When it comes to decorating our homes, we all want to create a beautiful and inviting space that reflects our personal style. However, there are some common decorating mistakes that can easily be made, leading to a less than ideal living environment. Learn about 8 of the most common decorating mistakes and tips on how to fix them, so you can create a beautiful and harmonious living space.
Design Mistake 1: Overcrowding Spaces
One of the most common design phantoms is overcrowded spaces. It’s easy to fall into the trap of adding too much because we believe it makes our space cozier or more interesting, when in reality, it can feel overwhelming and claustrophobic.
The Fix: Decluttering
Before adding new pieces to your space, take time to declutter. The minimalist trend isn’t just about aesthetic; it’s about the necessity of space to breathe and allow the design elements in the room to shine. Assess each item’s importance and its contribution to your design goals. Consider storage solutions and rotate decor throughout the seasons to keep your space fresh and unburdened. Another thing you can do is rearrange the furniture to create better flow and functionality in the room. Remember that less is often more when it comes to decorating, so don’t be afraid to leave some empty space for a more open and airy feeling.
Design Mistake 2: Lack of Proper Lighting
A lack of proper lighting can negatively impact the overall look and feel of a room. Insufficient lighting can make a space feel dark and unwelcoming, while harsh overhead lighting can create unflattering shadows.
The fix: Layer Light
Set the right mood and ambiance by layering lighting. Avoid harsh overhead lighting and instead opt for layered lighting options such as table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces. Consider installing dimmer switches for adjustable lighting levels depending on the time of day or mood you want to create. Here are some additional tips to properly light your home.
Design Mistake 3: Lack of Color Balance
Color is powerful and can drastically affect the energy of a room. That’s why choosing the right color palette is essential for creating a cohesive and harmonious look in your home. Using colors haphazardly without considering balance and harmony can result in a design that’s jarring or uninteresting.
The Fix: Create a Unified Palette
To achieve a color balance, start by choosing a cohesive color palette for your home. This doesn’t mean everything has to match; it means selecting colors that work well together and allowing them to flow from room to room. Anchor your space with a neutral base, and then layer in pops of color through accessories. Think 60-30-10 — 60% of a dominant color, 30% for a secondary color, and 10% for an accent color. This is a rule of thumb that tends to yield pleasing results.
Design Mistake 4: Disregarding Scale and Proportion: The Size Does Matter
Have you ever walked into a room and felt like something was off, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on it? It might have been a scale and proportion problem.
The Fix: Sizing Up Your Design
When selecting furniture, be conscious of the scale of the room and other elements within it. For example, a large couch in a small room can make it feel cramped, while small art on a large wall can make it look bare. Remember that proportion is about the relationship between objects, so mix it up — pair a large, low coffee table with a tall, narrow bookshelf, for example. Take measurements before making any purchases and consider creating a floor plan to ensure that everything fits correctly.
Design Mistake 5: Not Personalizing the Space
A home that could be anyone’s doesn’t feel like it’s yours. It’s important to infuse personality into your spaces to create a connection between you and your living environment.
The Fix: Add a Touch of You
Personalizing your space doesn’t mean plastering every surface with trinkets. It’s about incorporating items that hold personal meaning into the design. This could be family heirlooms, travel souvenirs, or DIY projects. Make sure your space reflects your experiences and tastes, and you’ll naturally create a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels authentically yours.
Design Mistake 6: Misplacing Artwork and Decor
Perhaps one of the most visible decorating mistakes is the incorrect placement of artwork and decor. Artwork should be hung at eye level for optimal viewing enjoyment. Art hung too high, too low, or too off-center can throw off the balance of the entire room.
The Fix: Find the Right Height
When it comes to art, the general rule is that the center point of the picture or grouping should be at eye level. In most homes, this is around 57 inches. For larger pieces, you might want to center the work between 10 and 12 inches above a piece of furniture or 4 to 8 inches above a mantel. Remember to consider the scale of the wall and the piece of art. And, as with furniture, measure and plan before you start putting holes in the wall.
Design Mistake 7: Neglecting the Power of Textures
Texture adds depth and nuance to a room, making it more visually appealing and inviting. Spaces with a single texture can feel sterile or incomplete.
The Fix: Mix Textures
Incorporate a variety of textures within your design. This can be achieved by mixing materials like wood, metal, fabric, and plants. Textures can also include layering rugs, using different types of soft furnishings, and adding tactile art pieces. The contrast between smooth and rough, polished and weathered, adds dimension and can turn a good design into a great one.
Design Mistake 8: Forgetting Functionality
A common pitfall in decorating is to focus solely on aesthetics, forgetting that our homes need to be functional living spaces. A beautifully decorated home is attractive, but a well-designed space that also caters to your lifestyle is invaluable.
The Fix: Balancing Beauty with Usefulness
To ensure your space is both beautiful and functional, start with a floor plan. Consider how you currently use the space and what you’d like to improve. Multi-functional furniture is a great solution for smaller spaces. Use area rugs to define spaces and provide comfort. And always keep traffic flow in mind — make sure there are clear paths between rooms and around furniture.
By being aware of these common decorating mistakes and knowing how to fix them, you can create a home that truly reflects your style while also feeling comfortable and inviting for both yourself and your guests. Remember that decorating is all about trial and error; don’t be afraid to experiment with different layouts, colors, textures, and styles until you find what works best for you.
If you’re in need for some design inspiration, visit us this weekend for our Model Release at City Village in San Ramon! Tour our fully decorated model homes (and possibly buy a new home) on Saturday, April 13th. Visit us online at SummerHillHomes.com to learn more about our new home communities and available quick-move in homes throughout the Bay Area.