10 Common Interior Design Mistakes You’re Currently Making

Some people may not consider an interior designer a crucial step in the home building process. Therefore, they find themselves making lots of interior design mistakes. There is a process of creating a cohesive look throughout your home. Here is a list of 10 common interior design mistakes:

The number one interior design mistake we notice is only using one source of lighting. The most common lighting is overhead lighting. This type of lighting is functional and practical. However, overhead lighting doesn’t bring much ambiance to your space. Additionally, overhead lighting can also make your space feel stark and uninviting. Lighting should be layered throughout your space as you include different lighting sources.  Don’t forget to consider natural lighting. You can optimize this light using mirrors to bounce light and allowing light to come in through window and door choices.

Many homeowners are notorious for making the interior design mistake of poor furniture placement. For some reason, they are under the impression that placing their furniture against the wall will create more space. When in reality, you will be surprised with the amount of space available when you change up the furniture placement. There are huge advantages with carefully thought-out furniture placement. This simple change will transform your space by designing a definite area that inspires conversation and invites intimacy.

Another huge interior design mistake is choosing the wrong size rug. The rug anchors a room and more specifically the individual and unique space. It is crucial that you choose the correct size rug for your space. By having the right-sized rug, you will actually make the area feel more spacious. For a general rule of thumb, a living room rug will almost always be at least 8-by-10 feet, and sometimes 9-by-12 feet. When selecting a rug, you want the front legs of your furniture to sit comfortably on the rug. As for the dining room rug, it should be positioned under the chairs, even when the chairs are extended out.

Some people make the mistake of getting caught up in the latest interior design trends. Of course, interior design trends will vary and for this reason, you should stay true to your own style. Truly, you want to make sure you feel comfortable in the space and that you absolutely love it. By imitating someone else interior design choices to a tee, it will likely result in you being unsatisfied. In order to make a space uniquely yours, take time to think about what you want the space to mean to you and what colors and textures make you feel at home.  

Interior design projects require balance which is often forgotten resulting in yet another mistake. In order to get the best results, you must understand how everything will look together. When you walk into a room it should have varying heights. The design should never consist of all items in the room being the same level or size. Think of your space as your favorite cityscape! Interior designers achieve this look by utilizing different levels and sizes in the furniture, window treatments, and art placement. Scale is more than just measuring, it includes making sure all the pieces fit together and complement each other. It takes the expertise of an interior designer to decorate a room with precise scale. 

Some homeowners tend to hand their art too high or too low. Your art should be hung roughly at eye level. Interior designers would give a general guideline of hanging art at least 8 inches above the top of your furniture pieces. On another note, most people assume that curtains are to be hung directly above the window frames. This small interior design mistake will actually make your window look smaller Instead, you should hang your curtains closer to the ceiling to heighten the space and make your window appear bigger.

A huge interior design mistake that we notice recurring, is homeowners hanging on to way too many décor pieces. You shouldn’t feel like you have to keep holding on to heirlooms or hand-me-downs. Additionally, you really should love every piece in your home and get rid of the rest to avoid excess clutter. In short, you don’t have to feel bad for getting rid of items that just aren’t working for your space. Again, you want your space to reflect your own décor style and not those who so generously gifted you with their own pieces.

Of course, you want your home to look coherent and everything to look like it was meant to be together. But don’t let yourself fall into the mistake of thinking that everything has to match in your interior design project. This will only result in your space looking to “matchy-matchy” and boring. In fact, you should always avoid buying furniture that is all the same height. Finally, you need a variety that reflects your personality.

Be careful to avoid the mistakes of selecting a paint color without considering the other elements in the interior design. Consider picking out your textiles first because it is a whole lot easier to pick out paint that will match your fabrics. When you have a paint color picked out be sure to test it out. You’ll want to paint a sample of your swatch on a piece of foam core board. Next, move the swatch around the room to examine the paint color in different lighting and different locations. A common designer’s rule is to pick the paint last but it is the first thing you apply. 

Outdoor living and entertaining are just as important as your interior space. Don’t make the interior design mistake of neglecting your outdoor space. You should maximize every square inch of your property, no matter how small it may be. The possibilities are endless with outdoor living. You may want to consider creating a garden or an outdoor lounge area as an extension of your interior space. Don’t forget about curb appeal! This gives others the first impression of your property and shows them what they can expect on the inside. 

The thought of starting on an interior design project can be a daunting task. Seek help from professionals in order to avoid interior design mistakes. Fratantoni Interior Designers have years of valuable experience to bring to the table. We can help your project run so smoothly that you can’t wait to show off your brand-new space. Call Fratantoni Interior Designers today!

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