you approach decision-making." She further explains that understanding your decision-making process provides a glimpse into "what your daily working style might be like."


 
 
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 To acquire advice and strategies for achieving success at your job, managing finances, and navigating everyday life.
 

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This Interview Blunder Is a Huge Red Flag, Says Tech Exec—Here’s How to Sidestep It

Unknown business, career advice, common mistakes, job interviews, journalism

According to Gillian Munson, excelling in a job interview involves providing robust responses; however, this cannot be achieved without also paying close attention to what is being said during the c…

3 Small Work Mistakes That Can Land You in Big Trouble, Says an HR Pro

Unknown common mistakes, controversies, employees, everyday life tips and hacks, workers

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1pHBq4" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1pHBq4.jpg"/>
 <ul class="summary-list">
 <li>
 With two decades as an HR specialist, Leigh Henderson has witnessed numerous employee blunders in the workplace.
 </li>
 <li>
 She stresses that developing a rapport with your supervisor is essential for advancing in your career.
 </li>
 <li>
 Successful communication and having supporters at work are crucial for steering clear of problems.
 </li>
 </ul>
 
 
 This essay, presented as told by Leigh Henderson, features an interview with the 42-year-old CEO.
 
 
 HRManifesto
 
 
 located in San Antonio. It has been shortened and clarified.
 
 
 
 I spent close to two decades working as an HR executive, aiding several Fortune 100 companies prior to launching my online platform, HRManifesto, along with the podcast titled "HR Besties."
 
 
 I've witnessed individuals face issues at their jobs through different means, such as engaging in romantic encounters in the workplace.
 starting affairs
 , or relying on a "work bestie" who’s divulging your confidences to your supervisor.
 
 
 Such occurrences are infrequent, yet they typically happen most often.
 running into issues at your job
 involves these three mistakes.
 
 <h2 data-toc-id="c2bfa6c5-d99f-407b-991f-bcf27f58c808" id="c2bfa6c5-d99f-407b-991f-bcf27f58c808">
 
 1. Not buildi
 
 ng a relationship with
 
 your manager
 
 </h2>
 
 A common problem that frequently leads to difficulties for individuals is failing to prioritize their tasks.
 relationship with their manager
 . I've seen it repeatedly: Managers and employees just couldn't get along, so the employee wanted to avoid the manager altogether.
 
 
 Your supervisor plays a crucial role in deciding who gets promoted.
 performance-improvement plans
 , endings, incentives, performance raises, and additional elements. Failing to invest effort in that connection might result in problems.
 
 
 I've had managers approach me stating, "This staff member isn’t right for us." When pressed further about their concerns, they would explain,
 
 "
 
 "He appears not to enjoy my company," I think this reflects more on the leader; however, not every leader is effective. On your part, you should strive to do as much as possible.
 
 
 A method to strengthen your connection with your supervisor is to engage in a "getting-to-know-you" discussion. During this talk, feel free to inquire about professional matters such as their preferred communication style. Additionally, use this opportunity to express your own likes and dislikes regarding how you prefer to communicate. Furthermore, should your boss not possess a
 weekly one-on-one
 Meeting with you, attempt to arrange one.
 
 
 Inform your manager that you want to remain connected so they can grasp what you’re involved in and are guiding you correctly. This way, you’ll have the chance to receive crucial company updates from them and confirm that you’re moving in the proper direction.
 
 <h2 data-toc-id="f714ea42-d53c-473f-9f24-243939036805" id="f714ea42-d53c-473f-9f24-243939036805">
 
 2. Failing to communicate effectively or misunderstanding each other
 
 </h2>
 
 Individuals frequently find themselves in hot water due to inappropriate remarks made at their workplace. I've witnessed instances where someone has sworn at another colleague via email, leaving behind a trail that one would prefer not to maintain.
 
 
 I once collaborated with someone who included "FU" in the email subject lines. It took me some time to understand that this was actually meant as an abbreviation for "follow-up," not realizing initially since they didn’t use slashes between the letters. Without proper clarification, others might think you’re disrespectful or unprofessional, which could lead to problems if you’re not cautious enough.
 
 
 If you recognize that you struggle with conveying certain messages effectively, inform your colleagues accordingly by stating something along these lines: "I find it difficult to handle formalities through digital means, so kindly avoid taking offense." Although I don’t think constant preliminary chitchat is required for each engagement, when interacting via digital platforms, I would suggest initiating with a greeting before asking for assistance.
 
 <h2 data-toc-id="ea69e160-7f84-4c70-a6ee-c56df673e6f2" id="ea69e160-7f84-4c70-a6ee-c56df673e6f2">
 
 3. Isolating yourself from the team
 
 </h2>
 
 You want to create
 allies in the workplace
 — individuals capable of safeguarding your reputation in spaces where you're not present. This task becomes more challenging when you isolate yourself from the team or demonstrate little interest in working together with others.
 
 
 Even if you excel in your role, without recognition from others, it becomes challenging for someone to advocate on your behalf. You could overlook crucial details, struggle to form connections, and appear hard to collaborate with. Such circumstances might jeopardize your position and impede your opportunities for advancement.
 
 
 Participate actively in meetings, voice your thoughts freely, and propose potential resolutions. Additionally, take brief breaks in the lounge area and make an effort to converse with several colleagues each day. Should you be working from home, consider scheduling individual calls with your team members similar to how you would meet with your supervisor.
 
 
 Building connections with colleagues who help ground you is beneficial for both your mental health and overall wellbeing. However, if a team member does not genuinely care about your interests, it would be wise not to share too much personal information; still, aim to maintain some level of connection and ensure the interaction remains neutral.
 
 
 Keep an eye on who you can rely on at your job, safeguard yourself, and maintain good communication.
 


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3 Small Work Mistakes That Can Land You in Big Trouble, Says an HR Pro

Unknown common mistakes, controversies, employees, everyday life tips and hacks, workers

With two decades as an HR specialist, Leigh Henderson has witnessed numerous employee blunders in the workplace. She stresses that developing a rapport with your supervisor is esse…