In this week’s BONUS post, I will divulge the remaining top six common interior decorating no-nos. In last week’s post I discussed six of the most common interior decorating blunders that I come across during in-home design consultations:
- The DIY gone wrong
- Overspending
- There is no focal point
- Purchasing that cheap, quick-fix furniture item
- The wall colour that you didn’t test
- The infamous white item
Purchasing the Entire Matching Set
I see this all the time. The interior space looks as though it should belong in a showroom. There is the matching sofa, loveseat and side chair and the matching coffee table, end tables, sofa table and entertainment unit. I wonder if this occurs frequently because purchasing the entire set of furniture is more cost effective and convenient, or homeowners fear that they will not be able to find other furnishing that will coordinate.
Whatever that reason may be – I’m going to fill you in on a little secret… … It’s OK if your furnishings don’t match perfectly! WHAT?!
Yes, that’s right. The whole point of pulling a room together is to incorporate different styles of furnishings that will reflect your style; your taste; and your personality. You want variety within your space.
Look for different textures (woven/linen), finishes (wood/metals), shapes (round/square), sizes (tall/short); and weight (solid/open). As long as the furnishings have common elements and they are all within the right proportion it will work out.
I know this can be intimidating. I usually tell clients to add variety by changing out their end tables. There are so many different styles and shapes to choose from to give you that extra oomph. There is no greater feeling then finding the coolest end table that will go perfectly in your living room.
Purchasing a beautiful piece of furniture that is uncomfortable
How many times has this happened? Everyone wants the sleek, contemporary, low back sectional for their downstairs media room. You sit down to enjoy that three hour movie you’ve been dying to see but you just can’t get comfortable. As much as I love some of these ultra-contemporary upholstery pieces, sometimes they are just so uncomfortable.
When you are purchasing upholstery you really need to think about its intended use and really take the time to test it out in the showroom. Sit; slouch; lie down; curl up; and relax (please remember to take off your shoes). You can have the best of both worlds– a contemporary, stylish and comfortable sectional that will last you for a very long time. You don’t have to compromise on style for comfort anymore!
Purchasing a trendy item that doesn’t match
“One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn’t belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?”
Design trends change all the time. I understand that everyone wants to update or modernize their home, but this has to be done the right way. You have to make sure that the piece you would like to incorporate into your space compliments the rest of your furnishings. You do not want any item to stick like a sore thumb. Unless, that is when you intended.
If your home decor style is more traditional with warm finishes, then purchasing a modern style accent chair in a bright finish will not fit well with the rest of your furnishings. However, if you find a modern style piece that incorporates some of the same finishes, tones and colours in your existing space, then that could work.
It’s about knowing how to properly mix and match different styles together to create a truly coordinated and personalized space.
Too much clutter
Chotchkies, knick knacks, bric-a-bracs, odds and ends – they are all the same thing – small items that take up space with no purpose. I call them dust collectors!
Adding all those small odds and ends just adds additional clutter to your space. Not to mention the additional hours spent dusting and cleaning those items. When you accessories, you want to group together items of various shapes and sizes, and place them strategically around your space. Accessorizing is used to enhance your design.
Overcrowded room
It is very common to see spaces that are filled with too many or oversized furnishings. When you overcrowd a room, there is no movement or flow within the space.
You want to ensure that you select items that are the proper size and proportion for your space. If you have a smaller room, choose items that are slimmer, more compact. No large or bulky furniture. Try and think about what pieces are absolutely necessary. Just because there is a bare corner, does not mean you need to fill it. Think about the using both the positive and negative space in the room.
Selecting paint colours first
This has to be the most common interior decorating blunder. I have been asked numerous times to select paint colours for rooms before the furniture has been placed. I’ve also been asked to select paint colours to match furnishings that are shown to me in photographs on online.
The paint colours are always the last item selected after all the furnishings and fabrics have been selected. In these two scenarios, how can I guarantee that the colours I’ve selected are going to work when the customer actually brings the furniture into the space? Photographs and computer screens don’t give a true representation of any colour.
When you view an image on your computer screen and compare it to a print out – are they the same colour – NOPE! It is best to have the furniture you intend to keep and any samples onsite for any colour consultations. This makes it a lot easier to choose the right paint colours.
Think about it – how many millions of paint colours are there to choose from? Does it not make more sense that it would be easier to find a paint colour to match a window treatment than it would be to find a window treatment to match a paint colour?
There You Have It!
The 12 most common interior decorating blunders! Now that you are aware of these no-nos; you will know how to avoid them. Tell me: Are you guilty of these common decor blunders? How many of these can you relate to? Thank you, as always, for reading and sharing.
Are you located in Ottawa & in need of residential design services? You can explore our services right here.
