In previous post I gave you couple of reasons why you should get an interior designer. If you haven’t read it already, I would encourage you to do so, as it might save you some costly mistakes.
However, if you feel brave enough to embark on journey of discovering your own style and giving your home your signature, I will share some of the common mistakes you should avoid and we see them way too often.
Cookie-cutter Artwork
How often have you walked into someone’s home to “Live.Laugh.Love.”? Many people have fallen for this positive affirmation, and I totally get it. We all need to be inspired from time to time, and this quote would be great in your journal, but not on your walls.
I must admit I do like this one…
but it may be better to leave it on a cover of your journal.
Putting together a collage of inspirational quotes in various sizes and frames would be the only worse thing you can do. How often have you viewed those and genuinely felt motivated?
There is a tonne of lovely generic artwork out there, but what does that artwork say about you, your personal style and who you are.
Instead of purchasing numerous tiny, less expensive generic artwork, I would advise using that money to invest in nice big piece of art that resonates with you and the space where you want to display it. That way you will appreciate it every time you walk in the room as it will complete your favorite place and might be even great conversation starter.
Featuring the wrong wall
Creating focal point in the room is a terrific way to direct viewers’ attention right where you want it.
Everything else in your space won’t matter if you design that in the wrong spot with a bold color or pattern. Everyone will now notice that awkward wall, which may be there purely for structural reasons, or the sudden difference in ceiling height, which you might not have notice before.
Use accent walls carefully if you don’t have a stunning view to serve as your focal point. Make them an extension of your style and color palette used in the design.
Matching furniture
The easiest way to make your design flat, dull and impersonal is to purchase the whole collection. The cover page or the store display may appear lovely, but that is where it belongs. Don’t worry if you already committed this design crime. Moving a few items around your home might be a simple solution to this. Don’t be hesitant to replace some furniture with pieces that have a similar color scheme but an entirely different style. This will add interest to your design and just by swapping furniture, you will get completely new look and feel to your design. And the best part is that you won’t spend any money on it.
Collection is for showcasing..only!
Everything too small
You opted to buy a little sofa, a coffee table the size of a tray, and tiny chairs because you felt that your room is too small to accommodate a huge piece of furniture. You have just made you place visually even smaller. A large piece of furniture will significantly alter this perception and make your room look bigger, fuller and more inviting.
Have the space? Why not use it?
The main thing to do before going furniture shopping is taking measures. I can’t stress that enough!
By taking measures of your room and your existing furniture, you can determine what sofa or side table will fit in your room, with enough space to comfortably move around it.
By doing this you can avoid getting furniture that is too small or too large.
Draw a floor plan and take all the measurements! This doesn’t have to be piece of art work, as long as you know what it stands for, it will enable you to make more informed decisions.
Large custom furniture
Another thing to consider, as it’ll save you a lot of hustles, is how will you get that gorgeous, oversized, custom-made sofa inside.
If you are purchasing a single large piece of furniture that can’t be dismantled, make sure that your doorway is wide enough to accommodate it, and get this piece where it belongs without any damage to it or to any other area of your house.
If you find these suggestions useful, kindly let me know. Watch this space for more easily avoided design errors as I continue to provide you with advice.
See you in the next post…
