Decorating your home can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Whether you’re starting over or updating your space, it’s easy to make mistakes along the way. However, with a little guidance, you can avoid common decorating mistakes and create a space that feels just right for you. In this blog, we’ll go over five decorating mistakes people often make and how to fix them to transform your home into the perfect sanctuary.
1. Ignoring the size of the furniture
One of the most common decorating mistakes is choosing furniture that doesn’t fit the size of the room. Oversized furniture in a small room can make the room feel cramped and uncomfortable. On the other hand, furniture that’s too small in a large room can make the room feel bare and uninviting.
How to fix it: To avoid this mistake, start by measuring your space and the furniture you’re considering purchasing. Be sure to leave enough room for movement and flow between pieces. In a smaller room, choose furniture with legs to create the illusion of more space and try to keep the layout open. For larger spaces, choose large-sized furniture that fills the space without crowding it. It’s all about finding the right balance that feels cozy and functional.
2. Overcrowding the space
It’s easy to get carried away when decorating and try to fill every empty corner with furniture, artwork and decor. However, overcrowding can make a room feel cluttered and chaotic. Too much furniture or too many accessories can make the room feel heavy and uncomfortable.
How to fix it: One of the easiest ways to avoid overcrowding is to leave some air between your furniture and your decor. Aim for balance by combining functional pieces with some open spaces. You don’t have to fill every wall or corner. Sometimes leaving areas empty gives a room a sense of calm and helps the design elements stand out. In this case, minimalism can be your best friend – choose fewer but more statement-making pieces.
3. Choosing the wrong colors
Color is one of the most powerful tools in interior design, but choosing the wrong color can completely ruin the atmosphere of a room. Light colors can make a small space feel more open, while darker colors create warmth and intimacy. However, choosing a color that doesn’t match the lighting or furniture in the room can make it all feel wrong.
How to fix it: Before you decide on a color, test it on the walls. Try painting small swatches of paint in different parts of the room to see how the color looks in different lighting conditions. It’s important to consider how natural light affects the color and how it will blend with the furniture and flooring. If you’re unsure, neutral shades are a safe bet as they will match almost any decor style. If you’re brave enough to go for something daring, choose an accent wall instead of painting the entire room.
4. Neglecting the right lighting
Lighting can make or break the mood of a room. Ceiling lights alone often don’t provide the warmth or atmosphere a room needs. Many people also forget to layer different types of lighting, such as ambient, task and accent lighting, which can create an uneven or monotonous atmosphere.
How to fix it: To avoid poor lighting, it’s important to layer your light sources. Start with ambient lighting, which provides the general brightness of a room, then add task lighting, such as desk lamps or reading lamps, to focus on specific areas. Finally, use accent lighting to highlight artwork or architectural features. Don’t forget the mood that lighting creates—consider using dimmer switches or warm bulbs to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Also, make sure your lighting is properly sized for the room size. A small table lamp could get lost in a large living room, while a huge chandelier could overwhelm a smaller bedroom. Balance is key!
5. Forgetting About Functionality
Decorating your home should be about both style and function. While it’s tempting to focus purely on how things look, forgetting about how you use the space can lead to frustration. Furniture and decor should serve a practical purpose, as well as enhancing the room’s aesthetics.
How to Fix It: When decorating, always keep in mind how you’ll actually use the room. For example, if you’re decorating a living room, consider how many people typically use the space and how you want to arrange your seating. In a home office, prioritize functionality by choosing an ergonomic chair and a desk with enough storage for your needs. It’s important to think about everyday habits and how your space can make life easier, not just prettier.
Invest in furniture that fits your lifestyle and needs, like a storage ottoman for extra seating and hidden storage or a modular couch that can be rearranged for different purposes. Function and style can coexist beautifully with a little planning.
Final Thoughts
Decorating is an art, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. By avoiding these five common mistakes and following the tips to fix them, you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful, functional, and inviting home. Remember, balance is key—consider the size of your furniture, the lighting, the color scheme, and the layout to create a harmonious space. Don’t forget to prioritize functionality alongside aesthetics to make sure your home not only looks great but also works well for your day-to-day life.
Happy decorating!
