Decorating a home is a very personal thing and while there are exceptions to many rules, other times, there are not. Ultimately, yes, it’s important that the appearance of your home makes you happy— but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn about some common pitfalls and home decor mistakes people struggle with in terms of decorating. After all, the more you know, the less likely you’ll have to learn them the hard way. Here we’ll take a look at 7 deadly sins of decorating which, according to the design and decorating world, should be avoided at all costs. Do not do these home decor mistakes!
1. Excess Clutter (A.K.A. Hoarding)
Knickknacks can be cute and even an expression of your personality— but when you lose sight of the surface they’re sitting on, you have one too many and this is one of the home decor mistakes. So what are you to do? Well, when it comes to knickknacks, you have three options: 1. get rid of them, 2. store them, and 3. arrange them. A good rule of thumb for displaying knickknacks is to set a limit. For example, choose to display 2 to 3 in each room. When arranging them, be sure that they are well-suited for that particular space. If they aren’t, try somewhere else. Ultimately, the goal is to edit your trinket-like accessories in a way that’s pleasing to the eye. If it doesn’t look good in your home, see options 1 and 2. If there are some you end up storing away, consider rotating them when you want a change!
2. Neglecting the Entryway
For many families, especially ones with attached garages or basement entries, the front door doesn’t get much use. Still, that’s no excuse to leave your entryway neglected. Considering it is the entry point for visitors, it should make a good first impression. Take time to put something there that jazzes the area up a bit, such as a colorful table or cabinet, some decorative wall hooks, and a mirror.
3. The Wrong Lighting
Lighting has so much influence over the appearance of a room. Not only does it illuminate dark spaces for visibility, but the right lighting can also affect the spatial aspect of a room, soften or darken the color palette, highlight architectural features, set a mood, and increase the ambiance. It’s very important to layer your lighting throughout the house, which will ensure that each space is lit accordingly. To vary the levels properly, install dimmers whenever possible. To learn more about lighting read our blogs The Importance of Lighting and What to Consider When Lighting Your Home and 5 Bright Lighting Trends for Illuminating Your Home.
4. Matching Everything
When decorating your home, don’t “cookie-cutter” it. In other words, decorate the room in a way that looks as though the items within it were carefully collected over time. Don’t get the entire matching furniture set and don’t match the rug perfectly to the drapes. Make sure that you mix up patterns and textures to keep it interesting. Be sure to give your space thought, keeping it personal and a bit eclectic.
5. All Furniture Against the Wall
One of the most common home decor mistakes. Remember, a home that feels inviting is one that actually looks inviting— so fight the urge to shove everything up against the walls. Keep the space interesting by pulling items closer to the center, grouping them in a way that fosters conversation when there are people in the room. And make sure that you leave clear paths for traffic that go around your furniture arrangement, not through it.
6. Lack, or Fear, of Color
Color makes us happy, so why does it seem so hard to bring into our homes? White or beige walls can be nice, but oftentimes, they’re considered safe. Does this mean that neutrals are boring? Absolutely not! But they have to be done correctly in order to look stunning. If you just can’t bring yourself to paint some walls in a color you love, that’s okay— just be sure to work it in the space through other ways such as accent pillows and accessories.
7. No Real Sense of You
Living in a home that doesn’t reflect your style and personality is probably the worst sin of them all. Be sure not to take yourself too seriously and incorporate some whimsy into your decor. Bring in those precious mementos. Display those family pictures. Showcase those collectibles from your travels. There’s absolutely no reason you can’t have a stylish home that you actually enjoy and feel comfortable in.
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