Interior Design Faux Pas To Avoid. Are You Making Any of These?

They say “different strokes for different folks,” but is that true for interior design? It turns out that interior design is a little more difficult than that.

It’s easy to find decor styles you like in magazines, but recreating them is a different story. Are there rules separating the quaint from the tasteless? Indeed, there are a few faux pas to avoid when decorating a room in your home.

That’s why at Mykukun.com we’ll explore some of the worst!

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Interior Design Faux Pas #1: Too Much Matching

Don’t buy all your furniture and decor in a single pattern or color. Rather, you want to use contrasting tones to break up space. This is especially true with artwork, cushions, and other accessories.

Good interior design is more than a random mix of colors and styles but it also doesn’t look exactly like it does in the magazines.

We’ve all fallen in love with one of those pages, but the complete style never translates well. It’s necessary to have certain painting and decorating skills in order to recreate the style that grabbed your attention from the pages. But in the end remember that you mean to live in this home–that is, it is not a showroom.

Bring your own style to that showroom look with something exciting and personal.

For example, you might order beautiful custom window treatments or you can express your creativity by repainting your walls with the ideal color for your home.

Don’t forget the facade of your home – it’s the first thing guests will notice and if you want to impress them, choose one of the top trends for house exterior colors.

Interior Design Faux Pas #2: Clinging to Trends

There are uncountable trends that shift all the time. It’s one of the biggest apartment decorating mistakes people make when designing their homes. Instead of focusing on what they really love, they’re looking over their shoulders.

They’re too worried about what others will think about their taste.

As said above, make your choices personal. At all points, remind yourself what this space means to you. What kind of textures and colors do you prefer? What do you want to feel when you enter that room? Are you ready to make mistakes on your own?

Ignore the trends and trust in your personal aesthetic.

However, the one trend that is worth to mention is the incorporated technology. A simple cheap but smart thermostat will ease any household with usage and cost.

Don’t be afraid to be yourself and express your vision through the interior of your home.

Perhaps, you prefer a more modern style and want a wall with graphic elements? Or you are nostalgic about the past and would rather decorate your home in a retro style from the 80s?

Whatever your inner voice tells you, just follow it, and disregard the thought of decorating mistakes.

Read more: Fall living room decor

Interior Design Faux Pas #3: Misusing Art

We don’t know about you, but we’re not in the NBA. Chances are your guests aren’t either. In other words, you don’t need to hang your artwork seven feet up the wall.

It’s hard enough to find the right art for your home; don’t fall into the misconception that this adds room height. In fact, art that’s too high disconnects it from the room. Try to keep most art eye-level to someone who is 5’6″. If your art pieces are too big and you wonder how to position them right, we’ve prepared a guide on how to properly use large artwork in your interior and weave out design mistakes.

Also consider putting artwork in more subtle, unexpected locations.

Removable hooks help you test placements for a few weeks. If you like it, make it permanent. If you hate it, change it!

Another idea is to use creative wall painting techniques instead of art pieces. For example, you can make a wall pop out with stencils, stripes or Chevron pattern.

If all this sounds too much, you can try to implement the minimalism of Scandinavian interior design. Instead of having bright colored walls or artwork, you can turn to white and pastel colors for your home.

Read more: Graphic design in home improvement

Interior Design Faux Pas #4: Not Considering Verticality

Like with the artwork, you must consider the proportion and scale. If all the furniture is the same size, or if it’s either too big or too small, your room will suffer an identity crisis.

This problem concerns mostly the bedroom since discordant furniture layouts are one of the top 5 bedroom design faux pas to avoid. And the bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary where you take a deserved rest, not a place that stresses you even more out.

The fix here is surprisingly simple: Think of the room like a city, and populate it with a combination of sizes. Check out any cityscape as an example of the blend of shapes you can find.

Read more: Rooms That Will Make You Rethink Herringbone And Chevrons

Interior Design Faux Pas #5: Neglecting the Rug

Yes, hardwood floors are an excellent flooring choice. Properly finished hardwood is easy to clean and will last a long time. But that doesn’t mean you should neglect the opportunity to use rugs for style!

Area rugs help define the conversation space while further protecting the floor. Few parts of the room can introduce it’s over style quite as a rug can.

If you’re decorating the living room, you need a large rug; think at least 8 by 10 feet. Smaller rugs are more suitable for entryways, kitchens, or beside the bed. In these cases, a 4 by 6-foot rug will work well!

Living room rugs, though, should fit at least two sofa legs, as a general rule of thumb.

Read more: Things You Should Know Before You Hire an Interior Designer

Interior Design Faux Pas #6. Failing to Consider Outer Space

Who says that all the furniture should line the four walls of each room? That neglects a considerable amount of space in the center, plus prevents passageways.

Planning space is an essential part of your interior decoration, so it’s important to do it right. Never push your furniture all the way against the edge of the room, especially if using luxurious French furnishing and decor. There are exceptions, of course, but it’s better to err on the side of caution. This is true even in small spaces.

If you anchor one piece of furniture to a wall, other pieces should be nearby, not against the opposite wall. Area rugs help in this scenario as well, because it serves as a guide for planning space.

Pair chairs, sofas, and tables in the middle of the room to create a contemporary setting. Remember to have fun with it! Cycle through different layout options and create a space that feels right for you.

Another great and often forgotten opportunity to show your design preferences is the front door. The color of your door can say a lot about your personality. So think carefully when choosing how to paint it.

Read more: Decorating Your First Home: Where To Save And Where To Splurge

Interior Design Faux Pas #7. White Ceilings

Be honest: You’d probably love white ceilings. We all do.

Sure, most people may never actually look up there. (Unless, of course, your chandelier is spectacular!)

“The ceiling is one of the biggest parts of the room lacking any clutter,” shares Jordan Vellutini, from Westline Electrical Ltd, “Changing this white area even to something like beige or ecru can warm the entire room, especially with the right set of lighting fixtures. LED lamps have become the standard for both home and office, nowadays.” he adds.

High ceilings?

You’ll either need to get a ladder or buy an extension pole for your paint roller. Using a ladder requires an assistant for safety, but an extension pole is best for your solo work.

Read more: Room Divider Ideas to Turn One Room into Two

Conclusion

There you have it! Now that you are aware of common interior design faux pas, you’ll know how to avoid them. Be sure to make the adjustments as needed to your plan, and the results will amaze you! Wait until your guests see your work!

Written by Dmitri Kara. March 20, 2019

Started as a regular jack of all trades back in early 2012, Dmitri Kara is currently a well-stablished expert in a wide range of domestic and commercial trades. Running the "Home & Love" community, Dmitri has appeared for quite a few reputable outlets such as Today.com, Metro.News, Telegraph.co.uk, Rd.com, Quote.com, Reviews.com, Plus.net, IkeaHackers.net and many more. You can reach him at @dmitrikara.