Ever make an interior designer cringe with your decorating ideas? If not, now is not the time. Interior designers are used to seeing all types of different decorating decisions that homeowners make and some of them are not always the best. In this blog, we will go over some of the biggest home decorating tips to AVOID along with some solutions to fix the problem.
Problem 1: Forgetting About Lighting
Nothing is worse than forgetting to light up a space. A lack of light creates an atmosphere that is dark and dreary. Something you definitely do not want. In many places throughout your home, you will have enough natural light that you may not need to worry about additional lighting, but areas such as the bathroom and kitchen definitely need some assistance.
Solution 1: Choose a Variety of Lighting Types
When it comes to lighting, you want to make sure of different types of lights to help dress the area up and create a nice ambiance in it. Lights that are too dim or too bright can detract from the space itself. Consider under the cabinet lighting, recessed lighting, and even decorative sconces to help create the look and feel you want to achieve.
Problem 2: TV Is the Focus
How many times have you walked into a living room only to notice the large television mounted on the wall? While a TV has become a staple in most homes and living rooms, you do not want it to be the sole focus of the room. In fact, when the TV is the main focus, it becomes quite an eyesore to look at.
Solution 2: Create a Mixed-Media Space
When decorating your living room, the TV does not have to be the only thing on the wall, and it definitely should not be the centerpiece of the room. Creating a space that has a mixed-media focus can help break away from the TV eyesore and provide a nice look. One way to do this would be to create an entertainment area with a mixture of your TV, some shelving, and even artwork or personal décor items.
Problem 3: Tiled Countertops in the Kitchen
Tile countertops were once popular, but that popularity has fizzled out. There are many better options available on the market that are not only more aesthetically pleasing, but easier to clean and more durable. You would be doing yourself a disservice to keep tile counters.
Solution 3: Upgrade Your Counters
Marble, granite, and stone countertops are all the rage, and for good reason too. They are quite durable and offer several other benefits such as being easy to clean. They are a much better option over tile and can create a luxurious look in your kitchen.
Problem 4: Oversized Furniture
Choosing furniture can be a game of cat and mouse. You need pieces that are the right size as oversized furniture will make the room look cluttered and cause your space to stand out for all the wrong reasons. Oversized pieces of furniture cause confusion and make the room look unbalanced.
Solution 4: Choose the Right Sized Furniture
Know your home’s space and choose furniture that is not too large or oversized. Your furniture should blend into the space nicely without causing you to have to maneuver around it. You want to be able to enjoy the whole area and not just the furniture piece. Scale back on the size and choose pieces that are functional yet doable.
Problem 5: Forgetting to Have a Focal Point
Ever walk into a room and simply wonder what its purpose is? Forgetting to have a focal point in any room will cause the space to become quickly forgotten and give off a bland and dull vibe.
Solution 5: Impress with a Central Object
Take some time to think about what it is you want to highlight in the room and then focus on that area the most. Create a focal point out of it so that when people come over, their eyes are immediately drawn to it and they can respect the space. For example, if you want to highlight your fireplace, determine how best to decorate it to do this. You can also create a focal point in your dining room with a large crystal chandelier.
Problem 6: Appliances That Are Mismatched
Appliances that are not matched to one another become a visual issue in the kitchen and can make you feel unbalanced. Appliances do come in many different colors and varieties but choosing as many different options as possible is not a good look for the kitchen.
Solution 6 Go for Cohesiveness
Instead of worrying about choosing as many different designs as you can for your appliances, focus on bringing the area together. To do this, you should choose appliances that match well in your current space and above all else, match one another. You do not need to opt for anything too expensive if you are on a budget, but definitely do keep the finishes the same.
Problem 7: Going Coastal
Okay, we all want to live on the coast and enjoy the beach waves as they crash on the shore, but this is not always a reality. If you are thinking about decorating your home in a coastal pattern, please do yourself the favor and rethink this idea first. Bright blue walls and random coastal décor is not a look that you want to sport in your home. It will clash and look more of a mess and too busy than it will coastal.
Solution 7: Keep it Calm
You can of course choose a coastal theme but the idea is to keep it calm and contemporary as opposed to busy. Your focus should be on using coastal-themed accents, colors, design, and textures as opposed to the bright blue seawater paint and seashells on the floor. If you are someone who enjoys bright colors, try a nice light beige color on the wall and then choose artwork with the bold and vibrant colors you love. This way, you can keep your living space contemporary while still bringing in that bright coastal feel.
Problem 8: Open Shelving That Is Disorganized
Open shelving is a new trend that is growing in popularity and when styled right, it looks phenomenal. However, having open shelving does not mean stashing everything you can on the shelves. Cluttered shelves will detract from the beauty of your home’s space and only look messy and disorganized.
Solution 8: Show Off Some Décor
Instead of using open shelving to store clutter, use it to display one of your prized or favorite collections. For example, if you like wine, keep some of your most prized bottles here. You could also add any China you are fond of to these shelves. You want to make sure that you spotlight the area with nice décor and avoid clutter.
Problem 9: Cluttered Storage Space
Clutter – it is the bane of existence and can cause you to experience headaches, stress, and more. A cluttered space is one that is not enjoyable and looks awful, especially in your home.
Solution 9: Style Up Your Storage Space
First, before anything else, declutter the area. Getting rid of things you no longer want, or need will help alleviate some of the unnecessary clutter. Then, consider redesigning the space. Choose storage options that look nice in your home such as a cabinet with doors. Keep your items out of sight and inside of the cabinet as opposed to spilling out onto the floor around the cabinet.
Get Your Home Decorated Nicely with the Help of an Interior Designer
If you are someone who is not keen on decorating your home, working with an interior designer can help. Fortunately, most home designs can be done by the homeowner with simple changes. For instance, don’t opt for a bland room that has no color or decoration in it. Simply add some of your personality to the space without being too overwhelming. You want to make sure your home is inviting without being too over the top.
Designing any room in your home can be difficult and does take some work. Keep the above helpful solutions in mind to avoid the most common home design errors.
