If you’re moving to a new home or upgrading your current space, it can be difficult to decide how exactly you want to decorate it and make it your own. Is the paint color too dark? Is your living room too crowded? Does the atmosphere feel positive and welcoming?
“Having a balanced space not only improves the look and feel, but also creates a psychological impact,” says Scheherazade Lunn, certified interior decorator and founder of Lunn Interiors. I am. “Just as a clean home creates a sense of calm, the same can be said for a well-designed space.”
We spoke to interior decorators and designers about what they avoid when decorating their own homes, and why it makes a difference in creating spaces that make them feel comfortable and happy.
Mistake #1: Choosing the paint color for the room first.
“One of the (mistakes) I always see people[make]is they choose[paint colors]too soon,” says Natasha Haber, interior designer, decorator, and owner of Natasha Haberman Studio. Mann said.
She suggests this should be the last step in decorating your home. There are thousands of paint color options, so she advises first choosing a decor or accessory that you really like, then choosing your paint based on that. For example, you know you want a light blue room, but matching the exact shade is easier if you already have the bedding, rugs, and other decor needed for the space.
“[Otherwise]you’re constantly fighting with the paint instead of making it blend with everything else you’ve already chosen,” she said.
In addition to looking at decor and accessories, she recommends thinking about how you plan to use the room you’re painting.
“It’s all about what kind of atmosphere you’re trying to create in the room,” she added. “Think about the amount of time you live in that space.”
You might want a more “bright and cheerful” color in rooms you spend your time in during the day, like your kitchen, and a more “cozy” color in areas you spend your time in at night, like your bedroom, she says. said.
Mistake #2: Going too trendy
“I strongly believe that when decorating your home, you should prioritize timeless pieces over temporary trends,” Lan said. “Trends are fun, but they shouldn’t be the center of the space.”
She recommends adding trends through small items like decorative cushions, lamps, and coffee table accessories that can be refreshed later if needed.
“Large investment items like sofas tend to attract quite a bit of attention in a room, so it’s essential to choose furniture that will stand the test of time,” she explained.
Timeless items are usually “classic styles with historical significance,” while trendy items may have a unique, contemporary interpretation.
“By blending timeless design with trendy accents, you can create a space that is both stylish and enduring,” she said.
Mistake #3: Overcrowding your space with furniture and accessories
Ron Renner, founder and president of Certified Interior Decorators International (CID), says, “You never want to overstate the beauty of a room by having too much stuff.” “Too much decoration, even beautiful decorations, can cause stress and confusion, so keep it simple and understated.”
So how do you know if you have too many things in one room? If it’s hard to move around without bumping into furniture, or if the room looks cluttered when you enter, is a good sign, Renner explained.
It’s also important not to overcrowd the space with certain colors or patterns. For example, she says, using too many dark colors can make you feel tired and depressed. Also, mixing too many different patterns can lead to confusion, Lunn added.
“It’s best to limit the number of patterns and find the perfect balance between solid colors and fun patterns,” she advised.
Boris SV (via Getty Images)
When choosing furniture, consider who will be using it, how it will be used, and whether the furniture will really function.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the function of your work
When you’re looking to add furniture or other items to your home, it’s important to think not only about how it will look, but also what purpose it will serve.
Margarita Bravo, interior designer, decorator, and owner of her own design studio, explains her thought process when choosing new pieces.
“For example, if it’s something as simple as a living room sofa, you want to make sure it’s comfortable, has the right backrest, and will fit the whole family,” she said. “We also want it to be high-performance, easy to care for and long-lasting.”
We consider functionality and durability, and we also check to see if it reflects your style and personality.
Mistake #5: Underestimating lighting options
From light fixtures and floor lamps to candles and string lights, there are many lighting options to decorate your indoor and outdoor areas.
Raquel Renner, a certified interior decorator and CID membership director, said she avoids relying on traditional or standard lighting in her home.
“Unique light fixtures, like unique art and furniture, do more than just provide light; they add a pleasing aesthetic to a room’s atmosphere,” she said.
For example, she loves the ambiance of a chandelier in the kitchen or bathroom, or a beautiful pendant light (a single light fixture hanging from the ceiling) above the nightstand, instead of a typical lamp.
Mistake #6: Focusing on how your space “should” look.
Holly Hickey Moore, interior designer, decorator, and owner of Holly Hickey Moore Design, says interior designer, decorator Holly Hickey Moore, interior designer, decorator, and owner of Holly Hickey Moore Design, says the most common mistakes people make when decorating are: He said to play it safe and just copy what you see at a friend’s house or trends you see online.
People “try to follow the supposed rules and forget that there are actually no rules when designing,” she said. “This approach often paralyzes decision-making and leads to safe and uninspired choices.”
Support free journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost for as little as $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can’t afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while reading.
Thank you for your contributions to HuffPost. We’re grateful to readers like you who help keep our journalism free for all.
The stakes are high this year and coverage in 2024 may require continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your contributions to HuffPost. We’re grateful to readers like you who help keep our journalism free for all.
The stakes are high this year and coverage in 2024 may require continued support. We hope you will consider contributing to HuffPost again.
Support HuffPost
Already a contributor? Please log in to hide these messages.
Instead, she advises trusting your intuition, not overthinking it, and decorating in a way that truly reflects you.
“While I often have to dress and act a certain way in public and social settings, home is a place where I can be my authentic self… (and) feel confident in what surrounds me.” I feel comfortable holding it,” she said.
Support free journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost for as little as $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can’t afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while reading.
Thank you for your contributions to HuffPost. We’re grateful to readers like you who help keep our journalism free for all.
The stakes are high this year and coverage in 2024 may require continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your contributions to HuffPost. We’re grateful to readers like you who help keep our journalism free for all.
The stakes are high this year and coverage in 2024 may require continued support. We hope you will consider contributing to HuffPost again.
Support HuffPost
Already a contributor? Please log in to hide these messages.
