Some interior design mistakes can’t be avoided, which is part of the process. But if you know ahead of time what the most common mistakes are, you can avoid them and save yourself time and money. Besides the pure inconvenience of it, interior design mistakes can be costly. Not to mention, can you imagine returning a coffee table? Save yourself the hassle. Here are six common interior design mistakes to avoid:
1. Buying decor in the same size and style
One of the most common interior design mistakes made is the failure to consider your furniture’s proportions. You should always be aware of your pieces’ scale and space they take up in your room. There is a fine line between too many large-scale pieces that absorb the entire area and far too many small decorative accessories making a room feel more cluttered than it is. The trick is to convey a feeling of openness. Choosing one primary focal piece is critical and accenting the decor at various other heights. A room will start to feel too sterile if all pieces are the same size/shape/color.
Online design experts agree, “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 the same level or the same size. Accomplish this with different heights/sizes in your furnishings, art placement, and window treatments.”
2. Choosing the Wrong Rug Size
A rug frames a space and defines its purpose. More often than not, rugs are purchased in the wrong size and shape and end up crowding the room. As a general rule, a rug should be big enough to fit at least two chairs or sofa legs on it for a room. The rug should cover the most significant space, allowing for most of the main furniture to reside on top of it. Living rooms typically require a rug that is at least 8-by-10 feet, if not 9-by-12 feet. When the rugs are too small or used too frequently in a room, everything seems smaller and crowded. Rugs that are too small for the space often look cheap and out of place.
3. Impulse buying
We’re all guilty of it. We get excited about a new project. We start shopping. Everything seems fresh and inspiring. Before you know it, your simple spring refresh has cost you thousands of dollars and a headache. Your budget doesn’t have to be extreme if you focus on buying beautiful and quality-made focal points. A well-designed leather couch in a deep dark stain will never go out of style. By focusing your dollars on higher ticket items that are long-lasting, you we’ll have more freedom to change other seasonal decorations.
Before heading to the furniture showroom, it’s best to have a plan and a well-established budget. First, your rooms need to be measured. The furniture delivery and placement need to be appropriately planned. Shop around, plan, and budget before buying.
4. Painting First
A common mistake that most of us are guilty of—painting first. Again with the excitement! Painting your walls should not be done on impulse. There are other more critical design details that drive the spirit of the room and should be considered before the walls are painted. Fabrics and textiles for upholstery and curtains should be selected before painting the walls.
You may be wondering why? Typically investments in textiles and fabrics run far less expensive than interior painting. You can experiment with these items at the beginning of the project and return as needed. The more significant financial investments will come toward the project’s end when you have a clear vision.
5. Thinking everything should match
Matching bedroom suites with matching upholstery and coordinating curtains is a thing of the past. It is usually a mistake to try and match items in a room. The beauty of authentic interior design is that it genuinely works for the family. It has the correct flow, functionality, aesthetic. When everything looks and feels the same, the room is very one-dimensional. Avoid this by mixing texture and color in small ways with accessories and pillows.
6. Too much clutter on display
Your home should be a reflection of you, but your entire life should not be on display. If your home feels more like a traveling museum exhibit, it’s probably time to declutter. Focus on the items that are the most sentimental or eye-catching. Of course, display anything that has a good story! The fewer the items, the more significant their impact on your space. Well-curated items draw people into conversation and sentiment. They inspire and calm. By carefully choosing the pieces of art and accessories in your room, you create the whole space’s feeling. A cluttered home is a cluttered mind. Please keep it simple!
Choose pieces you love. Design a space that represents your personal style. Avoid these simple mistakes so that you can enjoy your refreshed interior design for years to come.
Let us help!
Looking for some help? You can stop by any of our locations or make an appointment with one of our design experts today. The Florida Leather Gallery is home to timeless leather furniture pieces that you can use as a focal point for any room. If we can’t find the perfect piece for you, let us design a custom one! Visit our Tampa leather seating showroom or contact us for more information.
