Even if you aren’t going into designing your home thinking it will be easy, you don’t realize how many small decisions go into interior design until you’re in the middle of it. And each of these minute decisions has a chance to change the way your home looks and feels entirely.
If you’re feeling lost in your home design journey, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Listed below are 8 of the most common interior design mistakes. By being aware of design pitfalls to avoid, anyone can make their home look professionally decorated.
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1. Not Varying Scale and Proportion
Above all else, scale and proportion need to be considered when designing any room. You might think that a room’s furniture should all be the same height or size, but this is a mistake. Good room design consists of pieces that are varied in height and proportions.
Too many small pieces, for example, and your room will end up looking cluttered and overwhelming. On the other hand, an abundance of oversized furniture will leave the room looking cramped and smaller than it actually is.
2. Using Small Rugs
An area rug can take a room from ordinary to incredible just like that, but you have to choose the right one. When choosing a rug, many people go with one on the smaller side – don’t do this!
A small rug is great for your entryway, in your kitchen, or beside your bed. However, when you’re picking a rug for your living room, the bigger the better. A larger rug will help to make the room feel more spacious while a small rug can look awkward and shrink the space.
3. Not Incorporating Greenery
Adding plant life to your interior design should be at the forefront of your mind, not an afterthought. First of all, houseplants can do wonders for your mental and physical health. They improve air quality, relieve allergies, boost your mood, and much, much more.
Second, houseplants quite literally bring life into a room. For an optimal design effect, try to add between three and five low-maintenance houseplants per room. There are tons of plants that require very little care, making houseplants an option for even the busiest person.
4. Relying Solely on Trends
Too many people fall victim to trends, meaning they abandon their own personal style and taste completely and fill their home with the trend of the moment.
There are two problems with this type of decoration. One, your home won’t feel like you! Two, trends are constantly changing. What’s trendy right now might be out of style in six months.
While there’s nothing wrong with browsing current and past trends to gain inspiration for your design, don’t rely on them so much that you lose your originality. If you’ve had your eye on some unique & custom bedding, go for it. Even if it’s not on-trend, it will feel like you, making you feel better in your home.
5. Not Layering Lighting
The importance of lighting in interior design cannot be overstated. Whether you’re working on bedroom interior design or dreaming up your perfect kitchen, lighting is key.
There are multiple types of lighting, all of which should be considered in your design. Instead of relying on your overhead light alone, layer your lighting. Add dimmers, floor lamps, and table lamps, creating multiple light sources from multiple heights.
6. Using Dark Furniture in Small Rooms
A piece of dark furniture can add drama and intrigue to a room but should be reserved for larger spaces only. Using dark furniture in small bedroom interior design, for instance, will make your bedroom feel even smaller than it already is.
When you’re working with a small room, apartment, or home, err on the side of light and bright furniture and decor. This will lift and lighten the space, making your home feel airy and spacious.
7. Not Planning Ahead
Even if you have a complete vision for your home in your mind, take the time to plan ahead. This means measuring each room and every piece of furniture you plan to put in it to ensure that everything will fit the way you think it will.
It’s also a good idea to draw everything out beforehand so that you can play around with different configurations and decide what works best for you and your space. To take your planning a step further, don’t be afraid to mark the height and width of your pieces with tape on the wall. This will help you visualize what it will look like in the actual room.
8. Being Afraid to Invest
When you’re designing your home, it can be tempting to purchase everything at once and fill your home with impulse buys. But if at all possible, take your time with your furniture and decor.
In doing so, you’ll have a larger budget to work with, which is essential in home design. No, not every piece in your home needs to be expensive, but you do need to invest in what matters. Filling your home with cheap furniture will lead to the need for replacement after a few years and, oftentimes, simply won’t look as good.
And just because something is high end doesn’t mean it has to cost a fortune. You’d be amazed at what you can find in secondhand stores or online sales communities like Craigslist.
Improve Your Interior Design By Avoiding These Missteps
Decorating your home can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time or if you’re starting from scratch. But by knowing these interior design mistakes to avoid, and following your own personal taste and judgment, you can create the home interior of your dreams.
Interested in learning more about designing your home like an interior decorator? Take a look at our blog!
