1. Rushing the design process
The number one design mistake I believe people make is rushing when designing a new space. Things take time so allow your renovations and decorating plans to evolve and be fluid. Try things out, plan ahead, do your research, ask for other opinions or find an expert. It’s important to build your confidence over time so take the pressure off yourself and give yourself reasonable deadlines. Whether it’s a kitchen renovation or a small styling project, pace yourself and investigate all your options to seek out the best options and products you can find — be it a bathtub, an appliance or even a cushion. Your home should be a reflection of you so allow it to be a work in progress.
2. Poor rug placement and size
One of the biggest mistakes I tend to see in interiors is the wrong size and placement of rugs. I always prefer to have at least the front two feet of a sofa or armchair on the rug, which connects everything in the space. A 2x3m rug is a good all-round size, but you should always measure the space and work it out proportionally to get it correct. When working out a rug under a dining table, measure the table dimensions and add approximately 60cm to each side to allow for the chair to be pulled out.
3. Improper proportions of lighting elements
One of the most common mistakes in relation to people’s homes relates to scale. Getting proportion right is so important to help define a space and one of the most common applications of this relates to lighting. In most cases, bigger is better. If your ceilings are high, it’s essential to create something that has enough volume to fill the space. And if your ceilings are lower, then use pendants — or wall lights — to create a sense of intimacy. You don’t want people to be banging their heads on pendants, but you do want people to see them, and for them to help frame the space.
4. Flat cushions that do nothing for the space
Pancake flat scatter cushions is one of the most common design mistakes. You should invest in feather inserts for your scatter cushions as polyester filled inserts will flatten down within moments of stuffing your new cushion covers. Plus they aren’t anywhere near as comfy to snuggle into! Feather inserts make your cushions look better and mould to your body when you lean back into them after a long day.
5. Inconsistent interior themes
Mismatching different styles and losing consistency throughout the home is a design mistake I regularly notice. It’s always obvious if someone has fallen victim to the Pinterest maze and has a desire to cram an element of multiple styles they love into one space. Meshing different interior styles together can create aesthetically disconnected rooms. Start by establishing a concept through styles, colour palettes and design features that strongly resonate with you and use it as guide to ground you.
Article from realestate.com.au/lifestyle