How to Avoid Common Interior Design Mistakes

There are important things to consider when designing an interior space, for instance: scale, proportion, emphasis, color scheme, accessorizing, and budget!! Here are some tips from our a.clore interiors' team . . .

Budget Before Buying + Shop Around

Have a budget first, so plan first and shop later. It is important to have an idea of what you really need for your space instead of going to a showroom and falling in love with every item you see... and thinking they will all match.

Buy Furniture, Paint After

You know when you fall in love with a piece of furniture because of its unique characteristics? But then realize it wouldn't match your room theme or just blend in with the walls? Yeah we know too, so that's why it's always smart to get furniture picked out, then decide what color walls would compliment your belongings. It is easier to place your pieces of furniture first, and then try to find the perfect color for your interior space. There is a huge variety for paint color so it is better to paint after because it gives you more flexibility.

Include Masculine AND Feminine Pieces

We've all been there. You fall in love with some tassled, fluffy, or glittery accessory at HomeGoods. You impulsively bring it home to find your husband rolling his eyes at your new buy; add this to the list of knickknacks that only suit you. A good design will incorporate some heavier, masculine decor that adds more variety and interest to the room. This may be a small wooden sail ship, or trendy antlers that we've seen popping up on room walls these days. The key is to create a harmonious atmosphere by finding the right balance between masculine and feminine pieces!

Adding Your Personal Touch to the Design

Right now, everyone wants white on white; and while this is a timeless design choice, it may not really suit you. We advise adding more of your personal finishes to your house. Just because you love the spotless, polished look of something at your friend's house, doesn't mean it should find a home at your place. Pick your own color palette, something you'll love as trends change. Accessorize with things that have meaning. Maybe the colors you've chosen were your wedding colors and you display an old chest passed down from your grandparents. These sentimental touches are timeless and make your house a home, not a showroom! 

Picking the correct size rug!

All too often someone picks a rug that is too small for the space. As a basic rule of thumb, your rug should extend under all legs of furniture and be centered in the room. In a living room you want the rug to extend underneath the sofa and the surrounding upholstery pieces in order to proportionally ground the space. When in need of an oversized rug, see if your local carpet fabricator can create a one out of a broadloom product. This tends to be an inexpensive alternative to sourcing a large handmade rug. 

Less is more!

We all love furniture, right? But sometimes having a lot of pieces together in the same space can be overwhelming. Consider the size of your room and use the right scale of furniture accordingly. Measure the room before buying furniture pieces, and you'll decrease the chances of making a mistake. It is important to create different heights to create a more interesting space. You can accomplish that by having window treatments, wall art, and small or big unique pieces of furniture, it all depends the atmosphere you want to create! Remember that most importantly, you should pick furniture that fits your personal style! 

Mistake: Lack of color

White is a beautiful and elegant color; however, if you have kids or pets or you feel that your wall is too empty, probably white is not the best option. Sometimes you need vibrant colors to transmit diverse ideas. It can be fun to play with colors and their different schemes! Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to paint all the walls a vivid color and upholster everything in bright prints. A single wall of an accent color can add a real punch to room, even when the palette is neutral. Don’t be afraid of adding color to a room because it adds fun and life! Incorporating color can take many forms: a colorful rug, a vibrant array of accessories, bold artwork, or saturated textiles. Pick your favorite color and let it brighten a space in your home! 

Avoid Matching Everything

A page from a catalog is misdeceiving because people don't really live that way!  It's designed to sell furniture and give you an idea of what you might have in your house, but you shouldn't be closely copying the look. So how can you avoid this situation? By creating a lived-in look! Make your room's design eclectic — not like a showroom you can't live in. As you look around the room, you should see different pieces and accents that capture the eye and add interest. 

Don't show your clutter

How do can you achieve this? Three words. . . STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE! Get basic furniture pieces that have built-in storage like benches with liftable lids, cute baskets on shelves, and hooks to hang ready-to-go items. Have a designated space to put things when people come over. 

Strategically Placed Art

If you want to emphasize artwork, put it on a wall where nothing else will steal its thunder: the TV, a big window, or a door. Reserve a spot for your inspiration piece that gets good light and is noticeably a conversation piece.We hope that these tips give you an idea of the do and don'ts you should consider when creating your space! This creative process can be very complex and overwhelming, but no worries! The a.clore interiors team will always be there to guide you over the whole process of  designing your amazing space!

//

Thank you for being an A.Clore Interiors Blog reader…..

Don’t forget: you can find us on Facebook – “like” us to keep up with the latest and greatest!

You can always find more design inspiration on our Pinterest and Instagram pages!

Connect with us on Google+ and LinkedIn

Visit our Website for more information on what we are about and how interior design can change your life!