Many people are nervous about taking on a decorating project, even when it’s their own homes. The good news is that you are not alone. Even seasoned interior designers make mistakes once in a while. From taking the rug out last from the moving truck to ordering lights that are way too big for the room, we’ve all had that “uh oh” moment when tackling a big project.
To help us feel better about our past mistakes and avoid future errors, here are five common decorating mistakes to avoid next time you’re tackling a decorating project. (Spoiler alert: there’s a solution for most of these!)
Choosing Paint Colour First
While the colour of your walls is the largest part of your design in terms of square footage, it can be a mistake to choose the paint colour first. We always recommend having a vision in mind, perhaps even decide on the main furniture in the room first, before selecting a wall colour. Why? While you can paint your walls any colour in the rainbow, furnishings and fabrics have a more limited colour selection. So, work backwards and pick out your essential fabric furnishings, for example, rugs, couches and pillows, first, then pick a shade for the wall that matches them.
Having A Small Area Rug
This is a major interior design no-no. When used correctly, a rug pulls the room together and anchors the furniture. It can also provide a feeling of coziness, warmth and be an artwork for the floor. However, an area rug that is too small for the room often looks out of place and a little awkward.
As a general rule of thumb, an area rug should fit under key furniture pieces in the room with space to spare. If this isn’t possible, you should make sure the front legs of big furniture pieces can fit. Small furniture should also be on the rug whenever possible. The key here is balance and equal distribution. If your sofa is completely on the rug, don’t leave the lounge chairs entirely off it.
Not Checking For Outlets
Checking where the outlets are should be one of the first things you note down when planning. Unless you’re bringing in an electrician or renovating, accounting for the placement and number of power outlets will save you from tangled extension cords or complete re-planning.
Not Seeing Fabrics In Person
If you’ve ordered anything online, you’ve probably received something that looked completely different in real life than online at least once. That’s why we always recommend looking at a fabric sample before ordering large pieces of furniture.
Too Many Bold Pieces
When choosing a new item to add to the room, it’s essential to consider how it will fit in with the rest of the furnishing rather than taking it at face value. Having too many dazzling, bold pieces can make the room feel eclectic and busy. Your eyes don’t know what to focus on! So don’t ignore more basic and demure pieces when shopping. They could be the perfect complement to a bold art piece.
The best way to avoid decorating mistakes is to hand the project over to the professionals. Interior Design Shoppe is your interior design firm of choice in Calgary. From home renovations to redecorations, we can save you the time and stress that comes with a big project. Call us today to schedule a virtual consultation and let our team help you bring your dream home to life!