8 Big Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

If you love everything you have, then is it really a mistake? Nope, of course not. But there are problems that keep your space from looking ideal or functioning its best. Let’s uncover 8 big decorating mistakes and how to avoid them.

Let me just put it out there, I love rooms with personal style. And creating those spaces can be tricky. But when you make choices that are thoughtful, and right for your space, coupled with having items you truly love and not just settling, your rooms will feel like you.

The 8 mistakes to avoid

Study these 8 mistakes, and think about ways that you can make avoiding them work for you.

In reality, your budget may not accommodate every one, but it is always better to go without something than have the wrong thing.

Not having a focal point or a hero piece

If you are merely placing furniture in a room and living minimal for pure function, then this may not be your problem. But if you are wanting your rooms to feel cohesive and decorated, then you must have a focal point or hero piece.

This could be a painting you love, an amazing fabric, a large fireplace and mantle wall, or great armoire or hutch. But whatever it is, this will be the piece or focal area that can inspire all your decor decisions in that room.

It will also take the guess work out of some color decisions that need to be made. And allow it to be the guide when choosing a variety of textures for the room.

Buying matching sets of everything

Anyone can head into their local big box furniture store and buy a suite of furniture that comes all together. But if you are interested in a bit more personal style, or want to be able to have items that tell your story, then avoid this at all costs.

Of course, I believe that incorporating some vintage items in your space will make it more interesting to look at. And who doesn’t love the memories attached to some items picked up along the way?

I like to purchase furniture pieces that can be versatile. That way, if I ever get bored or move, items can always be switched into another room and used in a different way.

Purchase items that feel like you and give you the flexibility to switch things up as your life changes and grows.

Hanging artwork too high

Artwork should always be hung at eye level. But whose eye are we talking? The 7 foot tall husband, or the 5 foot tall wife?

It is always super noticeable when artwork is hung too high or too low. It just looks off. Hang your artwork to scale in the room and at a comfortable viewing level for average height people, which is between 5’6″ and 6 feet tall.

Area rugs that are too small

I know you’ve seen this mistake in a room. When a rug is too small for the seating group it is meant to enclose. It throws everything else in the space, and cheapens many of the other items by association.

Area rugs, within a seating grouping should enclose all of the furniture, or at the very least, have all the front legs of the furniture fully within the rug.

It’s best to figure out your arrangement and then measure the size that will best enclose all of the pieces.

If a decorative rug is out of your price range, but would be perfect for the room (even being the focal point), consider ordering a large inexpensive rug such as jute, to enclose all the furniture. Then you can layer a more expensive, decorative rug on top in a smaller size.

Putting furniture up against the walls

Unless your room is very long and narrow, avoid putting furniture directly up against the wall. Even with a long narrow room, one side may be utilized with furniture touching the wall, and the other should float.

Choose pieces that are right for the space, and arrange them so life can move freely between the pieces and not create a road block.

Choosing the wrong scale of furniture

This seems to be the most common mistake, and often takes place when people buy “sets” of furniture. Never force a pile of furniture into a room where it doesn’t fit.

An oversized sectional never made any room look amazing when it is overpowering the space. And a too tall armoire, or too long credenza, will throw off the scale in a room quicker than you can say “fix my room” in protest.

Choose pieces that are the right scale and height for your room. And if you’ve moved to a new house and your old favorites don’t work there, then it’s time to list some items on Facebook Marketplace and buy what works for how you’re living now.

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If you love to decorate your home, make fun projects, and create a unique space full of personal style OR if you are interested in learning how, then you are in the right place!

Let’s talk about home decor, vintage, how-to’s, and all the home inspiration to help you make your space a true reflection of YOU and your personal style!

We can solve design problems together. I’ll be sharing resources, tips, inspiration, and some ways I’ve learned to navigate thru the homemaking life.

Hey, Jill here. I’m excited to share my passion for design, vintage, and all things home. I look forward to hearing your questions and comments.

Forgetting about lighting

There’s decorating a room, and then there is designing a space for livability and function. The right lighting will definitely increase the enjoyment of actually living in the space.

Define the tasks that are done in the space, and provide accordingly. A mix of high and low options, such as; overhead cans or fixtures, to sconces for side lighting, and lamp lighting spread throughout the room will give you the most desirable mix.

Consider mood options needed at different times of the day for the best lighting plan. And always use dimmers where you can.

Copying someone else

There’s a difference between getting inspiration from a space that you have seen, versus copying it to a tee. This will never get you a room that speaks to your true personal style if you are only repeating the choices someone else has made.

The most important part is that a paint color they have chosen may not work in the lighting in your home. Accessories and furniture purchased from an exact source may look nice, but is it a true reflection of you?

It is always better to save pictures of spaces that you like and then analyze them. What is the common these? Are the rooms collected and styled? Or are they sparse and open? What mood do the colors evoke?

Pinpoint your favorite things and then buy what you truly love. Your home will always be authentic when you fill it with the things that speak to you and serve your needs.

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