9 Important Decorating Mistakes and How to Fix Them:
Some of us (me included) might be scratching our heads over some of the most basic decorating mistakes. If you feel overwhelmed with this important and stressful task, then we totally get you.
However, the remedy might be just a couple of moves away. Whether we’re talking about a bland room, a paint color you’re not very sure about, or even throw pillows that simply refuse to sit right, here are some of the easiest tweaks that could help you turn your questionable decorating decisions into something more rewarding.
Also, remember that a good interior designer might help you pinpoint all the issues you might miss and also come up with much-needed creative solutions.
Your dark walls need a lift.
Have you been tempted by the elegance and drama of inky indigos or gunmetal grays? Or perhaps you see something in the midnight blacks that have been trending for the last couple of years, but nevertheless, they make your room feel a little bit closed-in. Well, we’ll tell you how to get rid of that dungeon feeling.
What you can do:
Good lighting is very important because it reveals the tonal complexities in deep and saturated darks. Multiple light sources will allow you to control the ambiance and light direction.
You can combine uplights and downlights, and make sure you don’t let the ceiling disappear into that gloom. Trust me, when it comes to decorating mistakes, there’s nothing you can’t fix!
Also, remember that an over-furnished room might seem more like a cave than one that’s furnished in a basic style. Clear out all the unnecessary clutter and nonessential furniture.
Your shelves are bursting at the seams.
If you put every ornament you own on those beautiful open shelves, it might lead to a chaotic and distracting mishmash of items you can’t really distinguish. You might need serious sorting, especially if you want to create some focus.
What you can do:
You can take the advice of organizing expert Marie Kondo, who came up with a life-changing solution: honor items as much as you need, but then let them go. Another motto could be “Beautiful, interesting, or out.”
Make sure you empty your shelves and make time to organize your stuff in “yes” or “no” piles. You don’t really have to throw everything away, but it’s still a good opportunity to try the Kondo method. You can use shelf space in a way that will enhance every object you own.
Your sofa is pale and interesting, but still impractical.
In case you forgot that a dog, a cat, two toddlers, some sticky fingers, a raspberry cordial, and a pet don’t go with light sofas, we are here to remind you that this is a basic decorating mistake.
What you can do:
Well, you’ll have to have the fabric professionally cleaned and treated. Also, make sure that no stainproofing is infallible and that its effectiveness solely depends on the fabric.
Now we have access to modern formulas that penetrate those fibers and allow the liquid and other residue to be removed. More than that, DIY aerosol sprays might be a short-term solution, but they only coat the surface and wear away after only one cleaning.
Your vignettes look just like bargain tables.
Vignettes are a wonderful way to show off treasures and create more character. Moreover, most times they act as pocket-sized portraits of your personality, so if you haven’t really mastered the knack, well, you will now.
What you can do:
You can start with an anchor piece and build from it. Asymmetry will help you avoid a stiff and formal look. You can also try to contrast shapes and textures. You can even connect them with a theme, color, or mood.
Your living room doesn’t feel quite friendly.
We want our guests to be impressed by our home’s public spaces; that’s a fact, and that’s probably why, in many cases, style takes precedence over comfort, and we just end up with a dressy living room that feels unwelcoming.
What you can do:
The problem could simply be in how the furniture is positioned. First of all, seating should be arranged in such a way that encourages social interaction.
When you decide where to put sofas and armchairs, you can also imagine how sitters might communicate with one another. Also, put the seating closer so you can encourage conversation. Leaving them with their backs against the walls might create a no-man’s land in the middle of the room.
You can’t get the hang of hanging art.
Here, art can mean many things. It can either be canvas or framed prints, blown-up photographs, or a priceless original. It can be a treasured heirloom or even your child’s finger painting.
Either way, its impact depends on the way it is displayed. Do you feel that you’re getting the best out of yours?
What you can do:
If art is an important feature in your home, calling upon the services of a professional hanger is definitely something worth considering. Some of the most common decorating mistakes usually revolve around hanging art way too high.
You could try a human scale and hang artwork with the center point at eye level, where people have access to it. If the art is viewed from a seated position, then you can lower it.
Your white kitchen is practical but lacks the desired warmth.
Kitchens are in the limelight now more than ever, especially since we can do our own cooking shows and upload them on TikTok. Well, another huge decorating mistake is all-white kitchens. While they’re extremely common, clinical coldness might set in.
What you can do:
Kitchenware has shifted its purpose: from being beyond functional, it is now something worthy of display. Well, appliances come in a variety of colors and styles, and cookware is made to be seen.
Don’t hide this beauty away in cupboards; you can hang great-looking saucepans (get a set like this one, just to have something that matches nicely) from wall hooks or just leave a stack of dishes out on display. But beware: they have to be the ones you’re truly proud of.
Your focal points are all over the place.
If you walk into a room and nothing really catches your eye, then it means it’s missing a focal point. I know it might be a designer’s term that’s often used, but it still has value. A room without one might lack life, balance, and harmony.
What you can do:
A focal point might represent an architectural feature, a view, a piece of art, or even a fireplace. It can also be a statement furniture piece or a mirror.
It’s much easier to start with a focus and then plan your way into the room’s decor. Also, if you prefer to work with what you have on hand, just decide on the focal feature and arrange your furniture to point toward it.
You can’t control your pillow habit.
We all know someone who’s a pillow addict; they just don’t know when to stop. If it’s you, welcome!
What you can do:
Pillows heaped very high on sofas, chairs, and beds won’t always add much to the room. If you can’t sit on a sofa or even lie on a bed without putting a ton of pillows on the floor, then they kind of lose their purpose, don’t they?
As in this living room, you could try to restrict pillows to two at each end of the sofa or one on the armchair.
If you found this article useful, we also recommend reading: 7 Things Houseguests Usually Notice About Your Kitchen
