9 Common Decorating Mistakes

Decorating blunders are a common issue for most homeowners. Maybe you’re aware something doesn’t look right, but don’t know how to put your finger on it. Perhaps interior design isn’t your thing and you just can’t figure out how to make your home look more put together.

Small modifications to the interior of your home can make such a big difference that we dedicated an entire article to review some of the most common decorating mistakes. We'll help you identify these slipups so you’re equipped to fix them in your own home. See nine decorating mistakes homeowners make on a regular basis.  

1. Looks Great, Feels Uncomfortable Piece Of Furniture

We all know what this means and we’ve heard it before, “But it’s pretty and I love it.” Sure, it looks great, but your family and guests want nothing to do with it. In fact, you’ve even found yourself admitting that it hurts when you sit on it and it’s been known to give you scratches. I don’t know about you, but this sounds like a pretty unpleasant tradeoff for an attractive piece of furniture.  

Pick out furniture that’s both stylish and comfortable. It’s out there. Try not to get sucked into thinking because something is pretty that it’s the right furniture for your home. It’ll be tempting to go for the fashionable piece, but try to resist.

Let’s compare furniture shopping to shoe shopping for a moment. Think about when you buy a great pair of high heels, only to have your feet hurt when you wear them. Now you’ve purchased shoes you can’t wear and wasted your money. Your other more practical option would have been to purchase flats, which are both cute and comfortable. My advice, go with the comfortable stuff.

2. Too Many Framed Photos

You love your family, your kids are number one and your life wouldn’t be the same without your dog, Samson. But let’s be honest, shrines were meant for museums, not tabletops, and clutter is never a good look in your home.

We’ve all wanted to print and frame every cute thing that happens in our lives, but there just isn’t room for all of it in our homes. Pick a few of your favorite photos, get some chic frames and weave them into your décor, or create a small gallery wall. Another idea is to print a favorite photo or two on a large canvas and hang them on your walls as artwork. These prints usually turn out very nice!

3. Ignoring The Entry/Foyer

It’s interesting how many homeowners don’t give their entry and foyer the same attention as other rooms in their home. The foyer is where you welcome guests, family and friends. It’s a place for first impressions and making statements. Just because you don’t notice it in your daily routine doesn’t mean it should be forgotten.

Get creative and think outside the box. Less is more in this case. Pick an item, area or color to focus in on and map out a plan. Think rugs, light fixtures and accent tables. But don’t stop there, embellish these items with décor, color and style. This can be a fun project with a chance to add those personal touches!

4. Undressed Cables

Wires, cords and plugs are useful but they’re not pretty. Often times this décor blooper remains an issue because homeowners get used to looking at the wires and never give it a second thought. There are Pinterest boards and pinsdedicated to hiding cable cords. There are so many clever DIY ideas to choose from! Do some research, purchase some supplies and get it done.

5. Keeping Something You Hate

Do you ever catch yourself looking around your house and spotting stuff you can’t stand looking at anymore? And then, instead of making a change for whatever reason, you spend your time thinking more about how you still don’t like it? I think it’s safe to say we’ve all be there. Old carpet, outdated bedding and mismatched dishes are a few items that come to mind.

The time has come to act. I hope this article gives you inspiration to tackle those pieces in your home that make you cringe. If cost is an issue, take time to research a good bargain or ways to work around the issue. Get motivated by thinking about how good it’ll feel to never have to look at it again. 

6. Uncomfortable Dining Chairs

I touched on uncomfortable sofas in a previous section, but don’t forget about your kitchen and dining chairs. If you work a desk job, you’re most likely sitting all day as it is. When you get home to enjoy dinner with your family, the last thing you need is an uncomfortable chair to sit on. Most people look forward to enjoying a delicious meal at home. Enhance the experience even more by purchasing relaxing and comfortable seating. 

7. Improper Lighting

It’s common for many homeowners to install lighting that’s more of a spectacle than it is functional. Properly installed, functional lighting is important to your health and safety. It’s not to say that your lighting has to be plain or unimpressive, but make sure it’s serving its main purpose. Do your homework and find lighting that’s both attractive, practical, purposeful and efficient.

8. Pushed Back Furniture

Your living room is one of the rooms in your home that gets the most use and foot traffic. You should give the layout some careful thought and consideration. Don’t go pushing all of your furniture against the wall and creating dead space in the middle of the room. Experts recommend pulling your furniture at least 12" off the wall. Let the furniture float, or use a sofa table to bridge the gap. This small adjustment will make your living room more cozy and inviting.

9. Ignoring Windows

Windows are good for bringing in fresh air and natural light, but they’re also great for decorating. Curtains with clean lines are better than ones with heavy gathering, ruffles or too much fringe, which collect a lot of dust and may quickly go out of style. You might assume it’s not necessary, but don’t be afraid to dress arched or shaped windows too. There’s no shortage of new blind designs on the market, so stop ignoring and start beautifying those windows.

Conclusion

This article should give you a better handle on some of the most common home decorating mistakes. These are small changes that will make a big difference. A lot of these ideas aren’t necessarily hard to fix, but are frequently overlooked. Don’t feel like you need to tackle all of these projects at once. Consider which are most important to you and get started!

Your Message

Click here to post a Enquiry

Advertisement