Today I want to share 13 decorating mistakes to avoid when decorating your home! An easy guide to decorate with ease and have a beautiful and inviting house!
We have all been in our awkward home decorating stage! Especially starting out you might not have everything you desire to have for your home and you make do. Looking at pictures from the past I sometimes cringe at my design design choices, but that’s ok because like everything in life, it’s a learning curve!
There are some basic design rules to go by that will help when decorating your home, and also several things to avoid if you want to achieve a well decorated and designed home. I want to break that down for you today!
Recently wrote a post about 12 Outdated Home Decor Trends which might interest you!
- Decorating mistakes to avoid:
- 1. Too many paint colours
- 2. Choosing rugs that are too small
- 3. Not considering the traffic flow of the space
- 4. Choosing to many styles in one room
- 5. Not hanging your curtains right
- 6. Focusing too much on aesthetic and not on functionality
- 7. Overcrowding a space with too much furniture or decor
- 8. Hanging art work or photos at the wrong height or space
- 9. Neglecting to create a focal point
- 10. Cluttered surfaces
- 11. More then one source of lighting
- 12. Following trends to closely
- 13. Rushing the design process
- Conclusion
(This post contains affiliate links to Amazon and LTK that I make a small commission from with no extra costs added to you.)
Decorating mistakes to avoid:
1. Too many paint colours
What you are painting your house does make a huge difference! Avoid painting each room a different colour, especially open big spaces should be painted the same colour preferably a lighter neutral colour!
Having the same colour throughout creates a cohesive look that gives the illusion that the space actually being bigger than it is. This can be especially helpful when you are working with a small space! Consider a warm white for a blank slate and bring in more depth and character with your furniture and decor!
2. Choosing rugs that are too small
I think the right rug can either make or break the space! It is important to choose the right size. Having a rug will ground the space, making it more cozy and inviting. If choosing a rug that is too small it can make your space look smaller than it is and make the space seem unbalanced. Make sure you check a rug size guide before making this decision!
3. Not considering the traffic flow of the space
This is important when first deciding where to put what in your home! Consider all the walking zones, and what spaces would be best left cleared so moving through your home is not an obstacle course!
For example choose entrance furniture that isn’t taking up the whole hallway. Choose sofas and sectionals that aren’t too big and stretch into a walking zone.
4. Choosing to many styles in one room
This one is a little complicated because I am all for character, uniqueness and styles coexisting but this can also go very wrong!
There are a few things to consider when mixing style:
- Try going for a similar colour palette, a particular material or unifying element. Even if choosing something that has different styles it should have some similarities!
- Start of slow and small and see if you like what your going with, then go from there.
- Gather inspiration from successful disagrees who have achieves mixing styles successfully
5. Not hanging your curtains right
This is similar to the rug situation. Curtains are a wonderful addition to a room, it can really add a lot to the space and I think curtains are always a good idea!
However, they need to be hung right otherwise it can quickly make your home look outdates, make your windows look smaller then they actually are, or even take away from sunlight.
Curtains need to be hung high enough, wide enough and make sure they aren’t too short or too long. This can make all the difference for a room!
6. Focusing too much on aesthetic and not on functionality
I have made this mistake before, especially when you enjoy home interior and decor then you can quickly make the mistake of not considering the function of the space before decorating.
It is important to remember that your house isn’t a museum! Think about each and space and what It will be used for and then work around that!
7. Overcrowding a space with too much furniture or decor
When starting with a blank slate think about the space and what you want it to be used for. Then go slow when decorating and designing. Avoid cluttering spaces and choose the right scale furniture for the space. Sometimes less is more!
8. Hanging art work or photos at the wrong height or space
This is also important when decorating your home to consider carefully where you are putting art and photos. Here are a few things to consider:
- Hang your art and photos at 57-60 inches from the centre of the picture to the floor. This is usually around eye level and creates a commutable viewing experience.
- Consider the the size of the wall and the furniture around it. A large picture can make a too bold statement or a little picture might get lost. Consider a gallery wall on a blank wall!
- Consider the style of the room when choosing art! Sometimes random works for in most cases a similar style or art will look better!
9. Neglecting to create a focal point
This is a designer secret to always remember and go by! Every room needs a focal point, something that will draw your eyes in and anchors the space. For example a statement furniture piece, a fireplace, a piece of art work. Highlight and enhance the focal point to add visual interest!
10. Cluttered surfaces
Less is more! When it comes to decor consider quality over quantity. Try keeping counters and shelves clean with not to many decor items. Only go for well curated decor pieces and the leave the rest! This will enhance the overall look and feel of the room!
11. More then one source of lighting
Only having one overhead light can come across harsh and even cold. Adding layered lighting throughout a space can add ambiance and highlight key features in a room.
For example add table lamps, picture lights or other accent lighting to crate different zones throughout the space! This will make a space so much more inviting and cozy!
12. Following trends to closely
It is easy to be swept up in the current of trends, but these come and go! Instead try focusing more on timeless pieces and also consider your personal style and preferences!
13. Rushing the design process
Good things take time, and the same goes for a well decorated designed space! Don’t rush yourself, instead wait until you find the perfect pieces for the space!
(This post contains affiliate links to Amazon and LTK that I make a small commission from with no extra costs added to you.)
Conclusion
I hope I could help you out a bit when it comes to decorating mistakes! Remember to take your time, don’t rush things! Go with things that you truly love and create a space that you will want to love in. That is the most important aspect of decorating.
Until next time,
