It happens to the best of us – you’re shopping when you come across the perfect home decor accent. Immediately, you think, “Oh! This will look fantastic in my living room!”
Naturally, you give in to the purchase and excitedly bring home your latest treasure, only to discover that what first looked like the ideal accessory now appears hideous and out of place. You ask yourself, “What was I thinking? Where did I go wrong?”
What most people don’t understand is that interior design takes a knowledgeable and keen eye. Just because you see something that you love doesn’t necessarily mean it will look perfect in your home.
Let’s look at the top seven interior design mistakes and what you can do to avoid them:
7 Interior Design Mistakes
1. Failing to understand scale
Linda Floyd explains proportion and scale in design: “When you enter into a room, it should be like a cityscape…a combination of different heights. You never want everything in a room to be at the same level or the same size. Accomplish this with different heights/sizes in your furnishings, art placement and window treatments.”
2. Giving in to impulse buys
Instead of purchasing every “perfect” item you see, try to have a budget and plan in place first. Measure your rooms, and take pictures of furniture, colors, and textures. Buyer’s remorse is a horrible feeling, so plan first and shop later.
3. Refusing to ask for interior design advice
Even the most skilled interior designers goof up. It can be hard to spot interior design mistakes when you’ve been playing with the same design for months. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes is needed to spot the problems, so ask a friend for an honest opinion or hire an interior designer for guidance.
4. Painting first
Instead of painting, you first want to pick out the room’s main textiles and fabrics, including curtains and rugs. Why? It’s simply easier to find fabrics we love and then buy paint to match. In other words, it’s harder to find a fabric that we love that just so happens to match the paint we already have on our walls.
5. Showing no character
Although it can be tempting to buy matching pieces similar to what you’d find in a showroom, purchasing everything matchy-matchy results in a home that lacks character. Instead, build up character over time by adding that amazing painting that a street vendor was selling or the odd chair you found at a flea market.
6. Forgetting to give a focal point
Every room needs a focal point that assigns a room with a function and offers a place for the eye to rest. Some rooms are simple – in a family room, the focal point is typically the television, and the furniture point towards the TV. Other rooms can be tricky, but first find a purpose or focus for the room such as a coffee table, large painting, gaming table or fireplace. Then arrange the furniture around that point.
7. Hiding your personality
If nothing else, your home should speak to who you are. Your space should act as a personal memoir of your life, your loves and your trips. There’s nothing worse than walking into a home only to be greeted by brown furniture, beige walls and a mass-produced print that screams fake art. Don’t be shy when it comes to your home decor!
Ready to work with an interior designer? Contact our professional team at Ron Nathan Interiors to discuss your project in detail.
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