There are many things that need to work together to create the perfect home when creating a beautiful space. This is why interior design is important. You can create a room that you love by having a cohesive theme, finding the right balance, and using the right scale of furniture.
It’s often just as useful to know what not to do as it is to know all the rules. So you know where to look for interior design mistakes before they happen, we’ve compiled 6 of the most common ones. We show you how to fix these faux pas so you too can create a fabulous home if you have any in your home already.
Wrong Rug Size
In a living room or family room, rugs separate the living areas, so the rug should be big enough to accommodate the front legs of chairs and sofas. A rug that is at least 8 feet by 10 feet in size is necessary for most living rooms. A rug that is too small or skimpy will make the room feel bare and uncomfortable.
Most people don’t think about area rugs when they decorate, but they actually play an important role in your interior design. You can anchor a room, define a space, or pull a color scheme together with the right area rug. There is an almost endless variety of colours, patterns, and styles to choose from, so be sure to keep your plans in mind when choosing your rug.
You should also choose the correct size rug for your room. Rugs that are too small for a space is one of the most common mistakes designers see.
The following are some general guidelines for choosing the right size rug for your room:
- Rugs for the living room and family room need to be big enough to accommodate all of the furniture’s front feet. Even better if the one you use is large enough to take all the furniture into account.
- You should choose a rug that will allow all dining chairs to be pulled out of the table and still have all four legs on the rug in the dining room.
- There should be a minimum of 2 feet between the bed and the side of the rug. For a queen bed, 8′ x 10′ is an appropriate size. For a king bed, 9′ x 12′ is a good measurement.
Dark Lampshades
Having a dark lampshade on the wall casts harsh shadows that make a room look dreary. Additionally, they are dust magnets. Dark lampshades may clash with lighter colors in your décor, so consider switching them out for lighter shades. Your upholstery might have blue and lemon yellow stripes, so you could choose new shades in lemon yellow.
The lighting in a home is often taken for granted by people who move into a new place. The least expensive fixtures are usually used by builders, and they install only enough light to meet basic demands. Many homes end up with dark, dimly lit spaces or harsh, harsh lighting. Or maybe both!
Making a lighting plan that includes ambient, task, and accent lighting will ensure each room in your house is well-lit and comfortable. Adding layers of lighting at various intensities and levels will achieve this effect. You can achieve even lighting throughout your home by combining overhead lights, wall lights, and floor and table lamps.
Each room will have enough light to carry out any task that is normally performed there by a well-designed lighting plan. There should be enough (ambient) lighting in every room so you are able to move around safely. You should also have task lighting for performing specific tasks like reading or cooking. Accent lighting is intended to draw attention to important items like artwork or architectural features.
Wrong furniture size
It is among the most difficult aspects of design to master scale and proportion. There is a common belief that if you own a large home, you should furnish it with large pieces of furniture. In addition, if they own a small house, they only decorate with furniture that is small in size. It’s fine to use a large-scale piece to make a statement in a smaller space. Nevertheless, it must be balanced out with small or visually light items to avoid feeling crowded.
Spaces with a mix of different shapes, sizes, and heights are ideal. Create an interesting “skyline” for your home by placing tall and short and large and small pieces in it. Doing so adds interest and variety, plus it helps to keep the eye moving.
You should also consider proportions when choosing furniture of different sizes. It will look awkward and feel out of proportion to place a tall chair next to a low coffee table. Measure the space where the furniture will go as well as the pieces nearby to make sure the size is correct.
Exposed Wires
Nothing detracts from the beauty of a room like an unsightly tangle of cords and wires. Electrical cords are unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be disguised or tucked away. The best way to conceal cords is to run them inside the wall, where they will be completely hidden. However, this is not always an option. Alternatively, to make the cords less noticeable, paint them the same color as the wall.
Fortunately, as homes become more automated and there is an ever-increasing stream of gadgets to charge, creative ways to integrate technology in your home are on the rise. Nightstands, desks, and side tables with built-in charging stations are now available. Cord covers are also available in a variety of fashionable colors to help conceal unsightly cords.
“Needing to match everything” mindset
In a perfect world, our homes would be cohesive and everything would look good together. It is very easy for people to become sucked into the trap of matching furniture sets everywhere due to the fear that the final design will not look cohesive.
No matter whether you have a dining table and matching chairs, or a sofa and matching armchair, there’s nothing wrong with them. The same style sofa can sometimes benefit from a different fabric being added to the set, or a couple of different chairs. Thus, your home will look less like a furniture store showroom and more like your own unique house filled with character.
Collecting Items
The act of collecting items can be enjoyable, and while having three ceramic roosters on a counter adds color and whimsy to a kitchen, having 30 ceramic roosters crammed on every shelf and surface creates an unkempt appearance. If your collections have grown in size over the years, consider selling or donating them to make your space look and feel more spacious.
Plain Walls and Lack of Accessories
After you place the furniture and paint the walls, you might think that the design process is complete. But when you are designing or decorating, the final step is to add accessories and artwork. Adding interest, texture, and personality to the space will help bring the design together, reinforce the color palette, and make the space more welcoming. The absence of color or décor can make a space feel harsh and unwelcoming.
Plain, empty walls have never been in style, even though white walls are trending right now. Your house will look unfinished if your walls are bare and bare without any colors or artwork. Artwork of a large scale can make a dramatic impact on a space. If the cost of original art is out of your reach, you can find a lot of unique and affordable art online.
The addition of accent walls can transform a blank wall into a stunning focal point. You can use an accent wall in any space, whether it is painted a bold color, or covered with wallpaper or a wall mural.
Make sure the accessories you choose match your color scheme and come in a variety of textures and finishes. The accessories you choose to complement your décor can tell a story and add character to it. Make sure you incorporate plants and flowers to help make a space more vibrant.
So, whether you’re opting for modern interior design or not, avoiding these mistakes early on will make sure you achieve your vision.
Visit Dorwae Interiors for more information and browse our services and specialties.