Decorating your house allows you to curate your home’s aesthetic and truly make it your own space that reflects your personality and tastes. While decorating can be an exciting and often rewarding experience, it is easy to get overwhelmed and make mistakes that can significantly impact your space’s overall look and feel. But how do you know when you’re doing something wrong?
Read on for five home decorating mistakes and how to avoid them.
Choosing the wrong curtains
One of the most common home decorating mistakes is choosing the wrong curtain size. When you hang drapes that are too short or too long, they can disrupt the visual harmony of your space and cause the room to look haphazard. To avoid this, always measure your windows before buying anything. A good rule of thumb is to place the curtain rod 3-6 inches beyond the window frame and 4-6 inches above it, says an interior designer in Santa Rosa Beach. If you want a luxurious look, layer curtains that are longer than the window so they look full and plush. Also, if you wind up buying curtains that are too long for your liking, you can hem them to a more appropriate length.
Installing unsuitable lighting
Lighting is essential for any room in any house, yet many homeowners underestimate its significance when decorating. Poor lighting can make a room feel dim and unwelcoming, while harsh lighting can create an uncomfortable and sterile atmosphere. Strike the right balance by incorporating a mix of ambient, overhead, and accent lighting. You should also consider installing dimmer switches, which allow you to adjust the intensity of the light and create the desired ambiance.
Overcramping your space
Filling a room with too much furniture is a common decorating mistake that can make your space feel cramped and cluttered. Before purchasing furniture, carefully measure your room and plan the layout. If you want to use the items you already own, see if there’s a way you can rearrange their placement to open up the space. Remember to choose pieces that fit the room’s scale and leave enough space for easy movement. When you embrace the concept of “less is more,” you’ll achieve an open and airy feel.
Leaving your walls empty
Some homeowners hate the idea of putting holes in their walls. However, leaving walls empty is a missed opportunity to add personality and style to your home. In contrast, hanging too much wall art can overwhelm the space. Strike a balance by choosing a few meaningful pieces that complement your decor. If there are a lot of items you want to display, create a gallery wall with a mix of frames and artwork, or choose one large statement piece as a focal point.
Filling the space with disconnected decor
A lack of design cohesion is a common mistake that can make your home feel disjointed. To create a harmonious and cohesive look, choose a consistent color scheme and style throughout your home. Then, you can ensure your decor items complement each other and work together as a cohesive unit. When everything goes together, it can help create a seamless flow from one room to another and gives your home a polished look.
It’s easy to avoid these common decorating mistakes. All you have to do is practice a little patience, measure your space, and ensure you’re choosing the proper pieces. If all else fails, you can always consult an interior designer who knows everything about scale, color palettes, and cohesion.
