Interior Design Mistakes That Can Sabotage a Chic Home

Recently updated on February 28th, 2024 at 11:21 am

Are you about to decorate a new home or refurbish an old one? Exciting as it may be, one thing is for sure: you want to avoid making any styling or planning mistakes that could end up looking nothing like what you expected—or causing you unnecessary anguish. That’s why we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll show you how to create interiors that enrich your home and avoid the common renovating and interior design mistakes that can ruin your dream space. Keep reading and discover how to devise a home you’ll love!

1. Interior Design Mistakes: Use What You Have

Shopping for new items can be incredibly satisfying. The internet makes it easier than ever before and can replace old items with newer, often cheaper, versions in a matter of days. But sometimes, we overlook what we already have. Before splurging on new furniture, equipment, or decor, go through your home and take some time to assess old pieces. If you love them but don’t like their wear and tear, consider refurbishing or upgrading them. You can always reupholster a vintage piece, paint over faded color, or repair broken vintage equipment.

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Insight – Think of the Flow: The best homes flow seamlessly from one room to another, even with conflicting visual profiles. Consider how it’s going to feel to move through your home when decorating.

2. Preserve the Character of Vintage Pieces

If you live in a vintage or period home, it can be tempting to renovate it from the ground up and modernize all interiors. But the charm of vintage properties can often be found in their classic paneling and awkward and even outdated elements, which add life and character to your home. Try to find a way to preserve these unique aspects of your home before demolishing everything and stripping them of their unique features. New isn’t always better – sometimes, there is a compromise to be found in the middle.

Continue Reading: The Essential Guide to Interior Design History by Decade

3. Interior Design Mistakes: Don’t Hang Curtains Too High

Hanging curtains too high off the floor looks like wearing pants at half-mast. It can often look silly and unprofessional. Since many places only store readymade curtains in specific lengths, make sure to get the correct length. We recommend 90-96 inch curtains, which work well for 8-9 ft ceilings. This allows you to place the rod near the ceiling while the curtains still touch the floor. You can thank us later!

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Insight – Feel Free to Experiment: Creating a space you’re not too fond of isn’t necessarily a mistake – sometimes it takes seeing the wrong thing to know how to find it. Try things out!

4. Know Your Electrical and Plumbing Before Placing Fixtures

Many homeowners who undergo a large remodel make a big mistake in not planning their fixtures with the electrical and plumbing in the wall in mind. Don’t let that be you! If you’re working with professionals, you likely won’t incur this issue, given that they have years of planning and experience behind them. But if your remodel is a DIY, you must be very mindful and know where your electrical and plumbing runs through the wall before planning the placement of your fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen.

5. Avoid Hanging the Art at the Same Height in Every Room

When it comes to art, there are no rules. You can place them on your wall as you please. However, most people stick to hanging art and photo frames at the same height on each wall. Instead, try sprucing it up by hanging a mix of art pieces, mirrors, shelves, etc. This creates more visual interest and ensures your walls don’t look boring. If you prefer a more minimal look, you can choose simple pieces and vary their size or frames to avoid monotony.

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Insight – Take it Slow: Rushing the process is a mistake in and of itself. Take the time to guarantee you know what you want to do with your space, to avoid making costly misfires.

6. Interior Design Mistakes: Don’t Demo Your Home Without a Plan

It goes without saying that you cannot just demo a room or your home without a plan in place. If you have a contractor and team, they will take care of most of the work. But if you are trying to save money and do the demo yourself, you must be adequately prepared. Ensure a solid plan and all necessary permits and materials are ordered to warrant your success and avoid stress. This will prevent delays and the many headaches often part of the demolition and renovating process.

7. Interior Design Mistakes:  Don’t Chase All the Latest Trends

It’s easy to fall victim to the latest design trends and the urgency of “having to have” something. But, like in fashion, many trends are fads and will feel outdated a year or two later. To go for longevity, choose timeless designs you can still enjoy years from now. While trying out the latest trends with easily replaceable items like decor, rugs, kitchenware, curtains, or bedding is okay, be very careful to change permanent details like flooring, tiles, or windows. Once you no longer find them trendy, changing them swiftly will be hard.

Photo by Max Rahubovskiy from Pexels

8. Avoid Cramping Your Place With Too Much Furniture

Sometimes, less is more – and when it comes to interior design, that is often the case. When you place too many pieces of furniture and add ample decorations, your space can quickly become cluttered, giving the illusion of a smaller interior. You can prevent this by using the right amount of statement pieces to fulfill their function and enhance them with classy decorative accents. Remember to stick to only one unique pattern – for example, don’t mix florals with plaid and other designs to create harmony rather than sensory overload.

Related Article: Key Interior Design Concepts and How to Use Them

Final Thoughts

Renovating your home can be challenging, especially when it comes to interior design. It’s easy to make common mistakes that can detract from the glamour and functionality of your living space. However, by following our tips and tricks, you can ensure your home is well-designed and aesthetically pleasing. Consider incorporating colorful home decor accessories throughout your space to add charisma for a comprehensive, high-quality look.

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