With so many elements to consider, mistakes are bound to happen as you try to turn your house into an aesthetically pleasing space. There are many mistakes people make during home decorating that will make your home look cheap even when you have spent a lot of money. Here are some common errors to avoid to make your home stylish and inviting.
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DIY Projects
DIY projects can seem like an attractive option, cost and time-wise, but these efforts can often backfire. Doing it yourself means that you won’t always have access to the materials and expertise of a professional designer, which means that you may end up with home decorating mistakes that make your space look cheap rather than chic.
Using the wrong materials, selecting the wrong colors, or failing to properly hang wall art can all have an inexpensive appearance. If you are after something more polished, it’s best to trust a pro for the job.
Inconsistent Color Scheme
Too much of one color or a mismatched palette can give your home decor a cheap look. A common mistake is to choose paint colors that are harsh and don’t complement each other well. Choosing the wrong color combinations can make it challenging to create a unified, pleasing aesthetic.
To make your home look more polished and expensive, you should aim for complementary tones and hues throughout your interior space. Consider the texture and finish when creating an effective color scheme; natural materials such as wood bring warm tones that will tie in with the rest of your decor.
Consider keeping the same underlying shades and hues throughout your home to help ensure that it looks polished and cohesive.
Fads and Trends
Purchasing high-trend items that are fleeting in style can make your home look cheap. The problem with fad furniture and décor pieces is that they are often of low quality, quickly go out of style, and provide no long-term value.
For example, to furnish your dining room, investing in timeless pieces like classic dining tables, artwork, and rugs ensures that the room has style longevity while also giving off the look of quality design.
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting can make even the most expensive furniture and artwork underwhelming, while good lighting will enhance your home’s overall design. When selecting lights for a room, you should consider size and type to ensure it complements the other elements in the interior.
Additionally, figure out what kind of atmosphere you want to create, bright or dim, warm or cool hues. Depending on that, choose appropriate bulbs that give off just the right kind of glow. Avoid colorful decorations on your light fixtures, as they can detract from their purpose. Lastly, install indirect recessed lights or wall sconces instead of single light sources to spread light around the entire space evenly.
Poor Quality Furniture
Investing in good quality furniture will always be worth it in the long run. Cheap furniture can deteriorate quickly and make your home look unappealing. Buying good quality furniture guarantees long-lasting products with appealing aesthetics.
In addition, spending more on high-quality items can help you get more out of your investment. The same budget could provide higher quality furniture with greater features than if you decided to go for the bargain basement prices instead.
Incorrect Placement
To avoid incorrect placement of furniture and accessories, consider a room’s traffic flow before deciding where and how you arrange furniture or accessories. If an item blocks your pathway, it may be time to relocate.
Consider areas of focus, such as the room’s main focal point, like a fireplace or an accent wall, when looking for suitable spots for couches and art pieces. Finally, consider using area rugs to help define seating areas.
Decorating Without a Plan
When decorating your home, it’s important to have a plan in place. Without a plan, you may end up wasting money on items that don’t work together or just don’t fit the style of your home. This usually results in an accidentally haphazard look.
Plan for each space, consider different decor ideas, and select the pieces you want to feature. You need to discerningly implement items throughout so that everything looks cohesive and brings out the character of the space.
Matching Everything
Matching items are often seen as a hallmark of sophistication and can make a room feel complete. However, this could also have a negative effect on your interiors. If everything in the space matches too perfectly, it risks looking forced and cheap.
It’s far better to blend different natural textures, colors, and styles while using matching items as accents rather than opting for an entire interior that looks like it’s from the same store. This allows you to develop a unique design aesthetic that shows off your taste and personality.
Using the Wrong Materials or Finishes
Inexpensive-looking materials and finishes, like low-grade carpeting or plastic veneers, can lead to an unattractive or dated look. It’s essential to keep in mind that although one material may cost less than another, it might not be worth the sacrifice of quality if you want a home that looks polished and put together.
Taking the time to make deliberate choices about materials for floors, walls, furniture, lighting, and even small accents, will result in a room with a cohesive feel and ultimately add value to your home.
Poorly Executed Design
Whether it’s a lack of balance, disproportionate scales, or an odd color combination, you need to pay attention to proportion and structure to avoid ending up with a design that looks cheap and attractive.
To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to carefully consider colors and patterns that work together well in each room, take measurements and draw out sketches of furniture arrangements, so everything looks balanced in the space, and try to use elegant decor pieces that match without making things feel overly cluttered or overdone.
Conclusion
While the decor is meant to elevate your home, some mistakes can have the opposite effect and leave your home looking unappealing. Investing in high-quality furniture that will look good and serve you well for a long time is crucial. Take time to plan and create a haven that reflects your personal taste and style.
